Major Canadian food retailer makes net-zero commitment
One of Canada’s largest food retailers is aiming to make big improvements to its impact on the planet in the coming years. Loblaw Cos. Ltd. has released a plan to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions by 2040 as part of a host of environmental commitments.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Walmart sues BJ's for alleged infringement on its Scan & Go tech
Walmart filed a lawsuit against BJ's Wholesale Club claiming the latter infringed on patents related to its Scan & Go self-checkout function. In its complaint, Walmart said BJ's Express Pay self-checkout technology was "strikingly similar" and offered "nearly identical functionality" as the company's Scan & Go feature used at Sam's Club. Walmart is seeking an injunction against BJ's and unspecified monetary damages. A BJ's spokesperson said the company will not comment on pending litigation.
Source: grocerydive.com
SpartanNash contract extended through 2025 by the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency
Food solutions company SpartanNash (the “Company”) announced that the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA) has extended its contract to provide private label products to all DeCA commissaries through December 15, 2025.
Source: businesswire.com
Canada: Ultra-fast grocery delivery service Ninja to expand after receiving $2.8mln in funding
Just 6 months after its 2021 launch, ultra-fast grocery delivery service Ninja announced it had secured $2.8mln in funding that will be used to grow its footprint across Canada. According to Ninja CEO and co-founder Wesley Yue, the company will use the funding round from Lachy Groom, Fleport and Contrary Capital to expand its offering to 10 markets in Ontario and B.C. by the end of 2022.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
SPAR Austria expands market leadership, grows food retail sales by 3.9%
SPAR Austria expanded its market leadership in food retail during 2021, with food retail sales reaching €8.63bln, equivalent to a sales growth of 3.9%. SPAR Austria Group reported a very positive year across all 3 business areas of food retail, sports retail, and shopping centres, growing combined sales by 4.7% to €17.37bln. The Group currently operates 3,291 stores and employs over 90,000 team members.
Source: spar-international.com
Carrefour is in talks to sell Taiwan unit to Uni-President
Carrefour SA is in advanced talks to sell a controlling stake in its Taiwanese operations to its local minority partner Uni-President Enterprises Corp., according to people familiar with the matter. Uni-President has emerged as the likeliest buyer for the French grocer’s 60% of the business, the people said, asking not to be identified because the matter is private.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
China: JD Logistics aims to raise $1.1bln from new shares
JD Logistics is looking to raise $1.1bln from a $700mln share placement with its parent company JD.Com plus a $400mln primary capital raising, according to regulatory filings.
Source: reuters.com
Britain's Morrisons joins forces with Gopuff for rapid delivery
British supermarket group Morrisons has teamed up with rapid delivery firm Gopuff to provide its groceries to shoppers' homes in as little as 15-20 minutes, the companies said. They said the multi-year partnership will allow Morrisons to bring thousands of fresh food, own-brand and branded products to Gopuff's platform.
Source: reuters.com
Finland: Kesko updates sustainability strategy, and ties management remuneration to sustainability targets
The Board of Directors of Kesko Corporation has approved a new sustainability strategy for Kesko. The strategy sets clear sustainability targets for the operations of Kesko and its 3 divisions. The focus areas of the sustainability strategy are climate and nature, sustainable value chain, responsibility for people, and good governance.
Source: kesko.fi
UK retail sales growth slows in March as inflation bites - CBI
British retailers saw their sales fall this month as the cost-of-living squeeze tightened, a Confederation of British Industry survey showed. The CBI's monthly retail sales balance fell to +9 from +14 in February. A Reuters poll of economists had pointed to +10. The CBI's sales-for-the-time-of-year gauge suffered a big fall, sinking to -23 from February's +16.
Source: reuters.com
Germany: Aldi becomes a tourist attraction in Berlin
In Berlin's city centre, Aldi Nord has opened a very special city store: 'Checkpoint Aldi' sells exclusive merchandise from the hard-discounter and aims to be a magnet for the true Aldi fan.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK watchdog tells Morrisons owner to fix fuel competition concerns
U.S. private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice (CD&R) must address the competition regulator's concerns that its purchase of the Morrisons supermarket chain could lead to higher fuel prices to avoid an in-depth investigation into the deal.
Source: reuters.com
Buymie expands in Britain with Asda trial in Leeds and Bristol
On-demand grocery delivery service Buymie has launched a new 1-hour delivery trial in partnership with Asda in England that will lead to the creation of 60 new jobs. Founded by Devan Hughes and Artavazd Sokhikyan in February 2016, Buymie has been expanding in Britain of late, having already previously secured partnerships with Lidl and Dunnes Stores in the Republic.
Source: irishtimes.com
Toilet paper to tomatoes: these products now more expensive in Belgian stores
Consumer organisation Test-Aankoop concluded that people’s shopping baskets are - once again - becoming more expensive this month. The organisation analysed more than 3,000 products and prices in the major supermarket chains (Aldi, Lidl, Albert Heijn, Carrefour, Colruyt, Cora and Delhaize) in March. Vegetables: On average 4.15% more expensive than last year, but the price difference is slightly smaller than last month. Tomatoes in particular are much more expensive than a year ago (+18.9%) and potatoes (+6% on average). However, onions (-3%), carrots and cucumbers (both -2%) have become slightly cheaper than last year.
Source: brusselstimes.com