US: Produce proves a powerhouse in online delivery, a new DoorDash report finds
While pre-pandemic, the question as to whether consumers would ever fully embrace ordering fresh produce online was frequently pondered, a new report on online grocery shopping trends from DoorDash may put that question to rest for good. The company’s Grocery Online Trends Ordering Report finds that produce was the No. 1 category for grocery delivery orders from June 2020 to October 2021, followed by drinks and pantry items. The report further found that nearly 60% of U.S. adults indicated they bought groceries online and that they would continue to do so post-pandemic. DoorDash predicts 21.5% of U.S. grocery sales will be online by 2025. Consumers literally went bananas for online produce in the last year, as bananas of all kinds - individual, in a bunch, organic, green or yellow - “blew all other competition away across the U.S.”, said DoorDash, pointing to the pandemic-inspired banana bread-baking trend as a driving factor. Other popular produce items in online grocery were tomatoes, avocados, citrus and cucumbers.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Hy-Vee outlines its next 25 years of growth
Hy-Vee is planning to expand into 4 new states and build a distribution center in Nashville, opening more than 20 new stores in the next 4 years. According to the Des Moines Register, CEO Randy Edeker announced plans to build the Tennessee distribution facility, its 1st outside of Iowa, in an internal video. The facility will initially service 7 new stores in Tennessee, Alabama, Kentucky and Indiana in 2023. The new facility will also supply Hy-Vee's stores in southern Missouri, the newspaper reported.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: SpartanNash honored by Better Business Bureau
Its hometown Better Business Bureau (BBB) has recognized Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash for 50 years of “exemplary ethical practices”. The BBB Serving Western Michigan recently honored the retailer, distributor and military commissary for its continual accreditations.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Publix Vice President of Marketing to Retire; New Vice President announced
After 48 years of dedicated service, Publix Super Markets’ Vice President of Marketing Mark Irby has announced his decision to retire at the end of February 2022. With Irby’s retirement, Publix is pleased to announce the promotion of Malinda Renfroe to Vice President of Marketing.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Labor stoppage short lived for Kroger banners
For months, there was talk about grocery workers in Oregon going on strike, but the actual event was short lived. The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 555, representing workers at Fred Meyer and Quality Food Center banners owned by The Kroger Co. settled less than 24 hours after the walk-off.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: California sues Walmart over hazardous waste disposal
California officials sued Walmart Inc, accusing the retail giant of illegally dumping pesticides, lithium batteries and other hazardous materials in landfills across the state that are not equipped for such waste.
Source: reuters.com
Couche-Tard buys 19 Pic Quik convenience stores in New Mexico
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. says it has signed a deal with Pic Quik to purchase 19 convenience stores and two non-operating properties in New Mexico. The Quebec-based company says the sites, largely in southern New Mexico, are a strategic fit with its existing network. Alex Miller, Couche-Tard's executive vice-president of operations for North America, says the acquisition will help the company build on its strong network in the state.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
100,000 Too Good To Go bags sold in SPAR Austria stores in just 10 weeks
SPAR Austria and social impact company Too Good To Go have successfully sold 100,000 bags of food nearing its use-by date, following the signing of a nationwide partnership in October. Within just 10 weeks, 90,000 SPAR Austria customers have helped avoid about 1mln food products from going to waste and about 750 tonnes of related CO2 emissions by purchasing the bags.
Source: spar-international.com
Holland: Jumbo teams up with NOC*NSF to encourage healthy lifestyle
Jumbo and NOC*NSF (the Dutch Olympic Committee*Dutch Sports Federation) have developed a new learning programme about nutrition, health, and sports for trainers and coaches called Jumbo Foodcamp. Jumbo wants to make tasty and healthy food easily accessible to help everyone adopt a healthier lifestyle. The retailer is making its own-brand products increasingly healthier and provides plenty of inspiration for eating sufficient fruit and vegetables.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Carrefour, Everli extend online grocery delivery partnership
Carrefour has announced plans to extend its online grocery delivery partnership with Everli, following successful rollouts in Italy and Poland. According to Carrefour, the partnership will 'deepen the relationship' between the 2 countries in which Everli already operates, and will also extend to cover future international market launches.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Ireland's top grocers honoured in Checkout National Grocery Retail Awards
Ireland's leading grocery operators have been honoured in the inaugural National Grocery Retail Awards, hosted by Checkout Ireland, ESM's sister publication. The award for Ireland's Retailer of the Year went to SuperValu, while the Ireland's Discounter of the Year award was presented to Lidl Ireland.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Iceland reduces Christmas vegetables to 1p after Aldi and Lidl spark price war
Iceland is selling vegetables for just 1p in the latest round of price cuts by major supermarkets - but only for online shoppers who act quickly. Iceland said all of its fresh and frozen vegetables priced at £1 or under will be available for just 1p when shoppers buy 3 packs online.
Source: mirror.co.uk
Ahold Delhaize's bol.com acquires majority stake in Cycloon
Ahold Delhaize's online platform bol.com has announced the acquisition of a majority stake in delivery firm Cycloon, through which the business will seek to make deliveries 'more sustainable and social'. As part of the deal, the current management team at Cycloon will remain in place, along with the existing shareholders, Ahold Delhaize said. The transaction is expected to be completed in the 1st half of 2022, subject to approval from the relevant authorities, coordination with trade unions and advice from the works council.
Source: esmmagazine.com
"Bol.com is worth 6bln"
Bol.com's estimated worth is around 6bln euros, Swiss investment bank UBS says. Last month, owner Ahold Delhaize announced it wants to take part of its e-commerce subsidiary to the stock exchange next year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Morrisons to sell bags of food worth £10 for just £3.09 in bid to tackle food waste
Morrisons is increasing the number of its ‘Too Good to Go Magic Bags’ of unsold food by 50% until December 24. A spokesman said: "From December 20 to December 24, Morrisons stores will make up 50% more Too Good to Go ‘Magic Bags’ of unsold food that has reached its best before date - for just £3.09. Customers will be able to use the Too Good to Go app to purchase the additional bags of fruit and veg, bakery and deli items - worth at least £10. The contents of the bags will be revealed when picked up from the local supermarket, and there may even be a few festive surprises."
Source: yorkshirepost.co.uk