US: Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. announces CEO transition
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. ("Grocery Outlet" or the "Company") announced that effective January 1, 2023, Eric Lindberg will transition from the role of Chief Executive Officer to Chairman of the Board, and RJ Sheedy, currently the Company's President, will become President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Sheedy also will be appointed to the Board, and Erik D. Ragatz, currently Chairman of the Board, will assume the role of Lead Independent Director.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Sweetgreen shares tumble after salad chain lowers revenue outlook
Sweetgreen reported a wider-than-expected loss for the third quarter and lowered its full-year revenue outlook. This marks the second consecutive quarter that it has lowered its revenue outlook. In the third quarter, Sweetgreen’s same-store sales rose 6%, entirely driven by menu price hikes.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Sprouts nationally distributes local brands
Sprouts Farmers Markets is partnering with a business-to-business wholesale marketplace to ensure supply chain agility and diversify its assortment. The organic grocer is expanding a partnership with Pod Foods it initially rolled out in 130 stores in spring 2022 across all of its approximately 380 stores in 23 states nationwide. Pod Foods will now expand coverage to all Sprouts stores, providing these new stores with access to brands that may be locally-based in one state or region of the country, regardless of their location.
Source: chainstoreage.com
Canada: Loblaw makes strides in food waste reduction with Flashfood
Canada’s largest food and drug retailer, Loblaw Cos., has made big advances in reducing food waste and driving customer savings since adopting the Flashfood program over three years ago. Toronto-based Flashfood said that Loblaw has diverted 40mln pounds of food from landfills and helped its shoppers save more than $110mln on groceries through the use of its digital marketplace across 720 Loblaw Cos. stores and franchises.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: SpartanNash CEO rings the Nasdaq opening bell
Food solutions company SpartanNash (the “Company”), led by CEO Tony Sarsam, rang the Nasdaq Opening Bell in celebration of the Company’s successful execution of its Our Winning Recipe™ driven by a People First culture.
Source: businesswire.com
Supermarket operator Ahold hikes 2022 earnings outlook again
Ahold Delhaize reported third quarter earnings that beat analyst estimates and raised its full year earnings forecast for the third time this year, citing strong U.S. sales and margins. Ahold, which operates in the U.S. and Europe and has 19 brands including Stop & Shop, Giant, Food Lion and Hannaford, reported a 9.1% increase in group sales to 22.4bln euros ($22.6bln) for the third quarter, and an 9.7% increase in underlying operating income to 993mln euros.
Source: reuters.com
Carrefour Brasil expanding hybrid wholesale, eyes real estate carve-out
Grupo Carrefour Brasil said it will accelerate the expansion of its hybrid wholesale stores in coming years while looking into a carve-out of its real estate business. Splitting off its real estate assets could create one of Latin America's largest retail-focused property firms. Shares in the company, formally called Atacadao SA, jumped as much as 5% after the announcement, making it one of the top gainers on Brazil's Bovespa stock index.
Source: reuters.com
Britain's M&S warns of 'gathering storm' of higher costs and weak consumer demand
British retailer Marks & Spencer warned of a "gathering storm" of higher costs and pressure on household budgets, as it reiterated full-year profits would fall. The 138-year old clothing and food group, one of the biggest names in British business, reported a 24% decline in profit before tax and adjusting items to 205.5mln pounds ($237mln) for the six months to October 1 - slightly ahead of analysts' average forecast.
Source: reuters.com
Vietnamese conglomerate Thaco opens 2nd Emart outlet in Vietnam
Vietnamese private conglomerate Thaco launched its second Emart hypermarket in Vietnam as part of its ongoing expansion. The new store, Emart Sala, is located in the Thu Thiem area of Thu Duc city on HCMC’s outskirts. Thaco said it would provide modern and differentiated shopping experiences to customers. The conglomerate’s third hypermarket, Emart Phan Huy Ich, also in HCMC, is set to open later this year.
Source: theinvestor.vn
New Zealand: Wonky Box fruit venture expands to Palmerston North
Every farmer and grower has a portion of their produce that’s perfectly edible but too misshapen to make it to the supermarket shelves. That’s where Wonky Box comes in. The subscription service collects the produce supermarkets turn their noses up at and arranges it in boxes to be delivered to people’s doors. Until recently, this service was only available in Wellington and Auckland. Now, co-founder Angus Simms is expanding to a region close to the hearts of the Wonky Box team.
Source: stuff.co.nz
France: Presentation of the "CARREFOUR 2026" strategic plan
Carrefour launched its new strategic plan, Carrefour 2026, to accelerate its transformation amid an unprecedented macroeconomic, geopolitical and climate context. Having successfully completed its turnaround, Carrefour is in a strong position to address crises and increase its leadership by relying on its raison d'être, the food transition for all, and its digital-based omnichannel model, presented in 2021.
Source: carrefour.com
Holland: Albert Heijn pulls plug on ‘light’ delivery service
Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn will be ending AH Compact, its delivery service for small orders, before the end of this month. The move comes as a total surprise, as the service was expanded earlier this year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Asda opens first 'Asda Express' convenience store
Asda has opened its first standalone ‘Asda Express’ convenience store bringing Asda value and great products to more local communities across the UK. The store has opened in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands, creating 17 new jobs in the local community. A second Asda Express store will open at Tottenham Hale next month, following by 30 sites next year, creating circa 500 new jobs.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Kenya: Carrefour to open first CBD store by December
Retail chain Carrefour will open its first Central Business District Branch (CBD) branch in Nairobi, seeking to compete with already established brands such as Naivas and Quickmart. The Majid Al Futtaim, the owner of Carrefour’s franchise in Kenya, said that the new store will be opened by December 2022. It seeks to grab the lucrative CBD market, allowing the firm to grow its networks as well as market base.
Source: capitalfm.co.ke
DESPAR Italia partner, Maiora, opens a EUROSPAR Supermarket in Massafra
For Maiora, operating the SPAR brand in Italy’s Centre-South, opening this EUROSPAR Supermarket near Taranto is a strategic stepping stone towards expanding its presence on the Ionic coast of the Apulia region of Southwest Italy. Investment has been made in modern areas for fruit and vegetables and served counters for delicatessen, bakery, fresh meat and fresh fish and seafood.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: A Lidl bit less! Lidl scores hat trick as it's named cheapest supermarket for third time in a row 
Lidl has been named cheapest supermarket in The Grocer’s ‘Super Grocer 33’ for the third time in a row - beating six major retailers, including Aldi. Lidl offered the lowest price for 27 products, of which they were exclusively cheapest for asparagus tips, Cadbury Fruit & Nut, feta, honeydew melon, and tomato purée.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk