US grocery chain workers heading into significant contract battles in 2025
Tens of thousands of grocery store workers are gearing up for contract battles in 2025 against the supermarket chains across the US. The significant issues in these struggles include: wage increases that keep pace with the rising cost of living, improvements to working conditions such as an end to understaffing and burnout, defense and expansion of healthcare and retirement benefits, implementation of safety and health protections and the defense of jobs in the face of automation.
The first round of contracts that are expiring are at Safeway (Albertsons) and King Soopers (Kroger) in Denver, Colorado.
Source: Wsws
Ahold Delhaize USA shifts digital coupon strategy
Ahold Delhaize USA now has a new digital coupon partner. Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, announced on Thursday that it will now partner with data and tech company Inmar Intelligence for digital coupons, replacing Neptune Retail Solutions. The new coupon strategy will mean increased offer capacity, new offer types, greater efficiency, and an improved customer experience through more relevant savings, the retail company said in a press release. Ahold USA's brands include Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop.
"Advancing our capabilities in the loyalty space, particularly with digital coupons, is key as we continue to increase overall digital customer engagement and drive omnichannel growth," said Keith Nicks, chief digital officer for Ahold Delhaize USA.
Source: Supermarket News
Would we see other supermarket attempts after the FTC blocked the Kroger-Albertsons merger?
The Federal Trade Commission's (FTC) decision to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger sent shockwaves through the retail industry, drawing attention to the increasing scrutiny faced by large-scale consolidation efforts. While the proposed merger promised operational efficiencies and competitive advantages, the FTC's intervention raised concerns about potential harm to consumers, including reduced competition, higher prices, and limited choice. With this regulatory stance in place, many are left wondering: will other supermarkets attempt similar moves, or has the FTC set a precedent that will deter such efforts?
International Supermarket News looks into the various outcomes, both probable and less probable.
Source: International Supermarket News
Target has organic produce in its sights
Organic produce merchandising is on the upswing. With sales at many outlets increasing, and more shoppers seeking foods that are healthier and environmentally favorable, retailers have the potential for even greater category gains, presenters said at the 2024 Organic Produce Summit in Monterey, Calif.
Organic produce sales at Minneapolis-based Target Corp., for instance, have grown about 2% annually for the last three years and organic fruits and vegetables account for 20% of the retailer's overall produce dollar sales, said Robby Cruz, vice president of produce. That includes organic bananas, which account for 33% of the retailer's total banana activity, he said.
Source: Supermarket News
Oman & Jordan: Why has Majid Al Futtaim closed its Carrefour stores?
Majid Al Futtaim this week confirmed that Carrefour will no longer operate in Oman and is to be replaced with the HyperMax brand across 11 locations. The move is driven by shifting market dynamics, growing regional competition and evolving customer preferences.
The decision, which follows the closure of Carrefour outlets in Jordan in November last year, is aimed at catering to local demands, focusing on fresh produce, value-for-money products and greater accessibility for consumers, Majid Al Futtaim said. The HyperMax grocery chain is wholly owned and operated by the Dubai company.
Source: The National News
Australia: Cost-of-living crisis deepens as farmers fear supermarket retaliation
The cost of living crisis continues to weigh heavily on Australian families, as farmers and suppliers accuse major supermarkets of unfair practices and price gouging. A year after Labor appointed Dr. Craig Emerson to review the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, significant change remains elusive, and frustrations are mounting.
Leader of The Nationals, David Littleproud, criticized the government's lack of action, citing the ongoing absence of the 2023 - 24 Annual Report from the Independent Reviewer. He highlighted that fear of retribution remains a significant barrier for suppliers, stifling complaints about supermarket practices.
"Farmers and suppliers still fear repercussions from complaints, and families are paying the price at the checkout," Mr. Littleproud said. "Labor has wasted time and failed to implement real change, even as the cost-of-living crisis worsens."
Source: The Bugle
The Netherlands: Discounters ended 2024 as the best performers in the Netherlands
The discounters ended 2024 as the strongest performers in the Dutch grocery market, a new study by Hiiper has found, in a market that was largely flat year-on-year. Hiiper's Supermarket Quarterly Monitor Q4 2024 put the turnover index for the final quarter of the year at 100, on a par with last year, however the number of transactions fell year-on-year (to an index of 96) due to the cessation of tobacco sales. Average spend per transaction was up by approximately 4%, to €23.79.
Aldi reported an index score of 110 for the quarter, with Lidl on 108, with both seeing higher spend per customer, according to Hiiper. Other price-oriented formats also scored well, with Dirk (108), Nettorama (108) and Vomar (103) up on the same period last year. Albert Heijn reported an index score of 104 in Q4, however Jumbo achieved a score of just 93.
Source: ESM Magazine
Shoppers' late festive dash gives Sainsbury's lift as staff get 5% pay rise
A last-minute dash to secure Christmas shopping lifted sales at Sainsbury's over the festive period, as the supermarket chain gave its staff a 5% pay rise. The group said its customers were "shopping late and [buying] record volumes in the days ahead of Christmas", helping to boost grocery sales by 3.8% in the six weeks to 4 January while sales at its Argos chain rose 1.1% in that period.
The performance on groceries was similar to its rival Tesco, which on Thursday reported a 4% rise in underlying sales over the key festive period – with the UK's two largest grocers thought to have benefited from difficulties at the smaller rivals Asda and Morrisons.
Sainsbury's said it was splitting the 5% pay rise for 118,000 employees into two parts – increasing to a minimum of £12.45 an hour from March and then £12.60 in August in order to "navigate a challenging cost environment".
Source: The Guardian
France: Retailer implements Diebold Nixdorf shrink reduction tech
Groupement Mousquetaires, a French retail group with brands like Intermarché, Netto, and Bricomarché, is moving forward with Diebold Nixdorf's Vynamic Smart Vision I Shrink Reduction technology following a successful pilot program at an Intermarché location.
"We are excited to take the next step with Groupement Mousquetaires and prepare the rollout after achieving strong results during the test phase," said Matt Redwood, vice president, Retail Technology Solutions at Diebold Nixdorf. "Our combined solution out of hardware, software and service globally has been designed alongside retailers, keeping store staff, serviceability and customer experience in mind. It provides a range of actionable outputs that help the retailer combat shrink without alienating their customers."
The AI-powered solution addresses fraud at self-service checkouts and also boosts operational efficiency and enhances the customer experience, according to Diebold Nixdorf.
Source: Supermarket Perimeter
UK: Supermarkets brace for higher costs amid tax changes
U.K. supermarkets Marks & Spencer (M&S) and Tesco reported strong holiday sales on Thursday but cautioned that they face escalating costs in 2025 as a result of tax changes and persistent inflation. Both companies anticipate significant financial strain due to an upcoming increase in the National Insurance rate, a payroll tax used to fund social programs.
M&S posted a 5.6% rise in sales for the third quarter, while Tesco, the nation's largest supermarket chain, saw sales increase by over 4% during the same period. Despite these gains, both retailers are preparing for a challenging economic landscape.
Stuart Machin, CEO of Marks & Spencer, emphasized that the company is not complacent about its future prospects, citing rising tax burdens, inflation, and fluctuating interest rates as key concerns.
Source: USA Herald