Amazon ‘not concerned’ about wave of unionizing because of competitive pay, benefits, exec says
A top Amazon executive told CNBC the company is “not concerned” about a wave of unionizing globally because the e-commerce giant has competitive pay and benefits. The comments come amid high-profile efforts in the U.S. and U.K. from Amazon warehouse workers to form unions. The efforts from unions have so far failed to galvanize a wave of unionization globally as many had hoped.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Dollar General announces supply chain growth
Dollar General announced recent expansions in its global supply chain network including the opening of its first ground-up, dual facility in Blair, Nebraska and two permanent regional distribution hubs in Newnan, Georgia and Fort Worth, Texas. The Company also announced expansion plans in Jonesville, South Carolina and Amsterdam, New York at existing facilities. As the Company’s first ground-up dual distribution center, Blair combines the efficiencies of traditional and DG Fresh supply chain networks, which is its strategic, multi-phased shift to self-distribution of frozen and refrigerated products. The DG Fresh network is currently delivering to more than 19,000 stores from 12 facilities.
Source: businesswire.com
US: SpartanNash expands use of its autonomous inventory robot 'Tally'
Food solutions company SpartanNash announced expansion plans for the use of an autonomous inventory robot named Tally in 15 grocery stores in Michigan and Indiana. The robot was developed by retail technology company Simbe.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Grocery Outlet posts multiple Q1 gains
Increases were big during the first three months of 2023, as Grocery Outlet, based in Emeryville, California, registered spikes in net sales (16.1% to $965.5mln), comparable store sales (12.1% thanks to a 7.9% increase in the number of transactions combined with a 3.9% increase in average transaction size), and net income (18.5% to $13.7mln).
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Sweetgreen's robotic Infinite Kitchen is finally open
Promising a faster and more convenient experience, Sweetgreen’s long-awaited, fully automated Infinite Kitchen restaurant made its debut in Naperville, Illinois. The automated makeline is an adaptation of the Spyce technology the company acquired in 2021.
Source: restaurantbusinessonline.com
Brexit: UK supermarkets call for Windsor Framework clarity
It is absolutely critical labelling issues raised by the Windsor Framework are resolved ahead of an October deadline, a group representing British supermarkets has said. The framework was agreed by the EU and UK in February. It is intended to ease post-Brexit trade between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK. The British Retail Consortium said the government needs to provide clarity before the deadline.
Source: bbc.com
New Zealand: Underlying drivers of inflation keeping pressure on food prices
Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director, Chris Quin: “Shopping seasonally for produce is still the best option for customers, with gold kiwifruit and mandarins both great value right now. Improved weather across the country has also made greens more affordable, with supply finally coming right post cyclones and floods. Customers can therefore find value in produce like cauliflower, broccoli, and lettuce.”
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
UK: Co-op Group grows its partnership with Just Eat to cover nearly 1,000 stores
The Co-op Group says its partnership with Just Eat is set to reach almost 1,000 stores by the end of this month. This follows a successful trial with Just Eat, which is part of Group’s ambitions to bag a third of the UK online quick convenience market, delivering from store to door in minutes.
Source: thenews.coop
French retailer Casino's shares slump 6% after S&P downgrade
Shares in French retailer Casino fell more than 6% after Standard & Poor's cut its long-term credit and placed all its ratings on credit watch, citing restructuring risk and weak liquidity. With about 3bln euros ($3.3bln) of debt maturing in 2024 and 2025, Casino has been selling assets to meet repayment obligations.
Source: reuters.com
SPAR Croatia invests in retail network expansion
SPAR Croatia continues to invest in the expansion of its retail network. With the opening of a new modern hypermarket in Kukuljanovo, SPAR Croatia strengthens its position in the northern Adriatic. A highlight is the fresh food offer, including an extensive choice of delicatessen, local fruit and vegetables, and fresh meat and fish at service counters. After a three-month renovation, the SPAR Supermarket on Spinčićeva Street in Split reopened on 4 April 2023. The fresh food offer is complemented by a wide selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as top-quality bakery products.
Source: spar-international.com
Top 5 supermarket retail chains in Finland
Here's an overview of the top five supermarket retail chains in Finland, according to their most recently-available full-year turnover. All data is supplied by Retail-Index (www.retail-index.com) 1. SOK turnover: €7.75bln (2022 - estimated); 2. Kesko Oyj (Kesko) turnover: €6.6bln (2022); 3. Lidl turnover: €1.86bln (2022); 4. Alko turnover: €1.18bln (2022); 5. Tokmanni turnover: €1.16bln (2022).
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: John Lewis will always be owned by staff, says boss
The boss of John Lewis has said the company will always be owned by its staff, "no ifs, no buts" as employees backed her in a vote of confidence. Dame Sharon White ruled out selling a stake in the business, but said the board could consider external investment in future if it was needed.
Source: bbc.com
Greece: Metro to invest 50mln euros
Supermarket chain Metro is this year planning for investments of at least 50mln euros, which concern the expansion of the store network, storage areas, and the installation of photovoltaic systems. The company also wants to attract younger consumers as well, since, as the head of Metro, Aristotelis Panteliadis, said: “Gen Z needs to talk more to computers than people”.
Source: ekathimerini.com
UK wonky waste condiments producer plans international expansion
Offering investors the chance to be part of a sustainable food brand, Rubies in the Rubble, a condiment company that was founded by sourcing ingredients from surplus food from Borough Market, London, has launched a £500,000 crowd funding campaign. Rubies in the Rubble already has products backed by big name retailers and restaurants including Waitrose, Tesco, Ocado, Slug & Lettuce and The Pig however with the new crowdfunding, it hopes to expand internationally. Rejected ingredients that are used in Rubies in the Rubble condiments include “pear-shaped pears” and “curly cucumbers”.
Source: newfoodmagazine.com
Carrefour enters into partnerships with six Israeli start-ups 
The Carrefour Group has just announced a series of partnerships with six Israeli start-ups focusing on data, artificial intelligence, in-store operations, cybersecurity, environmental impact, omnichannel customer experience and the company's internal processes.
Source: carrefour.com
UK: Sainsbury’s launches first store with fully electric delivery fleet
Sainsbury’s has announced that its Nine Elms London superstore is now delivering to customers using a fully electric fleet. The new electric vans mean customers’ grocery shopping will be delivered with zero emissions.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
Amazon leads new top 150 European marketplaces
Amazon fills the top two spots in a new list of leading marketplaces in Europe. The ranking is made by the German Bundesverband Onlinehandel (BVOH). The interest group also made a separate top 50 for Germany. That is also led by Amazon.
Source: ecommercenews.eu