SPAR North of England suppliers collaborate on fresh ideas
More than 20 fresh food suppliers for SPAR North of England stores came together for a day of inspiring ideas, company updates, and networking opportunities. Held at James Hall & Co. Ltd's SPAR Distribution Centre at Bowland View in Preston, the comprehensive session included a chance to share new ideas supported by insight into sector trends, innovation with deals and varieties on fresh lines in SPAR stores, and merchandising concepts that are being trialled in-store.
Source: jameshall.co.uk
UK: Asda announces juicy deals ahead of August Bank Holiday Weekend!
Asda reported: "For any mixologists in the making, or for those enjoying a sober weekend, Asda's popular and premium 1L fresh juices from the chiller will also be on a 2 for £3.50 Mix & Match offer, available in stores and online: Asda Apple Juice (£2.00); Asda Orange, Mango & Passionfruit Juice (£2.00); Asda Red Grape Juice (£2.00); Asda Pineapple Juice (£2.00); Asda Apple & Mango Juice (£2.00)".
Source: corporate.asda.com
Belgium: Carrefour implements AI tool to combat food waste
After a successful trial period, Carrefour Belgium is now implementing its new AI tracking tool on a large scale. "The new tool will help us streamline operations, reduce costs and improve profitability", its New Technology Manager Benoît Moreau explains.
Source: retaildetail.eu
SPAR Georgia Profile: Contact International
SPAR International reported: "The SPAR Brand first entered the Georgian market in 2014 with the opening of three supermarkets in the capital Tbilisi. This year marks 10 years of impressive growth for SPAR Georgia, with over 380 stores now operating nationwide. In our quarterly magazine, Contact International, we share a profile of SPAR Georgia's development".
Source: spar-international.com
Ahold Delhaize Europe launches its third unified app in Belgium
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Ahold Delhaize is pleased to share that our Belgian brand, Delhaize, launched their new app, marking the third milestone in our ambitious six-country rollout plan".
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Storm clouds over British supermarkets as climate change and global tensions strain harvests
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has sounded an alarm about the growing risk of inflation as climate change increasingly affects global food production.
Source: fpcfreshtalkdaily.co.uk
Australia: Free OzHarvest supermarket opens in Adelaide to help people experiencing food insecurity
A free supermarket has opened in Adelaide's inner west to support people doing it tough while also reducing food waste. OzHarvest's new supermarket in Hindmash is the second in Australia, providing produce, pantry items or a cooked meal to people experiencing food insecurity.
Source: 7news.com.au
UK: Waitrose to unveil new store concept at North London supermarket
The upmarket grocer said the store on Finchley Road, in the former John Barnes department store, opens on 21 August and will have a number of new and refreshed features including a fully updated refrigeration system, a new look and feel bakery, and the first fully chilled beer, wine and spirits department. It will also feature a dedicated made-in-branch baguette station, a hot chicken and salad counter, as well as a dedicated parmesan bay.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Majority in UK want new tax on makers of ultra-processed and junk food
A majority of people in Britain want new taxes imposed on companies that make either junk food or ultra-processed foodstuffs to help tackle the obesity crisis, polling suggests. In a survey by Ipsos for the Health Foundation thinktank, 58% of those questioned said they backed the introduction of a tax on organisations that produce foods high in sugar or salt, with some of the revenue to be used to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for poor families.
Source: theguardian.com
Shake Shack Philippines debuts Veggie Shack burger, featuring 11 garden vegetables
Get ready to indulge in some veggie goodness as restaurant chain Shake Shack marks the Veggie Shack's debut on August 15. This limited-time veggie burger combines mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro, and quinoa into one deliciously savory patty.
Source: adobomagazine.com
US: A group of Massachusetts Trader Joe's workers want to break from union
Employees at a Trader Joe's in Hadley, Massachusetts, have submitted a petition seeking a workplace election to remove the Trader Joe's United union, an affiliate of the larger Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Source: supermarketnews.com
Target tees up 4 new store openings for August
Target Corp. has revealed four new locations that are set to come online on August 18. Target will cut the ribbon on two stores in Florida this weekend, one in Bradenton Beach and another in Lecanto, north of Tampa. Another opening on August 18 includes a 148,000-square-foot location in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. The final opening is in Portland, Texas.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Kroger pushes back against FTC's request for preliminary injunction
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has made a motion for a preliminary injunction against the proposed $24.6bln merger of The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., seeking "extraordinary relief" to stop the companies from proceeding with their planned tie-up. According to Kroger, however, the FTC has failed to satisfy its burden to show that an injunction is permissible or warranted.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
GPA narrows losses in second quarter, revenues rise 2.5%
Brazilian retailer GPA narrowed its losses by 21.9% year on year in the second quarter, to 332mln reais (€55.2mln), while revenues climbed 2.5% to 4.49bln reais (€746mln).
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Chipotle announces CEO departure
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. announced that Brian Niccol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has accepted the role as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks and will be leaving the Company effective August 31, 2024. Niccol has served as Chipotle's CEO since 2018 and as Chairman of the Board since 2020.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Delivery drones ready for larger-scale take-off
Airborne food delivery service Flytrex announced that it has completed 100,000 drone deliveries across its current service areas in North Carolina and Texas.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: NRF Releases 2024 List of Hot 25 Retailers
The National Retail Federation announced the 2024 Hot 25 Retailers List. Rank, Company, U.S. sales growth ('23 v '22) 2. Schwarz Group 32.8%; 5. Aldi 17.0%; 13. H.E. Butt Grocery 12.7%; 15. Superior Grocers 11.7%; 18. Cencosud 11.2%; 19. Grocery Outlet 10.9%.
Source: nrf.com