US: Kroger, Instacart come out with AI shopping tool, express delivery
Kroger and Instacart announced that they are expanding their long-running partnership to strengthen the grocery chain's online shopping and delivery operations, while adding new AI-driven features designed to make digital grocery trips faster and more personalized. Instacart will remain Kroger's primary fulfillment partner, handling delivery from roughly 2,700 stores across more than 20 banners through Kroger.com and the Kroger app.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: USDA warns grocers not to offer special discounts to SNAP recipients
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has ordered grocery stores not to offer discounts to recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits while payments are stopped during the government shutdown and partial payments from a contingency fund are pending following a federal court ruling. The agency's warning came via email, as reported by The Hill, stating that grocers "must offer eligible goods at the same prices and on the same terms and conditions" to SNAP recipients.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Instacart announces new enterprise AI Solutions to democratize AI for grocers of all sizes
Instacart reported: "Instacart announced the launch of Instacart's AI Solutions, a new suite of enterprise offerings designed to help grocers of all sizes compete in an AI-first world".
Source: prnewswire.com
Afresh has a new platform to manage fresh at DCs
Afresh, a technology company focused on fresh foods, has unveiled a new platform expansion called Fresh Buying, aimed at modernizing how grocery distribution centers manage perishable products. The solution uses artificial intelligence to optimize ordering, vendor selection and logistics for fresh meat, deli, bakery and produce departments. Wakefern Food Corp, the retailer-owned cooperative behind supermarket banners such as ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Morton Williams and Fairway Market, is among the first to implement the platform across its produce, meat, seafood, deli and bakery distribution centers.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Ahold Delhaize reports strong Q3 performance; 2025 outlook reconfirmed
Ahold Delhaize reported: 'Ahold Delhaize, an international food retail group and a leader in both supermarkets and e-commerce, reports third quarter results. Ahold Delhaize net sales were €22.5bln, an increase of 6.1% at constant exchange rates and up 2.2% at actual exchange rates. U.S. net sales were €12.9bln, an increase of 1.9% at constant exchange rates and down 4.3% at actual exchange rates. European net sales were €9.6bln, an increase of 12.4% at constant exchange rates and 12.5% at actual exchange rates. Comments from Frans Muller, President and CEO of Ahold Delhaize: "All our European brands now have a minimum of 900 Price Favorite products across their assortments and continue to update and expand their fresh produce sections, focusing on the increased demand for convenience, healthy and ready-made meals".'
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
HiperDino targets 30 store openings in 2026
Spanish supermarket chain HiperDino, based in the Canary Islands, is celebrating its 40th anniversary with an ambitious expansion plan. The plan is to open another 30 new stores starting in 2026, to further consolidate its competitive position in the Canary Islands' food sector.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Just Eat Go to boost Tesco Whoosh across the UK
Just Eat Takeaway.com reported: "Just Eat Go has announced a major new partnership with Tesco, to boost its on-demand service Tesco Whoosh. The partnership with Tesco Whoosh means Just Eat Go will support superfast delivery services across Tesco, One Stop and Booker's symbol brands such as Premier".
Source: newsroom.justeattakeaway.com
Aldi to open 16 new stores in the lead-up to Christmas
Aldi has revealed that it will open 16 new stores between now and 12th December as part of its £650mln investment in its store opening and refurbishment programme for 2025. The Aldi stores opening before Christmas are: Philadelphia, Tyne and Wear; Pendle Drive, Litherland/Sefton, Liverpool; Gallamore Lane, Market Rasen; McGavigans Road, Kirkintilloch, Scotland; Queens Park Avenue, Billericay; Kentish Town, London; Dundee Road, Arbroath; The Green, Cheadle; Boghall Road, Baillieston; Old Shoreham Road, Hove; Pershore Market, King George's Way, Pershore; Riverside Retail Park, Yate, Gloucestershire; Northallerton, North Yorkshire; Harefield Road, Uxbridge; Daventry, Northamptonshire; Old Kent Road, London.
Source: kamcity.com
South Korea: "20% off napa cabbage and radish"... Emart holds 'Kimchi-Making Festival' until the 12th
Emart announced that it will hold the "2025 Kimchi-Making Festival" for a week from November 6 to 12, ahead of the peak kimchi-making season. During the event, Emart will offer a 20% discount on napa cabbage (10 heads, 3 per pack) and radish (1 bundle, 5-6 per bundle), reducing the regular price of 7,480 won to 5,984 won for customers who accumulate Shinsegae Points. The "Cheonsu Radish" (7-9 per pack), known for its crunchy texture and favored for pickling, will be sold at 6,480 won with a 20% Shinsegae Points discount, and "Altari Radish" (1.5kg) will be available for 3,980 won. The e-money benefit does not apply to these items.
Source: cm.asiae.co.kr
Spar Colruyt Group in Marcinelle opens on 20 November
Colruyt Group reported: "A brand-new Spar Colruyt Group store has opened in Marcinelle, on Avenue Eugène Mascaux, where the former Match - briefly trading as Comarché - once stood. There will be a celebratory opening on Thursday, 20 November. In addition to an expanded range of fruit and vegetables, Marcinelle customers will be able to enjoy a wide choice of fresh produce prepared directly in store".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Sunshine and… sleigh bells: Morrisons Christmas advert shows Christmas is a year in the making
Morrisons reported: 'The "Making More of Christmas" film captures the story of colleagues and food makers within Morrisons unique fresh food business - including its own factories, direct from farm sourcing and in-store food making. The advert ends with Morrisons iconic line: "More reasons to shop at Morrisons", after championing Morrisons year-round commitment to fresh, local and seasonal produce and the care and craft of colleagues, and the community spirit that make the festive season so special'.
Source: morrisons-corporate.com
Retail chain Yochananof buys land to grow own produce
Supermarket chain Yochananof continues to expand its real estate activity. The company has bought 107 dunams (26.5 acres) of agricultural land in Ness Tziona. Yochananof says that it will use the land to grow produce for sale in its stores, reducing supply chain costs. The deal is an unusual one for an Israeli retail chain. The chains generally buy fresh produce from local growers or import it.
Source: en.globes.co.il
UK: PACK'D expands retail presence in Sainsbury's
Organic frozen food producer PACK'D has expanded its presence with Sainsbury's, following a year of record turnover which saw its retail accounts grow by 80% and online trade by 40%. Six new SKUs of PACK'D's organic frozen products are rolling out in 200 Sainsbury's stores, including its Organic Broccoli, Organic Sweet Potato, Organic Blueberries, Organic Strawberries, and Organic Mango. These additions join the brand's existing listings of PACK'D Avocado and Organic Cauliflower Rice.
Source: kamcity.com
UK: M&S profits halved after cyber-attack
M&S profits halved after it was hit by a cyber-attack which left shoppers unable to buy online from the company for months. The British high street chain's boss said the April attack was "an extraordinary moment in time" as it revealed it made £184mln adjusted profit before tax for the first half of the year, compared with £413mln the year prior.
Source: bbc.com
