UK: M&S joint chief executive Bickerstaffe to step down
Sky News reported: "Katie Bickerstaffe, the joint chief executive of Marks & Spencer (M&S), is to leave the company after just two years in the role. Sky News can exclusively reveal that Ms Bickerstaffe is to leave M&S this year, handing over the sole reins to Stuart Machin".
Source: news.sky.com
Isle of Wight Tomatoes given seal of approval in new produce guide
Arreton's Isle of Wight Tomatoes has again been given the seal of approval as local food superstars in the latest guide to the best produce Hampshire and the Isle of Wight have to offer. The passionate producers, known for their award-winning tomatoes, are among 350 Hampshire and Island food, drink, and craft heroes to be included in the Hampshire Fare Local Produce Guide 2024.
Source: islandecho.co.uk
China: JD.com announces fourth quarter and full year 2023 results, annual dividend, and share repurchase program
JD.com, Inc. announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2023, and an annual cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2023. Fourth quarter and full year 2023 highlights: net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2023 were RMB306.1bln (US$143.1bln), an increase of 3.6% from the fourth quarter of 2022. Net revenues for the full year of 2023 were RMB1,084.7bln (US$152.8bln), an increase of 3.7% from the full year of 2022.
Source: globenewswire.com
EG Group in talks with co-founder Zuber Issa to offload some UK assets 
EG Group is in talks to sell some of its UK assets to co-founder Zuber Issa as the fuel giant seeks to lower its debt pile, the company has told investors. The group, which is co-owned by Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity firm TDR Capital, told investors that it planned to reach a deal to offload some assets "in the near term" and "continued to have active discussions" with Zuber, the Financial Times reported.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
UK: Amazon wins in two categories at the Retail Week Awards 2024
For the seventh consecutive year, Amazon has been voted by customers as their favorite UK retailer at the Retail Week Awards - and also picked up an award in one more category. Amazon is proud to have been named the winner of Retail Week's Consumer Choice Award. This year, Amazon also won an award in one more category, the Silver Distribution/Delivery Hero Award.
Source: aboutamazon.co.uk
Holland: SPAR and EG Group extend and intensify cooperation
SPAR Netherlands and EG Group (Euro Garages) in the Netherlands extend and expand their collaboration, which began in 2017 with the conversion and cooperation of stores.
Source: spar-international.com
Spain: Covirán makes products healthier to help fight obesity
Coo
perative Covirán has completed the reformulation of 176 private-label products to offer healthier options and fight obesity. Key changes include the reduction of sugar, salt, and saturated fat by 10% across various product categories, including sugary drinks, pastries, dairy products, sauces, breads, fruit juices, meats, snacks, and cookies.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Sainsbury's CEO crowned Retail Leader of the Year
At the prestigious Retail Week Awards in London, Sainsbury's Chief Executive Simon Roberts was named 'Retail Leader of the Year' for his work getting the grocer back to growing its market share.
Source: kamcity.com
Portugal's Jerónimo Martins: 2023 Annual Results
Jerónimo Martins reported: "Sales grew 20.6% to €30.6bln (+18.1% excluding FX). In Q4, sales increased 16.7% to €8.2bln (+9.9% excluding FX). EBITDA increased 17% to €2.2bln (+13.7% excluding FX), with the EBITDA margin at 7.1% (7.3% in 2022). In Q4, EBITDA grew 14.1% to €578mln (+7.1% excluding FX), translating into an EBITDA margin of 7.1% (7.2% in Q4 22). Net Earnings reached €756mln, corresponding to an EPS of €1.2".
Source: jeronimomartins.com
US: Aldi to open three stores in Chicago, New Jersey, and Tennessee
Discount grocer Aldi is opening three new stores in Chicago, Neptune, New Jersey, and Millington, Tennessee, on Thursday, March 7, the company announced. The Chicago and Millington stores add two more shops to Aldi's growing list of US locations, while the Neptune store replaces a different location in that city, the grocer said in a press release.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Instacart's Most Likely: What 1bln orders says about your state
Instacart reported: "Ontario: Most Likely to Have a Full Fruit Basket. In Ontario, it's a fruity frenzy! With an insatiable craving for juicy strawberries, raspberries, grape tomatoes, Bartlett pears, and cantaloupe melons, it's as if Ontarians have declared open season on all things fruit - taking the term "fruitful living" to a whole new level."
Source: instacart.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market now has two locations in Bakersfield, California
Sprouts Farmers Market has opened its second store in Bakersfield, California. A "pop-up party" gave shoppers the opportunity to taste seasonal produce from the tasting bar and participate in a "guess the weight" contest of an oversized piece of produce.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: That's it. celebrates National Nutrition Month with survey on top snacking trends
That's it., a leading snack company, is excited to announce the results of its recent survey conducted among both consumers and nutrition experts to identify the top snacking trends they care about the most. The survey results were clear: 91% of nutrition experts and 53% of consumers stated that their top priority is consuming more fruits and vegetables.
Source: einnews.com
Walmart, Kroger, and Costco make top three grocery retailers list
Data analytics company Numerator has identified the top grocery retailers by dollar share, and Walmart tops the list for the third year in a row, followed by Kroger, which is losing market share.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Second quarter is a struggle for UNFI
A disappointing second-quarter earnings sheet has United Natural Foods revising its fiscal year 2024 forecast. Net sales decreased 0.5% year over year to $7.8bln, primarily driven by a decline in unit volumes, which was partially offset by inflation and new business with existing customers. Gross profit for the second quarter was down 3.2% year over year, or $34mln, at $1bln. Net loss was $15mln while operating expenses in the second quarter came in at $1.01mln, which is a slight increase compared to Q2 2023. In other news, UNFI names Giorgio Matteo Tarditi president and CFO.
Source: supermarketnews.com
New group of regional grocers now using Instacart StorefrontGrocery technology company Instacart has revealed three new retailers using Instacart Storefront to power their e-commerce websites: Canseco's Market, Harps Food Stores, and Price Chopper.
Source: progressivegrocer.com