US: 43 members of Congress call on FTC to address economic discrimination
A bipartisan coalition from the U.S. House of Representatives sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) requesting the agency investigate, and when appropriate bring enforcement actions against economic discriminatory action that violates antitrust laws, including the FTC Act and the Robinson-Patman Act.
Source: nationalgrocers.org
US: Elevated gas, food prices take a toll on retail foot traffic
As the U.S. continues to grapple with fluctuating gas and food prices, a report from analytics firm Placer.ai is shining a light on how those are affecting retail visitation trends. While more consumers are returning to in-store shopping as prices level out, Placer.ai predicts a continued effect on overall retail traffic.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: NRF releases 2022 Top 50 Global Retailers
The National Retail Federation released its annual list of the Top 50 Global Retailers. Conducted with Kantar, the 2022 Top 50 Global Retailers list is a compilation of the 50 most impactful international retailers based on their operations at the start of 2021. Walmart continues to be the world’s largest retailer, having made significant investments in omnichannel marketplaces, in-store services and fulfillment models. Holding on to the same rankings as 2021, Amazon.com came in 2nd, Schwarz Group came in at No. 3 and Aldi came in 4th. Costco came in as a newcomer to the top 5, rising from No. 6 the previous year.
Source: nrf.com
Alexa will now tell you when items in your Amazon cart or wish list go on sale
Amazon’s Alexa will start telling some users when items they’ve had an eye on are about to be on sale. The company announced that Alexa will notify Prime customers up to 24 hours in advance of upcoming sales on items in their Amazon wish list and shopping cart, or items that were marked “saved for later” on the platform. Consumers can then ask Alexa to remind them about deals when they’re live or ask the smart device to order items on their behalf.
Source: cnbc.com
U.S. consumer spending slows sharply in February; weekly jobless claims increase
U.S. consumer spending slowed significantly in February, while price pressures continued to mount, with inflation posting its largest annual gain since the early 1980s. The Commerce Department said that consumer spending, which accounts for more than two-thirds of U.S. economic activity, rose 0.2% last month. Data for January was revised higher to show outlays rebounding 2.7% instead of 2.1% as previously reported. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast consumer spending increasing 0.5%.
Source: reuters.com
India: Future Retail CEO resigns amid legal battle, debt recovery
Future Retail's chief executive Sadashiv Nayak has resigned, the company said, without citing any reasons, just over 7 months after he took the helm at one of India's largest retailers.
Source: reuters.com
Kenyan startup Tushop closes $3mln in pre-seed funding
Tushop, a Kenyan social-commerce website that allows groups of people to buy fast-moving consumer goods (FMCGs), is ready to expand throughout Nairobi following a $3mln pre-seed financing led by 4DX Ventures. Tushop is one of Kenya’s first social commerce websites, sourcing goods directly from producers, including fresh fruit, and delivering them to customers.
Source: techbuild.africa
The Casino Group partners with Just Eat France for grocery delivery within 30 minutes
The Casino Group and Just Eat France are partnering to make life easier for French people, by giving them the opportunity to have food delivered to their door in 30 minutes. Through the partnership with the Casino Group in France, Just Eat is able to meet consumer expectations even better.
Source: justeattakeaway.com
China: JD.com utilizes robots in Shanghai for contactless delivery
As the current COVID-19 outbreak in Shanghai grows, JD Logistics has launched its autonomous delivery robots in the city’s Pudong New Area to provide contactless last mile delivery for certain locked down neighborhoods. The robot applied in Shanghai can load up to 100 kilograms of goods and drive 80 kilograms per charge. With AI technology and multiple sensors, the robot can recognize, avoid obstacles, and plan its route to the destination.
Source: jdcorporateblog.com
UK: Aldi is looking to hire more than 300 people this year
A supermarket chain has announced it is looking to hire 304 colleagues in Greater Manchester this year. Aldi, the UK’s 5th-largest supermarket, is looking for people of all levels of experience to fill roles at its stores across the region, with salaries of up to £63,000.
Source: theoldhamtimes.co.uk
France: Carrefour launches contest for plant-based startups
French retailer Carrefour has launched a new international competition, the 'Plant-Based Contest', aimed at innovative startups in the plant-based segment. The competition, which runs from 31 March to 8 May, is open to startups around the world, with all submissions reviewed by a specialist jury.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Italy: Everli welcomes United Ventures to its Series C round
Everli, Europe's leading online grocery marketplace, announced that it has secured an additional €22mln in funding led by new investor United Ventures, the Italian venture capital firm specialising in investments in digital technologies, as part of its Series C round of investment. Everli is the 3rd company to enter the portfolio of United Ventures' fund UV T-Growth, which focuses on highly innovative growth-stage companies.
Source: prnewswire.com
Norway: StrongPoint chosen by SPAR International as preferred supplier worldwide
StrongPoint, a leader in grocery retail, has been chosen by SPAR International as a Preferred Supplier for e-commerce order picking, click and collect e-commerce and instore cash management solutions. SPAR International is one of the most recognised grocery retail brands with over 13,500 stores in 48 countries across 4 continents. StrongPoint is already a supplier to SPAR partners in multiple countries and this new agreement reflects their satisfaction with StrongPoint’s proven track record of world-class e-commerce and instore solutions.
Source: strongpoint.com
South Korea: IPO candidate Kurly reports 65% jump in GMV and sale of over $1 bn for last year
Online grocery platform Market Kurly reported 65% jump in gross merchandise value and similar gain in revenue, boding well for the prospects of its initial public offering (IPO) in the 2nd quarter. The operator of the pioneer in overnight fresh food delivery Kurly reported 1.56tln won ($1.3bln) in consolidated sales, surging 64% year over year. Its operating loss at the same time nearly doubled to 217.7bln won.
Source: pulsenews.co.kr
Russia's Yandex winds down e-grocery in Paris, hints at London exit
Russian internet giant Yandex is gradually winding down the Paris operations of its e-grocery service Yango Deli, a spokesperson said, citing poor performance and hinting that an exit from the London market could follow.
Source: reuters.com