US: Albertsons Cos. to accept supplemental benefits for fresh produce, OTC medications
In a bid to better serve its communities and reduce food insecurity, Albertsons Cos. has moved to accept supplemental health benefits, including pre-paid cards funded by Medicare Advantage plans, employer incentives, healthcare providers or local governments, for fresh produce and over-the-counter medication purchases.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Largest online Asian marketplace Yami announces $50mln Series B to accelerate expansion
Yami, a leading direct-to-consumer marketplace for Asian food essentials, products, and household goods in North America - announced a $50mln Series B co-led by Altos Ventures and Balsam Bay Partners with participation from J.P. Morgan and Series A lead investor GGV Capital.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: BJ’s Wholesale Club launches Same-Day Select, expanding same-day delivery offering for members
BJ's Wholesale Club, a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs in the Eastern United States, announced the chainwide rollout of Same-Day Select, a Membership add-on to its popular Same-Day Delivery service.
Source: businesswire.com
Canada: Dollarama reports Q4 profit and sales up
Dollarama Inc. reported its 4th-quarter profit and sales rose compared with a year ago. The retailer says reported a profit of $220mln or 74 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended January 30 compared with a profit of $173.9mln or 56 cents per diluted share a year earlier.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
Picnic closing in on Belgium: expansion in Zeeland and Pas-de-Calais
Picnic is expanding in both the Netherlands and France. The online supermarket is now also present in Middelburg in the southern Dutch province Zeeland and in Lens in northern France (Pas-de-Calais). This brings the grocery service another step closer to the Belgian border.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Saudi Arabia: E-commerce fresh produce startup Haseel raised $6.6mln in a Series A round
Haseel, Saudi-based fresh produce e-commerce startup, raised $6.6mln in Series A round led by Vision Ventures with participation by Arzan Ventures, Riyad Taqnia Fund, Sky Horizon, Aid for Investments, along with prominent angel investors.
Source: waya.media
Russian discount supermarket chain Svetofor to open additional 22 stores
The Russian supermarket discount chain Svetofor currently has 18 stores in Serbia and plans to open 22 more by the end of 2023, Nova Ekonomija reports. Svetofor is a member of the Russian group Torgservis, which operates in Serbia via 2 independent companies: Beltorg (Svetofor markets) and Ros Produkt Servis Beograd (MERE markets). The latest stores were opened in the 2nd half of February in Belgrade, Čačak, Kikinda and Trstenik.
Source: serbianmonitor.com
India: Reliance defends takeover of Future stores in letter
India's top retailer Reliance has privately defended an abrupt takeover of the stores of debt-laden rival Future Retail, saying mounting dues of $634mln compelled it to act beyond expectations, a company letter shows.
Source: reuters.com
Switzerland: Migros sees growth in core retail business in FY 2021
Migros Group has reported growth in its core retail business in full-year 2021, consolidating its position as a market leader in the Swiss retail trade. In addition to its online business, its convenience, discount and health segments were its biggest growth-drivers in fiscal 2021.
Source: esmmagazine.com
India: FarMart raises $32mln Series B to scale SaaS-led food supply platform
SaaS-led food supply platform FarMart announced a $32mln Series B fundraise round led by General Catalyst, with participation from existing investors, Matrix Partners India and Omidyar Network India.
Source: entrackr.com
Belgium: Collect&Go opens a pick-up point for pedestrians and cyclists
A grocery pick-up point without cars or even a store: that's the new Walk-in Collect&Go by supermarket chain Colruyt in Ixelles. Adapted to the needs of Brussels' locals, the pick-up point is exclusively reserved for pedestrians and cyclists.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Carrefour plans EV charging stations at French hypermarkets, supermarkets
Carrefour said it aims to install over 700 electric vehicles charging stations and 5,000 charging points at its French hypermarkets and Carrefour Market supermarkets by 2025. The 1st charging station will be accessible to customers on the carpark of the La Chapelle Saint-Luc hypermarket in Troyes, northeastern France, from April 8, the statement said.
Source: reuters.com
China: Sales of Missfresh's private label fresh food brand surged 300% for Q4 2021
Missfresh Limited ("Missfresh" or the "Company"), a pioneer in China's neighborhood retail industry, saw 4th-quarter 2021 sales for its private label Fresh Joy ("Xiang An Xin" in Chinese) product range grow 300%, as compared to the 1st quarter in the same year. This surge in sales is a result of Missfresh's continued investment in and improvements to the private label products' quality as well as increased customer trust and recognition of Missfresh's in-house brands.
Source: prnewswire.com
Holland: Jumbo introduces deposit on juice and smoothies in plastic bottles
Dutch retailer Jumbo is set to introduce a voluntary deposit on all own-brand juice and smoothie bottles. In addition, the La Place juices that are available across the retailer's stores and in La Place restaurants will also require a deposit.
Source: esmmagazine.com