US: Kroger taps former Ahold Delhaize exec to head Dallas Division
Kroger has named Rudy DiPietro to serve as president of the supermarket company's Dallas Division, effective March 29, according to an announcement. DiPietro, a longtime Ahold Delhaize USA executive, will replace Keith Shoemaker, who is retiring from Kroger after nearly 48 years with the grocer.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: FarmboxRx launches first-of-its-kind social needs platform to address critical health gaps
FarmboxRx, the leading food as engagement company that pioneered fresh fruits and vegetables as a covered health intervention, announced the launch of Drivers Health (DH), a comprehensive social needs solutions platform designed to address healthcare members' continuum of social needs.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Walmart rolls out GenAI assistant for its merchants
In an effort to help its merchants make faster, more informed decisions in today's fast-changing retail landscape, Walmart has developed a GenAI-powered assistant dubbed Wally.
In other news: Walmart ramps up convenience business.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
The American Diabetes Association and Instacart collaborate to simplify healthier shopping
The American Diabetes Association® (ADA) and Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, announced a collaboration to connect consumers, health plans, and health care professionals with the ADA's evidence-based nutrition guidance. The announcement coincides with National Nutrition Month and recognizes the critical role of food in promoting healthy living.
Source: instacart.com
US: ReposiTrak disrupts traceability, launches solution for suppliers to send clean traceability data to any customer
ReposiTrak has expanded the capabilities of the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® to enable suppliers to share traceability data for any customer. ReposiTrak Chairman and CEO Randy Fields: "Our new solution - Traceability for Everyone - allows suppliers to share the data in one place for many customers. We help the supplier to resolve any data errors, and generate a file that's as clean and accurate as possible for their customers."
Source: businesswire.com
US: Independent grocers take a stand: NGA launches 'Fair Markets, Fresh Choices' advocacy campaign
In the face of constant and historic challenges, America's independent grocers are stepping up with bold leadership and a unified voice. Recently, during The NGA Show in Las Vegas, The National Grocers Association (NGA) announced the launch of Fair Markets, Fresh Choices, an aggressive advocacy campaign that spotlights and demands a level playing field in the food retail industry.
Source: nationalgrocers.org
US: Dollar General CEO 'not anticipating improvement' in consumers' financial situation
Consumers are feeling the effects of inflation, and discount retailer Dollar General Corp. doesn't see that changing anytime soon. And the CEO believes that the discount channel is better positioned than convenience stores to provide those consumers with the value they need.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Amazon loses court fight against record $812mln Luxembourg privacy fine
Amazon lost its fight against a record 746mln euro ($812.4mln) fine handed out by Luxembourg's privacy regulator four years ago as a court sided with the watchdog, according to a statement on the regulator's website. The Luxembourg National Commission for Data Protection (CNPD) said the country's administrative court dismissed Amazon's appeal in a March 18 ruling.
Source: reuters.com
Holland: Ahold Delhaize announces that Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Heijn, Etos and Gall & Gall will leave the company
Ahold Delhaize announced that Marit van Egmond, CEO of Albert Heijn, Etos and Gall & Gall has decided to leave after a 28-year career at the company. She will transition as per 30 April 2025 and transfer all her duties effectively as per this date. The identification of a successor is underway.
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
Thailand Post boosts fruit delivery with EMS service
Thailand Post is offering an EMS express delivery service for summer fruits to support farmers and entrepreneurs across the country. The EMS express service boasts an extensive network, capable of customising transportation methods to maintain the quality of agricultural products from the source to the consumer. This service is especially crucial for seasonal fruits, which are in high demand.
Source: thethaiger.com
Picnic joins forces with Intermarché in France
In France, Dutch online supermarket Picnic is swapping its current partner Coopérative U for Intermarché, the supermarket chain that is affiliated to the same buying alliance, Everest.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Caprabo to open 38 new supermarkets in Catalonia
Supermarket chain Caprabo has boosted its presence by opening 14 new supermarkets in 2024 as part of its 2024-2026 strategic plan. This expansion, representing a €6.4mln investment and the creation of 100 jobs, saw the addition of 4,500 square metres of retail space, primarily in the Barcelona area - a strategic area for the company.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Tesco the UK's 'most considered' supermarket; Amazon Fresh making gains
A new supermarket ranking report by YouGov reveals that when people in the UK are asked: "When you are in the market next to purchase groceries, from which of the following would you consider purchasing?", Tesco tops the chart. The retailer which has seen the largest improvement to its consideration score is Amazon Fresh, indicating that recent initiatives to broaden its appeal are having an effect.
Source: kamcity.com
Portugal: Jeronimo Martins' quarterly profit drops 20% hit by falling margins
Portuguese retailer Jeronimo Martins posted a 19.7% drop in fourth-quarter net profit despite robust sales, as discounts offered in its key market Poland, along with stubborn cost inflation, hit its margins. The food retailer said in a statement it earned 159mln euros ($173.1mln) in the quarter, missing the 175mln average forecast by analysts polled by LSEG.
Source: reuters.com
SPAR China partner reopens modernised supermarket
SPAR China licensed partner in the North of the country, SPAR Shandong, reopens the modernised SPAR Shandong Jinan Unicity supermarket following extensive renovations. A range of healthy products and services are available instore, including an extensive offering of fresh fruit and vegetables. Optimising the deliveries of fresh fruit and vegetables to the SPAR Shandong Jinan Unicity supermarket ensures that high quality fresh produce will be available for customers.
Source: spar-international.com
Bulgaria plans state-owned supermarket chain
Bulgaria's parliamentary budget committee has approved a plan to create a state-owned chain of stores selling only Bulgarian-made products. The proposal, put forward by the MRF-New Beginning political party, would see the Ministry of Agriculture and Food oversee the BGN 10mln venture, according to the BTA news agency.
Source: esmmagazine.com