US: Mr Greens partners with Pepper to launch new online and mobile ordering platform
Mr Greens, one of the largest produce distributors in the country, announced that it has launched mobile and web ordering for customers, powered by Pepper, the e-commerce platform for food distributors. For Mr Greens’ customers, this means a faster, more reliable, and modern ordering experience that anyone can do with just a few taps from their phone or computer.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Kroger’s net and ID sales rebound in Q1
The Kroger Co. posted robust fiscal 2022 first-quarter sales after cycling pandemic-driven growth a year earlier, topping Wall Street’s earnings-per-share forecast and lifting its full-year outlook. For the first quarter ended May 21, net sales came in at $44.6bln, up 8% from $41.3bln a year ago, Cincinnati-based Kroger said. “Kroger achieved strong first-quarter results as we successfully executed on our strategy of 'Leading with Fresh and Accelerating with Digital'. We are incredibly proud of our associates, who continue to put the customer at the center of everything we do”, Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said in a statement.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market partners with Instacart to accept EBT SNAP online
After gaining approval from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service, Sprouts Farmers Market is now participating in Electronic Benefits Transfer Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) for same-day delivery and curbside pickup orders that are placed through Instacart. The service is available at approximately 380 Sprouts stores nationwide, and it is powered by Instacart’s Carrot Payments platform.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Unique Logistics International adds The Kroger Company as new customer
Unique Logistics International, Inc. ("Unique" or the "Company"), a global logistics and freight forwarding company, announced a 12-month ocean freight contract with The Kroger Company, a new customer for the Company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Company will serve as an ocean transport and logistics provider for The Kroger Company from the Asia-Pacific region to North America through April 2023.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Sprouts adopts ‘virtual warehouse’ solution for CPG distribution
Sprouts Farmers Market has joined the distribution channel of Pod Foods, which connects retailers and brands in a “virtualized wholesale” supply chain via an online B2B marketplace with built-in logistics. Austin, Texas-based Pod Foods said that it will provide about 130 Sprouts stores with immediate access to its “virtual warehouse” of emerging consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands. The stores will be served by a new Pod Foods warehouse in Florida covering a distribution network spanning from that state to Tennessee.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Delhaize launches campaign to support purchasing power
Delhaize reported: "Delhaize is aiming to do everything possible to continue to guarantee the purchasing power of its customers. The Lion of Delhaize sent its Little Lions into the world to put 500 basic products of the private label in the spotlight at competitive prices. After an analysis, a basket was put together of the 500 most purchased basic products such as fruit and vegetables, pasta, drinks, detergents, hygiene products, but also animal feed".
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Portugal: Continente saves tonnes of fruit and vegetables from wastage
Customers of Portuguese retailer Continente have helped save over 360 tonnes of fruits and vegetables by purchasing the chain's Zer0% Waste boxes, made up of fruit and vegetables that are close to exceeding the optimal point of consumption. Since the beginning of the project at the end of 2019, more than 71,000 cases have been sold, the retailer said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Tesco says Britons buying less and trading down to navigate inflation
Britons are buying less, switching to cheaper products and shopping more often as they try to cope with soaring inflation, supermarket giant Tesco said, describing the market environment as "incredibly challenging". Tesco maintained its full-year profit guidance despite reporting a 1.5% drop in underlying UK sales over its first quarter to May 28, broadly in line with analysts' forecasts. They had fallen 1.2% in the previous quarter. For the full 2022-23 year, Tesco is forecasting retail adjusted operating profit of between 2.4bln pounds and 2.6bln pounds ($2.95-$3.20bln), down from 2.65bln pounds made in 2021-22.
Source: reuters.com
Groupe Casino to simplify corporate structure in France
Groupe Casino has announced it plans to simplify its corporate structure by regrouping all its food retail businesses in France, including Franprix, Monoprix, Distribution Casino France, Easydis and AMC, into a single holding company. The new holding company will be 100% held by Casino, Guichard-Perrachon, and will also 'increase the legibility' of the overall business, the group said in a statement.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Snappy success as it reaches five million orders
Home delivery platform Snappy Shopper is expecting to complete its five millionth order in the next few days. The company says that in 2022 with retailers using the platform have consistently been reporting up to 160% increased basket spend. Mike Callachan, Snappy Shopper’s chief executive, said: “As we celebrate the milestone of our five millionth order through the Snappy Shopper app, we continue to develop our technology to support independent retailers and combat the threat posed to their businesses by dark stores.”
Source: talkingretail.com
Online Czech grocery Rohlik raises 220mln euros in further financing round
Rohlik Group has raised 220mln euros in Series D financing round led by Belgian investor Sofina, the Czech-based online grocery said. The group said the new round put the firm's valuation above the C series last July, which made it a unicorn with valuation of 1bln euros ($1.05bln). "Funds will be used to accelerate tech innovations, including automation of fulfilment centres, electric mobility, and further expansion in existing countries," Rohlik said in a statement.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Poundland to pilot two more convenience stores
Poundland plans to open two more of its ‘Local’ stores as it extends the pilot scheme to tap into the convenience channel. The next Poundland Local store to open will be its first in London. It opens on 2 July at the Junction Centre, St John’s Hill, Clapham Junction. That will be followed this summer by the first Poundland Local store in the West Midlands, in Sutton Coldfield. Customers will find items they would expect in a convenience store, including fresh fruit and vegetables, chilled and frozen food, bread and morning goods, hot pies and pastries, nappies and formula milk, beers, wines and spirits.
Source: kamcity.com
China’s multi-billion dollar shopping festival tests e-commerce giants and consumer appetite
China is in the midst of the “618” shopping festival, an annual period where the country’s e-commerce giants like Alibaba and JD.com try to entice shoppers with massive discounts. But this year’s edition comes against a tough backdrop as China grapples with the economic fallout from a resurgence of Covid and subsequent lockdowns. Growth of sales is expected to slow this year, but as lockdowns ease, analysts are forecasting strength in the Chinese consumer.
Source: cnbc.com