Ahold Delhaize USA moves closer to full self-distribution
At the halfway point of a 3-year supply chain transformation, Ahold Delhaize USA expects more than 85% of its distribution network to be self-managed by the close of 2022. ADUSA Supply Chain, the distribution arm of Ahold Delhaize USA, said that it will convert 5 more distribution centers to self-management next year. That will raise the total number of integrated self-distribution facilities to 25, up from 15 when the $480mln plan was announced in December 2019.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Omnichannel grocery shoppers spend up to 20% more
Symphony RetailAI, a leading global provider of integrated AI-powered marketing, merchandising and supply chain solutions for FMCG retailers and manufacturers, announced research showing that omnichannel grocery shoppers shop more frequently and spend up to 20% more compared to in-store-only shoppers. The findings come from shopper data collected across Symphony RetailAI’s customer base of leading grocery retailers during Q1 2021, across 421mln baskets.
Source: globenewswire.com
Canada: Empire reports strong fourth quarter and fiscal 2021 results
Empire Company Limited ("Empire" or the "Company") announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended May 1, 2021. For the quarter, the Company recorded net earnings of $171.9mln compared to $177.8mln last year. Total earnings per share in the fourth quarter last year included an unusual gain on the surrender of lease of $0.06; removing this impact, total net earnings per share increased 6.7% compared to last year.
Source: newswire.ca
US: Big Y to hold 1st-ever ‘hiring spree’
Big Y will hold what it called a “monstrous” company-wide hiring event at more than 75 locations across its market area of Massachusetts and Connecticut on Tuesday, June 29, the first time the company has done so. The grocer’s inaugural “hiring spree”, dubbed “It’s More Than Food, It’s My Story”, is open to anyone 18 years and older.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Walmart U.S. chief John Furner sees a ‘new normal’ emerging
As COVID-19 recedes, the “new normal” for Walmart and other retailers will mix the pre-pandemic consumer environment with the behavioral changes brought by the health crisis, Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner said at the National Retail Federation’s NRF Retail Converge conference.
Source: supermarketnews.com
UK Labour wants government to protect Morrisons in potential takeover
Britain’s opposition Labour Party has called on the government to confirm it will intervene in any private equity takeover of supermarket group Morrisons to secure binding commitments about the buyer’s business plan, on jobs and on pensions. Morrisons, Britain’s 4th largest grocer after Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Asda, said it had rejected a proposed 5.52bln pounds ($7.7bln) cash offer from U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R). Under British takeover rules, CD&R has until July 17 to announce a firm offer or walk away.
Source: reuters.com
Russia: Magnit launches its own delivery service from supermarkets in regions
Magnit PJSC (the Company, Magnit), one of Russia’s leading retailers, announced the launch of its own large format delivery service - Magnit Family supermarkets and Magnit Extra superstores - in the regions. This delivery service is available in 7 cities, and 5 more cities will be added to the service until the end of the month. Stores in St. Petersburg, Samara, Togliatti, Izhevsk, Omsk and Ufa have been connected to the delivery service, which was tested earlier in Krasnodar. Outlets in Orenburg, Tyumen, Yaroslavl, Ulyanovsk and Voronezh are to be connected until the end of July.
Source: magnit.com
UK: Tesco planning to set up checkout-free supermarkets
Tesco is set to launch its first checkout-free shop following a successful trial. The supermarket giant wants to follow in the footsteps of Amazon by removing the use of checkouts completely. Under the plans, customers will scan items with their phone and payment for shopping will then be automatically taken when they then walk out of the store. A year-long trial of the concept has been taking place at the Tesco Express store in the Welwyn Garden City head office.
Source: gazette-news.co.uk
Deliveroo expands grocery delivery business in Hong Kong, as it partners with supermarket chain ParknShop
Deliveroo has partnered with supermarket chain ParknShop across Hong Kong as competition heats up in the city’s fast-growing grocery delivery market. Customers using the food delivery app can order more than 1,000 different grocery items from 50 locations under the ParknShop brand, which is backed by tycoon Li Ka-shing’s AS Watsons Group.
Source: scmp.com
France: Carrefour mulls consolidation, alliances or divestitures for foreign units
French retailer Carrefour said it had started considering possible consolidation, divestitures or tie-ups of its foreign subsidiaries, but had not made a decision to sell any assets. The French weekly Challenges had reported that Carrefour was planning to sell its subsidiaries in Poland and in Taiwan and had mandated KPMG to audit them.
Source: reuters.com
Philippines: GrabMart inks deal with SM Markets for grocery delivery
GrabMart has partnered with SM Markets to offer delivery of groceries and other essential items within an hour, Grab Philippines said. Consumers can now place orders from select SM Markets, including SM Supermarket, Hypermarket, and Savemore through the app and receive their items at home in an hour, Grab said in a statement.
Source: news.abs-cbn.com
Holland: Albert Heijn opens 300th renovated store in Heiloo
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has opened its 300th renovated Albert Heijn store at 't Loo in Heiloo. The retailer's renovated, new format stores offer more fresh products and convenience, as well as digital innovation.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Czech Republic: Rohlik Group is managing European growth through competitive working conditions; now including unlimited paid leave
Central Europe’s leading online grocery delivery service, Rohlik Group ("Rohlik"), is adapting its employee working conditions to ensure it not only attracts but also retains the best possible European talent. Daniela Razimová, Chief Employee Experience Officer at Rohlik Group, commented: “Managing rapid growth requires an experienced and motivated workforce, from top-level management all the way down to our crucial frontline drivers and pickers completing orders”.
Source: rohlik.group
Switzerland: Ecommerce grows 25.8% to 12.2bln euros
Ecommerce in Switzerland has achieved a significant growth last year. The value of goods ordered online and through distance selling increased by 25.8% to 13.3bln Swiss francs, which corresponds to 12.18bln euros. The growth of ecommerce in Switzerland last year was around 3 times higher than in previous years. And when compared to the total volume of Swiss retailer, the value of ecommerce orders at home and abroad accounts for 14.2%. This was 11.5% one year earlier. These figures come from the Commerce Report Switzerland 2021 from Datatrans.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
UK: Grocemania continues expansion with opening of first dark store
Grocemania, the on-demand grocery delivery app that launched in 2018, has opened its first ‘dark store’ for servicing orders in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London. It is the first of 2 dark stores being launched by the company this summer with a second due to open in Twickenham next month.
Source: kamcity.com