Amazon to launch online shopping service in South Africa in 2024
Amazon said it would launch its online shopping service in South Africa next year, making it only the second African country after Egypt where the US e-commerce giant has set up a locally-dedicated website.
Source: reuters.com
New Zealand: Eat water-rich foods to stay hydrated this World Fruit & Vegetable Day
The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust is leading a global celebration of fruit and vegetables by encouraging Kiwis to consume more fresh produce with a high water content to boost hydration.
Source: 5aday.co.nz
Amsterdam-based Merqato secures €350K to predict fruit, vegetable price and volumes
Amsterdam-based Merqato, a data and market intelligence company, announced that it has received a €350,000 convertible loan from Innovatiefonds Noord-Holland. Founded in 2023 by Claire Bénard, Jan-Willem Snoeker, and Thomas Beelaerts, Merqato is on a mission to optimize the value chain of fresh fruits and vegetables by developing predictive algorithms.
Source: siliconcanals.com
Wunderkern launches the "first" cheese made from upcycled apricot kernels at Billa Plus Austria
Austrian startup Wunderkern introduces what it says is the first plant-based cheese alternative made from fruit pits to be available in national retail. As of now, Wunderkern Kesä is available at Billa Plus throughout Austria in three variants: Mountain Gaudi, Pesto, and Tomato Olive.
Source: vegconomist.com
'Like a cat with nine lives': how the British corner shop has survived - and thrived
Quality is an area where convenience stores can be more competitive with supermarkets. Their fruit and vegetables are often locally sourced and fresh. They're a place where customers can buy premium products that supermarkets don't always stock, such as vegan alternatives and international foods like baklava.
Source: theguardian.com
Lenta buys Monetka chain in cash and debt takeover
Supermarket chain Lenta said it had acquired the Monetka chain of 2,120 convenience stores for an undisclosed sum in a deal financed by cash and debt. Monetka has around 23,000 employees and operates mostly in the Urals and Western Siberia, strengthening Lenta's position there.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Ex-Tesco exclusive brand Wicked Kitchen launches in Asda stores
Wicked Kitchen has launched in Asda stores nationwide, making plant-based foods more accessible for consumers throughout the UK. The supermarket chain now features Wicked Kitchen's plant-based meat products, including Jalapeño Griller Patties, Italian-inspired Amazeballs, and Chorizo-style Bangers.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
South Africa: Pick n Pay swings to H1 loss, withholds dividend
South African grocery retailer Pick n Pay swung to a half-year loss of 571.3mln rand ($30.48mln), hit by incremental costs, and said it would not pay out a dividend. The retailer said it swung to a loss after tax in the 26 weeks that ended August 27 from a profit of 453.3mln rand last year in the same period. Its pro forma loss, which excludes certain items, came in at 837.2mln rand.
Source: reuters.com
Ochama active in 24 European countries
Ochama, a retail concept from the Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, has announced the expansion of its home delivery services to an additional 19 European countries, bringing the total to 24 countries on the continent.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
X5 Group sees Q3 net sales up by more than a fifth
Retailer X5 Group, which operates the Pyaterochka, Perekrestok, and Chizhik banners, has reported a 22.7% increase in net retail sales in the third quarter of its financial year, to RUB147.1bln (€1.42bln).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Inno sale "imminent," says Galeria
The ailing department store group is making the final preparations to start selling its Belgian subsidiary by the end of this week, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung reports. Reports that Galeria wanted to get rid of Inno date back from earlier this year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Better figures for Just Eat Takeaway
Just Eat Takeaway is aiming for an adjusted gross operating profit (ebitda) of 310mln euro this year instead of the previously projected 275mln. The total number of orders fell 7% to 217.9mln, with gross transaction value down by the same percentage to almost 6.5bln euros.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Suning ordered to pay Carrefour $137mln for China deal: FT
A Hong Kong Court ordered Chinese retailer Suning.com Co. to pay Carrefour SA more than 1bln yuan ($137mln) as part of a deal to acquire the French company's stores in China, the Financial Times reported.
Source: news.bloomberglaw.com
Spar wholesaler CJ Lang reports 10% rise in profits
CJ Lang & Son, the Scottish-based Spar wholesaler and convenience retailer, has reported a fifth year of underlying profit growth since launching its turnaround strategy back in 2018. Publishing its financial statement for the year ending April 30, 2023, the company said pre-tax profits had increased by 10.3% to £3.7m, and net turnover was up 4.2% to £221.3m.
Source: talkingretail.com
US: Grocery Outlet's 1st Ohio store to open in November
Extreme-value retailer Grocery Outlet Bargain Market will mark its geographical expansion to the Midwest with its first store in Ohio next month. Located at 317 Boardman Poland Road in Boardman, the new store is scheduled to open on November 16.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Here are the food prices that increased and decreased in September
Canada's food price increases "slowed" in September, but headline inflation remains high, the latest report from Statistics Canada said. Fresh vegetables had the highest year-over-year inflation rate of any food, according to StatCan.
Source: ctvnews.ca
US: Albertsons keeps sales on the upside in Q2
For the 12-week second quarter that ended September 9, net sales and other revenue totaled nearly $18.29bln, up 2.1% from $17.92bln in the comparable period a year earlier, Albertsons said.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
'We are excited'. Dollar General announces new DG Market format is now open in Hampton
Dollar General is excited to announce its new DG Market at 503 Elm St. E. in Hampton is now open. The new DG Market store format features an expanded selection of fresh meats, fruits, and vegetables, as well as the same categories, brands and products customers trust Dollar General to carry.
Source: eu.blufftontoday.com
US: Walmart, General Mills unite to accelerate regenerative agriculture
Walmart, Sam's Club, and General Mills have joined forces to help ramp up the adoption of regenerative agriculture on 600,000 acres in the United States by 2030.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Group receives $4.2mln to help low-income Oregonians access fresh produce
A unique program is helping low-income Oregonians eat a healthier diet with locally grown fruits and veggies. The Farmers Market Fund recently received more than $4mln to make locally grown fruits and vegetables more accessible through the Double Up Food Bucks program.
Source: kptv.com
US: Whole Foods Market forecasts top 10 food trends for 2024
Whole Foods Market's Trends Council unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2024 in the retailer's ninth-annual Trends predictions report: Put the "Plant" Back in "Plant-Based"; Use the Whole Cacao; Buckle Up for Buckwheat; Fancy Faux Fish; Clean & Conserve: Water Stewardship; Complex Heat; Noodle News; Little Luxuries; Women's Health: from Taboo to Top of Mind; A Better Boost.
Source: businesswire.com