Although 53% of people in the UK are doing some or all their grocery shopping online, there’s a massive gap between what consumers want, and what retailers are offering, according to new research. RichRelevance’s research shows that more than half of the UK population (53%) are doing some or all of their grocery shopping online. This is in contrast to 40% in France and 32% in Germany. However, despite the majority of consumers showing a willingness to embrace modern technology and shop online, grocery retailers have failed to take full advantage.Source: netimperative.com
Greece: Metro AEBE explores convenience opportunity
Metro AEBE is to trial a new concept small format neighbourhood store this year. The retailer typically operates larger stores. If successful the concept will be rolled out further. Metro AEBE is to invest €45mln in the Greek market in 2018, slightly more than last year. This will focus on store establishment and refurbishments.Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Ireland: Lidl announce Autism Aware Quiet Evenings
Lidl has announced it will implement Autism Aware Quiet Evenings across its entire network of 194 stores in Ireland and Northern Ireland. Due to the success of an initial trial last year and the positive feedback received from customers, Lidl is now in a position to roll this initiative out to all stores from April 2nd, World Autism Day. The roll-out is expected to be completed across all stores in May. Lidls network of stores across Ireland and Northern Ireland will be prepped to have numerous sensory adjustments in place which will classify each store as being autism aware. Stores will begin implementing the following changes from April 2nd every Tuesday between 6pm and 8pm.Source: tv3.ie
UK: Top 50 Indie installs Spar wholesaler's ordering technology
Top 50 Indie M&L Richardson & Sons has helped Spar wholesaler James Hall & Co to reach a milestone in the roll out of its Centralised Store Replenishment (CSR) facility. M&L Richardson has seven Spar shops across Cumbria, and its Spar Low Row Service Station was the 50th independently-owned store to go live on CSR, taking the total number of stores using the system – including company-owned stores – to more than 200. The CSR system uses each store’s sales and stock levels to generate an accurate forecast and a suggested order. CSR monitors and manages the overall stock holding to ensure that the minimum amount of stock is held, while maximising product availability.Source: forecourttrader.co.uk
US: Weis Markets expands online grocery ordering and kerbside pickup program
The Sunbury-based chain announced it is expanding its Weis 2 Go online ordering and kerbside pickup program to an additional 25 stores including several in Pennsylvania. It brings the total number of Weis stores offering online ordering to 81 locations. "We have expanded and upgraded our Weis 2 Go online ordering service, which now offers a more seamless shopping experience through mobile ordering on the Weis app and online at weismarkets.com," said Kurt Schertle, Chief Operating Officer for Weis Markets, in a press statement.Source: pennlive.com
US: Chicory announces Amazon Fresh and Instacart partnership
Chicory, the New York-based foodtech company that is paving the way for grocery ecommerce technologies, announced that they are partnering with Amazon Fresh and Instacart, beginning April 1, to provide recipe ordering solutions to more than 80mln shoppers across 3mln recipes and 1,000+ sites. Through these new partnerships, Chicory will be able to double the retailer capabilities on their shoppable recipes, now reaching 40% of US zip codes and truly expanding the way their technology turns recipes into reality.Source: businesswire.com
US: HSHC, Town and County Supermarket team up for program targeting kids
On behalf of the Healthy Schools Healthy Communities (HSHC), the Texas County Health Department has partnered with the Cabool and Houston Town and Country Supermarkets to offer the “Fruit 4 Kids” program. Any child 12-and-under shopping with an adult can enjoy one piece of fruit from designated baskets. “This is one more effort on behalf of Healthy Schools Healthy Communities to make fresh fruit available for our children,” said HSHC community wellness coordinator Earlene Stoops. “Town and Country was glad to provide the fruit, and we’re really happy to have them work with us.”Source: houstonherald.com
US: Rouses introduces meal kits
Southern grocer Rouses Markets is the latest grocer to jump on the meal-kits bandwagon, introducing a line of private-label, ready-to-cook kits in most of its stores. Rouses' kits feature fresh, high-quality ingredients that are measured to provide only what is needed per meal for two adults, reducing waste. Each kit comes with step-by-step instructions for recipes that the retailer’s chefs tested for months, said Donny Rouse, CEO of the Thibodaux, Louisiana-based grocer. “We're always looking for ways to help our customers who are short on time,” Rouse said. “Our meal kits let you cook amazing meals at home straight out of the box. And there’s no subscription needed.”Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Walmart says to double down on e-commerce investments in India
Walmart Inc., the world’s largest retailer, is looking to double down on investments in its e-commerce business, hire more top tech talent from countries like India, and invest in or acquire Indian tech start-ups, amid a bruising global battle against Amazon.com Inc., even as it inches closer to a deal to acquire a majority stake in India’s largest internet start-up, Flipkart Ltd. In an interview, Walmart’s chief technology officer Jeremy King said the company would continue to expand aggressively in India, where it built out its largest technology centre outside its home market a few years ago. King, however, declined to comment on Walmart’s current talks with Flipkart. Source: dealstreetasia.com
US: HelloFresh acquires Green Chef
Meal-kit service HelloFresh SE has acquired Green Chef, a Boulder, Colorado-based rival known for its USDA-certified organic meal kits, for an undisclosed sum. Headquartered in New York, HelloFresh provides subscribers with curated recipes and fresh ingredients for making well-balanced meals. It now claims it will offer the largest selection of meal plans for consumers, adding Green Chef’s organic vegan and gluten-free menus, which include plans compliant with Paleo and Keto diets.Source: progressivegrocer.com