US: Farmstead stops operating in 4 of its 5 markets
Online grocer Farmstead has stopped operating in four markets it expanded to over the past two years, according to an email from co-founder and CEO Pradeep Elankumaran. It now operates only in San Francisco, its home market. As a result of stopping service in the Chicago area, Miami, and Charlotte and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, markets last month, Farmstead laid off 22% of its total operations staff. Elankumaran positioned the pullback, which Business Insider first reported, as temporary, noting that its business is on “pause” and that it has kept its leases in the four markets.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Costco’s July sales growth impacted by calendar shift
Costco Wholesale kept up double-digit net and comparable sales gains in July but saw growth tail off due to the Independence Day calendar shift. For the four weeks ended July 31, net sales advanced 10.8% to $16.85bln from $15.21bln a year earlier, Issaquah, Washington-based Costco reported. That compared with 16.6% year-over-year net sales growth in July 2021.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Lidl to open 1st store in Brooklyn
Discount grocery store chain Lidl US has signed a 25,000-square-foot lease with William Macklowe Co. and Senlac Ridge Partners to open its first-ever location in the New York City borough of Brooklyn. Expected to open in 2024, the store will be the “centerpiece” of a new residential and retail complex at 120 Fifth Avenue in Park Slope, the former site of a Key Food that closed last year. According to Commercial Observer, the mixed-use development site will feature 180 units of residential space and 67,000 square feet of retail space.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. reports second quarter 2022 results
Blue Apron announced financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2022 (2Q22). Second quarter 2022 highlights: Net revenue rose slightly year-over-year and 6.0% sequentially to $124.2mln, inclusive of a bulk sale to an enterprise customer. Average order value rose 7.1% year-over-year and 6.6% sequentially to $67.14, a record high for the company, primarily due to a pricing increase introduced in 2Q22.
Source: businesswire.com
US: AWG, DoorDash offer on-demand grocery delivery to indies
Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG) has entered into a channel partnership agreement with DoorDash to provide on-demand grocery delivery solutions to independent grocers through the DoorDash marketplace app and website. These grocers can leverage the DoorDash platform to create a comprehensive local e-commerce program.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Aldi Espana to add four new stores in August
Discounter Aldi Espana is set to open four new stores across the country, including in Almería, two in Tenerife, in the towns of San Miguel de Abona and Adeje, and one in Oropesa del Mar (Castellón). In July, the retailer opened its first four stores in the Canary Islands - two in Tenerife and two in Gran Canaria - and a supermarket in Guadix (Granada).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Un-appletising: 4 in 10 Brits don’t get their five a day
More than 25mln British adults aren’t getting enough fruit and veg in their diet, according to a study. New data reveals that the average Brit consumes 3.25 portions of fruit and veg a day - just 65% of the five-a-day target. The research, commissioned by Sainsbury’s and Nectar, has revealed that the average adult doesn’t eat their first piece of fruit or veg until 1.58pm. Meanwhile, 27% don’t have any until dinnertime and less than one in 10 (9%) say they consider fruit and veg at breakfast. To inspire Brits to eat more fruit and veg and try new recipes, Sainsbury’s and Nectar have created the Vegfast Van.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
Maxima Latvija opens five new 'My Shop' stores
Maxima Latvija has invested close to €650,000 to open five new 'My Shop' concept stores in July and August by renovating existing stores. The initiative is part of the retailer's store transformation project aimed to improve convenience for customers and employees.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Germany: Kaufland celebrates two years of collaboration with Demeter
German retailer Kaufland is celebrating two years of association with biodynamic agriculture group Demeter. As a member of the Demeter Association, the retailer not only constantly expands its Demeter range, but also supports biodynamic farming projects.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Les Mousquetaires invests €28.5mln in Portugal
French retailer Les Mousquetaires, which operates the Intermarché and Bricomarché banners among others, has invested €28.5mln in the opening of six new stores in Portugal since the beginning of the year. The company opened Intermarché stores in Alter do Chão, Cuba, Miranda do Douro and renovated the Abrantes outlet, its largest in Portugal.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Aldi crowned Supermarket of the Year for fifth year running
Australian shoppers have voted for the Supermarket of the Year - and a long-standing favourite has come out on top. Aldi has been recognised as having Australia’s most satisfied supermarket shoppers by Canstar Blue for a fifth consecutive year. This announcement comes after the German import was named Australia’s ‘Supermarket of the Year’ by Roy Morgan for the past two consecutive years, and the best supermarket for value for money by Choice in 2021.
Source: thenewdaily.com.au
Asda and Deliveroo partner for on-demand grocery delivery in UK
British supermarket chain Asda has partnered with online food delivery company Deliveroo to offer rapid on-demand grocery delivery services in the UK. The service will initially be available at 15 Asda stores across Wakefield, Leeds and Manchester from this month.
Source: retail-insight-network.com
UK: The Co-op extends Deliveroo tie-up for three years
The Co-op has extended its partnership with Deliveroo for a further three years and plans to add another 110 stores to the platform by the end of the year. The expansion means that 1,400 Co-op stores will be offering grocery delivery through Deliveroo. Cities including Nottingham, Liverpool, Swansea and Southampton will benefit from the service by the end of the year.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Just Eat Takeaway aims for profit despite record loss
In the past six months, Just Eat Takeaway saw its losses rise to 3.48bln euros because the meal delivery platform had to write off 3bln euros because of its American subsidiary Grubhub. Shareholders had previously warned that this takeover was not a good idea and in April, CEO Jitse Groen had to promise to sell the subsidiary. However, it seems Just Eat Takeaway does not want to be waiting for a buyer any more.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Lidl to invest €200mln in Portugal in 2022Lidl plans to invest approximately €200mln in Portugal in 2022 as it aims to expand operations in the country and offer quality products at the best price to more consumers. The discounter aims to invest €125mln in remodelling, modernising and opening new stores to offer shoppers a convenient and swift shopping experience.
Source: esmmagazine.com