Couche-Tard chairman says no hostile takeover bid for Seven & i, Nikkei reports
Alimentation Couche-Tard is not considering a hostile takeover bid for Japan's Seven & i, the Nikkei business daily quoted the Canadian suitor's chairman and co-founder, Alain Bouchard, as saying.
Source: reuters.com
Canada: Walmart invests $46mln to boost pay, benefits for supply chain workers
Walmart Canada is putting $46mln towards pay increases and benefit enhancements for its eligible supply chain associates. Earlier this year, the retailer announced more than $145mln in new investments in wages for logistics, fleet and retail associates.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Instacart launching SNAP eligibility screener
Instacart announced it is launching a SNAP eligibility screener. The tool, powered by Advocatia Solutions, Inc., lets people in the U.S. anonymously check if they may be eligible for SNAP benefits and find relevant state resources. The company says it's the first online grocery platform to roll out this kind of tool.
Source: grocerydive.com
Chile: Cencosud reports growth in net income in third quarter
Chilean retail giant Cencosud saw reported net income rise by 95.2% in the third quarter of 2024, reaching CLP 88.4bln (€85mln). This positive performance was primarily driven by favourable exchange rate fluctuations, impacting both debt and operational levels, according to the company.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: BJ's Wholesale Club raises membership fees for the first time in 7 years
Emboldened by some of the best membership numbers of the year and continued success with fresh food, BJ's Wholesale Club announced it will soon increase membership fees for the first time in seven years.
Source: supermarketnews.com
The 2024 Uber Eats Cravings Report
Uber Eats reported: "Thankful for delivery: With Thanksgiving just around the corner, we're already starting to see searches spike for holiday staples like sweet potato, casserole, cranberry sauce and more. Going bananas!: Shopper's carts continue to gleam yellow! According to our data, bananas are the #1 grocery item ordered on Eats and even maintains the top spot every day of the week".
Source: uber.com
US: Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage announces fiscal 2024 fourth quarter and full year results
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. announced results for its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2024 and provided its outlook for fiscal 2025. Highlights for fourth quarter fiscal 2024 compared to fourth quarter fiscal 2023: net sales increased 9.3% to $322.7mln; net income increased 53.2% to $9.0mln, with diluted earnings per share of $0.39. Highlights for fiscal 2024 compared to fiscal 2023: net sales increased 8.9% to $1.24bln; net income increased 46.0% to $33.9mln, with diluted earnings per share of $1.47.
Source: prnewswire.com
How supermarkets can do labeling right
Attaching labels to fruits and vegetables can be a powerful merchandising maneuver. Not all labels will be important to all consumers, said Joe Merenda, president and chief operating officer at Misionero, a Monterey, California-based provider of lettuce, salads, and salad kits. "We need to challenge retailers to get creative on how they present products to their consumers as it is not one size fits all", he said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
South Africa: From apples to Apple AirPods - the new Sixty60 begins offering even more, delivered in a flash
Checkers has rolled out the new Sixty60 app to millions of shoppers across the country following months of testing. In addition to the wide range of groceries and essentials, the new app offers shoppers in eligible areas precision delivery of products from selected Checkers Hyper stores nationwide.
In other news, Checkers Riverlands has opened and features a large fresh fruit and vegetable section where customers can select their own ingredients for freshly squeezed juice.
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
Slovenia: Mercator gives up on Engrotuš takeover
Slovenian retailer Mercator, owned by Croatia's Fortenova, has abandoned its bid to acquire Engrotuš (Tuš stores), news agency Sta reported. The inability to secure regulatory approval within the one-year exclusivity period led to Mercator's withdrawal, according to the report. Engrotuš's owners, however, remain committed to the company's long-term success and will seek alternative buyers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Jumbo presents new concept Foodmarkt
Dutch retailer Jumbo has given its very first XL concept Foodmarkt a complete makeover. The huge location in Breda focuses on on-site prepared foods, such as a vegetable grill.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Germany: Globus posts positive results in a challenging financial year
German retailer Globus Group closed its 2023/24 financial year with a 'positive earnings performance', as EBIT increased by 2.4%, year on year, in a difficult macroeconomic environment. The company's two units - Globus Hypermarkets and Globus DIY - reported increased operating sales during the year, it noted in a statement. Globus Hypermarkets saw a 6% increase in sales, in operational terms, excluding the effects of currency translation and fuel station sales. Gross sales in the division, which includes Globus Markthallen Germany, Globus Hypermarkets Czechia, and Globus Hypermarkets Russia, declined by 2.3%, to €7.6bln.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Aldi trials new loose fruit and veg to reduce packaging
Aldi is trialling 12 new loose fruit and vegetable lines in a bid to reduce unnecessary packaging. In select stores across the north of England, items including parsnips, carrots, broccoli, brown onions, red onions, ginger, pears, salad tomatoes, limes, lemons, oranges and garlic will be available to buy loose. Stores in County Durham, Cumbria, North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire, Northumberland, and Tyne and Wear will take part in the trial this month.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Major South African retailer rebounds
SPAR expects to report solid results from its continuing operations for the 2024 financial year, as the company is in the final stages of selling its Polish business. The retailer expects its headline earnings per share (HEPS) to increase by between 6% and 16% and its earnings per share (EPS) to grow by between 20% and 30%. Notwithstanding the negative impact of high interest rates on the retailer's finance costs, its net debt was reduced by R2bln, from R11.1bln to R9.1bln.
Source: dailyinvestor.com