Ahold Delhaize USA announces partnerships with DoorDash
Ahold Delhaize USA announced a new agreement with leading local commerce platform DoorDash to make an additional on-demand grocery delivery marketplace available to customers at each of its local omnichannel brands - Food Lion, Hannaford, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, and Stop & Shop. Delivery from DoorDash is expected to be available to customers of each brand in March.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Instacart welcomes Whole Foods Market Canada to the Instacart App
Instacart announced that customers throughout Canada can now order fresh groceries and everyday essentials from Whole Foods Market on the Instacart App for delivery in as fast as 30 minutes.
Source: instacart.com
Import cargo continuing to rise despite Red Sea disruptions
Inbound cargo volume at the nation's major container ports is expected to see year-over-year increases through the first half of the year despite attacks on ships in the Red Sea, according to the Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Source: nrf.com
US: Misfits launches fulfillment service for perishables
Misfits Market launched a new service called Fulfilled by Misfits that aims to provide fulfillment for perishable direct-to-consumer brands, the company announced. Misfits, a food service that offers damaged products and misshapen produce at a discount, said the new service is "a dedicated service for perishable brands to store, pick, pack, fulfill, and deliver their products nationwide via MisfitsMarket'ss logistics platform."
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Natural Grocers encouraged by Q1 results, raises 2024 guidance
Healthy retailer Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. is starting off the new year on a good foot with positive first-quarter earnings. For its Q1 of fiscal 2024 ended December 31, net sales increased 7.6% to $301.8mln, driven by a 6.2% increase in daily average comparable-store sales and a $5.5mln increase in new store sales.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Hy-Vee expands Instacart same-day delivery
Hy-Vee has expanded its partnership with Instacart and will now integrate Instacart's fulfillment capabilities for same-day delivery into all of its owned and operated websites and apps.
Source: supermarketnews.com
UK: Aldi set to invest £550mln in-store and distribution network 
Aldi will invest more than £550mln in expanding and further improving its store and distribution network during 2024. New stores set to open in 2024 will create over 1,500 new jobs across the country, with further job opportunities in its current stores, Regional Distribution Centres, and UK offices.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
China: Alibaba Group announces December quarter 2023 results
Alibaba Group Holding Limited (“Alibaba” or “Alibaba Group”)
announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2023. In the quarter ended December 31, 2023: Revenue was RMB260,348mln (US$36,669mln), an increase of 5% year-over-year. Income from operations was RMB22,511mln (US$3,171mln), a decrease of 36% year-over-year.Source: alibabagroup.com
UK: The fake Suffolk supermarket tackling the problem of plastic
With its colorful fruit and veg display and shelves filled with groceries, it could be your local supermarket, but this is a play shop for adults, and there is only one thing missing: plastic. Well, the problem is plastic. The mock store is the secret innovation lab of DS Smith, the FTSE 100 paper and packaging firm where major retailers and brands trek to see its big ideas to replace the plastic ready-meal containers, fruit punnets, and shrink-wrap consumers use every day.
Source: theguardian.com
Covirán opened more than 90 stores in Spain and Portugal last year
Spanish co-operative retailer Covirán opened 92 shops in Spain and Portugal last year, creating more than 300 new jobs. Covirán also claims to have consolidated its position as one of the leading local chains in the food sector in this period.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Sainsbury's makes sustainability 'A' list, marking 10 years of environmental transparency
Sainsbury's has been recognized for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual 'A List' for the 10th consecutive year.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
UK: Pret A Manger is converting the last few all-veggie outlets
Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is abandoning the idea of vegetarian-only outlets, saying people are buying veggie options at all its branches. The final three Veggie Pret stores, in London and Manchester, will switch to normal Prets by the end of this month.
Source: bbc.com
Indian food delivery platform Zomato beats Q3 profit estimates on higher demand
Food delivery platform Zomato reported a quarterly profit that beat market expectations, aided by increased demand during the men's Cricket World Cup and the festive period. The company reported a consolidated net profit of 1.38bln rupees ($16.6mln) for the third quarter ended December 31, beating analysts' estimate of 909.8mln rupees, according to LSEG data. It had reported a net loss of 3.47bln rupees a year earlier.
Source: reuters.com
New Zealand: Whistleblower tool for suppliers to 'lift the lid' on supermarket practices
A new anonymous whistleblowing tool has been launched by Grocery Commissioner Pierre van Heerden. It is designed to "lift the lid" on the practices and conduct that "may be hampering competition" in the $25bln sector.
Source: 1news.co.nz
SPAR Switzerland convenience retail network grows
The opening of three SPAR convenience stores, bringing customers new solutions in the last two months of 2023, expanded the retail network of SPAR Switzerland. In Zurich, on the Mythenquai, the SPAR Express offers a bakery selection of fresh flowers, fruit, and vegetables in addition to grocery items. Residents of the village Siblingen can now access a takeaway offer of hot and cold snacks and salads at the local SPAR store. Local specialties are on offer in the bakery, dairy, delicatessen, fruit, and vegetable counters, as well as in the grocery aisles. In Langenthal-Nord, a new SPAR Express offers a fresh-to-go range of options, including cold and warm snacks, sandwiches, salads, juices, and more.
Source: spar-international.com
Japan: Ito-Yokado supermarket chain to withdraw from Tohoku, Hokkaido regions
Major supermarket chain Ito-Yokado is closing 17 stores in Japan, including all outlets in the country's north. The move is part of the company's structural reforms. The chain has posted net losses for three consecutive years through February 2023.
Source: www3.nhk.or.jp
Belgium weighs down Sligro's profits
Disappointing sales, lingering software problems, and rising labor costs in Belgium are taking their toll on Sligro's profits. Nevertheless, the Dutch food wholesaler is gaining market share, both in the Netherlands and Belgium.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Shelfwatch survey reveals mixed retailer support for Scottish farmers
A review of 15,000 food products on shelves in supermarkets across Scotland has identified mixed retailer support for Scottish farmers. Initial analysis of NFUScotland's 'shelf watch' has revealed which supermarket chains are stocking Scottish and British produce. Researchers looked at beef, lamb, pork, chicken, eggs, vegetables, and dairy products on offer in Tesco, Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Co-Op, Marks and Spencer, Lidl, and Aldi.
Source: farminguk.com