Two-thirds of Scots set to stay in for Valentine's Day, new survey reveals
Two-thirds of Scottish couples are opting for a cozy night in rather than a night on the town this Valentine's Day, according to a new survey by Aldi Scotland.
Source: talkingretail.com
Australia: Supermarket giants hit farmers who want early payment with hefty fees
Farmers wanting earlier-than-usual payment for produce face so-called rebate charges from Coles and Woolworths, raising more questions about supermarket duopoly. Australia's large supermarkets are charging some fruit and vegetable growers hefty fees to receive quicker payments for their produce, heaping financial pressure on farmers already under strain from cash flow problems.
Source: theguardian.com
Carrefour expands grocery delivery partnership with Just Eat in Italy
Carrefour Italia has expanded its partnership with Just Eat for grocery home deliveries in the country. This collaboration will allow Just Eat's three million customers to access a wide range of products from Carrefour stores, including fresh produce and daily care items.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Ahold Delhaize European brands launch a unified app for customers
Ahold Delhaize is pleased to share that five of its European brands, digital experience- and IT teams have spearheaded the delivery of an app convergence project. This strategic initiative has resulted in a unified, modular app framework designed to streamline and enhance the shopping experience for customers at Albert in the Czech Republic; Delhaize in Belgium and Luxembourg; Maxi in Serbia; Mega Image in Romania; and Alfa Beta in Greece.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
UK: Liverpool's greengrocer on wheels set to almost double its affordable fruit & veg stops
A greengrocer's shop on wheels, which brings affordable fruit and vegetables to communities in Liverpool and Knowsley, is set to almost double its number of stops. The Queen of Greens bus, which is run by Feeding Liverpool and Alchemic Kitchen, has been a huge success since it launched in November 2022. It takes fresh produce to areas that have been pinpointed as 'food deserts' where access to good food is limited and food insecurity is high. Now, with additional funding from Alder Hey Children's Hospital, it's about to increase its route from 23 stops to 40 within the next couple of weeks.
Source: theguideliverpool.com
UK: Waitrose invests £30mln to lower hundreds of own-brand prices
Waitrose is investing £30mln to cut prices on hundreds of own-brand products. From February 14, over 200 lines will be reduced in price across British meat, fruit and vegetables, cupboard staples, and products sold on fresh food counters.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Israel: Amir brothers to win control of Shufersal
Shlomi and Yossi Amir are set to become the new controlling shareholders of Shufersal Ltd. The large institutional investors, which hold a 64% stake in Israel's biggest supermarket chain, have opted for the bid of the Amir brothers, who had previously set up the Freshmarket supermarket chain before selling it to Paz in 2021.
Source: en.globes.co.il
Deliveroo reveals significant growth in grocery business in the UAE
Deliveroo UAE announced the significant year-over-year growth of its on-demand grocery offering, showcasing a surge in grocery order volumes. In 2023, on-demand grocery (ODG) sites doubled in the UAE, and grocery orders experienced a remarkable 62% growth in Dubai and a 135% surge in Abu Dhabi. Underscoring the company's continued commitment to meeting the evolving needs of customers, this milestone also reflects the value and convenience Deliveroo presents to its users.
Source: zawya.com
Ahold Delhaize European brands launch climate hubs to support suppliers in carbon emission reductionAhold Delhaize's European retail banners have launched open-source climate hubs. The hubs serve as online platforms where suppliers can gain insights into carbon emissions.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
US: Lidl to celebrate the grand opening of a new store in Hyattsville on Valentine's Day 
Lidl US will open its newest store on Wednesday, February 14, in Prince George's County, Maryland. The store is located at 3104 Queens Chapel Road in Hyattsville in the Shops at Queens Chillum.
Source: mediacenter.lidl.com
US: Gopuff's Brand Bowl report illustrates which Big Game ads resulted in instant sales
Gopuff released its Brand Bowl results following the Big Game. Seeing Red: Hinting at a possible correlation with team allegiance - or perhaps a nod to Taylor Swift - strawberry sales saw the biggest increase in the fresh grocery category on Gopuff, spiking an impressive 1,320% on Sunday. The popularity of strawberries was followed by red seedless grapes and grape tomatoes, both of which had 700%+ increases in sales over the average Sunday. Finishing out the team color palettes, Fool's Gold Edible Glitter sales were up 142%. Guacamole, anyone?: Fresh and Dry Grocery categories were up more than 90% and 80%, respectively. Top fresh grocery items included limes and avocados.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Instacart to cut 250 jobs as slowing ad business counters upbeat Q1 forecast
Instacart forecasted its first-quarter gross transaction value (GTV) and core profit above estimates due to an uptick in grocery orders and said it plans to cut 250 jobs, or 7% of its workforce, to focus on "promising" initiatives. Total revenue rose 6% to $803mln, falling short of analysts' expectations of $804.2mln.
Source: reuters.com
US: Pairwise shares updated strategy to deliver high-impact societal and climate benefits
Pairwise shares its long-term focus on delivering solutions to major challenges in food and agriculture, including improving the convenience of nutrient-dense foods and developing new crop varieties so that producers "can do more with less" in the face of a changing climate. Major innovations in the produce industry have successfully met the increasing consumer need for year-round supply, such as blueberries, and convenience, such as baby carrots and easy-peel mandarins. Pairwise is working to accelerate more of these game-changing product innovations for consumers, including seedless blackberries and pitless cherries, using CRISPR technology.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Kroger to lower prices following merger with Albertsons Cos
The Kroger Co. shared additional insights about how the company lowered prices in previous mergers, bolstering its commitment to bring more consumers across America lower prices and more choices following its proposed merger with Albertsons Cos.
Source: prnewswire.com
Amazon, Mercado Libre may threaten e-commerce competition, Mexican regulator says
Mexican antitrust regulator Cofece said it had identified "possible barriers" to competition in the e-commerce market, with Amazon and Mercado Libre together controlling more than 85% of transactions and sales.
Source: reuters.com
US: SpartanNash advancing retail innovation with in-store robotics
Food solutions company SpartanNash (the "Company") announced plans to implement Simbe's autonomous inventory robot Tally in 60 additional Company-operated stores across the Midwest.
Source: prnewswire.com