UK: Tax hike could lead to higher food prices, supermarkets warn
The UK's largest supermarkets are calling on the chancellor to exclude stores from a new business rates surtax, warning that shoppers will bear the brunt of higher prices. Tesco, Sainsbury's, Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi and Lidl are among the stores that have signed a letter addressed to Rachel Reeves, arguing that easing taxes on grocers would help curb food inflation.
Source: news.sky.com
South Africa: Pick n Pay narrows half-year losses
South African grocery retailer Pick n Pay reported a smaller loss before tax, saying it reflected success strategic initiatives. The country's third biggest grocery-retailer reported a loss before tax and capital items of 317mln rand ($18.31mln) in the 26 weeks to August 31 compared to a loss of 1.1bln rand last year.
Source: reuters.com
Spain: DIA grows market share, accelerates store expansion
DIA, Spain's fourth-largest grocery retailer, increased its market share by 0.14 points to 5.1% in September compared to the same period last year, according to NielsenIQ data. CEO Ricardo Álvarez announced at the AECOC congress that the company now aims to open approximately 90 new locations by the end of 2025, or a 50% increase from its initial strategic plan target of 60 openings per year, with a long-term goal of 300 new stores by 2029.
Fresh products, such as seasonal fruit and vegetables, fresh fish, national meats, and bakery items, are at the core of DIA's new store concept.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Amazon to invest more than €1.4bln in the Netherlands
Amazon reported: "Amazon plans to invest more than €1.4bln in the Netherlands over the next three years (2025 - 2027). It underlines the company's confidence in the Netherlands and continues Amazon's commitment to innovation and providing an even better experience to customers through low prices, selection, and convenience, while helping small businesses in the Netherlands succeed".
Source: aboutamazon.eu
Carrefour prepares sale of Romanian branch
Carrefour is said to have instructed BNP Paribas to find a buyer for its Romanian stores. The food retailer is currently conducting a strategic review of its international operations. Carrefour has not yet confirmed the news, but according to the French magazine l'Informé, the retailer has indeed decided to sell its operations in Romania.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Co-op Welcome boss to retire next year
The long-serving boss of Southern Co-op's Welcome franchise is to retire at the start of 2026 after some 14 years with the company. Mike Fitton (64) joined Southern Co-op in 2012 and has built its franchise operation from 20 to 77 stores, with a combined turnover of about £120mln.
Source: talkingretail.com
Ireland: Dunnes Stores to close three outlets by the end of October
Dunnes Stores will close three of its Irish grocery stores by the end of this month, RTÉ reported. The first of these stores - a small store located in Cornelscourt Village, in South Dublin - closed on Saturday 25 October. Next Friday, 31 October, the retailer will close two further locations: Dunnes Stores in the Ilac Centre, in Dublin City, and the Dunnes Stores in Drogheda, on which Checkout recently reported.
Source: checkout.ie
Major retail alliance forms in Central Italy
Siena-based cooperative Etruria Retail and GMF, a company within the Gruppo Unicomm, have agreed to establish a partnership, effective January 2026. This marks the beginning of a new alliance in the large-scale retail distribution sector in Central Italy, encompassing the Umbria, Lazio, Tuscany, and Marche regions, and consisting of a network of over 400 outlets and 12 cash-and-carry locations.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Sweden: Completion of Fidelio's ownership increase in Greenfood
Greenfood AB announced the completion of the previously communicated transaction in which Fidelio increases its ownership in Greenfood. The transaction was first announced on 28 July 2025 and became effective on 23 October 2025. In connection with the transaction, changes have been made to the company's Board of Directors, with Daniel Englund and Jakob Nilsson from Fidelio joining the Board.
Source: greenfood.se
Sri Lanka: Hayleys to set up 100 outlet supermarket chain
Sri Lanka's Hayleys Plc intends to set up a retail chain with 100 outlets as part of a diversification into retail, a statement said. "This move underscores the Group's strategic thrust towards bringing quality, reliability and service excellence closer to every day Sri Lankan consumers, redefining the modern retail experience", the statement, disseminated through their public relations agency said.
Source: economynext.com
Aldi boosts online grocery in Hungary
Aldi Hungary has scaled up its online shopping and home delivery service to 3.2mln customers across 107 towns and cities, doubling its availability since its 2020 launch. Customers can access the same weekly specials as in physical stores, with dairy products, fresh produce, and baked goods being top online purchases.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Hannaford prepares to launch updated e-commerce platform
Hannaford plans to roll out a revised website and app that will offer new features to online shoppers, the Ahold Delhaize-owned supermarket chain said in an email to customers. The updated Hannaford To Go e-commerce platform, due to launch on October 28, will include an improved search engine that will allow customers to find items more quickly.
Source: grocerydive.com
4 new Trader Joe's locations set to open by November 1. Here's where.
Four new Trader Joe's stores are set to open across the United States before the month of October ends, as per its website. Peachtree City, Georgia: 258 City Circle on Monday, October 27; Iselin, New Jersey: 675 US-1 on Wednesday, October 29; Columbia, Missouri: 201 N Stadium Blvd on Thursday, October 30; Holladay, Utah: 1895 East Rodeo Walk Dr. on Friday, October 31.
Source: eu.usatoday.com
US: Statement from NGA President & CEO Greg Ferrara on the Need to Reopen the Government and Fund SNAP/WIC
The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, issued the following statement from NGA President & CEO Greg Ferrara on the need to reopen the government and fund SNAP and WIC: "With funding for access to healthy, nutritious food at risk of running out for the nearly 48mln combined Americans who depend on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the National Grocers Association (NGA) calls on leaders in Congress from both sides of the aisle to find a funding solution that reopens the government as quickly as possible. Independent grocers are often the only source of fresh produce, dairy, and other nutritious essentials for millions of families, veterans, and seniors that rely on federal nutrition assistance to make ends meet. A lapse in funding will disrupt food access, creating instability for shoppers, retailers, and communities alike. A powerful economic engine for communities big and small, SNAP supports over 388,000 American jobs, generating over $20bln and $4.5bln in wages and tax revenue, respectively. NGA urges Congress to act swiftly to ensure continuous funding for SNAP and WIC so that families can continue to put food on the table. Protecting these programs is an investment in the health, stability, and well-being of Main Street communities across the country."
Source: nationalgrocers.org
