Alibaba to launch local versions of its China e-commerce site in Europe
J. Michael Evans, president of Alibaba, said the company will bring one of its China e-commerce services Tmall into Europe. Alibaba’s international push has focused around AliExpress which lists goods that come from China and are shipped to Europe. However, Evans’ suggestion is that Tmall in Europe would focus on selling local brands to local shoppers.
Source: cnbc.com
Ireland: Wexford strawberry grower at forefront of Lidl’s sustainable packaging drive
Lidl has introduced new packaging for its strawberry range, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to promoting a circular economy and one of the suppliers at the heart of that is Kearns Fruit Farm based in Ballindaggin, near Enniscorthy, in Co Wexford. The new packaging is an industry first and will result in 9.3 tonnes of plastic, or the equivalent of 375,000 bottles, being prevented from entering the ocean during the current Irish strawberry season. Lidl's Deluxe Strawberries and 250g Strawberries will now be 100% recyclable and made using at least 30% Prevented Ocean Plastic (POP).
Source: independent.ie
Freshippo expands opportunities in Australia
Freshippo, Alibaba Group's digital intelligence-powered new retail company, has concluded a productive sourcing and network-building trip to Australia, engaging more than 40 brands for potential collaboration.
Source: alibabagroup.com
France hosts $7bln debt talks as Casino seeks deal with creditors
Casino and the holders of its 6.4bln euros ($7bln) of debt met at France's finance ministry as the beleaguered retailer seeks to thrash out a deal to secure its future, two sources close to the matter said.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Lincolnshire beans could provide British solution to imports
Farmers and scientists say they are optimistic that a commercial crop of beans sown in Lincolnshire will mark the start of home-grown beans-on-toast. Until now, it has been impossible for farmers to grow the haricot variety used for baked beans in the UK because they are incompatible with the climate. But scientists have developed a seed they hope will allow the plants to thrive after a 12-year project. Prof Lang from City, University of London, said it was "very important" the project succeeded.
Source: bbc.com
Retailer Tesco says Britain has passed peak inflation
Tesco, Britain's biggest retailer, said there were "encouraging early signs" that inflation was starting to ease across the market as it reported a 9% rise in underlying UK sales in its latest quarter. The group, which holds a more than 27% share of Britain's grocery market, reiterated its guidance for broadly flat retail adjusted operating profit, its key profit measure, for the year. It made 2.49bln pounds ($3.18bln) in 2022/23.
Source: reuters.com
New Zealand: Cutting GST on fresh produce won’t help those most in need - a targeted approach works better
Ranjana Gupta, Senior Lecturer Taxation, Auckland University of Technology reported: "Food prices are rising at the fastest rate in almost four decades, with fruit and vegetables up more than 22% in the past year. As often happens during a cost of living crisis, there have been calls to remove the goods and services tax (GST) from fresh produce. But is this actually a good idea? And if not, what alternatives might there be to help people currently struggling to afford fruit and vegetables?".
Source: theconversation.com
Issa brothers to sell off Asda properties worth £650m to US investors
The Issa brothers are close to selling off a large chunk of Asda’s property empire to a US investor in a deal worth £650mln. The billionaire brothers Mohsin and Zuber Issa - who bought the supermarket giant in 2020 - are targeting a sale of Asda’s estate to try and ease the firm’s large amounts of debt amid soaring interest rates. According to a report from React News, a New York-based investor named Realty Income Corporation is said to be nearing a buyout of around 25 Asda stores on leases of up to 20 years.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
US: Bashas' names new president
Bashas' has elevated its COO to president at a grand opening ceremony that also celebrated the company's new headquarters in Chandler, Arizona. Steve Mayer has been named president of Bashas’ Operating Company. In his new role, he will lead the Bashas’ organization in Arizona and New Mexico, including all store and distribution center operations, as well as sales and merchandising.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger tallies Q1 sales gains
For the quarter ended May 20, net sales totaled $45.17bln, up 1.3% from $44.6bln a year earlier, Cincinnati-based Kroger said. That built on an 8% gain in the fiscal 2022 quarter. Excluding gasoline, sales in the 2023 quarter increased 3.5%. The quarter saw Kroger expand its End-to-End Fresh Produce initiative to 1,738 certified stores, which the company said contributed to ID sales growth.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Walmart opens largest fulfillment center in Indiana
Walmart Inc. opened its largest fulfillment center outside of Indianapolis. The new 2.2mln-square-foot fulfillment center is 20 miles northeast of the city, located at 5259 W 500 N. in McCordsville. This next-generation facility will enable the retailer to fulfill more orders, more quickly.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Tropical Açaí announces new partnership with Dot Foods
Tropical Açaí has announced an exciting new partnership with Dot Foods, North America's largest food industry redistributor. Tropical Açaí has now firmly established a strong reputation for growing and supplying the most authentic Açaí. From this family owned, wholesale distributor and bulk supplier of 100% organic, non-GMO Açaí and Pitaya, comes further recognition of the increasing demand for their frozen and shelf-stable products.
Source: prnewswire.com
Ahold Delhaize USA CIO leaving company
Rom Kosla, EVP, IT, and CIO at Ahold Delhaize USA, will leave the company to become CIO at Houston-based global edge-to-cloud company Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HBE) in July.
Source: progressivegrocer.com