U.S. Ports set another record as volume remains high and West Coast labor contract talks continue
Imports set another record high this spring as the nation’s major container ports worked to reduce congestion and retailers stocked up before dockworkers’ West Coast labor contract expired, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Source: nrf.com
US: Ahold Delhaize’s digital arm searches for diverse suppliers
Simultaneously tapping into two retail trends, diversity and private label, Ahold Delhaize USA’s Peapod Digital Labs has launched an Incubator Program for certified diverse-owned suppliers to develop new, exceptional-quality private-brand products.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: SpartanNash celebrates five years of Fast Lane online shopping with special deals, donations and prizes
SpartanNash reported: "Food solutions company SpartanNash (the “Company”) announced that guests can use its Fast Lane online shopping platform to enjoy online-only savings from July 10 to July 19. These savings will be offered to celebrate the well-loved program’s fifth anniversary of delivering the ingredients for a better life through curbside grocery pickup and home delivery services. Anniversary perks will include deals on select items, including summer staples such as meat, potato chips and strawberries, discounted gas and 20% off all Our Family® products".
Source: businesswire.com
USDA invests in expansion of SNAP online grocery shopping
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applications for a $5mln competitive grant to help expand the number of retailers that offer recipients of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits online grocery shopping. Through the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), the SNAP EBT Modernization Technical Assistance Center grant will fund an organization to provide “extensive support” to retailers with the technology and systems necessary to enable SNAP e-commerce, “so that SNAP participants can access a larger diversity of retailers while shopping for groceries online”, the USDA said. The grant is funded by the American Rescue Plan stimulus legislation, enacted last year.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Poland: Eurocash Group's ABC chain opens 1000th renovated outlet
Eurocash Group has opened its 1000th renovated ABC retail outlet in the town of Miłoradz in the Pomerania province. The store in Miłoradz, operating as part of the ABC network since 2018, has undergone a rebranding and remodeling process. The shop is named ‘Karolinka’, after its owner, and its signboard also features the ABC logo.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Majority of Austrians 'would like to eat healthier', survey finds
A survey undertaken by Austrian retailer Billa has found that 60% of Austrians would like to eat healthier. For people in Austria, healthy nutrition primarily means eating lots of fruit and vegetables (69%), cooking for yourself (58%), and paying attention to balance and variety (56%), the survey found.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Carrefour creates 11 new French organic product lines covered by multipartite, multi-year contracts
Carrefour has just announced the creation of 11 new French organic product lines for grocery products and fruit & vegetables alongside its farming partners. Under these multipartite, multi-year and renewable contracts, the Carrefour Group will be able to sell high-quality French organic products, while at the same time providing their producers with long-term visibility.
Source: carrefour.com
Half of Britons buy less food as prices surge
Almost half of British people have cut back on food purchases as prices surge, while others are having to spend more on their shopping, according to official figures which show the scale of the current cost-of-living squeeze. Figures from the Office for National Statistics showed that 49% of people said they had bought less food than normal between June 22 and July 3, up from just 8% when the survey began in September 2021.
Source: reuters.com
Italy: Conad Nord Ovest reports profit of €49mln in full-year 2021
Italian retail cooperative Conad Nord Ovest closed 2021 with a turnover of €4.35bln and a net profit of €49mln. The cooperative, which has 381 members and 600 stores, reported an increase in sales of +4.82% in the period. Capex investment, amounting to €163mln, were allocated to the strengthening of logistics and the modernisation of the sales network with 12 new store openings and 29 renovations.
Source: esmmagazine.com
French e-grocery Hors Normes wraps up €7mln
Hors Normes, a Paris-based startup that aims to prevent food waste by selling fruits and vegetables rejected by traditional retail channels, has raised €7mln. German investor Project A invested in the seed round alongside existing UK backer Stride VC.
Source: pitchbook.com
German union Verdi calls for 'Prime Day' strike by Amazon workers
German union Verdi has called on staff at seven Amazon distribution centres to strike over Sunday evening's night shift in a bid to force the retailer to accept the union's sectoral collective bargaining agreement.
Source: reuters.com