Supermarket giant Aldi eyes NZ
International grocery giant Aldi is eyeing up New Zealand in a move that could shake up the tightly-held supermarket sector. Acting Prime Minister Grant Robertson confirmed that the German-owned chain was "one of the players" interested in the New Zealand market. Asked if Aldi was one Robertson said: "Aldi is one of the players but I am not going to announce things to people today".
Source: odt.co.nz
Indonesia's Astro raises $60mln Series B funding, bringing the total investment to more than $90mln
Astro, an Indonesia platform that enables 15-minute grocery delivery to customers, said it has raised $60mln Series B funding led by Accel, Citius and Tiger Global, bringing its total investment to more than $90mln since it started in September 2021. Existing investors, AC Ventures, Global Founders Capital, Lightspeed and Sequoia Capital India also participated in the round, Astro said in a statement.
Source: technode.global
UK: Tesco and WWF announce winners of innovation accelerator programme
Tesco and WWF have announced the five start-ups that have won funding and the chance to test and scale their innovation in Tesco’s supply chain to help cut the environmental impact of the average shopping basket and support a resilient and sustainable UK food system. The five Innovation Connections winners are: AgriSound & AM Fresh (Tesco fruit supplier) - technology that uses bioacoustics to monitor pollinators and pest levels on farm to help farmers protect biodiversity and increase produce yields; ai & Hilton (Tesco meat and fish supplier); CCm, Andermatt, Farm Carbon Toolkit & Branston (Tesco potato supplier) - a demonstration of low carbon fertilisers to reduce the carbon footprint of potato production; Farm Carbon Toolkit & Produce World (Tesco produce supplier) - advanced carbon footprint software for horticultural growers to analyse and reduce their emissions and increase carbon sequestration on farm, whilst also identifying cost savings and efficiencies; Future by Insects & Hilton (Tesco meat and fish supplier).
Source: tescoplc.com
Britons step up supermarket visits in search for value
Britons' visits to supermarket stores rose 7% year-on-year in the four weeks to May 21 as they shopped around for the best prices amid a worsening cost of living crisis, market researcher NielsenIQ said.
Source: reuters.com
The first ‘Just Essentials by Asda’ products launch in stores and online this week
Asda reported: "Asda has this week begun the transition of its budget-friendly Smart Price range to new brand ‘Just Essentials by Asda’, which is set to become the largest budget-friendly essentials range in the market. The range launches as it’s reported that household spending power has hit a record low, down by £40.38 per week to £205 - a drop of 16.5% year on year. Over 60 products will be available in stores and online this week, including fresh meat, fish and a selection of fresh produce".
Source: corporate.asda.com
Swiggy emerges as contender to acquire German retailer Metro business; Reliance Retail, Thailand's CP Group in race
Food delivery platform Swiggy is one of the possible contenders to take over Germany’s Metro AG India business. Also, Reliance Retail, Mukesh Ambani-controlled Reliance Industries (RIL's) organised retail arm, and Thailand’s conglomerate Charoen Pokphand(CP) group are likely frontrunners to buy a stake in the Gurugram-headquartered Metro Cash & Carry, at present.
Source: timesnownews.com
UK competition watchdog to probe Morrisons' purchase of McColl's
Britain's competition regulator will investigate supermarket group Morrisons' purchase of convenience store chain McColl's out of administration, it said. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) will examine whether the deal results in a substantial lessening of competition.
Source: reuters.com
Irish grocery sales declined by 6.5% in 12-week period to mid-May
Kantar’s latest take home grocery figures for Ireland show that Irish grocery sales fell by 6.5% in the 12 weeks to 15 May 2022. Irish shoppers are adjusting to increased prices as grocery inflation hits 5.5%, Kantar said, the first time inflation has risen above 5% since August 2013.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Get more fresh products with JJ Advance Order
JJ Foodservice reported: 'JJ Foodservice is giving customers access to a wider range of premium fresh products with the launch of JJ Advance Order. Chief Product Officer Sezer Ozkul said: “It's fantastic news and means we can offer new premium items, including individually-portioned premium steaks and locally-sourced fruits and vegetables, with no limit on how far we can expand the range”. Fruits and vegetables in the range include local strawberries, blueberries, birds eye chillies, exotic mushrooms, and heritage tomatoes'.
Source: blog.jjfoodservice.com
UK: Patriotic shoppers stocking up on British classics ahead of Queen’s Jubilee
Tesco reported: "Patriotic shoppers are set to create the strongest demand for British classic food in a decade ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Queen’s Jubilee sales predictions are as follows: 5mln punnets of strawberries; nearly 200,000 packs of plant-based equivalents to classic British party food favourites including 300,000 individual vegan sausage rolls."
Source: tescoplc.com
UK retailer B&M names CEO Arora's successor; warns on profit margin
British discount retailer B&M named finance chief Alex Russo as the successor to long-time Chief Executive Officer Simon Arora, who is retiring next year. B&M reported adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) of 619mln pounds ($780.44mln) for the year ended March 26.
Source: reuters.com
