UK: Asda opens landmark 100th Asda On the Move convenience store
Asda has opened its landmark 100th Asda On the Move store in partnership with EG Group and confirmed plans to open a further 100 sites across the UK this year, as part of its strategy to create more convenient ways for customers to shop. The 100th store, which is located on Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough, is one of 35 that have opened so far this year on EG Group’s existing forecourt estate.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Japanese retailer Muji offers organic vegetables, catering in Shanghai to tap consumption recovery
Japanese retailer Muji has recently opened a new store in Shanghai offering a farm-to-table dining experience. The new business format comes as a fresh attempt to attract consumers amid a rapid recovery in food and beverage consumption in China, experts said. A Global Times reporter visited the store and saw the organic vegetable section was attracting the most customers. It offers a dozen kinds of vegetables, including cabbage, carrot and spinach, all in small packages of 250 grams.
Source: globaltimes.cn
France: Supeco is helping to optimise students’ purchasing power with a range of special ultra-low price products
Supeco - the Carrefour Group's discount banner - is continuing with its drive to optimise its customers' purchasing power with the launch of a range of extremely affordable products for students. The range will include fresh fruit and vegetables, tinned products, yoghurts and meat, as well as packets of cakes as a special treat.
Source: carrefour.com
Spain's DIA moots sale of Portuguese operation
Spanish supermarket group DIA has contracted investment bank Societé Générale to explore the possible sale of its business in Portugal, according to local media reports. Reports suggest that DIA is considering the divestment of its Portuguese retail business, Minipreço, due to the weak financial performance of the division.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Pret A Manger to scrap smoothies, frappes and milkshakes
Pret A Manger has said it will stop making smoothies, frappes and milkshakes in another blow to its UK customers and drinks subscribers. One staff member told the BBC: "For the company it's much more expensive to provide smoothies - fruit juice, fruit - and it takes time to make them."
Source: bbc.com
Italy: Conad Nord Ovest, fully automated fresh produce facility
At its logistics platform in Montopoli Val d’Arno (PI), Conad Nord Ovest has inaugurated a facility - the first in Italy to be fully automated - for fruit and vegetable picking that employs state-of-the-art robots to prepare and pack fruit and vegetables in sustainable boxes, optimizing and speeding up process and transport efficiency and reducing food waste.
Source: internationalsupermarketnews.com
Shopic to deploy 2000 smart carts in partnership with Israel's leading supermarket chain
Smart grocery cart provider Shopic has announced a full-scale rollout of its solution in Shufersal stores across Israel. Shufersal, Israel's leading supermarket chain, is moving quickly to deploy Shopic smart cart clip-on devices, committing to roll out at least 2000 units across 30 stores by the end of March 2023.
Source: newsfilecorp.com
Spain: Eroski introduces private label brand for vegan products
Supermarket chain Eroski has launched a new range of own-brand vegan products, as the retailer seeks to promote a healthier and more sustainable diet. The Eroski Veggie organic food range incorporates the V-Vegan seal, internationally recognised as an indicator of vegan and vegetarian products and services.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Intermarché raises sales in 2022
French retail group Les Mousquetaires, that owns supermarket chains Intermarché and Netto as well as several DIY chains, saw its sales grow 2.3% last year. There was a significant sales increase in Belgium, even before the group doubled its store network this January.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Here’s the full list of Iceland stores that are closing for good
Which Iceland stores are closing and when? Birmingham Road Retail Park, Bromsgrove (February 25). Chineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke (February 25). White Rose Centre, Rhyl (March 14). South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight (March). St Catherine’s Place, Bedminster, Bristol (to be confirmed).
Source: timeout.com
Belgium: Change at the top at Louis Delhaize Group
After three and a half years, managing director Ludovic Hollinier is leaving the Belgian Louis Delhaize Group. The retailer is therefore reshuffling its management: Pierre Bouriez will succeed Hollinier at the head of the group and also as CEO of hypermarket chain Cora.
Source: retaildetail.eu
SPAR Brand expands in Africa with stores opening in Angola
The SPAR Brand has entered the Angolan retail market, opening nine SPAR Express convenience stores during the past twelve months. The license to operate the SPAR brand in Angola was granted to a well-established local retail and distribution company, United Investimentos. Adapting international best practices from the SPAR network to suit local market needs has led to these convenience stores offering an assortment that is tailored to suit customers’ needs.
Source: spar-international.com
Tesco Ireland launches reusable bag for fruit and veg
Tesco Ireland has launched a new re-usable netted bag for loose fruit and vegetables. The new bag, which can be used over and over, will replace the traditional pinch and pull plastic bag and will offer customers a more sustainable option for bagging loose produce.
Source: tescoireland.ie
Australia: Woolworths boasts $907mln in profits as customers slugged with price rises
Woolworths has posted $907mln in profits in its half-yearly results at the same time customers have been slugged with a significant rise in grocery prices amid soaring inflation. Woolworths group, which includes supermarkets, Metro stores, and Big W, had a total $33.2bln in sales for the first half of the 2022/23 financial year, which was a 4% increase from the year before.
Source: 9news.com.au
US: Acosta names Don Byrd EVP
Acosta Inc., a Jacksonville, Florida-based provider of sales and marketing services, has named Don Byrd executive vice president of in-store services for Walmart. Byrd will lead a team dedicated to elevating service and outcomes and enhancing talent acquisition and engagement in support of the company's business with Walmart, Acosta said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Kroger opens delivery center in Austin
Kroger has opened its newest delivery service center in one of America’s fastest-growing cities. The new 70,000-square-foot Austin, Texas delivery service center in the Tuscany Logistics Center will be leased by Kroger for six years, according to owner Dalfen Industrial.
Source: storebrands.com
US: BJ's to open new club in Georgia on Friday
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open its sixth Georgia location Friday, bringing BJ’s total club count to 237. The new 99,828-square-foot club will be located at 245 Highway 81 in McDonough, Georgia, southeast of downtown Atlanta, the company said.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Canada: Ontario company selling 'odd' or 'ugly' produce for huge discount launching in Toronto
An Ontario-based company that sells “odd” or “ugly” fruits and vegetables that don’t meet major grocery retailer’s strict aesthetic standards is launching in Toronto. “Maybe the retail stores turned down [the produce] for cosmetics, maybe they have too much… Let’s put them together in a box and offer it at a ridiculous discount”, Odd Bunch Founder Divy Ojha told CTV News Toronto.
Source: toronto.ctvnews.ca