Walmart offers bonus program to about 700,000 hourly US store workers
Walmart will pay bonuses to its U.S. hourly store workers, including those at its pharmacy and Vision Center stores, the retailer said, in a move that could boost wages for 700,000 front-line staff.
Source: reuters.com
US: Vallarta Supermarkets continues expansion in California with Watsonville store opening
Vallarta Supermarkets is continuing to expand within California with its newest store opening in Watsonville, which marks the company's first location within Santa Cruz County. Located at 1702 Freedom Blvd. Watsonville, CA 95019, the new store is set to open its doors to the public on June 12, 2024.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: UNFI builds on profitability streak
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) delivered its third consecutive quarter of improved profitability as the wholesale distributor continues to try to take steps in the right direction. During its third-quarter earnings call, UNFI revealed a net sales year-over-year decrease of 0.1% to $7.5bln and a net loss of $21mln. The company's full-year outlook for net income was also lowered.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US Foods to sell Chef'Store
Just a few months after announcing plans to expand its Chef'Store brick-and-mortar footprint by adding five new locations, foodservice distributor US Foods Holding Corp. announced it is dropping the chain.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Food Lion Feeds celebrates partnerships helping address food insecurity
In celebration of its ninth annual Feedys Awards, Food Lion Feeds honored a select group of partner food banks, volunteers, community leaders and associates. The honorees are recognized for their outstanding efforts and contributions to address food insecurity and to help nourish neighbors experiencing hunger across Food Lion's 10-state footprint. Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 by Food Lion to address food insecurity in the towns and cities it serves.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Dollar Tree explores sale of struggling Family Dollar banner
Dollar Tree said it was exploring options, including a potential sale or spinoff of its Family Dollar banner, as it looks to restructure business amid still-high inflation that continues to strain consumer spending.
Source: reuters.com
Freshippo branded goods are now available on the largest Chinese supermarket and e-commerce platform in the US
Freshippo's private-label products have recently made their debut at 99 Ranch Market, the largest Chinese supermarket chain in the United States, and Yamibuy, the largest online retailer for Asian goods and groceries in North America.
Source: media-outreach.com
New Zealand: 60 years of New World history
New World has played a significant role in the lives of New Zealanders, with the recognisable red and black 'NW' diamond logo standing out as a welcoming symbol. The inviting atmosphere of New World greets visitors with the aroma of freshly baked goods, the friendly smiles of staff at the checkout, and the display of fresh produce at the entrance.
Link: https://supermarketnews.co.nz/news/new-zealands-first-b-corp-retail-activation-in-new-world/
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
UK: Innocent unveils £1mln regenerative agriculture grant winners
Innocent Drinks has unveiled the winners of its £1mln regenerative agriculture Farmer Innovation Fund for 2024. Eleven recipients will begin to receive the fruit juice brand's financial support for the sustainability projects which are designed to protect the long-term supply of fruit and veg.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
UK: Morrisons strikes suspended after improved offer
Further strike action by Morrisons staff has been suspended after an improved pay offer from the supermarket, a union said. About 1,000 members of staff in West Yorkshire and Cheshire walked out from 23 to 26 May in the row over pensions and take-home pay. Another walk-out was set to take place at warehouses in Wakefield and Northwich between 13 and 16 June, but Unite called it off as a "goodwill gesture".
Source: bbc.com
SoftBank-backed grocery startup Oda lays off 150, resets focus on Norway and Sweden
Oda, the Norway-based online supermarket delivery startup, has confirmed layoffs of 150 jobs as it drastically scales back its expansion ambitions to focus on just two markets, its homebase and Sweden, the homebase of Mathem, an online grocery that Oda merged with last year.
Source: techcrunch.com
UK: Amazon Fresh launches automated returns kiosks at Liverpool Street and Moorgate London stores
Amazon Fresh UK has embarked upon an automated returns kiosks (ARK) journey, deploying the technology at its Liverpool Street and Moorgate stores. In a LinkedIn post, Aline Morais, Program Manager at Amazon, said: "Leading this program has been an incredible experience!"
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: Asda further strengthens senior leadership team for growth
The retailer has appointed Matt Heslop to lead its stores and depots operation, including the 470 convenience stores in its newly-established Asda Express division.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Sweden: Dagab to focus on Axfood's convenience trade from Örebro facility
Axfood subsidiary Dagab will cater to external customers in the convenience trade from its existing warehouse in Örebro, Sweden. Dagab, which specialises in logistics and distribution in the grocery trade, will supply goods for the food retail sector from its new facility in Bålsta. The decision will help Axfood optimise its logistics operations, the company noted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Suitable competition in Latvian supermarket sector despite rising profits
The two largest grocery retailers in Latvia - Rimi and Maxima - both recorded healthy profits last year. At the same time, the national competition authority points out that competition in retail trade is not strong enough in certain neighborhoods of Rīga, reports Latvian Radio.
Source: eng.lsm.lv
UK retail sales to EU plunge post-Brexit
British retail sales to the EU have plummeted £6bln since Brexit, despite a flourishing European ecommerce market, new research has found. While online retail is estimated to add £323bln of annual sales to EU economies, trade frictions from Brexit-related complexities are limiting this sales opportunity for UK brands and retailers, according to findings by Retail Economics and Tradebyte.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
UK: Costcutter supplies range for Milton Keynes' first checkout-free store
Milton Keynes's first checkout-free store using Amazon's Just Walk Out technology has opened at Unity Place. Unity Place will be the first venue in Milton Keynes to launch this service. Costcutter is supplying the range and items for the store, ensuring that customers have access to a wide variety of products.
Source: talkingretail.com