US: United Natural Foods names Ron Selders its new President of Fresh
United Natural Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “UNFI”) announced that Ron Selders has been named President of Fresh where he will lead the Company’s growth strategy for its deli, bakery, produce, and meat departments. These critically important store perimeter categories drive traffic and provide independent grocery retailers with choice, value and unique products that help differentiate them within their marketplace. Selders’ appointment is effective December 26, and he will report to Steve Dietz, UNFI’s Chief Customer Officer.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Court extends block on Albertsons $4bln dividend
The Washington State Supreme Court has ruled that a temporary restraining order preventing payment of Albertsons’ proposed $4bln dividend can remain in place during a review of a lower court’s decision. As previously reported, Washington State Attorney General Bob Ferguson on November 1 had sued to halt the proposed dividend, arguing that it would leave the company in a weaker position to compete against Kroger as those two companies prepare to merge, and that it would violate antitrust law and the Consumer Protection Act.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Are discount grocers outpacing traditional operators?
Sales growth at discount grocers such as Aldi, Lidl and Grocery Outlet likely outpaced overall grocery sales growth in 2022, and the discount segment will continue to gain market share and pressure traditional supermarkets in the year ahead, according to a new report from Coresight Research.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Kroger shares what America is eating for the holidays
The Kroger Co., America's grocer, shared how Americans are preparing for the holidays with their favorite ingredients, snacks and treats. Customers shopping for the main course of their holiday meals are again selecting ham and rib roast as family favorites accompanied by a variety of seasonal sides featuring fresh veggies such as russet potatoes, sweet potatoes, asparagus and Brussels sprouts.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Digital grocery expected to grow in 2023
The use of digital technologies by both shoppers and grocery store associates are forecast to increase in 2023, but improvements are necessary if retailers are to maximize performance. Indeed, research from Grocery Doppio, a Jacksonville, Florida-based research firm, found that 87% of shoppers will use digital ordering to make grocery purchases next year with a 16% increase in the number of pickup orders.
Source: supermarketnews.com
UK: Farmers outraged as Sainsbury's sell potatoes for ‘less than the cost of production’
Farmers have been left outraged as Sainsbury’s, among other UK supermarkets, has discounted the price of potatoes in the run up to Christmas. At the Big 4 grocer, British white potatoes are on sale at 19p for a 2.5kg pack, while Aldi and Lidl launched 19p deals across a range of vegetables and Iceland rolled out its 1p sale across fresh and frozen vegetables. As a result of the price drops, farmers and consumers on Twitter are fearing this will reduce the value of vegetables, while growers deal with added inflationary pressures, according to reporting by Farming Guardian.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Iceland Foods loses ‘Iceland vs Iceland’ trademark court case
Iceland Foods has lost its ongoing legal battle with the country Iceland over the frozen food retailer’s trademark name after the EU Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) dismissed its appeal.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
UK: Tesco to bring back its Kids Eat Free scheme from Boxing Day
Tesco has announced it will be bringing back its popular Kids Eat Free scheme in its 312 cafés across the UK between Boxing Day and 6 January 2023. Popular kids menu items include beans or avocado on toast, fish fingers, baked chicken goujons or a sandwich. Main meals include a vegetable side dish and sandwich pick n mix includes a piece of fresh fruit so there’s something healthy and satisfying to feed hungry children from breakfast until dinner.
Source: tescoplc.com
Reliance Retail to buy Metro's India unit for about $344mln
India's Reliance Retail Ventures said it had agreed to buy German retailer Metro AG's Indian unit for 28.5bln rupees ($344mln) as it makes aggressive strides in the retail industry.
Source: reuters.com
Lidl sued for £2.6mln by grocery supplier for ‘destroying business’
Lidl is being sued for £2.6mln by a fruit and vegetable supplier that claims it was wrongly cut out of deals by the discount chain in a series of moves it alleges “destroyed our business”. Proctor & Associates, which once supplied Lidl with up to 57 different kinds of fruit and vegetable, has filed a claim at the high court in which it says it had to stop trading after the German-owned discounter delisted a number of its products, including asparagus, squash, chillies, apples, plums and broccoli, without notice and poached Proctor’s suppliers.
Source: theguardian.com
Cambodia, Alibaba launch eWTP partnership
Cambodia and Alibaba have come together to establish the Electronic World Trade Platform (eWTP) partnership, strengthening economic development and digital economy in the Kingdom, as China’s largest e-retailer makes further inroads in Southeast Asia. The ministry said the cooperation between the Cambodian government and Alibaba is a good opportunity for farmers, producers, traders to bring Cambodian products to sell to consumers in China directly. Currently, Cambodia exports milled rice, sliced cassava, fresh banana, fresh mango, and Palin longan to China.
Source: khmertimeskh.com
India: Tata’s Bigbasket eyes IPO by 2025 after $200mln fundraising
Tata Group’s Bigbasket may list its shares within three years after the latest capital raising valued India’s largest online grocer at $3.2bln. The profitable e-commerce firm, which is expanding its pan-India reach and generates about $1.4bln in annual revenue, may choose to launch an initial public offering in 24 to 36 months, Chief Financial Officer Vipul Parekh said in an interview at the company’s headquarters in Bengaluru.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Aldi UK: A festive update from our CEO Giles Hurley
"We also offer amazing value on Christmas dinner veg essentials. This week’s Super 6 deal includes potatoes for just 15p, with carrots, brussels sprouts, parsnips, swede and cabbage at 19p each."
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk