Avo announces over $80mln in funding to accelerate ambitious growth plans in the delivery & amenity business
New York-and-Israel-based Avo, the fastest growing, vertically integrated residential and office delivery platform in the US, announced that it has raised over $80mln in funding. Its most recent investment, a $45mln Series B round led by New York-based global private equity and venture capital firm Insight Partners, will be used to expand operations rapidly across 10 major markets in the next 12 months. Existing investors Kleiner Perkins and JLL Spark also participated in the Series B round.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Walmart to hire 150,000 U.S. store workers ahead of holiday season
Walmart Inc said it was planning to hire about 150,000 new U.S. store workers, most of them permanent and full-time, in preparation for the busy holiday season.
Source: reuters.com
US: Labor crunch prompts Schnucks to close earlier
In a sign of just how challenging the labor crisis is for grocers, Schnucks is going to close most of its stores an hour earlier. The company announced that beginning October 4, most Schnucks stores throughout Missouri, Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin will observe new daily operating hours of 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Nine stores in the St. Louis area will remain open 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Casey’s announces agreement to acquire 40 convenience stores in Tennessee and Kentucky
Casey’s General Stores, Inc. (“Casey’s” or the “Company”), a leading convenience store chain in the United States, announced an agreement to acquire 40 Pilot convenience stores from Pilot Corporation in an all-cash transaction for $220mln. The 40 Pilot stores will extend Casey’s presence in Tennessee and Kentucky with well-established locations primarily in the attractive Knoxville, Tennessee, market.
Source: businesswire.com
Amazon just revealed its first home robot. Here’s what it’s like to use it
Amazon announced its long-rumored home robot. The robot, which is named Astro and costs $999, will only be sold by invitation from Amazon at first. Astro roams around your house on 3 wheels and can be used to bring stuff from room to room, video chat, play music, keep an eye on your house while you’re away and more.
Source: cnbc.com
Sam’s Club opens its largest flagship store in Shanghai, showing confidence in China market
Sam's Club, the high-end membership outlet of US-based retailer Walmart, said that it has opened its first flagship club in Shanghai, which is now the largest Sam's Club in the world.
Source: globaltimes.cn
Pakistan: For the love of fresh fruits and vegetables
SPAR, a global retail chain with presence in 48 countries entered Pakistan in 2017 with 2 stores in Karachi. It has recently announced further expansion in Pakistan, with a 3rd store launched in North Nazimabad on the 16th of September and a 4th store set to launch in DHA Phase 8 in November. Located in the upscale locality of North Nazimabad Block F, SPAR is a large departmental store with a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, grocery, imported foods, jewelry and baby accessories.
Source: dailytimes.com.pk
Belgium: Fierce competition, rising prices: Colruyt Group issues profit warning
Although sales will increase slightly this year, Colruyt Group expects a significantly lower profit due to rising raw material prices and increasing price competition. CEO Jef Colruyt said this at the shareholders meeting. Colruyt Group announced a top transfer: former Delhaize and Walmart top executive Dirk Van den Berghe will join the board.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Philippines: PSE greenlights AllDay's P6 B IPO
The Philippine Stock Exchange’s Board of Directors has approved the listing of the shares of AllDay Marts, Inc. at the bourse’s Main Board—paving the way for the retailer’s P6bln initial public offering. AllDay Marts, the operator of AllDay Supermarkets, will be offering up to 6.86bln primary shares and up to 685.71mln over-allotment option shares at a price of up to P0.80 per share.
Source: mb.com.ph
UK: Tesco strengthens environmental standards for its growers with adoption of global LEAF Marque Standard
Tesco has announced a strengthening in the environmental standards required by its 14,000 fresh produce growers, by implementing the LEAF Marque environmental assurance scheme across its entire global produce supply chain.
Source: tescoplc.com
IGD introduces reverse mentoring pilot to help create a more inclusive industry
With its ambition to create a more inclusive workforce across the food and consumer goods industry, IGD is piloting a reverse mentoring programme to support leaders to champion inclusion.
Source: igd.com
UK: Morrisons takeover battle moves to auction showdown
The battle to take over Morrisons will be decided in a one-day auction on Saturday, the supermarket has announced, as 2 US private equity firms compete for the UK’s 4th biggest grocery chain. Fortress and Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) must submit formal bids, with the auction process on Saturday running for a maximum of 5 rounds.
Source: theguardian.com
UK: Deliveroo Hop offers fast grocery delivery in London
Deliveroo has begun working on fast grocery deliveries, the Financial Times (FT) reported. The company has opened a “dark store” in London in partnership with supermarket chain Morrisons, according to the report. The service is called Deliveroo Hop and will compete with several other grocery delivery startups like Gorillas, Getir and Zapp, which have become popular in the U.K., the report stated.
Source: pymnts.com
SPAR and EUROSPAR NI retailers win big at UK Retail Industry AwardsSPAR and EUROSPAR NI retailers have won big at the recent Retail Industry Award ceremony. The Awards are a celebration of all that is great about the UK grocery retail sector. Local retailers in Northern Ireland took home some of the biggest accolades of the night, including Store Team of the Year, Forecourt Retailer of the Year, and Independent Retailer of the Year.
Source: spar-international.com
Britain's M&S aims to be fully net zero on emissions by 2040
Marks & Spencer pledged to become net zero in carbon emissions across its own operations, its entire supply chain and its products by 2040, 10 years ahead of a government target for Britain.
Source: reuters.com
UK: 1,400 job roles to be cut by Bradford-based supermarket chain MorrisonsThe Bradford-based supermarket chain Morrisons has confirmed that it is cutting 1,400 job roles as it reveals plans to close online home delivery in a number of stores. A Morrisons spokesman said: "No jobs are at risk - 1,400 roles are being removed from the business. However, all colleagues will be moved into an alternative position or offered voluntary redundancy."
Source: yorkshirepost.co.uk