Just Eat Takeaway.com reveals food trends
Just Eat Takeaway.com brands worldwide have published local Food Trends Reports, showcasing top-ordered items and dishes, along with insights into emerging consumer preferences for the year ahead. The five key trends identified across multiple countries, in collaboration with trends forecasting agency WGSN, include: Honest Cuisine; Self-care; Nocturnal living; Feed the Fandom; Elevated Rituals.
Source: justeattakeaway.com
US: Foxtrot's big plans for the Big D
Coming off a series of re-openings in Chicago, Foxtrot Café and Market is back in its second market in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. The upscale corner store and café is welcoming shoppers to two locations, at 3130 Knox St. and 6565 Hillcrest Ave. in Dallas, shortly after the holidays.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
U.S. sues Walmart, Branch Messenger over payment accounts for delivery drivers
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau sued Walmart and work-scheduling platform Branch Messenger for allegedly forcing delivery drivers to use poorly managed and costly deposit accounts in order to get paid. The lawsuit alleges that, since 2021, Walmart and Branch opened Branch accounts for drivers and then deposited drivers' pay into these accounts without the drivers' consent.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Grocery Outlet recaps expansion efforts
Extreme-value retailer Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is closing the 2024 calendar year with 533 stores across 16 states. As the historically West Coast grocer continues its eastward expansion, it wraps the year up with 34 stores in Pennsylvania, 12 stores in Maryland, seven stores in New Jersey, three stores in Ohio and its first in Delaware.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
UK: Fresh4U savours the success of global trade
WorldFirst reported: "Danial Paisawala used to balance his day job with selling imported vegetables from Kenya. Previously, as a London University student, he'd taken a part-time job at the local markets to pay the bills. There, his passion for fresh produce led him and his business partner Hatim to establish Fresh4U Produce. Today, with five branches under its banner, from catering to a stand selling a full range of fruits and vegetables, their business is going strong. Global trade isn't always easy, with fluctuating currency rates and supply chain challenges. Partnering with WorldFirst has made a world of difference. Today, Fresh4U Produce has warehouses in Western International Market, West London, as well as stands in New Spitalfields Market. They also have a presence in other key markets around London and wholesale customers across Europe. One exciting development is that they're now testing the market themselves with new varieties from South American exporters".
Source: worldfirst.com
UK retailers report gloomy run-up to Christmas, CBI says
British retailers reported a weak run-up to the Christmas holidays with sales falling again and businesses worrying about higher costs in 2025, the Confederation of British Industry said. The CBI's monthly retail sales headline balance improved only marginally to -15 in December from -18 in November. It had also contracted in October.
Source: reuters.com
Kaufland opens sustainable hypermarket in Bulgaria
Kaufland Bulgaria has unveiled an environmentally friendly store in Bulgaria, in Sofia's Izgrev district, boasting the Edge Sustainable Building Certificate. Kaufland added that the store is its 'most eco-friendly' outlet to date. The company invested over BGN 54mln (€27.6mln) in the new store, bringing its total investment in the Bulgarian capital to over BGN 500mln (€255.6mln). Customers can browse over 23,200 fresh and quality items, including nearly 6,000 non-food products. Kaufland sells goods from over 300 local suppliers, including a dedicated section for produce from 40 local farms.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Auchan Retail Portugal commences rebranding of Minipreço stores
Auchan Retail Portugal has reopened the first five Minipreço stores in the Greater Lisbon area under the Auchan Supermercado and My Auchan banners. The stores in question are located in Graça, Tires, Lumiar, Baixa da Banheira and Rinchoa. The focus will be on fresh produce, local products, and Auchan private-label brand items.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Ocado shoppers are left without Christmas essentials after delivery centre 'robot' malfunction and Morrisons customers rush out to buy food as online orders are cancelled
Middle-class Brits are facing a Christmas nightmare after Ocado shoppers were left without festive staples in their orders. Scores of well-off Londoners were left without key ingredients for their Christmas dinners after a 'robot' malfunctioned at the upmarket food retailer's £185mln delivery centre. The news comes as Morrisons triggered Christmas panic after online orders for scores of customers were cancelled just two days before Christmas. One Ocado shopper said 'literally the entire Christmas dinner bar the parsnips was missing' from their order, reported London Centric. Taking to X, another person wrote: 'Basic staples like milk, butter and carrots missing from my Christmas shop? This is quite honestly ridiculous'.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
UK: Project providing residents with fruit and veg
A project to encourage people to eat more fruit and vegetables has been hailed as a success by the team leading it. The Fresh Street Community project, consisting of food researchers made up of University of Plymouth academics and students, aimed to give residents of the Whitleigh area of the city better access to seasonal fruit and veg. The project saw local residents given vouchers to pick up produce supplied by Tamar Fresh fortnightly. Project leader Dr Clare Pettinger said the scheme has proved to be "really, really popular", had got people eating more fruit and veg and also sharing recipe ideas.
Source: bbc.com
Multiple awards celebrated by BWG Foods in Ireland
BWG Foods, operator of the SPAR license in Ireland, has a robust logistics and supply chain servicing its nationwide network of retail stores. BWG Foods was presented with the 2024 SEAI Energy Award for Transport. These Awards celebrate excellence in sustainable and renewable energy across Ireland. BWG Foods was delighted to accept an award for Sustainability Initiative of the Year at the All Ireland Sustainability Awards. Joanne Mellon, Logistics Director BWG Foods and Mark Crowe, Head of Transport, were honoured with individual accolades at the 2024 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Ireland (CILT) Mobility & Supply Chain Awards.
Source: spar-international.com