Canada: Longo’s changes executive structure
Longo's has announced changes to its executive structure, which it says is part of an "ambitious 10-year plan that will require investments in people, technology, and processes". In a note to its team members, president and CEO Anthony Longo said the organization "must reflect an elevated guest experience in-store and online".
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Walmart opens South Carolina import distribution center
Walmart has opened a $220mln import distribution center in Ridgeville, South Carolina. The grand-opening event featured remarks from South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster and Mike Gray, Walmart’s SVP supply chain of operations, along with a congratulatory video from John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart, and ended with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: SpartanNash launches specialty foods online platform
SpartanNash is making it easier for its independent supermarket customers to expand their selection of specialty and local foods. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based grocery distributor unveiled SpartanNash SpecialtyDirect, a new online platform created with Specialty Food Partners (SFP), whose solutions and partner network give distributors and retailers a direct, digital path to purchase for wholesale specialty grocery products.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Walmart to permanently close distribution center hit by fire; 1,132 jobs lostWalmart will not reopen the Plainfield, Indiana warehouse facility that was destroyed by fire earlier this spring, the company has announced. In a letter the company notified state leaders that the entire facility will close, leaving 1,132 workers without a job.
Source: wishtv.com
Albert Heijn opens 70th outlet in Belgium
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn has opened its 70th store in Belgium, in the town of Hechtel-Eksel, in Limburg. The landmark store underlines the Ahold Delhaize-owned retailer's ambitions in Belgium, it said in a statement, which are 'to colour Flanders blue' with a mix of 100 physical stores and home delivery of groceries.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Spar Market format opens in Scotland as CJ Lang adds 1st company-owned store in 5 years
CJ Lang & Son, the wholesaler and retailer for Spar in Scotland, has opened its 1st new company store since 2017. It has acquired a 3rd-generation family-run convenience store, Kinnaird’s Nisa Local, in Dalbeattie, Dumfriesshire. The Spar Market format store is the 1st of its kind in Scotland. It features a strong focus on fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as chilled foods, and caters for key customer missions including food-to-go and meal for tonight.
Source: talkingretail.com
Denmark: Coop sets climate requirements for all major food suppliers
Coop Denmark has released a new set of climate-related requirements for all its major food suppliers. Suppliers must commit to 'ambitious' climate impact reduction targets for the groceries they deliver to SuperBrugsen, Kvickly, Dagli´Brugsen, Coop 365discount, Fakta, Irma, and Coop.dk MAD, the retailer said. It will primarily apply to the more than 50 suppliers who deliver goods worth approximately DKK100mln (€13.4mln) per year and more.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Philippines: foodpanda & NGO Ople Center partner for expansion of BuyAnihan Palengke livelihood program
foodpanda has partnered with the Blas F. Ople Policy Center and Training Institute for the expansion of the BuyAnihan Palengke CSR initiative aimed at helping enterprising Filipinos become resellers of fresh produce sourced directly from local farmers. Dubbed as a Fruits and Veggies Street Fest, the outdoor food bazaar exhibit featured fresh vegetables & fruits and food & refreshments sold by the program’s beneficiaries.
Source: mb.com.ph
UK: Lidl calls on public to help locate sites for new stores
Lidl GB has announced that it is calling on the British public for support in identifying sites for new stores. The discounter, which is investing £1.3bln in its expansion across 2021 and 2022, has revealed that it is offering a finder’s fee to members of the public who successfully identify suitable sites for new Lidl stores. The fee is either 1.5% of the total freehold purchase price or 10% of the 1st year’s rent for leaseholds, which would equate to £22,500 for a completed £1.5m site purchase.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Online sales in Europe -13% in 1st quarter
Globally, ecommerce revenues have dropped 3% in the 1st quarter of this year, when compared to that same period in 2021. That decline was seen in Europe as well (-13%). However, online sales in Spain reached a 6% year-on-year growth. It’s the only country in Europe where digital revenues grew in this time frame. The global growth of online sales has been slowing down in previous quarters, as shown in previous research. However, the decline in online revenue is the 1st recorded decline in the 9-year history of the Salesforce Q1 Shopping Index. The decline forms a stark contrast to the global online revenue growth in Q1 in 2021 of 69%.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
New Zealand: Foodstuffs partners with community organisations to open more social supermarkets
As part of its commitment to be Here for NZ and a promise to provide New Zealanders with access to healthy affordable food and supporting communities to thrive, Foodstuffs - the 100% New Zealand owned and operated co-operatives behind PAK’nSAVE, New World and Four Square - is expanding its innovative social supermarket initiative to a new partnership in the Far North, which will provide the dignity of choice for whānau in the region who need support with accessing food.
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
Russia: Retailer Lenta withdraws 2022 guidance due to political uncertainty
Russian retailer Lenta said that it was pulling its 2022 guidance on store openings and capital expenditure as political uncertainty continues to put pressure on Russia’s retail market. Lenta, which operates a chain of hypermarkets across the country, said it would not issue new guidance until market conditions stabilise.
Source: reuters.com
Portugal: Lidl brings back algae-based lingerieLidl Portugal has re-stocked its shelves with seaweed-fibre lingerie range, sold under the Esmara private-label brand. The Seacell range uses fibre produced from seaweed, which is carbon neutral and completely biodegradable.
Source: esmmagazine.com