US: Aldi stores focusing on low grocery prices this summer, CEO says
As inflation continues to worry Americans, Aldi CEO Jason Hart said the discount grocery chain is focused on keeping grocery prices low as the summer season heats up.
Source: abcnews.go.com
Peruvian Veef secures $320K in first funding round, aims for Latin American expansion
Peruvian Veef, a plant-based food startup in South America, has raised $320,000 in its first funding round, led by US-based venture capital investors. This round included contributions from Ahimsa Foundation and Sustainable Food Ventures, along with a non-dilutive government grant from ProInnovate Peru.
Source: vegconomist.com
HelloFresh opens state-of-the-art production facility in Nuneaton, UK
HelloFresh reported: "Increased demand brought increased need for more production and distribution centres worldwide. Facilities that would not only allow us to continue to meet the ongoing demand, but also allow us to build our capacity for future growth plans. In the UK's Nuneaton, we opened one such new centre - the Beehive - in December, last year. And this month, we are proud to celebrate the successful production and distribution of one million meal kits from this flagship facility, to homes across the length and breadth of the UK".
Source: hellofreshgroup.com
Europe: Consumer confidence in food sector falls alarmingly
European consumers have less and less confidence in key players in the food sector, such as farmers, manufacturers, retailers, restaurants or authorities. The latter are the least trusted, with the food industry a close second, according to a worrying survey by EIT Food.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK shop price growth back to normal, retailers say
Prices in British shops rose at the slowest pace in 2-1/2 years this month, according to the British Retail Consortium which said the rate of inflation in the sector was back to normal after its surge.
Source: reuters.com
Bord Bia data reveals strawberries as Ireland's favourite fruit
Bord Bia has revealed that strawberries come out on top when it comes to value for Irish shoppers. The value of the Irish fruit market in 2023 was €823,717, with strawberries accounting for 15.3% of that value. Next on the list were apples (14.8%) and grapes (12.2%).
Source: checkout.ie
Portugal's MC strengthens market position in grocery sector
Portuguese retail chain MC has reported a 9.4% year-on-year revenue increase, to €1.6bln, in the first quarter of 2024, driven by strong performances in its grocery and health & beauty segments. During the period, MC stayed on track with its plans to open new stores and renovate existing ones.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Belgium: Collect&Go to now pick orders with smart self-driving vehicles
Collect&Go, Colruyt Group's online grocery shopping service, is taking an important step with the introduction of autonomous vehicles in its distribution centre in Londerzeel. Collect&Go is introducing this new innovation in partnership with Colruyt Group Smart Innovation, the innovation team within the group. The goal of the initiative is to increase efficiency in the fresh foods section of the distribution centre. A total of 22 self-driving vehicles (SDVs) are currently in operation, which makes the picking of fresh produce 20% faster.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Axfood names Shoan Etemadi as new managing director of Hemköpskedjan
Axfood has appointed Shoan Etemadi as the new managing director of Hemköpskedjan AB, which operates the Hemköp and Tempo chains in Sweden. Etemadi, who currently serves as the deputy managing director and head of sales at Hemköpskedjan, will assume his new role on 15 August.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Irish shoppers enjoy bank holiday sunshine with BBQ buys
Kantar reported: "This month, shoppers spent an additional €614k on sausages, €497k on chilled burgers and grills, €454k on chilled prepared salads and €3.4mln on soft drinks, to make the most of the sun".
Source: kantar.com
UAE: LuLu opens new hypermarket in Abu Dhabi's Shawamekh
Lulu Group has further expanded its presence in Abu Dhabi by inaugurating a new hypermarket at Shawamekh Central Mall, in the suburbs of Abu Dhabi. Humaid Al Marzouqi, Director of Wathba Municipality Center, said: "This new hypermarket will surely serve the diverse needs of residents in this locality and also support the local agriculture sector".
Source: lulugroupinternational.com
Explainer: South African retailer Pick n Pay's revamp up close
New CEO of South Africa's third biggest grocery retailer Pick n Pay announced that over 100 loss-making core supermarket stores will either be closed or converted, in a group-wide revamp.
Source: reuters.com
Alibaba's AliExpress recruits Beckham to 'score more' global sales
AliExpress, an e-commerce site owned by Chinese giant Alibaba, has signed former England soccer captain David Beckham as a brand ambassador as it plays catch-up with rival PDD Holdings' Temu in a battle to sell cheap made-in-China goods to the world.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Not Just Veg in Axminster South Street five star in food hygiene
The shop at Market View Shop in South Street Axminster has been awarded a five-star food hygiene rating every year since opening its doors in 2020. Not Just Veg is run by Amanda Hoden, her shop in South Street sells organic and local fruit and vegetables and much more including organic milk, cream and yoghurt, organic bread to order plus jams, jellies, marmalade, chutneys, local honey, eggs, and homemade soups.
Source: midweekherald.co.uk