Cooperatives in French-speaking Switzerland to share marketing in future
The four Migros cooperatives in French-speaking Switzerland are pooling their marketing activities and founding Migros Marketing Romand AG. The aim is to increase market share in French-speaking Switzerland.
Source: corporate.migros.ch
End of an era: Cora closes last seven hypermarkets
Early next year, Cora will close its last remaining seven hypermarkets. Mitiska REIM will take over the real estate assets, owner Louis Delhaize Group announced. "Despite all our efforts and the measures taken to turn the situation around, the results remain far too weak given the ongoing crisis in the Belgian retail sector. Furthermore, future economic forecasts indicate that recovery in the short or medium term is no longer feasible". This is how the Cora management officially confirmed the end of its Belgian operations.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Lidl Italia open to potential acquisitions
CEO of Lidl Italia, Massimiliano Silvestri, has stated that the company is exploring potential acquisitions in the fragmented Italian market, although no deals are imminent, according to media reports.
Source: esmmagazine.com
METRO France further expands distribution network
METRO AG reported: "After opening its first delivery depot in Savigny-le-Temple (Ile de France) one year ago, METRO France opened a second depot for Food Service Distribution (FSD) in La Brède near Bordeaux on 7 April 2025. This means that METRO France is creating the strategic infrastructure for supplying more than 2,000 professional customers in the hotel, restaurant and catering business in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region".
Source: newsroom.metroag.de
European grocery retail searching for growth in a challenging environment in 2025
The State of Grocery Retail 2025: Europe, published by McKinsey & Company and EuroCommerce, takes a comprehensive look at the key trends shaping the grocery sector in 2025 and beyond. The report is based on interviews with four grocery CEOs, a survey of more than 30 European CEOs, and a survey of over 14,000 consumers across 13 European countries.
Source: eurocommerce.eu
South Korea: Government demands E-Land to reclassify Kim's Convenience Store toward compliance
E-Land Group's "Kim's Convenience Store", which has been criticized for registering as a convenience store to evade regulations despite operating in the form of a super supermarket (SSM), has been confirmed to have received administrative guidance from the government to change its operating method on the 9th. "Kim's Convenience Store", launched with the slogan "convenience store for fresh products", has handled a variety of fresh foods in bulk like vegetables and fruits, similar to SSMs, but this measure is expected to restrict such sales activities. Plans to transition some stores into franchise operations, initially aimed at expanding into franchising, have effectively been halted.
Source: biz.chosun.com
UK: SPAR store launched at Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd's brand-new forecourt
James Hall & Co. Ltd reported: "Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd has achieved a major milestone in its 133-history by opening its first new-to-industry forecourt at Eden Service Station near Malton. The 2,700ft SPAR store and BP forecourt is on a 1.72-acre plot and its doors were opened to a rush of customers after a £3.5mln investment into the site. There is also a comprehensive fresh and ambient food range, competitively priced big brand products, and car care section. It is the 11th forecourt within the Jos. Richardson & Son Ltd business across North, East and West Yorkshire - all with SPAR stores serviced by James Hall & Co. Ltd - and the business also has one standalone SPAR convenience store".
Source: jameshall.co.uk
Woolworths' proposed acquisition of Beak & Johnston not opposed
The ACCC reported: "The ACCC will not oppose Woolworths Group Limited's proposed acquisition of Beak & Johnston Holdings Pty Ltd (B&J). Woolworths currently holds a minority 23% interest in B&J City Kitchen Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of B&J which manufactures ready meals and pastries for wholesale and retail sale. The proposed acquisition will result in Woolworths ultimately owning 100% of B&J's subsidiaries, including Beak & Johnston NZ Pty Ltd. The New Zealand Commerce Commission (NZCC) is also considering a clearance application from Woolworths for its proposed acquisition of B&J".
Source: accc.gov.au
Japan: Seven & i quarterly profit tumbles as it seeks to fend off Couche-Tard bid
Japan's Seven & i Holdings said fourth-quarter profit fell 15%, a result that is likely to hamper its ability to fend off a takeover attempt by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard. The operator of 7-Eleven convenience stores booked operating profit of 105.6bln yen ($726.4mln) for the December-February period, somewhat ahead of the 94.5bln yen average of eight analyst estimates compiled by LSEG.
Source: reuters.com
US: Online grocery sales rebound gains momentum in March
Online grocery sales across the U.S. reached $9.7bln in March, jumping 21% year over year and marking the eighth consecutive month sales growth topped $9.5bln, according to the monthly Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey by Mercatus.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: BJ's to open Club in New York's Staten Island
BJ's Wholesale Club has revealed that its first club in the New York City borough of Staten Island will open on April 25. The club, located at 85 Bricktown Way, will be the 49th that BJ's has opened in the state of New York. According to BJ's, members can save on fresh food, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household products, home décor, pet supplies, toys, consumer electronics, and more.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Online Asian grocer Weee! agrees Stateside partnership with Forage to accept SNAP EBT payments
Weee! is now accepting SNAP/EBT benefits, formerly known as food stamps. This is made possible through a partnership with Forage, a USDA approved EBT payments processor. "Food is more than sustenance - it's culture, tradition, and identity", says Larry Liu, Founder and CEO at Weee!. "By accepting SNAP, we're reaffirming our commitment to making cultural discovery through food, accessible and affordable for all".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
US: Instacart and Dierbergs Markets partner to launch same-day delivery and Carrot Tags
Instacart reported: "Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, and Dierbergs Markets, a 27-store independent grocer headquartered near St. Louis, Missouri announced a new partnership to offer same-day delivery in as fast as an hour. The partnership will add Dierbergs to the Instacart App, enabling customers to access fresh groceries and household goods for same-day delivery. Dierbergs is also deploying Carrot Tags, Instacart's electronic shelf label (ESLs) software integration, to help Instacart Shoppers easily locate ordered items and improve order accuracy".
Source: instacart.com
US: Crisp & Green shifts from franchised model to mostly company-owned model
Crisp & Green, a 46-unit fast-casual salad and bowl chain based in Minneapolis, is shifting from a mostly franchised model to a majority company-owned model with the purchase of existing franchised locations, the company said.
Source: nrn.com