Strikes in Finnish supermarkets to start on Thursday
SERVICE UNION UNITED (PAM) declared that it will stage the first in a series of strikes in supermarkets and logistics centres this week following the collapse of negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. The strike will cover more than 160 grocery shops, mostly large supermarkets, and 16,000 workers from 5am on Thursday, 9 February, to 5am on Saturday, 11 February.
Source: helsinkitimes.fi
India: Online grocery store launches in Salempur, Uttar Pradesh
A new online grocery store has launched in Salempur, Uttar Pradesh, providing residents with a convenient and hassle-free shopping experience. The online grocery store offers a range of products, including fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, bakery items, and more.
Source: einnews.com
Portugal: Sonae’s MC business sees sales up 11.5% in 2022
Portuguese retail group MC, part of the Sonae conglomerate, reported a turnover of €5.9bln in 2022, an increase of 11.5% year-on-year and of 9.6% on a comparable store basis. The group's food retail business recorded growth in both its larger format (+8.3%) and in proximity format (+11.2%) stores. Supermarket turnover reached €2.9bln (+11.2%), while hypermarket turnover amounted to €1.9bln (+8.3%). MC operates the Continente chain in Portugal, with includes both large-scale and smaller, proximity outlets.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Aldi unveils latest Super Six vegetable offers hitting the shelves
Aldi has unveiled its latest "Super Six" offers that will be hitting the shelves this week. The supermarket says it works with its suppliers to provide low prices year-round. The list includes: 4 Pack Unwaxed Lemons (59p / 4 pack); 5 Pack Bananas (59p / 5 pack); Easy Peelers (89p / 600g); 6 Pack Braeburn Apples (99p / 6 pack); Asparagus Tips (99p / 100g); Blueberries (£1.19 / 150g).
Source: walesonline.co.uk
South Africa: Pick n Pay sales grow but warns of extra costs from power cuts
Supermarket group Pick n Pay said its four-month sales grew by 6.4%, but its like-for-like sales growth in South Africa was softer, impacted by store revamps and unprecedented power cuts in the last quarter of 2022. At market open, shares of Pick n Pay, South Africa's second biggest supermarket chain, fell 5% to 49.63 rand, as it also warned on additional cost pressures.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Lidl posts £10mln sales growth as shoppers ditch M&S, Waitrose & Sainsbury’s
Lidl GB reveals it has gained nearly £11mln in switching gains from M&S, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s in the past month. Switching was fuelled by Lidl’s high-quality fruit and vegetables, with the latter reaching a market share high of 10.2%.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Spain: DIA delivers 9.6% sales growth in 2022
DIA Group reported €7.3bln in net sales for 2022, a 9.6% increase on the previous year, fuelled by a 7.3% LFL sales increase in the fourth quarter of the year, to €1.8bln. Gross sales in Spain increased 6.3% to €5.3bln in 2022, with like-for-like sales growth of 11.6% in the fourth quarter, with the retailer also gaining market share.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Cartzfresh - An online website that delivers fresh Cut fruits & veggies to your doorsteps
“I believe when we start anything it is very small, but if we are persistent and keep innovating new things then we can achieve greater heights in no time. Simply be patient and provide quality service.” - Digvijay Pandey, Founder, Cartzfresh in an exclusive interview with Startup Story. Digvijay founded Cartz Fresh during the Covid-19 Pandemic. Cartz Fresh sells ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat range of fruits and vegetables, so one doesn’t have to worry about what kind of fruit or vegetable to buy that day.
Source: startupstorymedia.com
UK: Sainsbury's opens brand-new store in Desborough for the first time
Sainsbury’s opened the doors to its newest store as it welcomed the first customers to Sainsbury’s Desborough Harborough Road, in Northamptonshire. Sainsbury’s new Neighbourhood Hub will stock a delicious range of great value, high quality branded and own brand favourites for customers to choose from. It will feature Sainsbury’s latest food ranges, from fresh fruit and veg, healthy snacks and food-to-go to sweet, savoury and frozen staples.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
Tesco and Lidl square off in yellow on blue trademark row
Tesco and its German discount rival Lidl traded allegations of copying brands and deceiving customers at London's High Court in a dispute over Britain's biggest retailer using a yellow circle on a square blue background.
Source: reuters.com
Sweden: ICA Gruppen year-end report 2022
The operating margin for ICA Gruppen fell in Q4 2022 to 3.9% (4.0%). Operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2022 increased by 6.4%, driven by high inflation, to SEK1,382mln compared with the fourth quarter of 2021 (1,298). Q4 sales increased by 8.2% to SEK35,547mln (32,860), also driven by inflation. Drop in volume put pressure on earnings for ICA Gruppen’s grocery retail business and ICA Sweden’s margin. Operating profit decreased by 12.0% to SEK767mln during the fourth quarter compared with the same quarter in 2021. The margin for Q4 decreased to 3.1% (3.7%).
Source: icagruppen.se
Belgium: Colruyt goes B2B with automated catering concept
Belgian retailer Colruyt Group has launched Spar For You, aiming to supply businesses with foodservice now that staffed company canteens are becoming too expensive post-pandemic.
Source: retaildetail.eu
US: Shipt launches LadderUp to drive small business ecommerce
Retail technology and delivery service provider Shipt Inc. is rolling out its new LadderUp plan, intended to boost ecommerce activity in local businesses. Shipt will provide selected operators with capital, e-commerce focused technical assistance, and education from industry leaders.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Plant-based a small but growing category: report
While many are wondering whether interest in plant-based foods is a fad or a long-term trend, recent research from The NPD Group has found that plant-based is a small but growing category, and that as more innovations and items come on the market, consumer interest broadens. The market information firm noted that about 25mln consumers currently eat plant-based beverages and foods occasionally or regularly as part of a meal or as an ingredient, with about one in five consumers saying that they want more plant-based foods in their diet.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Fetch launches new partnership with PIM Brands, Inc., makers of Welch's® Fruit Snacks, following fruitful pilot
Fetch, America's No. 1 rewards app and leading consumer-engagement platform, announced its partnership with PIM Brands, Inc., maker of Welch's® Fruit Snacks. Coming on the heels of a successful pilot with Fetch, the full partnership will enable PIM Brands to gain insights into real-time customer buying behaviors and connect with consumers of its Welch's® Fruit Snacks, Welch's® Juicefuls®, and Welch's® Fruit n' Yogurt™ Snacks by activating and engaging shoppers through Fetch.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Natural Grocers® releases 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance report
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc., announced the release of the company's Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report for fiscal year 2022. This second annual ESG report outlines current practices, as well as investments made in the previous year.
Source: prnewswire.com