New Zealand: Low light level affecting local tomatoes
Produce experts are warning the low levels of light over the last few months, coupled with a crop failure in 2022, is adding up to a shortage of fresh tomatoes in the market this winter. “Tomatoes are normally in shorter supply through the winter months because they’re out of season, but this year we’re going to be even shorter again”, said Jerry Prendergast, General Manager of Key Accounts at MG Fresh Produce Group, a co-operative of 400 New Zealand produce growers.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
UK: GMB halts bid for official Amazon union claiming firm skewed staff numbers
The GMB has reluctantly withdrawn its attempt to win formal union recognition at Amazon’s Coventry warehouse, accusing the firm of drafting in more than 1,000 extra workers to skew the decision.
Source: theguardian.com
UK: Aldi prepares to open five new stores within five weeks
Aldi is set to open five new stores across the UK in the coming weeks. The supermarket, which currently has more than 990 UK stores, will be opening in new locations in June including Southampton and Whittlesey. Further stores in Norwich, Castle Donington and Porthcawl will also open in early July.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Australia: Supermarket rejects 1,500 'ugly' cauliflowers due to 'tiny marks' - leaving shoppers and local farmers outraged
Farmers and shoppers are shocked after a major supermarket rejected 1500 fresh cauliflowers because the food was too 'ugly' to sell. Josh Ball, co-founder of Farmers Pick which sells 'imperfect food', was visiting a farm in Werribee South, Victoria, when a huge truck arrived to return the produce. He claims he managed to rescue 1200 of the cauliflowers from being disposed of. Josh detailed the situation in a TikTok video to highlight to 'unsustainable practices' big-name supermarkets utilise. He did not disclose which specific supermarket giant rejected the food.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Belgium: Colruyt takes next step towards store of the future
Colruyt Group is fully committed to in-store innovation. Last month, a new technology was tested to ensure that shelves remain optimally stocked, while also measuring how many customers enter the store and how busy it is at the checkout. A test with a cleaning robot is also currently ongoing in the store. A few initiatives aimed to contribute to a better service for customers and more efficient time management for employees.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
UK: 'Massive shift' in food shopping habits as prices soar
There has been a "massive shift" in the way we do our grocery shopping since the pandemic, analyst firm Kantar has told the BBC. Among the changes, shoppers now visit the supermarket less often, spend more on own-label goods and are turning to loyalty schemes to get discounts. The cost-of-living crisis has helped drive the changes, as food prices soar.
Source: bbc.com
UK: Asda expands meat-free offering as searches for veggie BBQ ideas soar by 300%
As the weather hots up, Asda has introduced nine new products across its OMV! and Plant Based by Asda vegan ranges. With Google searches for ‘vegetarian BBQ ideas’ up 300% in the last month, the new arrivals are just in time for BBQ season. Highlights include fiery OMV! No-Pork Chilli Sausages, fragrant Plant Based by Asda Bombay Inspired Meat-Free Bangers and succulent OMV! No-Beef Burgers. To inspire shoppers to fire up the grill, Asda’s Senior Director of Food Trends and Innovation, Jonathan Moore, shares his top tips for hosting the perfect meat-free BBQ. The OMV! and Plant Based by Asda ranges are available to shop in store and online now here.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Comprehensive grocery basket comparison finds Shoprite & Checkers are SA’s most affordable supermarkets
Research conducted by Netwerk24 shows that Shoprite and Checkers offer South African consumers the most affordable basket of grocery essentials. The news website’s inflation basket of 76 items for May 2023 revealed that Shoprite is 23% - or R1 009 - cheaper and Checkers is 20% - or R866 - cheaper than the priciest supermarket chain. It compared the cost of items such as fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, ‘fish and eggs’, sauces, spreads, dry ingredients, snacks and treats, general household items such as pet food or aluminum foil as well as drinks, toiletries and detergents.
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
UK: EG Group to amend and extend banking loans
EG Group, the petrol forecourt and retail company that sold its UK operations to supermarket Asda, will seek to amend and extend its banking loans, it said. EG and Asda, Britain's third-largest grocer, are both owned by brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity group TDR Capital.
Source: reuters.com
Trio of French businessmen plan counter-offer for Casino
A trio of French businessmen readied to make a new offer for debt-laden supermarket chain Casino after exclusive tie-up talks between Casino and smaller retail rival Teract collapsed. In a joint statement, telecoms billionaire Xavier Niel, investment banker Matthieu Pigasse and entrepreneur Moez-Alexandre Zouari said they were prepared to invest their funds in Casino to find a lasting solution to the group's financial woes.
Source: reuters.com
Rapid delivery firm Flink raises €150mln from REWE Group: Report
German quick commerce company Flink has raised €150mln from REWE Group in its most recent funding round, according to a report in the Handelsblatt. The investment will see the German retail giant increase its stake in the rapid delivery firm by 10%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
DoorDash partners with Edible® to celebrate life’s sweetest moments with fruit bouquets, baked goods and easy gift delivery
DoorDash and Edible®, the premier brand of deliverable gifts and treats, announced a new partnership to bring on-demand fresh fruit snacks, dipped treats, delicious fruit arrangements, beautiful flowers and more directly to consumers from nearly 1,000 independently owned franchise locations right in their neighborhood.
Source: doordash.news
US: New Publix open for business in Westlake
Publix announced that they have opened a new store located at 16841 Persimmon Blvd. W Unit 1000. The 48,388-square-foot store, located in the Westlake Plaza, offers departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce, as well as a full-service bakery and deli and pharmacy.
Source: wptv.com
US: Walmart invests $350mln in Alabama distribution center upgrade
Walmart is investing $350mln on a high-tech upgrade of its distribution center in Cullman, Alabama, part of the retail giant’s broader plan to update all 42 of its regional supply chain facilities, the retailer and city officials said.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Amazon, Target modify deliveries in areas with poor air quality
Amazon.com said that it was cutting delivery routes short for drivers in places affected by poor air quality, while Target also said its contactless order pickup service may not operate in the most affected areas.
Source: reuters.com
Canada’s largest Asian grocery chain, T&T Supermarkets, to open first U.S. store
T&T Supermarkets will open its first U.S. store in summer 2024, at the Marketplace at Factoria, a retail, food and entertainment center in Bellevue, Washington. At 76,000 sq.ft., it will be the largest Asian supermarket in the state and a flagship store for T&T.
Source: chainstoreage.com