US: NGA backs resolution to halt EPA's refrigeration regulations
The National Grocers Association (NGA), the trade association for independent supermarket retailers and wholesaler distributors, has thrown its enthusiastic support behind Rep. Neal Dunn's, R-Fla., Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution, H.J. Res. 30, to overturn the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Final Rule: Management of Certain HFCs and Their Substitutes Under the AIM Act.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Canada: Walmart to invest more than $4bln to expand stores, supply chain
Walmart Canada said it is investing about C$6.5bln ($4.51bln) to build new stores and expand its supply chain, marking its biggest ever investment since opening its first store nearly 30 years ago. U.S. retail giant Walmart's Canadian branch, which plans to expand its footprint, added it would be building dozens of new stores starting with five new supercenters in Ontario and Alberta by 2027.
Source: reuters.com
US: 16th annual Customer Choice Awards winners - Trader Joe's
Trader Joe's reported: "For the 16th year in a row, we asked our customers to tell us which, of all our products, are their absolute favorites. You voted and now the results are in. #1 Produce: Teeny Tiny Avocados. There's nothing Tiny about the love for these petite fruits. This is their fourth time holding the top Produce spot and we couldn't be happier. Raise a toast to these Avocados! Runners-up: 2. Bananas; 3. Honeycrisp Apples; 4. Organic Persian Cucumbers; 5. Blueberries".
Source: traderjoes.com
Costco to raise hourly pay for most US store workers to over $30
Retailer Costco Wholesale will increase pay for most of its hourly U.S. store workers to more than $30, according to a memo sent to employees. The company will increase hourly pay for its top of the scale employees over the next three years, with the pay rising by $1 to $30.20 in the first year and an extra $1 each in the subsequent two years, according to the memo.
Source: reuters.com
US: Schnucks store remodels in the works
Schnuck Markets Inc. has revealed that starting next week a total store remodel will begin at its Seven Hills supermarket located at 970 East Highway 50 in O'Fallon, Illinois. Highlights of the remodel will include: renovated and expanded deli and produce departments; a new Picadeli salad bar.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Avride and Grubhub bring autonomous delivery robots to U.S. college campuses
Avride and Grubhub are bringing autonomous robot delivery to colleges across the country. Currently available at The Ohio State University, students at Grubhub partnered campuses can order meals, snacks and convenience items for delivery via robot.
Source: about.grubhub.com
Seven & i Holdings' founders ask Thai conglomerate for investment
NHK has learned that founders of retail giant Seven & i Holdings have recently made a request with a major Thai conglomerate for a large-scale investment. Sources say the founders approached Charoen Pokphand Group. The proposed investment is said to be in the hundreds of billions of yen. Talks are apparently in progress.
Source: www3.nhk.or.jp
Lidl Netherlands appoints new CEO
Marcel Oosterwijk has been promoted to an international role within the Lidl holding company. Peter de Roos will succeed him as CEO of the discounter's Dutch branch on 1 July.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Sweden: Axfood strengthens market position in full-year 2024
Swedish retailer Axfood says it has seen an increase in market share in its financial year 2024 amid a challenging environment. Axfood reported net sales of SEK 84.1bln (€7.33bln) during the year, registering an increase of 3.6%. Out of this total, retail sales amounted to SEK 68.1bln (€5.9bln), or an increase of 6.8% compared to the previous financial year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Spain: Mercadona reinforces its commitment to Digital Excellence with an investment of 250mln euros
Mercadona IT, Mercadona's department that works to create the best technological solutions in order to modernise all internal processes at the company, takes a step further in its clear commitment to innovation and technology with the implementation of an ambitious Digital Excellence Plan. Allocated an investment of over 250mln euros for execution during the 2025-2028 period, it will allow the company to continue to advance in the reengineering of projects and modernisation of processes that have already been digitalised.
Source: info.mercadona.es
Lidl Ireland confirms new Enfield store openingSupermarket retailer Lidl will open the doors to its newest store in Enfield County Meath, on Thursday 13 February, taking the retailer's store count to seven in the county and creating 20 permanent new jobs for the local area.
Source: retailnews.ie
Colruyt Group takes the next step in offering solutions for hospitality: two Colruyt Lowest Prices stores introduce a specialised assortment
From 30 January 2025, customers at the Colruyt Lowest Prices stores in Bruges Sint-Pieters and Aalst will find an additional range of 200 products specifically intended for the hospitality sector. The assortment includes products such as fresh, pre-cut vegetables in larger packaging, specific frozen products, and gloves.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Romania: Get to know Profi, Ahold Delhaize's newest family member
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Earlier this month, Ahold Delhaize proudly announced that Romanian retailer Profi joined our family of great local brands. This means an addition of almost 28,000 new colleagues, adding around 1,700 stores to our current total network of approximately 7,700 local stores and strengthening our ability to serve communities across Romania. Who is Profi? Founded in 2000, Profi has grown to become a key player in Romania's retail sector and is the largest private employer in the country".
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
Lidl wins legal battle to open first ever in-store pub in Northern IrelandLidl has been given approval by a High Court to open its first ever pub in Northern Ireland. The German supermarket chain will be able to move forward with the plan to open a bar inside its store in Dundonald, near Belfast, after a judge dismissed an appeal brought by another trader.
Source: news.sky.com