Philippines: SariSuki, Super8 partner to offer lower-price agriproducts
Agri-tech startup SariSuki has partnered with retail chain Super8 to provide Filipino customers with fresh produce at prices 40% lower compared to those found in typical supermarkets.
Source: manilatimes.net
Belgium: Renewed Spar Linkeroever to reopen on April 11
On Thursday, April 11, the Spar Colruyt Group store on Linkeroever reopens its doors after undergoing extensive renovations. Spar Linkeroever is a real family business, with the Kuypers brothers at the helm of the store: Johan, Pieter, and Daniël. "The store layout is completely different," Daniël comments. "There is more room for catered dishes, fresh meat, charcuterie, and cheese. Also, the fruit and vegetable section has been expanded."
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
UK: John Lewis names ex-Tesco exec Tarry as its next chairman
Britain's John Lewis Partnership has appointed former Tesco executive Jason Tarry as its next chairman following Sharon White's decision to step down from the retailer.
Source: reuters.com
Finland: S Group reports progress in food waste reduction in grocery stores
Finnish retailer S Group saw a 29% decline in food waste across its grocery stores in 2023 compared to 2014. In 2022, the corresponding figure was 19%, the retailer noted. The retailer also offers fruit and vegetable boxes containing usable fresh produce of slightly diminished quality at discounted prices. In 2023, approximately two million kilograms of such fruit and vegetables were sold in S group's grocery stores.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Aldi overtakes Asda to become Britain's third biggest supermarket, analysis shows
Aldi has overtaken Asda to become Britain's third biggest supermarket, analysis shows. Co-owner Mohsin Issa has vowed to restore Asda to be the UK's second biggest food retailer, ahead of Sainsbury's. But data from NIQ shows Asda's growth is stalling, with sales up just 0.8% in the past 12 weeks - the weakest performance of any major food retailer.
Source: thisismoney.co.uk
Belgium: Smart trolley Colruyt well received
Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt is testing a smart shopping trolley, which is being well received at the start of the trial. The retailer hopes that one in five customers will use the trolley to shop cashier-free in the future.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Germany: Lidl owner invests 200mln in e-commerce expansion
Schwarz Group, the German owner of Lidl and Kaufland, is investing another 200mln euros into its online business. Last year, Lidl Digital (the combined e-commerce branch of both chains) saw its sales rise from 1.73 to 1.94bln euros. However, losses also grew, from 71 to 219mln. Additionally, the financial year 2023/24 (ending in February) does not promise much improvement: according to Lebensmittel Zeitung, the group expects a moderate increase in sales and only slightly better profit figures.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Philippines: SM group boosts livelihood of local farmers with farm-to-store program
Agriculture is one of the major sectors in the country with over 10mln individuals in the industry. SM recognizes that, as a group, supporting the sector leads to improved livelihoods, food security, and a stronger economy. Through food retail affiliate and community shopping mall chain WalterMart, its Palengke Fresh program provides Filipino farmers with solid market access that enables them to bring healthy farm-fresh produce to the customers efficiently.
Source: sminvestments.com
UK: Redfield's Fruit and Vegetables to close in North Walsham
A family-run fruit and vegetable shop will close its doors in north Norfolk at the end of the month. John and Nicola Redfield launched Redfield's Fruit and Vegetables in North Walsham's Market Street last August.
Source: edp24.co.uk
Ahold Delhaize and four other leading global grocery retailers establish a pioneering collaborative venture fund, W23 Global
W23 Global brings together five global grocery leaders, including Ahold Delhaize (US, Europe, Indonesia), Tesco (UK, ROI, Europe), Woolworths Group (Australia, New Zealand), Empire Company Limited/Sobeys Inc. (Canada) and Shoprite Group (Africa). The new collaborative retail venture capital (VC) fund will seek to invest US$125mln over five years in the world's most innovative startups and scale-ups with the potential to transform grocery retail and address the sector's sustainability challenges. W23 Global is led by CEO and Chief Investment Officer (CIO) Ingrid Maes, who brings 25+ years of innovation in FMCG and grocery retail and currently leads Australian grocery leader Woolworths Group's innovation fund, W23 Australia.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Canada: How Farm Boy's Alessandra Bisaillon takes the lead
Having recently opened its 48th location in Oshawa, Ontario, Farm Boy is a growing grocery banner in the province. An important part of its successful expansion has been the marketing, advertising, and media outreach that the brand does to connect with existing and potential customers. Taking the lead on that front is Allessandra Bisaillon, who joined the Empire Co. Ltd.-owned grocer in December 2022. She had previously spent a year as director of marketing at Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and, before that, 15 years in strategic and marketing roles at Suncor.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: ALDI spoofs paid membership program
The retailer, which is dramatically expanding its footprint following the final acquisition of Southeastern Grocers and its Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket banners, sent out a tongue-in-cheek announcement of a free ALDI+ program and a "crown-jewel "membership" with perks like USDA quality meat, fresh produce and premium, budget friendly wine.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Earth Fare adds plant-based options at the deli counter
After a successful launch in its flagship store, Earth Fare is the first grocery store in the Southeast to partner with Prime Roots, a plant-based meat company. The sustainable grocery chain will carry the brand's full line of freshly sliced by-the-pound deli meats, charcuterie, and a selection of ready-made sandwiches at the deli counter of its 18 locations.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Beloved Upper West Side family grocer closing after 46 years
Han's Fruit & Vegetable Market, which has served customers on the Upper West Side for more than 45 years, will close permanently at the end of April. The family grocer at the corner of West 93rd and Broadway will shutter on April 29, Joo Han, the second-generation owner of the store, confirmed to West Side Rag. "These days business is terrible, it's worse than during COVID," Han told the Rag.
Source: westsiderag.com