Lidl Northern Ireland plows record £455mln into local agri-food industry
Lidl Northern Ireland procured a record £455mln worth of goods from the local agri-food industry last year (FY22/23 ending February) according to its annual Supplier Impact Report. This is an increase of more than 30% from £347mln in FY21/22.
Source: corporate.lidl-ni.co.uk
Amazon influences offline retail in Germany
Amazon has a massive impact on retail spending in Germany, both online and offline. More than one-third of all purchases in physical stores are preceded by a search for information on Amazon. This is reported by ECC KÖLN, a subsidiary of the renowned IFH KÖLN (Institut für Handelsforschung), in its periodic Trend Check Handel.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
India: Farm fresh natural vegetables to be sold on wheels in Shimla
Chemical-free fresh, natural produce will now be available to the consumers in the State Secretariat complex in Chotta Shimla, Himachal Pradesh University campus in Summerhill, and Krishi Bhawan in Boileauganj in a mobile van direct from the farmers every Friday, beginning September 15. In what can be termed as 'Natural Produce on Wheels,' the State Project Implementing Unit (SPIU) of Prakritik Kheti Khushhal Kisan Yojana (PK3Y) of Himachal Pradesh government is facilitating the farmers in three blocks adjoining Shimla (Mashobra, Basantpur and Totu) sell their fresh chemical-free vegetables, fruits and some products like ghee, pickles etc to the consumers at these specified spots for a reasonable price.
Source: thestatesman.com
Discounter Lidl GB relaxed on losses, focused on the opportunityThe British arm of German discount supermarket chain Lidl brushed aside a 76mln pound ($95mln) annual loss, saying the business was squarely focused on the long-term opportunity. Lidl GB, established in 1994, said it had the "full support" of its German parent, the Schwarz Group, to open hundreds more stores.
Source: reuters.com
Windsor Framework: Warning of fewer food options in NI shops
The range of food products in Northern Ireland supermarkets could be cut, a trade body has warned. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said operational issues with the Windsor Framework must be resolved. The BRC's director of food, Andrew Opie, was giving evidence to the House of Lords. He said the issues "will need to be resolved quite quickly; otherwise, we would see an impact in terms of the choice consumers have in NI."
Source: bbc.co.uk
Swiss government encourages reduced meat consumption in climate strategy
The Swiss government has launched a new Climate Strategy for Agriculture and Food, which outlines the benefits of reducing meat consumption in the country. The strategy states that a diet rich in plant foods and with less meat "contains benefits for both health and the environment." It also notes that, compared to official nutritional guidelines, meat consumption is too high in the country, while consumption of dairy products, legumes, fruits, and vegetables is too low.
Source: plantbasednews.org
UK: Waitrose & Partners posts 4% sales growth in first half
Upmarket UK retailer Waitrose & Partners has reported 4% year-on-year growth in sales to £3.7bln (€4.3bln) in the first half of its financial year. The supermarket chain saw trading operating profit improve to £504.4mln (€586.8mln) from £431.7mln (€502.2mln) in the same period last year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Magnit fully completes $507mln buyback of blocked shares
Retailer Magnit said it had fully completed a deal to buy back blocked shares from Western investors at a 50% discount by purchasing shares held through Euroclear.
Source: reuters.com
US: Wegmans tops Fortune's best retail places to work list
Wegmans, the 107-year-old grocery chain based in Rochester, New York, has topped Fortune's Best Companies list every year since the list was launched in 1998, and this year, it has managed a repeat performance. Fortune reports that Wegmans has been recognized for so long because, for starters, it has over 53,000 workers and maintains a $15 minimum wage, nearly double the national average.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: The Fresh Market and Uber Eats partner for on-demand grocery delivery
Uber Technologies, Inc. announced its new partnership with Greensboro, North Carolina-based The Fresh Market, Inc. to offer on-demand and scheduled delivery to customers across The Fresh Market's operating areas.
Source: prnewswire.com
Canada: Empire reports fiscal 2024 first quarter results
Empire Company Limited ("Empire" or the "Company") announced its financial results for the first quarter ended August 5, 2023. For the quarter, the Company recorded net earnings of $261.0mln ($1.03 per share) compared to $187.5mln ($0.71 per share) last year. For the quarter, the Company recorded adjusted net earnings of $196.2mln ($0.78 per share) compared to $187.5mln ($0.71 per share) last year.
Source: newswire.ca
Grocers raise concerns over proposed plastic food packaging guidelines
The Pollution Prevention Planning Notice (P2 Notice) takes aim at large grocery retailers, which the document defines as having annual sales of over $4bln. As the notice stands, the percentage of fresh fruits and vegetables distributed and sold in bulk and/or plastic-free packaging would need to reach 75% by 2026 and 95% by 2028. The big chains, including Loblaw and Metro, directed requests for comment to the Retail Council of Canada (RCC), which is representing them on the issue.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Online grocer Pinemelon connects local farmers with school lunches
Pinemelon, an online grocery delivery service, now offers ingredients for box lunches so parents and kids don't have to wonder what to eat. Pinemelon partners with local farmers to bring customers fresh produce and other staples.
Source: denver7.com
US: Afresh adds inventory management solution to AI-powered fresh tech platform
Afresh Technologies, the world's leading fresh food technology company, has announced the launch of its inventory management solution. The Afresh platform transforms ordering and inventory management across grocers' fresh departments with intelligent and connected solutions purpose-built for the complexities of fresh food. Afresh inventory management minimizes the time and cost of taking ending inventory for customers like Fresh Thyme and Heinen's, delivering accurate financials while pairing seamlessly with Afresh store ordering to save teams time and drive higher profits.
Source: afresh.com