UK shoppers spent £13.7bln on groceries in run-up to Christmas
The number of items bought rose by 2% in December as prices climbed by 6.7%, according to analysts at Kantar. Appetite for Christmas dinner was particularly strong as heavy discounts, including on bags of traditional vegetables for as little as 15p, drove volumes of parsnips, sprouts and potatoes up 12%, 9% and 8%.
Source: theguardian.com
Morrisons makes big announcement on price of 1,000 products across all UK stores
Morrisons has cut and locked the price of over 1,000 products across all 496 of its UK stores. Some of the biggest price reductions include Morrisons washing up liquid (450ml) reduced from 75p to 59p, a five-pack of bananas from 99p to 78p, Morrisons brown basmati rice (1kg) from £2.99 to £1.85 and chopped tomatoes (400g) from 60p to 49p.
Source: mirror.co.uk
Solucious acquires Valfrais, a major food service player in the south of Belgium
Solucious, Colruyt Group’s food service specialist, has acquired 100% of the shares of Valfrais, a family-owned business in Bastogne. Valfrais is a major regional food service player based in Bastogne, supplying professional customers in Wallonia, Brussels, the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, and northern France. Those customers are mainly active in the hospitality sector, so the Valfrais range includes fresh, ultra-fresh, and frozen foods.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Romania: Carrefour expands proximity network with 22 stores
Carrefour Romania is solidifying its position as a key player in the country's convenience store market with the opening of 22 new Express stores in nine cities during 2023. This latest expansion brings the retailer's total Express store count to 162.
Source: esmmagazine.com
DESPAR Italia celebrates store openings across the country
Gruppo 3A, SPAR Italy partner for the North-West region, welcomed two new stores into its expanding network. A new DESPAR store opened in the picturesque Darsena di Savona. Customers can choose from a large selection of fresh produce, including fruit and vegetables. The end of November also saw the opening of the DESPAR di Vallecrosia in Imola. This new supermaket has an extensive range of 3,200 products available for customers, such as fruit and vegetables, cold meats and dairy products.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: The Co-operative Group announces new Board appointments
The Co-operative Group (‘Co-op’) has announced the appointment of Moni Mannings and Luke Jensen as Independent Non-Executive Directors.
Source: co-operative.coop
UK: One Stop launches £1mln price drop campaign
One Stop is kicking off the new year with a £1mln price drop campaign to help see customers right the way through the rest of winter. A large number of products are being reduced in price, including Thick White Toastie bread down to 85p, One Stop Fusilli Pasta 500g down to 85p and 2kg bags of Maris Piper Potatoes down to £1.85.
Source: talkingretail.com
Croatia's Studenac acquires Istrian retailer La-Vor
Croatian retailer Studenac has announced the acquisition of La-Vor, a proximity retail chain on the Istrian peninsula. Headquartered in the town of Buzet, La-Vor operates 16 stores and has more than 200 employees.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Aldi slashes food waste by almost 60% and sets new 2030 target
Aldi announces a 57% reduction in food waste since 2017 in its inaugural sustainability report in Great Britain. UK’s fourth largest supermarket has donated 40mln meals to good causes since 2019. Initiatives like its eco concept store have also been designed to significantly reduce carbon consumption and make it easier for shoppers to reduce waste.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Lidl starts self-scan trial in Belgium
Lidl is looking what kind of systems it can test in its Belgian stores in the coming months, spokesperson Isabelle Colbrandt confirmed to SudInfo. Letting customers scan their own groceries should be a big step forward for shopping convenience, she explained.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Subway launches new plant-based sub in time for Veganuary
Subway has revealed a new vegetarian sub suitable for those on a plant-based diet, which launches nationwide on January 10. The Plant Picante features a spiced plant patty with crispy onions, Sweet Onion and Garlic & Herbs sauces and American-style cheese - or Vegan Cheeze for a 100% plant-based option, along with lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers.
Source: walesonline.co.uk
US: Giant Eagle finds a new headquarters
Giant Eagle officially has a new headquarters, this one in Cranberry Township, Pennsylvania, about 20 miles north of Pittsburgh. Giant Eagle corporate-level employees will begin work at the Cranberry Township headquarters in the spring, the company said in a statement, and will operate in a hybrid model.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Associated Grocers takes steps to comply with FSMA food traceability law
Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge, in support of its 240 independent retailers in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas and Texas, has advanced efforts to comply with the FDA’s FSMA 204 food traceability law through automation with the ReposiTrak Traceability Network.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Just Salad partners with Michelin-Star Chef Amanda Cohen on exclusive menu item to kick off Veganuary 2024
Just Salad, the fast-casual restaurant chain with a mission to make everyday health and sustainability possible, is unveiling its limited-edition "Dirt Candy" vegan salad, created by James Beard-nominated Chef, Amanda Cohen in honor of Veganuary.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: DoorDash sets sights on grocery growth
San Francisco-based delivery company DoorDash is planning to expand further into retail and grocery in 2024, CEO Tony Xu said in a recent Financial Times article.
Source: supermarketnews.com