UK: Asda signs up to the global LEAF Marque Environmental Assurance System, to help deliver its sustainable sourcing commitments
Asda has begun to roll out LEAF Marque certification across its UK fresh produce fruit and vegetable supply base to strengthen its environmental standards. All UK-based Asda fresh produce growers will achieve LEAF Marque certification by May next year with worldwide suppliers certified by the end of 2025.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Amazon launches EEA program
Ecommerce giant Amazon has launched a new offering called the European Expansion Accelerator (EEA). With the new feature, sellers can easily expand to nine Amazon marketplaces across Europe and the United Kingdom.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
DESPAR Sardegna modernises two stores
DESPAR Sardegna, also known as SCS (Supermercati Consorziati Sardegna), reopened the EUROSPAR Supermarket in Capoterra in the province of Cagliari, Sardinia. A highlight of the supermarket is its vegetable corner with freshly prepared and ready-to-taste fruit and vegetables. The EUROSPAR Supermarket in Quartu Sant’Elena, also in the province of Cagliari, was reopened after extensive renovation and now offers customers an innovative shopping experience.
Source: spar-international.com
Holland: Albert Heijn on the road to B Corp certification
Ahold Delhaize is pleased to share that local Dutch brand, Albert Heijn, is on its way to B Corp certification. This is awarded to companies that meet high standards in corporate social responsibility.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Korean retailers exercise eco-friendliness ahead of Earth Day
Lotte Mart recently announced its plans to package their tomatoes in 100% recycled plastic containers. Lotte Mart currently offers two of its tomato products, Sweetell Tomato and Sweettango Tomato, in containers made of recycled plastic. This makes Lotte Mart the first discount chain store in Korea to introduce such a sustainable packaging for foods.
Source: koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
Lidl wins trademark lawsuit against Tesco over discount scheme logo
German discount supermarket Lidl won a trademark lawsuit against Britain's biggest retailer Tesco at London's High Court over the use of a yellow circle on a square blue background.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Apple-solutely delicious! Aldi’s Next Big Thing winner Freddie’s Farm returns to shelves
Following sell out success, Aldi’s Next Big Thing winner Freddie’s Farm is making a triumphant return to Aldi’s shelves with the much-loved Freddie’s Farm Fruit Shapes (£2.29, 5x20g). These kid-friendly, dried fruit snacks are made with only British produce, and satisfy a sweet tooth while also providing necessary nutrients and energy.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Billionaire Lin Ming-Hsiung grows Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain PX Mart by acquiring domestic rival
Lin Ming-hsiung, chairman of PX Mart, has transformed the company from a government-run store into Taiwan’s largest supermarket operator. Last July, Taiwan’s Fair Trade Commission approved its NT$11.5bln ($377mln) purchase of a 96% stake in hypermarket chain RT-Mart’s Taiwan business from French multinational retail group Auchan and Taiwanese conglomerate Ruentex Group.
Source: forbes.com
Australia: Viva Energy to acquire OTR Group for $776.60m
Fuel supplier Viva Energy has entered into agreement to acquire convenience retailer On the Run (OTR Group) in a deal valued at AUD$1.15bln ($776.60mln).
Source: retail-insight-network.com
Poundland-owner Pepco sales jump as shoppers seek value
European discount retailer Pepco Group reported a 22.8% surge in first-half revenue, as its low prices chimed with cash-strapped consumers and it opened a net 166 new stores. The Warsaw-listed group said revenue was 2.84bln euros ($3.11bln) for the six months to March 31. Like-for-like sales were up 11.1% in the first half and up 8.5% in the second quarter.
Source: reuters.com
Alibaba’s grocery arm gears up for Hong Kong IPO
Freshippo, the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. grocery chain has started preparations for a Hong Kong initial public offering, people familiar with the matter said.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Top 10 supermarket retail chains in Romania
Here's an overview of the top ten supermarket retail chains in Romania, according to their most recently-available full-year turnover. All data is supplied by Retail-Index (www.retail-index.com) 1. Lidl & Kaufland turnover: €5.35bln (2020); 2. Carrefour turnover: €1.91bln (2021); 3. Profi turnover: €1.89bln (2020); 4. Mega Image turnover: €1.52bln (2021); 5. Auchan turnover: €1.29bln (2021); 6. Metro C&C turnover: €1.2bln (estimated, 2021); 7. REWE turnover: €1.01bln (2021); 8. Selgros turnover: €810mln (2021); 9. Cora turnover: €315mln (2021); 10. CBA turnover: unknown.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Canada: Metro sales were on the rise in Q2
Metro Inc., headquartered in Montreal, Canada, revealed results of the second quarter of FY 2023, and sales increased 6.6% (to just over $4.5mln) compared to last year sales when there were still COVID-19 restrictions in place in some Canadian provinces. Same-store sales rose 5.8% vs. first quarter results and online food sales were up a substantial 41% vs. last year mainly driven by new partnership sales.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Big Red stores rebranding to Circle K across Arkansas
With the acquisition of Big Red Stores by Circle K parent Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. finalized as of April 17th, rebranding work is now underway at 44 locations across Arkansas. The Circle K rebranding will continue through April 23 and may require brief closures as work is completed.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: SNAP incentives increasing for fruit and vegetable purchases
Good news for people looking to stock up on fruits and veggies. The Washington State Department of Health says SNAP participants will soon get more support to buy produce. SHB 1784 will provide temporary funding of $2mln for the Department’s Fruit and Vegetable Incentives Program. That means when SNAP participants spend $10 on produce during a single transaction, they will get an additional $10 to spend on future eligible purchases. The SNAP Produce Match benefit runs through June 30th and is available at 215 grocery stores across the state.
Source: kgmi.com
US: Supermarket chain rebranding c-stores as ‘H-E-B Fresh Bites’
Supermarket and convenience-store retailer H-E-B is giving a new look to its c-stores, introducing the H-E-B Fresh Bites brand. The company opened the first H-E-B Fresh Bites c-store adjacent to an H-E-B grocery store in Leander, Texas.
Source: cspdailynews.com
US: With more than 1bln delivered, this is the most popular grocery item on Instacart
There is one food that has been delivered by Instacart far more than any other. In fact, the fruit has hit a milestone of having more than 1bln of them delivered. The king of Instacart is - the banana.
Source: pennlive.com
US: Latino supermarket upsizes to 195K sf HQ in Santa Clarita
Vallarta Supermarkets will more than double the size of its corporate headquarters with a move from Los Angeles to Santa Clarita. The Sylmar-based Latino market chain will move into a three-building, 195,300-square-foot campus at 28470-28490 Avenue Stanford, for which it paid $48mln, the San Fernando Business Journal reported.
Source: therealdeal.com