SPAR Austria invests €51mln in Graz logistics centre expansion
The SPAR warehouse in Graz is one of six regional centres in Austria, supplying 273 SPAR, EUROSPAR, and INTERSPAR branded stores, as well as SPAR Express forecourt stores in Styria and Southern Burgenland. It distributes over 5,350 different products, including perishable foods, fruit, vegetables, and dairy products.
Source: spar-international.com
Spain: Lidl to implement Nutri-Score on all products by 2026
Lidl Spain is reinforcing its commitment to consumer health by pledging to implement the Nutri-Score labelling system on all its products by 2026. To cater to consumers seeking conscious dietary choices, Lidl has expanded its vegetarian and vegan Vemondo brand. The supermarket chain has also promoted plant-based protein sources in its assortment, aligning with the Planetary Health Diet approach. The discounter is a major buyer of fruits and vegetables in Spain. In 2023, it purchased over €3.1bln of fresh, locally sourced produce, a 4% increase compared to 2022.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK's Co-op Group returns to profit in first half on quick commerce growth
Co-op Group, which owns Britain's seventh-biggest supermarket chain, reported a profit in the first half as growth in membership and its quick commerce business offset cost inflation. Revenue rose 1.5% to 5.6bln pounds ($7.50bln) in the first half, driven mainly by its food stores and legal services. The group said it planned to open 120 new food stores across retail and franchise by the end of next year. Underlying profit before tax was 3mln pounds ($4.02mln) for the six months to June, compared with a loss of 9mln pounds a year earlier.
Source: reuters.com
Lightweight plastic bags wont be free in Croatia from 1 January
As of 1st January 2025, lightweight plastic bags, typically found in rolls in fruit and vegetable sections of shops or at market stalls, will no longer be free of charge. The news was confirmed by Sanja Radović, Head of the Waste Management Sector at the Ministry of Environmental Protection, during an interview on the programme Dobro jutro, Hrvatska, on HRT.
Source: croatiaweek.com
Auchan, Casino and Intermarché join purchase alliance Everest
French supermarket groups Auchan, Casino and Intermarché are joining European purchase alliances Everest and Epic. This comes the day after Super U had to leave the alliances.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Cyprus: Vegetables record 41.7% price hike
Cyprus experienced varied price movements across essential consumer goods in August, with 18 basic products showing monthly increases, 25 decreasing, and two categories remaining unchanged, according to the latest Price Observatory report from the Consumer Protection Service. Notable price hikes were observed in vegetables and herbs (41.7% month-on-month), fresh meat (4.1%), and liquefied petroleum gas cylinders (3.3%).
Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Holland: Yet another multi-million loss for Picnic
Picnic is not moving out of the red figures yet: in its home country the Netherlands, the online supermarket turned a 78mln euro loss. There are also still losses in Germany and France.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Zimbabwe's retailers warn of store closures over exchange rate
Top Zimbabwean retailers have warned of potential store closures if the government insists on the use of an official exchange rate they deem overvalued and damaging their competitiveness. Official guidelines require that formal retailers set prices based on the official exchange rate of 14.8 ZiG to $1 or face fines. But retailers, including OK Zimbabwe, Spar and TM Supermarkets - a local unit of South Africa's Pick N Pay, argue that this overvalued rate is making their products more expensive than those in informal shops, driving away customers.
Source: reuters.com
Ahold Delhaize USA announces leadership changes at Stop & Shop
Ahold Delhaize USA has announced that Roger Wheeler, Chief Commercial Officer for Ahold Delhaize USA, has been appointed Brand President of Stop & Shop, effective September 30th, 2024, as current Brand President Gordon Reid announced his plans to retire in mid-2025.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
The votes are in: ALDI announces its shopper-endorsed 2024 Fan Favorites, uncovering the most loved products
ALDI reported: "For the sixth consecutive year, fans of one of America's fastest growing grocers cast their votes for the most beloved products that should be on everyone's weekly shopping list. The annual survey reveals the 13 ALDI items shoppers are obsessed with nationwide, giving new shoppers the opportunity to understand why ALDI has built such a dedicated following". The list of 2024 ALDI Fan Favorites includes: Fresh and Fabulous - Tri-Colored Peppers; In a Pinch - Little Salad Bar Chicken Caesar Salad Bowl.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Washington state court challenge in Kroger, Albertsons merger continues
Washington state's lawsuit to block the $24.6bln Kroger, Albertsons merger continues this week. Meanwhile, the grocery chains await a decision from a separate lawsuit brought by the Federal Trade Commission and nine attorneys general, which was heard earlier this month in a U.S. district court in Portland, Oregon.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Lidl to celebrate grand opening of new store in Centreville, VirginiaLidl US announced that it will open its newest store on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in Centreville, Virginia. The store will be located at 5935 Centreville Crest Lane, Centreville, VA 20121.
Source: mediacenter.lidl.com
US: New Seasons Market follows Instacart DoorDash moves with Amazon same-day grocery delivery service
Portland, Oregon-based neighbourhood grocer New Seasons Market is now available on Amazon for online shopping and same-day grocery delivery. To celebrate the launch, all Prime members will receive free delivery on their first three orders from New Seasons Market.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Meet the Latin American e-commerce platform that's outperforming Amazon this year
MercadoLibre, the Argentinian e-commerce and payments company, is up 34% for the year, compared to a roughly 27% rise for Amazon. It was founded in 1999 by its current CEO Marcos Galperin and dominates online sales in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Chile and other Latin American countries. "When you look at the penetration of e-commerce in Latin America, it's still quite low compared to the U.S., Europe or Asia", says Galperin. "It's an enormous opportunity".
Source: cnbc.com
US: Customer Appreciation Week coming to Kroger
The Kroger Co. announced it will kick off a mega-sales event honoring customers with the retailer's hottest deals and digital coupons during Customer Appreciation Week running September 25-October 1. Customers can look forward to Kroger's hottest deals and digital coupons such as: Kroger Brand® Orange Juice in Select 64oz Varieties - two for $5 with card. Boost by Kroger Plus Member Exclusive Offers Include: Kroger Brand® Peeled Baby Carrots, 16oz - only 77 cents with a digital coupon.
Source: prnewswire.com