US: Village Super Market 'exploring its options' after Morton Williams acquisition
Village Super Market said it is "exploring its options" after it failed to block the acquisition of Morton Williams by its wholesale supplier, Wakefern Food Corp. In a filing with the Security & Exchange Commission, Village alleges that the acquisition, which was completed in October, violates Wakefern's governing documents that prohibit the company from operating a retail chain that competes directly with its members.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Save A Lot opens 3 Ohio stores in a single day
Save A Lot has had a busy month in Ohio. The discount grocer celebrated the opening of three locations on November 19, improving access to its catalog of affordable groceries and fresh foods to shoppers in Mansfield, Hubbard and Van Wert.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Grocery Outlet trims Q4 sales, profit outlook
The Emeryville, California-based retailer said the shutdown, which suspended Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payments, resulted in an 8.2% decline in preliminary same-store sales through Electronic Benefit Transfer payments for the month of November. Preliminary non-EBT same-store sales were down 0.5%. As a result, Grocery Outlet said it now expects fourth-quarter comparable-store sales to be flat compared with last year, and it expects adjusted earnings per share to be at the low end of its previous forecast of between 21 cents and 23 cents. The retailer had reported same-store sales growth of 1.2% in the third quarter.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Kroger cancels plans for additional CFC, will pay $350mln to Ocado
Kroger has canceled plans to open an automated e-commerce fulfillment center in the Charlotte, North Carolina, area that it had been developing through its partnership with Ocado, the U.K. warehouse automation company disclosed in a filing with the London Stock Exchange. Kroger will pay Ocado $350mln to compensate the technology provider for the grocer's decision not to proceed with the Charlotte CFC and close the three other CFCs, according to a filing by Ocado. Kroger also plans to close a spoke facility in Nashville, Tennessee, in early 2026, according to a notice the retailer filed with state regulators. The grocer plans to lay off 132 workers as a result of the closure, which is due to take effect on February 1.
Source: grocerydive.com
PepsiCo cuts jobs in Ireland
PepsiCo is cutting jobs at its business in Ireland as part of efforts to "position the company for efficiency and growth". In a brief statement sent to Just Food, the US giant did not disclose the number of roles affected at its local base in the western city of Cork.
Source: just-food.com
Dollar stores may increase food deserts in under-resourced US cities
University of Florida reported: "A new study from University of Florida food economists has found that building dollar stores may create food deserts in specific city environments, while having no impact on grocery access when they enter other areas. The study, authored by UF Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Food and Resource Economics Department experts and published in the American Journal of Agricultural Economics, focused on one central question: When a dollar store opens in an area, does it ultimately decrease food access? The answer is that in some, limited cases, it does".
Source: news.ufl.edu
Carrefour Belgium to open own stores on Sundays
From 18 January, Carrefour Belgium will also open its 83 stores (40 hypermarkets and 43 supermarkets) on Sundays. This step had become almost a necessity for the chain, given the success of Delhaize's Sunday openings.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Sainsbury's festive feast feeds six for under £2.30 per person with Nectar & Aldi Price Match
Sainsbury's reported: "Available from Thursday 18th December until Wednesday 24th December, customers can stock up on seasonal vegetables perfect for cheffing up delicious sides, including: by Sainsbury's Carrots 1kg (69p without Nectar); by Sainsbury's Brussels Sprouts 500g (£1.00 without Nectar); by Sainsbury's White Potatoes 2kg (£1.32 without Nectar); by Sainsbury's Parsnips 500g (74p without Nectar); by Sainsbury's Swede (62p without Nectar); by Sainsbury's Red Cabbage (79p without Nectar); by Sainsbury's White Cabbage (79p without Nectar)".
Source: corporate.sainsburys.co.uk
Germany: Alnatura reports turnover growth of 6.6% in FY 2024/25
German organic retailer Alnatura has reported a turnover of €1.27bln in full-year 2024/25, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.6%. Alnatura plans to commence operations at its new 30,000 square-metre logistics centre in Groß-Rohrheim in summer 2026.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Iceland boss Richard Walker to become Labour peer, sources say
The chairman of the supermarket chain Iceland will be nominated for a Labour peerage, sources within the party have confirmed. They said Richard Walker was "a committed champion of families dealing with the cost of living" and "will be a strong voice in Parliament".
Source: bbc.com
Belgium: Opening of second Colruyt store in Mechelen
On Wednesday 10 December 2025, the second Colruyt store in Mechelen will open its doors in Oscar van Kesbeeckstraat. Store manager Elishia De Kempeneer explains: "Our shelves offer an extensive range of quality products at the lowest prices, including major brands as well as our own brands Boni and Everyday. Our fresh market is the place to be for fresh products such as fruit and vegetables, fish, dairy, veggie options and ready-made meals".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Holland: Upfront opens first supermarket and is already looking for four more
Upfront's first physical store is located on the grounds of the Van Nelle Factory in Rotterdam, near the offices of the Dutch sports nutrition and protein supplement brand. Co-founder Mark de Boer writes on LinkedIn that the team "gave it their all" to meet the deadline.
Source: retaildetail.eu
How the new owner wants to revive the Italian Carrefour stores
New Princes has finalised its acquisition of Carrefour Italia. The new owner sees great potential: the stores will be converted to the old Italian supermarket brand GS, with more space for the food group's own brands.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Poundland announces store closures as part of restructuring programme
Poundland has announced another wave of store closures as part of its turnaround efforts. After commencing a restructuring programme, Poundland will have to shut more than 100 shops in the UK by early next year. Poundland announced that a further 14 stores will be closed by early February, in addition to the 19 that are also set to close in the coming months.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
Spain: Aldi adds more than half a million new buyers
Discount retail chain Aldi Spain has added more than half a million new shoppers in the last year. The company has recorded an 8% increase in the number of customers between June 2024 and June 2025.
Source: discountretailconsulting.com
UK: Little Waitrose Old Brompton Road unveiled after multi-million pound transformation
Little Waitrose has opened the doors of its store on Old Brompton Road following a multi-million pound refurbishment, designed to deliver an even better experience for customers. Highlights of the multi-million pound investment include: Refreshed Fruit & Vegetables Section - better selection of fresh produce.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
