US: Cardenas Markets grows in the digital age
Changes in shopping habits driven by the COVID-19 pandemic are transforming the operating systems of supermarket chains. Cardenas Markets, for example, partnered with Instacart to respond to the growing demand for online grocery shopping and home delivery services. Although Hispanic customers have been characterized by their preference to go in person to the store to make the purchase, supermarkets that serve the Latino community are experiencing increased use of e-commerce. Stores have quickly had to adapt to new platforms to stay competitive in the industry. Adam Salgado, Chief Marketing Officer of Cardenas Markets, spoke with Abasto Magazine about how the Hispanic supermarket chain based in Ontario, California, is adapting and strengthening its electronic commerce platform in the face of the new normal imposed by the pandemic.
Source: abasto.com
US: Big Y debuts new e-commerce platform
Giving customers another way to shop for their groceries, Big Y has launched myPicks online ordering. The e-commerce platform provides an easy, contactless way for the grocer’s customers to purchase groceries by ordering online for curbside pickup. Working with a software provider, Big Y is able to manage the food safety and quality aspects of the online shopping service.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Inmar Intelligence survey reveals shifting consumer perceptions related to technology used in grocery retail
Inmar Intelligence, a data-driven technology-enabled services company, released data from a recent survey conducted to capture the latest consumer expectations and preferences related to technology used during grocery shopping. The findings show that since the beginning of the pandemic, consumers have become more willing to take advantage of new high-tech offerings if it will expedite the entire shopping process or provide other layers of convenience in their purchasing journey.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Kroger adds private label to recycling program
The Kroger Co. is taking the lead in simplifying the recycling of flexible plastic packaging by expanding its Simple Truth Recycling Program to include all of the grocer's private label brands, including Private Selection, Kroger Brand, Comforts, Luvsome and Abound.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Misfits Market reveals $200mln in Series C funding
E-grocer Misfits Market has raised $200mln in a Series C funding round co-led by Accel and D1 Capital, with participation by such existing investors as Valor Equity Partners, Greenoaks Capital, Sound Ventures and Third Kind Ventures. The oversubscribed round brings the company’s total funding to $301.5mln to date, enabling the business to officially surpass “unicorn” status, with a valuation of more than $1bln.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Amazon’s cashierless checkout technology is coming to its new supermarkets
Amazon could soon introduce its cashierless checkout technology at its growing line of Fresh grocery stores. Signs of Amazon’s “Just Walk Out” technology, including gated turnstiles and hardware to potentially house ceiling-mounted cameras, appear in planning documents for a store under construction in Brookfield, Connecticut.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Albertsons Companies commits to setting Science-Based Target to reduce carbon emissions
Albertsons Companies has announced its commitment to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and will set an emissions reduction target that supports the goals of the United Nations’ Paris Agreement to reduce carbon emissions. Albertsons Cos.’ emissions reduction goal will align with standards that are designed to ensure a better future and to prevent the worst impacts of climate change.
Source: businesswire.com
‘One Family, One Vision’: SPAR Scotland announces second virtual tradeshow
SPAR Scotland is to host a virtual tradeshow on 23 September 2021. During the event, SPAR Scotland will update suppliers, retailers, and colleagues on their plans to develop their business in a post-pandemic world further. The theme of this year’s event is ‘One Family, One Vision’.
Source: spar-international.com
Jerónimo Martins announces €11mln worth of bonuses for Portuguese employees
Portuguese retailer Jerónimo Martins has announced plans to invest approximately €11mln on an extraordinary annual bonus for 23,000 of its employees in stores and distribution centres across the country. The bonus, which will be paid alongside employees' wages this month, recognises the 'work and contribution of these employees to the group’s results, particularly in a year as challenging as 2020', the retailer said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Romania: Top-5 grocery retailers headed for 82% market share by 2024
The fight for the top position in the modern grocery retail in Romania is becoming tighter, and the biggest actors are growing constantly and becoming bigger. The most powerful 5 groups - Schwarz (Kaufland and Lidl), Carrefour, Profi, Mega Image (Ahold-Delhaize) and Auchan account for 72% of the almost RON70bln (EUR15bln) annual sales of the modern retail.
Source: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl
South Africa: PnP is open to buying Cambridge Food - Brasher
Pick n Pay is open to buying Massmart’s Cambridge Food chain says outgoing Pick n Pay CEO Richard Brasher. Brasher, speaking in his final results presentation for the group for the year to end-February 2021, says Cambridge Food would tie in well with the group’s move into low- to middle-income growth plans. He said looking at the food and grocery retail sector in South Africa, the bulk of the growth would be in what he characterises as the “less-affluent” part of it.
Source: moneyweb.co.za
Sweden's Axfood: Solid quarter with improved profitability
Axfood reported: "Axfood delivered a solid first quarter with growth despite high comparison figures as well as higher earnings and improved profitability. The Willys chain and Hemköp’s franchise stores continued to grow more than the market, and Dagab once again showed impressive productivity. At the same time, there is continued focus on developing the business and large steps have been taken in the area of sustainability".
Source: axfood.com
UK: Shopping in 10 minutes: The new supermarket battleground
"I'm amazed it hasn't been done earlier by some of the big supermarket chains", says satisfied customer Kiran Wylie. "To be able to deliver supermarket-quality food within 10 minutes is very enticing". The 28-year-old communications manager lives in Hackney, one of the London boroughs that form the new battleground of grocery shopping. If you live in the right part of the country, you can now call on a whole raft of app-based systems that promise to bring you groceries within 10 to 15 minutes. Agile start-ups with names such as Weezy, Gorillas and Dija are promising instant deliveries with no substitutions. Kiran has tried all 3, but likes Dija best because he finds its app is easier to navigate.
Source: bbc.com
UK: John Lewis founder’s great grandson receives £1.54mln golden handshake
The great grandson of the founder of John Lewis has received a farewell cheque of just over £1.5mln, a sum that exceeds the annual salary of the retailer’s chairman. According to its annual report, the John Lewis Partnership is handing Patrick Lewis, the last remaining member of the family in the business, a pay out worth £1.54mln. Lewis, who spent more than 26 years at the partnership, stepped down as finance director late last year following a head office shake-up that led to 1500 job cuts.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk