Colorado sues to stop $25bln Kroger-Albertsons merger
Colorado’s attorney general filed a lawsuit seeking to block Kroger's proposed $25bln acquisition of rival supermarket chain Albertsons, saying consumers would be hurt, as the US Federal Trade Commission and other states continue to scrutinize the deal. Attorney General Phil Weiser in a statement said the proposed transaction “would lead to stores closing, higher prices, fewer jobs, worse customer service, and less resilient supply chains”.
Source: reuters.com
US: Outfox Hospitality names Rob Twyman CEO
Outfox Hospitality, Chicago-based food retailers of Foxtrot Market and Dom’s Kitchen & Market, have named former Whole Foods Executive Vice President Rob Twyman as CEO, the company announced.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Mexican retailer Walmex posts slight profit bump in fourth quarter
Net profits for Walmart's Mexico unit during the fourth quarter edged up about 1.2% year-on-year, as the company's costs and the aftermath of Hurricane Otis hit its bottom line. Walmex, Mexico's biggest retailer which also operates in Central America, reported profits of 14.99bln pesos ($883mln) in the October-to-December period, as revenue jumped 6.6% to reach nearly 254bln pesos, driven by solid same-store sales.
Source: reuters.com
US: $31mln Sam’s Club distribution center in Jacksonville, Florida, is in the works
The city of Jacksonville, Florida, is reviewing a permit for a Sam’s Club distribution center which will cost close to $31mln, reports a local affiliate. A memo from the city shows the distribution center will be created from an existing warehouse that spans over 1mln square feet on 63 acres of land.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: HelloFresh, Cigna expanding access to affordable, healthy food
Meal kit company HelloFresh and Cigna Healthcare, the health benefits division of The Cigna Group, have formed an exclusive collaboration to offer discounted access to HelloFresh's offerings to up to 12mln Cigna Healthcare customers through their employers. The two companies will also join forces to support HelloFresh’s Meals with Meaning program, which provides free meal kits for food-insecure people in local communities.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Consumer Price Index Summary
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.3% in January on a seasonally adjusted basis, after rising 0.2% in December, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The fruits and vegetables index rose 1.1% over the 12 months ending in January.
Source: bls.gov
Delivery Hero CEO happy to keep Asia unit Foodpanda ‘forever’ after stock plunged on sale outlook
Delivery Hero reported a 9% bump in revenues to 10.5bln euros ($11.2bln) in 2023, and adjusted EBITDA of 253.3mln euros ($271mln). The company also confirmed its guidance for annual 2024 adjusted EBITDA of between 725mln euros and 775mln euros - which would mark a tripling from 2023. In a CNBC interview, Ostberg says he is happy to hold onto Delivery Hero’s Foodpanda business in Southeast Asia “forever”, suggesting that he doesn’t feel an urgent need to sell.
Source: cnbc.com
DESPAR Italia saw great store growth in 2023
During 2023, DESPAR Italia saw a total of 56 new store openings and 34 store re-openings throughout the country. DESPAR Italia and the regional consortium members implemented certain elements in all stores. Fresh is a focus in every store, with fruit and vegetable and delicatessen counters offering quality fresh products.
Source: spar-international.com
Belgium: Franchised Delhaize stores show encouraging results says Ahold Delhaize
Delhaize supermarkets that have since been transferred to independent owners are seeing comparable sales accelerate and market share stabilise, says Ahold Delhaize chief executive Frans Muller. The CEO commented positively on the evolutions at Delhaize following the publication of parent company Ahold Delhaize’s annual results. 107 of Delhaize’s 128 Belgian supermarkets have already found a buyer.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Coles Nurture Fund seeds growth opportunities for Aussie farmers and suppliers
Reinforcing its commitment to supporting Australian producers, Coles has announced the opening of applications for Round 12 of the Coles Nurture Fund, with grants of up to $500,000 available to fuel projects that drive innovation, sustainability and growth.
Source: colesgroup.com.au
UK: Asda owners used petrol forecourt firm to repay private jet loans
Corporate filings revealed that Mohsin and Zuber Issa, who bought Asda in 2020, used their EG Group, which runs thousands of petrol stations in the UK and overseas, to lend $7mln (£5.6mln) to two private jet companies they owned in 2022. The filings, seen by the Financial Times, show more than $5mln (£4mln) handed to one Issa-owned company, which controls a Bombardier Global 6000 plane, while the remaining $2mln (£1.6mln) went to another one of their companies, which owns a smaller Bombardier plane. Both companies are registered in the Isle of Man.
Source: theguardian.com
Hungary: SPAR introduce environmentally conscious F&V containers
SPAR Hungary will introduce a new type of environmentally conscious, reusable transport containers for its fruit and vegetable departments in 2024. The foldable, reusable, easy-to-clean, durable boxes will be introduced in all SPAR stores during this year.
Source: spar-international.com
Dutch watchdog opens investigation into online retailer Bol
Dutch competition watchdog ACM has opened an investigation into Dutch online retailer Bol.com, owned by supermarket group Ahold Delhaize, it said.
Source: reuters.com
Australia: How healthier eating can be budget-friendly
Woolworths shows how healthier eating can be budget-friendly with more than 60 free recipe ideas for under $5 per serve. In its latest Prices Dropped for Summer program, more than 38% of products have a HSR of 3.5 and above. This includes prices drops on a range of Woolworths salad kits and fresh produce such as: Woolworths Baby Leaf Mix with Carrot (was $5, now $4). Corn Cobbettes 425g pack (was $5.50, now $3.75). Mix A Mato Mini Tomatoes 320g (was $5.90, now $3.75). Woolworths’ The Odd Bunch is another way the supermarket is making healthier foods more affordable, with the range at least 20% cheaper than comparable fruit and veg products.
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au