US: UNFI President Christopher Testa to depart
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) President Christopher Testa is slated to leave the company next week, with CEO Sandy Douglas adding the president's title. Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI disclosed Testa's planned exit in an 8-K filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Plans call for Testa, who also served as president of UNFI Services, to step down on October 13.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Canada: Voilà reveals Thanksgiving shopping trends
Sobeys' Voilà delivery service has revealed what Ontarians are buying for Thanksgiving (October 9) this year. Milton takes the top spot for ordering the most pumpkin puree, sweet potatoes, 2lb carrot bags, Compliments pumpkin pie, and cranberry sauce.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: 68 Circle K stores are up for sale
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. is looking to sell 68 US Circle K convenience stores, reports Petrol Plaza. NRC Realty & Capital Advisors will assist with the sale, marking the third time in three years the Chicago firm has worked with Alimentation Couche-Tard to sell Circle K stores.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: New Whole Foods Market in Springfield, Virginia, is now open
Whole Foods Market has opened its new 49,499-square-foot store, located at 6426 Springfield Plaza, Springfield, Virginia. Features of the newest Virginia store include An array of certified organic, conventional, and Sourced for Good produce, plus offerings from 14 local farms, including apple totes from Hess Brother's Fruit Company, Asian pears from Mountain View Orchards, and microgreens from AeroFarms.
Source: media.wholefoodsmarket.com
US: SpartanNash promotes produce/floral pro
SpartanNash has elevated Andy Smith to the role of senior director of merchandising for produce/floral. Smith was previously a merchandising associate. In his new position, he will oversee all aspects of produce and floral merchandising, including category management, distribution, procurement and retail.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Is this autonomous micro-store the future of convenience?
Global technology and micro-convenience startup Juxta is bringing its targeted retail concept to the United States with autonomous, portable, and unstaffed Nomad micro-stores. The concept debuted at the Renewal 2023 music festival in Buena Vista, Colorado, this summer, and more stores are set to be rolled out in several states.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Lowe's Market to take over Porter's locations after 78 years
Porter's announced that Lowe's Market, another independent, Texas-based supermarket chain, will take over its stores effective December 1.
Source: bigbendsentinel.com
US: Instacart and Mount Sinai Solutions launch grocery benefit for patients
Instacart has partnered with Mount Sinai Solutions to launch a new grocery benefit program for post-operative and postpartum patients. This program aims to support patients in accessing fresh groceries, pantry staples, and household essentials following major life events such as birth or surgery, the companies said in a press release.
Source: pymnts.com
From a family-owned butcher to a family of stores: 100 years of The GIANT Company
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Ahold Delhaize is proud to share that our great local US brand The GIANT Company, today celebrates its 100th anniversary!"
Source: aholddelhaize.com
September in grocery stores: Price rises continue but pace slowing
According to data provided by the Estonian Institute of Economic Research, When it comes to vegetables, the biggest increase in year affected imported tomatoes, which cost 77% more per kilo in September 2023 than in September 2022. This September, 1 kg of imported tomatoes cost €2.92, whereas last year the price was €1.65 per kilo. Imported tomatoes rose a whopping 20 cents per kilo in the months leading up to September 2023 alone.
Source: news.err.ee
Holland: PLUS chief executive Duncan Hoy steps down
The chief executive of PLUS, Duncan Hoy, has stepped down after five years at the helm and will leave the company on January 1, 2024, according to media reports. Hoy's decision to leave PLUS was by mutual agreement, and the company believes that it is time for new leadership, according to a report in the publication Levensmiddelenkrant.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia's best-value fruit and veg for October: 'Asparagus is the way to go'
This month's fruits are showing signs of summer, but this October, one spring vegetable is rising above the rest. "Asparagus is the way to go… everyone should have it on their plates", says Philip Palamara, the owner of Second Ave Grocer in southwest Melbourne.
Source: theguardian.com
Retailer Casino seals lock-up on debt rescue deal led by Czech billionaire Kretinsky
Casino said that it had finalized a binding lock-up agreement to restructure its debt with creditors led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky to avert bankruptcy.
Source: reuters.com
Hungarian market "much more challenging," says Tesco CEO Ken Murphy
Hungary is proving to be a "much more challenging" market for retailer Tesco at present, the group's chief executive Ken Murphy has said, although the retailer is prepared to ride out the current market difficulties.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Sweden: Invafresh acquires Whywaste to strengthen sustainability capabilities
Invafresh, the industry-leading fresh grocery platform, announced that it has acquired Whywaste, a leading provider of end-of-life product solutions for grocery retailers and convenience stores, including ASDA, Tesco One Stop, SPAR International, and Coop Sweden, to help reduce food waste, maintain regulatory compliance and increase profitability.
Source: businesswire.com
Kenya: Carrefour opens second CBD branch
Retail chain Carrefour has opened its second Central Business District (CBD) branch at the Ellis Plaza along Wabera Street. The new outlet now pushes its countrywide stores to 21, with 17 of them in Nairobi. It will sell fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh and dry foods, as well as home essentials, among others.
Source: capitalfm.co.ke
UK: Ocado launches fresh round of price cuts
Ocado Retail, the joint venture between its namesake parent company Ocado Group PLC and Marks and Spencer Group PLC, has announced a new wave of price cuts across 500 of its products, marking the fourth set of reductions for the grocer since June. As part of its 'Big Price Drop' initiative, Ocado has reduced the price by an average of 8% on branded products, as well as ingredients like onions, parsnips, and rice.
Source: proactiveinvestors.co.uk
UK: Nim's Fruit Crisps shortlisted for national manufacturing accolade
One of Kent's leading food manufacturers has been shortlisted in the prestigious Manufacturer MX Awards 2023. Nim's Fruit Crisps, which employs 22 people at its purpose-built factory in Sittingbourne, will now go head-to-head with six outstanding companies for the 'Manufacturing in Action' category. The business has also grown its volumes significantly and is now processing over 1000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables every year.
Source: bdaily.co.uk
One mission, one partnership: SA Harvest and OneFarm Share's hunger relief journey drives impact
To date, in 2023, the partnership has resulted in the donation of 1,522,422 kilograms of food in seven regions. These donations have included a wide variety of produce, ranging from potatoes and carrots to oranges and pumpkins. The impact of these contributions on individuals and families across South Africa is indescribable.
Source: saharvest.org
UK: Tesco doing all it can to lower prices, boss saysTesco is trying to "lower prices wherever we can" as customers continue to grapple with cost-of-living pressures, its boss has said. Ken Murphy said the pace of rising food prices would continue to slow this year, easing the pressure on shoppers.
Source: bbc.com