US: SM stores make space for homegrown onions - The SM group has ordered about 91,000 kilos or close to 100 tons of onions directly from farmers, making good its promise to build a market for homegrown produce. (business.inquirer.net)
Weakness in France drags down profits at retailer Carrefour
Carrefour on Thursday pledged to grow sales and free cash flow this year after posting a steeper-than-expected fall in 2016 earnings, as profits dropped at its core French market. In France, operating profits fell 13.4%, with margins down by 40 basis points to 2.9%. This reflected costs tied to the integration of the loss-making Dia discount stores. "2017 will be the year when Dia results start improving," the company's CFO said. Elsewhere in Europe, however, operating profits rose 25.7%, driven by a continued recovery in Spain and improved profitability in Italy. In Latin America, Brazil put in a strong performance in spite of difficult market conditions but China, which makes 5% of sales, was still a loss-making area. "The second-half was a low-point for China," Carrefour's CFO said. (Reuters)
Sainsbury's boss: UK's spending squeeze could help UK grocers Britain's major supermarket chains could benefit from a small decline in overall spending by Britons because people will eat at home more rather than dining out, the boss of Sainsbury's said on Wednesday. (Reuters)
UK's Morrisons reports first profit rise in five years
Morrisons reported a rise in annual profit for the first time in five years, cementing its revival under a new management team. It said on Thursday it made an underlying pretax profit of £337m for the year to Jan. 29 2017. That was up 11.6% from last year's £302m and compared to analysts' average forecast of £335m. Net debt was cut by £552m to £1.19bn. "We are confident we can continue to turnaround and grow Morrisons," it said. The supermarket did, however, warn of "uncertainties ahead", especially around the impact on imported food prices. The chain promised to keep a tight rein on price rises. US: Whole Foods to boost fruit consumption
The L.A. Business Journal reports that Whole Foods is launching do-it-yourself Juicero Juice bars in 11 locations. The self-serve juice bars will employ a cold-press system where customers can make their own beverages for $5 per serving. All Juicero’s Produce Packs promise to contain triple-washed, chopped, organic fruits and vegetables harvested within days of arriving at a store. (consumerist.com)Spain: Mercadona to cut 2017 profits to fund $1.3 bn investment
Mercadona will curb 2017 profits in order to invest up to €1.2bn this year on refurbishing and opening new stores, improving logistics and expanding into Portugal. It said 2017 profits would be around €200m - about a third of last year's - as the company made what it called the biggest capital expenditure in its history. "In order to invest in Mercadona's future, it has been decided to sacrifice profits in the short term," Chairman Juan Roig said, adding the unlisted company would not focus on profits this year or next. Please, click here to read more at businessinsider.com. US: Village Super Market posts 2Q profit
Village Super Market Inc. on Wednesday reported fiscal second-quarter profit of $6m. On a per-share basis, the Springfield, New Jersey-based company said it had net income of 42 cents. The supermarket chain posted revenue of $412.2m in the period. Village Super Market shares have dropped 9.5% since the beginning of the year. The stock has increased 11% in the last 12 months. (finance.yahoo.com)US: Weis Markets pilots customer service-focused prototype
An expansive new Weis Markets prototype store is set to open this week in the competitive West Shore market. "We want this to be our latest and greatest and we have some new ideas here," said Kurt Schertle, the company’s COO, in a report from local news source Penn Live. Please, click here to read more at andnowuknow.com. Fresco y Más expands in South Florida, aiming at Hispanic customers
Fresco y Más on March 8 opened five stores in Miami, and Hialeah, Florida, bringing its total store count to 11 locations. The banner is the latest concept from Southeastern Grocers, parent company of Bi-Lo, Harveys and Winn-Dixie. The company has tailored each new location to provide an authentic Hispanic grocery store experience. (chainstoreage.com) Philippines: 7-Eleven operator to open 412 stores
Listed Philippine Seven Corp. (PSC), the local licensee of convenience store 7-Eleven, plans to build 412 stores for P3.5bn in a bid to support its target 20-percent growth this year. PSC President and CEO Jose Victor Paterno said the firm would open 50 stores in Mindanao, another 50 stores in the Visayas and the remaining 312 stores in Luzon. (business.mb.com.ph) UK: Sainsbury’s to be first to stock Jersey Royals in 2017
This year, Sainsbury’s will be the first major retailer to kick off the prestigious and long awaited Jersey Royal season with potatoes available earlier than expected in selected stores from Wednesday 8th March, the company says in a press release. Carrefour Brazil increasing promotion of domestic produce in store
Carrefour Brazil has begun placing stronger emphasis on indigenous produce, showcasing a wider range of domestic goods through in-hypermarket displays. The retailer has also produced a leaflet for its clientele, detailing information on the provenance and suppliers of its domestic products which include fruit and vegetables. (esmmagazine.com) 