Ocado says Kroger committed to build more warehouses despite roll-out slowdown
U.S. supermarket group Kroger Co is committed to building more automated warehouses in partnership with British online grocer and technology group Ocado, despite slowing a roll-out of sites, Ocado CEO Tim Steiner said.
Source: reuters.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market to eliminate single use plastic bags by end of 2023
Sprouts Farmers Market, one of the largest and fastest growing specialty retailers of fresh, natural and organic food in the United States, announced it will eliminate single use plastic bags at checkout by the end of 2023. With this decision, Sprouts will remove over 200mln single use plastic bags from circulation each year.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: How Walmart is using A.I. to make shopping better for its millions of customers
Few companies have the ability to gather the massive data sets that power artificial intelligence like Walmart. It’s deploying AI and machine learning in ways that improve both the customer and employee experience. Floor scrubbers equipped with inventory intelligence towers take more than 20mln photos of everything on Sam’s Club shelves every day.
Source: cnbc.com
US: ShopRite debuts store in New York State
ShopRite Supermarkets Inc., which operates ShopRite stores in New Jersey and the Hudson Valley and Capital Region in New York state, has opened a new 74,000-square-foot store in the Elmsford-Greenburgh area of New York. Located at 320 Saw Mill River Road, the new supermarket features Fresh to Table, an in-store space that aims to reinvent traditional produce and fresh departments to provide inspired, high-quality food-to-go options and ingredients for shoppers looking for a one-stop-shop meal experience.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Gopuff seeks help from Uber and DoorDash amid driver shortage
Gopuff has apparently turned to competitors for assistance in filling a delivery driver shortage. The Philadelphia-based rapid delivery service has been using Uber and DoorDash to help fulfill orders, the Financial Times (FT) reported.
Source: pymnts.com
Planet Based Foods now found in popular Southern California grocery chain
Planet Based Foods Global Inc. ("PBFG," "Planet Based Foods" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Company's products will now be available for purchase at Ralph's stores throughout Southern California.
Source: prnewswire.com
Walmart Canada CEO says retailer not trying to profit from inflation
The Canadian Press reported: "Walmart Canada is not trying to profit from food inflation, president and CEO Gonzalo Gebara told a parliamentary committee studying the issue".
Source: canadiangrocer.com
Ex bosses of Brazil's Americanas caused difficulties in information disclosure, ex-CEO Rial says
The former CEO of bankrupt Brazilian retailer Americanas said the firm's previous management had created difficulties in disclosure of information about its situation and the succession process.
Source: reuters.com
One in six Belgian supermarkets at risk of closure: study
One in six supermarkets in Belgium are facing structural problems and are at risk of closure, a new study has found. This equates to 16.2% of the market, or around 576 stores in total, according to the study, which was conducted by trade magazine Gondola and data specialist GraydonCreditsafe.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR Switzerland opens supermarket in Zurich’s Greencity district
The SPAR Supermarket at Spinnereiplatz, in the new 2000-watt Greencity quarter in Zurich-Leimbach, not only ensures local supplies for Greencity residents, but also presents a variety of foods for the community. Extensive refrigeration is required for the rich assortment of fresh seasonal products including fruit & vegetables, cheese, dairy products and meat.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Waitrose checks out of talks to take stake in Planet Organic
Waitrose, the upmarket supermarket chain, has called off secret talks about a deal that would have involved it taking a stake in Planet Organic, its smaller rival grocer. Sky News has learnt that Waitrose, part of the struggling John Lewis Partnership, terminated discussions late last week about an agreement.
Source: news.sky.com
Belgium: Colruyt Edegem opens on Wednesday 29 March
On Wednesday 29 March 2023, a brand-new Colruyt Lowest Prices store will open its doors on Hovestraat in Edegem. Store manager Gerrit Van Leekwijck: "The new store boasts an extensive freshmart with an even bigger selection of products such as fruit and vegetables, salads, cheese or ready-made meals".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Spanish government to meet supermarkets, farmers over high food prices
Spain’s government will meet with food retailers and producers to address stubborn inflation in food prices, Economy Minister Nadia Calvino said. The government, business associations representing supermarkets such as Mercadona and Carrefour and farming and food processing groups will discuss evolving prices and margins to determine when consumers will be likely to feel the impact of government aid to industry, such as direct and indirect energy and fertilizer subsidies, Calvino told a press conference.
Source: reuters.com
A very British Easter: Morrisons customers can grab a British roast to feed six for under £4 per person
All items included in the meal are British and customers can pick up a tender leg of lamb, parsnips, carrots, savoy cabbage, potatoes, mint sauce and a cheesecake (the cheesecake includes Sicilian lemons - everything else, including the cream, is British) for dessert for just £23.82. It means the entire roast will feed six and cost less than £4 per person.
Source: morrisons-corporate.com
Three bidders line up for Minipreço stores in Portugal
Retailers Sonae, Lidl and Aldi could be among bidders interested in purchasing 463 Minipreço supermarkets in Portugal. The chain is owned by Spain’s DIA Group.
Source: esmmagazine.com
China's Alibaba to break up empire into six units as Jack Ma returns home
Alibaba Group is planning to split into six units and explore fundraisings or listings for most of them, it said, in a major revamp as China vows to ease a sweeping regulatory crackdown and support its private enterprises.
Source: reuters.com
UK's Asda offers to sell 13 petrol stations to secure Co-op deal clearance
British supermarket group Asda has offered to sell 13 petrol filling stations with attached grocery stores to secure regulatory clearance for its 611mln pound ($753mln) deal with The Co-operative Group.
Source: reuters.com
Asda’s Issa Brothers plot £8bln takeover of Subway
Asda’s billionaire owners are said to be plotting an £8bln takeover of fast-food giant Subway. The Issa Brothers are understood to be interested in the restaurant chain, which operates at some of the EG Group’s petrol stations, The Sun reported.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Portugal: Continente combats food waste with new apple cider vinegar
Portuguese retailer Continente has launched a new own-brand apple cider vinegar SKU, made from apples that do not meet traditional aesthetic standards. The first batch yielded 30,000 litres of vinegar and has helped to prevent 50 tonnes of apples from being wasted.
Source: esmmagazine.com