Hot potato: Spuds touted as 'pick of the crop' as prices fall 16.2%
Foodstuffs North Island's Head of Produce and Butchery Brigit Corson says that spuds are a staple item in the shopping basket all year round, but good prices across all varieties mean they're likely to become a popular option over the coming months. "We're seeing great potato yields in this year's harvest, and abundant supply means good prices for our customers," she says. "We're a nation of potato lovers, New Zealand produces more than 600 potatoes each year for every Kiwi, which makes them one of our most popular vegetables."
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
Ocado Group launches ISF rollout with Auchan Retail Poland
Auchan Retail Poland ("Auchan") has announced they are live with the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) and are commencing the rollout of Ocado's cutting-edge fulfillment software across their store estate.
Source: ocadogroup.com
UK: innocent Drinks ads are too small to hold all its goodness
innocent Drinks is sharing its passion for fruit and veg in its new pan-European campaign: "Even more innocent." The multi-channel campaign is innocent's first major advertising campaign in over 18 months and launches across major European markets. Across all formats, the brand playfully highlights how much fruit, vegetables, and vitamins are packed into their juices and smoothies.
Source: lbbonline.com
The Netherlands: Just Eat Takeaway orders drop as customers cut back on deliveries
Just Eat Takeaway.com NV shares slumped after the company said orders slipped in the first quarter, signaling continued weak demand for food deliveries. In a statement, the Amsterdam-headquartered firm said that total orders fell 6% to €214.2mln ($228mln) in the period, below the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The stock fell as much as 6%.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Italy and Germany: Amazon launches rail service
E-commerce giant Amazon has reached an agreement with the Italian state railways. Together, they are launching a rail service to move products between distribution centers in Italy and Germany by train. This could greatly reduce the marketplace's CO2 emissions.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Australia: ALDI Mackay grand opening in May
ALDI has announced the grand opening of its 'much-anticipated' Mackay store in Queensland will take place on Wednesday, May 15y. The brand-new store will offer Mackay locals award-winning grocery products at 'unbeatable' prices and iconic Special Buys together with 'award-winning' fresh fruit, vegetables, and bread delivered daily.
Source: retailworldmagazine.com.au
China: CityShop closes its last two Shanghai outlets
The CityShop supermarket is closing its Shanghai outlets, citing poor business conditions. The company said it was entering liquidation after nearly 30 years in the city and closing its last two stores in Jing'an and Xuhui districts. CityShop, which sold part of its equity stake to local fresh fruit retailer FruitDay in 2017, has been under pressure from other hypermarket chains, membership-exclusive stores, and online fresh food delivery services in recent years.
Source: shine.cn
The unbelievable detail at the entry of every Woolworths store you never realized - until now
It's been revealed that it's no accident that the entryways to all Woolies stores are located directly opposite the fruit and vegetable section. At Woolworths locations across Australia, the main entrances to stores lead directly into the fresh produce aisle - with the week's fruit and vegetable specials typically stationed just metres from the entry. It's been confirmed that the retail giant has done this to encourage shoppers to purchase healthy food options easily and quickly as soon as they enter the store.
Source: 7news.com.au
Spain: Mercadona and trade unions sign a new Equality Plan
Mercadona, the physical supermarket, and online retailer has signed its new Equality Plan with representatives of the General Union of Workers (UGT) and the Workers' Commissions (CCOO). The plan enters into force in April and will be in place for four years until 2028.
Source: info.mercadona.es
Ireland: ALDI unveils its newly renovated Newlands Cross "Project Fresh" storeALDI's Newlands Cross, Clondalkin, Co. Dublin "Project Fresh" store has reopened its doors to customers following an extensive renovation project investment of €1mln, which has seen the store interior completely refurbished.
Source: aldipresscentre.ie
Plastic crisis 'out of control' as 1.7bln pieces thrown away weekly in UK
Britons are throwing away an estimated 1.7bln pieces of plastic a week - with campaigners describing it as a crisis "out of control." More than 225,000 people took part in The Big Plastic Count and kept track of their waste. Packaging for snacks, fruits, and vegetables was most counted. Greenpeace and Everyday Plastic - which performed the research - says the UK throws away more plastic per person than every other country in the world, barring the US.
Source: news.sky.com
Ahold Delhaize: Bringing the voice of the next generation into our board room
Ahold Delhaize is taking a step towards the future by creating an advisory board to the Executive Committee (ExCo) called the "NextCo." By creating the NextCo, Ahold Delhaize ensures that the ExCo has access to the viewpoints of the next generation in the strategy and decision-making process.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
US: Publix CEO joins board of directors
During its annual meeting of stockholders on April 166, Publix Super Markets stockholders elected Publix CEO Kevin Murphy to its board of directors. Howard Jenkins and Ed Crenshaw have also retired from the board.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: ALDI launches "ALDIgo" checkout-free grocery shopping, powered by Grabango
In partnership with ALDI, Grabango has launched ALDIgo checkout-free shopping at a Chicago-area grocery store. ALDI is the first major U.S. grocery retailer to deploy checkout-free technology in an existing, full-size store. The technology, which ALDI deployed at one suburban location, allows shoppers to skip the line and save time.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Giant Co. issues annual impact report
The Giant Co. has released its third annual impact report, which details its 2023 corporate social responsibility initiatives. Marking 100 years in grocery last year, the retailer celebrated the milestone occasion through meaningful initiatives, including its associates, customers, and community partners.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Wegmans to open 1st Charlotte, North Carolina store
Wegmans Food Markets has announced plans for a new Wegmans store in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company's first in the city. Wegmans is targeting an opening by the third quarter of 2026. The store will be located at North Community House Road on the east side of Ballantyne.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: The Fresh Market curates delectable delights for Mother's Day
This Mother's Day, The Fresh Market is making it easy to treat mom and give her the pampering she deserves with a range of mouth-watering meals, vibrant spring bouquets, premium wines, and decadent gifts. Create your own gourmet spread with The Mother's Day Meal by choosing two of the following: Premium Choice Chateaubriand cut filet mignon, lump crab cakes, and NEW! Chilean sea bass cakes. These are accompanied by mascarpone whipped potatoes with rosemary, asparagus with red peppers and sea salt butter, eight chocolate dipped strawberries, and a The Fresh Market reusable tote. Also included with this meal deal is a beautiful "Love U, Mom" seasonal bouquet ($59.99, serves two). In other news, The Fresh Market expands Florida footprint.
Source: businesswire.com