Holland: Retail turnover up by 1.5% in December
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that retail turnover was 1.5% higher in December 2024 than it was in December 2023. Turnover in supermarkets was down by 5.7%, while turnover in specialty shops was up by 5.6%.
Source: cbs.nl
Lidl Denmark names new chief executive
Georgios Tokatlis has been named as the new chief executive of Lidl Denmark, taking over from Jens Stratmann, who is stepping down from the role. In a statement, Lidl Denmark said that Tokatlis, who previously served as chief operating officer at Lidl Sweden, has extensive experience working with the discounter in multiple European markets.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Healthier choices drive supermarket spending as new year gets underway
Kantar reported: "More than 10% of the average consumer's January grocery bill was spent on fresh fruit, vegetables and salad, totalling £1.2bln – £193mln more than in December".
Source: kantar.com
UAE: NRTC International, VZone partner to enhance fresh produce delivery operations
NRTC International, Dubai's leading fresh produce distributor, has partnered with VZone International to enhance delivery operations using cutting-edge technology. Through the integration of VZone's AI-powered smart tracking system, Fleetoxia, NRTC aims to elevate the freshness, efficiency, and sustainability of its deliveries.
Source: gulfnews.com
UK: Co-op in Exeter re-launches following major makeover to 'transform' the store
Co-op re-launches its Queen Street, Exeter, store following an eight-week programme of works and improvements to 'transform' the store. The store is the first of around 80 Co-op stores across the UK to have a major refurbishment in 2025, which is alongside the convenience retailer's ambitions for convenience growth and to open an additional 75 new shops this year. Alongside the fresh, new-look, the investment in the Queen Street store offers an enhanced range of fresh and healthy produce.
Source: co-operative.coop
Australia: Leadership update and organisational changes
Woolworths Group announced changes to its Food leadership and organisational structure to allow a greater focus on the areas that have the most impact for customers:
Annette Karantoni appointed Managing Director, Woolworths Retail; Sally Copland to return to New Zealand as Managing Director, Woolworths New Zealand; Metro, Greenstock and Woolworths Food Company Retail now part of Woolworths Retail.
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au
UK: Thousands of Asda workers win latest stage in decade-long equal pay case
Thousands of Asda workers have won the latest stage in a decade-long equal pay case against the supermarket that could lead to a payout worth £1.2bln. The GMB union said the workers were on "the cusp of justice" after Manchester employment tribunal ruled that 12 out of 14 lead claimants in the case, which involves 60,000 people, mostly women working shop-based jobs, had roles that were of equal value to their mostly male counterparts employed in the retailer's warehouses, despite being paid up to £3.74 an hour less.
Source: theguardian.com
A recipe for success: Tesco donates slow cookers as part of Fruit & Veg for Schools campaign
Tesco reported: "Thousands of pupils across the country will learn how to prepare and cook nutritious fruit and veg recipes using slow cookers donated to their schools by Tesco. The donations build on the £4mln Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools programme, launched in October last year with influencer and Michelin-trained chef, Poppy O'Toole, which provides funding for more than 140,000 pupils to receive at least one piece of fruit or veg a day and gives their diets a healthy and nutritious boost. Tesco Fruit & Veg for Schools supports pupils in over 400 schools where there is a higher-than-average free school meal ratio, and in total aims to provide around 16mln pieces of fruit and vegetables. Over a school year, that's the equivalent of 110 portions per child on average".
Source: tescoplc.com
AS Watson Group appoints company veteran Clarice Au as CEO of Retail Hong Kong, AS Watson
AS Watson Group has announced the appointment of Clarice Au as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Retail Hong Kong, AS Watson. The hire is effective from 1st March. She will be responsible for overseeing the management of four retail businesses in Hong Kong, namely Watsons, PARKnSHOP, Fortress and Watson's Wine.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Politician Călin Georgescu calls for boycott of supermarkets in Romania
Politician Călin Georgescu called for Romanians to boycott supermarkets on February 10. Supermarket chains Eurospin, Lidl and DM were boycotted for almost a week in Croatia, with total sales plummeting by 53%.
Source: romania-insider.com
Getir CEO says he has been removed as power struggle continues
The CEO of Turkish grocery delivery company Getir said he had been removed from his position, weeks after a shareholder meeting approved an updated restructuring plan that was disputed by one of the firm's co-founders. Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that Batuhan Gultakan, chief executive since 2022, left his role on Thursday, the latest twist in a struggle for control at Getir.
Source: reuters.com
US: New FMI & NielsenIQ report explores grocery shopping in the digital age
As grocery shopping enters a new era of digital transformation, FMI - The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ (NIQ) released their new report "Digital Engagement Transforms Grocery Shopping" which premiered at FMI's Midwinter Executive Conference. The report finds that today, more than 90% of shoppers participate in both online and in-store shopping.
Source: fmi.org
GrubMarket's 2025 "Sustainable California" initiative supports the restoration of the Los Angeles environment following wildfire damage and empowers California farmers with technology
GrubMarket announced that the Company's Sustainable California initiative for 2025 aims to support the Los Angeles area with environmental restoration following the recent catastrophic wildfires, and help California farmers participate in the benefits of the digitalization of the American Food Supply Chain with access to technology that will improve their efficiency and sustainability of their farming practices. Additionally, to help support California farmers who are facing farming challenges associated with a deteriorating environment and striving to improve the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of their farming practices and operations, GrubMarket will provide free software subscriptions to all farmers based in California for the entire year of 2025. Offering these cutting-edge technology solutions at no cost this year will help California farmers streamline their operations and support them to continue to provide high-quality produce to California and the rest of the United States.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Shipt's annual small-business accelerator accepting applications
Shipt's small business-accelerator, LadderUp is now accepting applications for the 2025 cycle. Now in its third year, the eight-week program will focus on investing in local fresh-food organizations as a part of Shipt's ongoing mission to serve communities.
Source: progressivegrocer.com