US: UNFI takes new steps in supply chain transformation
Prolific grocery wholesaler United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) is making new moves as part of its ongoing supply chain transformation. Among other enhancements, UNFI has updated its operating procedures, increased associate training programs and deployed new technologies.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Canada: Circle K owner Couche-Tard sees revenue up in third quarter
Alimentation Couche-Tard, which operates the Circle K and Couche-Tard forecourt banners, has reported a 8.0% increase in revenue in the third quarter of its financial year, to $20.1bln (€18.9bln).
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Albertsons, Kroger reiterate store divestiture plan ahead of merger
Albertsons Companies Inc reiterated in a filing it would divest some stores owned by the company and Kroger Co to obtain the regulatory clearance needed to go ahead with the merger of the two firms.
Source: reuters.com
US: How e-grocers are setting the pace of change in grocery
“The pandemic highlighted our broken food system and lack of innovation in grocery”, says Kai Selterman, chief strategy officer of Philadelphia-based Misfits Market, an e-grocer that delivers produce, meat, seafood, plant-based proteins, dairy, bakery, wine and other grocery items to nearly every ZIP code in 48 states.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: New Whole Foods Market in Rochester to open April 12
Whole Foods Market will open a new 50,000-square-foot store, located at 2740 Monroe Avenue on April 12 at 8am EST. The location in the town of Brighton will be the first store in Rochester, New York, for the global natural and organic foods retailer. Features of the Rochester store include: an array of organic, conventional and Sourced for Good produce, with an in-house Veggie Butcher cutting fruits and vegetables to order. Offerings from more than a dozen local farms, including greens from Agbotic, tomatoes from Intergrow Greenhouses, beets from Stick and Stone Farm, and apples from Hudson River Fruit.
Source: media.wholefoodsmarket.com
US: Self-driving startup Gatik to double workforce, strikes Kroger deal
Self-driving trucking startup Gatik will double its workforce by year end, a top executive said, after it announced a deal with grocer Kroger Co to transport goods within its Dallas, Texas network.
Source: reuters.com
Amazon raises fulfilment costs in Europe
Amazon increased the costs of its multi-channel fulfilment service. The new fees will be in effect for European sellers starting next month. According to the ecommerce giant, the increase is due to rising operational costs due to inflation.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Belgium: 150 prospective buyers for Delhaize branches
More than 150 candidates have already expressed interest in taking over one of Delhaize‘s 128 branches. These include entrepreneurs, internal employees and external candidates.
Source: retaildetail.eu
India: Praakritik launches the delivery of organic fruits and vegetables in Bangalore
Praakritik has tied up with Bhoomi India Agtech Pvt. Ltd to diversify its product offerings by launching organic fruits and vegetables on its platform. The new category launch is in line with the company’s vision to focus on consumer health and wellness. The organic fruits and vegetables are sourced from Bhoomi Farms, where the produce is naturally grown, is chemical free, and focuses on nutrition per gram, and not the rate per kilo. These farms are NPOP Certified, which helps to trace back the product to its farm. Currently, Praakritik offers 45 varieties of regular and exotic fruits and vegetables like bananas, sapodilla, parsley, and spinach to name a few.
Source: contentmediasolution.com
UK: John Lewis appoints Nish Kankiwala to new CEO role
Britain's John Lewis Partnership named Nish Kankiwala as its chief executive, creating a new role to drive profitability at the employee-owned retailer which is led by chairman Sharon White.
Source: reuters.com
UAE: LuLu opens new hypermarket in Dubai South
Spread across an area of 3100 sq m, the hypermarket will offer a wide range of fresh fruits, vegetables, pantry essentials, exquisite meats, and seafood. The hypermarket will also house the LuLu Connect digital and electronics department. Strategically located, the new hypermarket offers convenient access to a wide range of amenities, as well as proximity to Al Maktoum International Airport and Business Park.
Source: zawya.com
Greens Retail to go national as part of major expansion plans with Nisa
Greens Retail, formerly Eros Retail, is set to take the company national, as it signs a five-year deal with Nisa worth up to £200mln during the term. Currently operating 16 stores in Scotland which have now surpassed £25mln of annualised sales, entrepreneur Harris Aslam has committed to open more than 20 new stores spanning across Scotland and also marking business’ growth into England. Stores operate under the Greens Fascia in partnership with Nisa.
Source: talkingretail.com
UK: Robot deliveries of Co-op groceries roll-out in Greater Manchester
Robots are heading to the streets of Greater Manchester as Co-op partners with Starship Technologies and Trafford Council to bring autonomous grocery deliveries to residents across Sale. Already a familiar sight in Milton Keynes, Northampton, Bedford, Cambridge and Leeds, orders are made through the Starship food delivery app with groceries picked fresh in local Co-op stores and delivered to customers in the community on-demand, quickly and conveniently.
Source: co-operative.coop
Holland: Albert Heijn welcomes third parties to its renowned Better for Nature & Farmer program
Ahold Delhaize is proud to share that its great local Dutch brand Albert Heijn has opened up its renowned Better for Nature & Farming program to other market parties. Together with 450 dairy farmers, 100 pig farmers, 200 poultry farmers and 360 fruit and vegetable growers in the Netherlands, Albert Heijn is working to improve animal welfare, sustainability and climate.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Germany: Galeria to close nearly half of its department stores
Galeria, in full Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof, speeds up its reorganisation plans: at a central works council, employees were informed that 52 of its current 129 stores will close. Cuts will also be made at the service centre and in facilities management, Lebensmittel Zeitung reports.
Source: retaildetail.eu
France: Carrefour pauses rollout of Atacadão store in Paris region
Carrefour Group has halted its plan of opening the first store of Brazilian cash-and-carry brand Atacadão in Greater Paris, according to media reports. "We are still studying different sites for the opening of the first Atacadão store in France, according to the schedule we have set ourselves. The conditions are not met for this to be done in Sevran, but we are moving forward on several other tracks, in conjunction with the municipalities concerned", a Carrefour spokesperson told the AFP news agency, according to a report in the publication, Capital.
Source: esmmagazine.com
REWE Group and Trigo open hybrid-autonomous store in Germany
German grocery retailer REWE Group has partnered with computer vision company Trigo to open a hybrid-autonomous store in Cologne, Germany. Covering a 600m² area, the supermarket is claimed to be the largest hybrid-autonomous store in the country.
Source: retail-insight-network.com
Spain: Mercadona reports 11% sales growth in FY 2022
Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona reported a turnover of €31bln, up 11% year-on-year on a like-for-like basis, in its financial year 2022. The retail group's net profit amounted to €718mln, up 5.6% on 2021.
Source: esmmagazine.com