How to shrink produce shrink
While the inability to merchandise some fruits and vegetables in a store's inventory is inevitable, the potentially large hit to an operator's bottom line from excessive shrink can be brutal. "The best retailers might have shrink in the high 3% to low 4% range, while many independent smaller retailers range upward to 10% and beyond in troubled stores", said Jonathan Raduns, chief executive officer of Merchandise Food Retail Consulting, a Greenville, South Carolina-based specialty food, independent grocery, and fresh produce retailer advisory firm.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: ASG adds new Lincoln Market in NYC to supermarket network
Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) has recently added the new Lincoln Market in New York City to its supermarket network. Located at 501 6th Avenue in Manhattan, the 12,000-square-foot store offers the high-quality produce, international cheeses, meats and pantry staples that Lincoln Market is renowned for.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: BJ's Wholesale Club beats revenue estimates in Q2 earnings
BJ's Wholesale Club saw a strong second quarter, with increased membership, growing traffic and unit growth, and increased growth in digital sales. For the 13 weeks and 26 weeks ended August 3, comparable club sales increased by 3.1% year over year, with membership fee income increasing by 9.1% year over year to $113.1mln.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Canada: Loblaw pilots new 'No Name' value store
Canadian-based Loblaw Companies Ltd. is piloting a new concept, value-based "No Name" store in three Ontario markets, beginning in September 2024: Windsor, St. Catharines, and Brockville. Loblaw said shoppers can expect a small range of frozen food items, complemented by pantry staples, household necessities, and shelf-stable bakery and produce items including bread, bagels, apples, bananas, peppers, and carrots.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Walmart+ launches first-ever dining benefit with Burger King
In a first-of-its-kind partnership, Walmart+ and Burger King® have joined forces to introduce an exclusive dining benefit for Walmart+ members, enhancing the value and convenience of the membership program.
Source: corporate.walmart.com
DoorDash partners with grocers in B.C., Ontario, Alberta and Quebec
DoorDash is partnering up with regional grocers Healthy Planet, Nature's Emporium, Lina's Italian Market, Sungiven Foods and Supermarché PA. Customers in British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec can now order from some sixty new grocery store locations via DoorDash.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Amazon Fresh opens new 40,000 square foot supermarket in Bergen County
The 40,000 square foot Amazon Fresh opened in Lodi, following on the heels of its new supermarkets in Paramus and Eatontown. "Customers can expect to find a wide selection of national brands, high-quality produce and protein, as well as Amazon's private label brands like Aplenty, Amazon Fresh, and 365 by Whole Foods Market—all at great low prices", said a spokesperson.
Source: patch.com
Lidl US signs lease agreement with Grand Street Guild to bring hiqh quality, affordable groceries to Lower East Side
Lidl US announced that it has agreed on lease terms with affordable housing non-profit Grand Street Guild. The 23,000 square foot location at 408 Grand Street will be Lidl US' third location in Manhattan. Construction will begin on the property soon. The store is expected to open in summer 2025.
Source: mediacenter.lidl.com
Amazon must face D.C.'s antitrust lawsuit, appeals court rules
An appeals court in Washington, D.C. revived the district's lawsuit against Amazon.com Inc, saying it plausibly claimed the online retailer's pricing policies illegally stifle competition.
Source: reuters.com
Pro cycling event unusually starts race from inside a Spanish supermarket
Stage eight of the Vuelta a Espana started in Jerez de la Frontera as riders prepared for a tough 185.5km slog to Yunquera. However, it was the pre-race antics that caught the eye of viewers after riders queued next to shopping aisles and cash registers to begin the race from inside a Carrefour supermarket.
Source: metro.co.uk
EBRD supports expansion of Romania's La Cocos retail chain
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), in tandem with private equity fund managers CEECAT Capital and Morphosis Capital, is supporting the expansion of La Cocos, a food retailer in Romania. The EBRD's €10mln equity investment, plus that of its co-investors, will support the company's store network expansion. The financing is aimed at boosting the competitiveness of La Cocos and strengthening its position in the local retail market.
Source: ebrd.com
ALDI Australia is named Australia's best-rated supermarket for SEVENTH consecutive year!
Australia's major supermarkets went head-to-head in the popular customer-rated Canstar Blue's Supermarket Satisfaction Ratings for 2024, with ALDI being crowned with the prestigious Most Satisfied Customers Award for an incredible 7th consecutive win!
Source: aldiunpacked.com.au
Dutch Lidl cuts cost of plant-based foods, makes minced meat partly plant-basedFood awareness organisation ProVeg International has welcomed the announcement by Lidl in the Netherlands to permanently reduce prices on plant-based meat and dairy substitutes to make them equal or lower than their animal-based equivalents. Lidl also announced that it is the first supermarket to introduce partly plant-based minced meat, consisting of 60% minced beef and 40% pea protein, to motivate customers to lower their environmental impact. Half of Dutch citizens eat minced beef every week.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
UK: Sainsbury's launches agroforestry initiative as it celebrates 20-year partnership with the Woodland Trust
Sainsbury's has announced the launch of a new agroforestry initiative in collaboration with the Woodland Trust as the two organisations celebrate 20 years of partnership. The agroforestry initiative aims to support Sainsbury's farmers and growers to enable new farming practices and support a positive impact on the environment.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
Northern Ireland Carrier Bag Levy Annual Statistics 2023/24 released
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has published the Northern Ireland carrier bag levy annual statistics for 2023/24.
Source: daera-ni.gov.uk