UAE farming sector boosted by online sale of crops
Farmers in the UAE are embracing the power of technology by selling their produce on the popular Botim app. By having a presence on the app, farmers are now able to change how they sell their fresh produce by reaching new markets and connecting with customers directly. The consumer app, which has more than 8 mln users in the UAE alone, offers farmers the opportunity to sell their goods in a virtual marketplace.
Source: thenationalnews.com
China: Reorganisation provides Alibaba with robust growth
With revenue up 14% to 234 bln yuan (about 29 bln euros) in the past quarter, Alibaba far exceeded analysts' expectations. Its adjusted ebitda rose 32% to 45.37 bln yuan (5.7 bln euros), and operating profit even rose 70% to 42.5 bln yuan (5.3 bln euros).
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Aldi drops prices of over 30 products across grocery range
Aldi has cut the price of more than 30 household products across its range of grocery staples. The move from the German discounter means that shoppers will now pay even less for fresh produce, including apples, oranges, and peaches.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
UK: The Pantry wins Independent Retailer competition
The winners of the Fruit & Vegetable Market's Independent Retailer competition visited New Covent Garden and met the firms on Buyer's Walk prior to receiving the first prize of £500 of fresh produce for their outlet. Sisters Nikki Lemon and Kat Short made the early morning trip to select fresh produce for The Pantry at Wickham Community Centre, near Portsmouth.
Source: newcoventgardenmarket.com
South Africa: Some Western Cape supermarket shelves are bare as taxi strike hits retailers
Empty fridges and shelves greeted shoppers in some of Cape Town's most affluent suburbs this week as the taxi strike in the Western Cape dragged on with no end in sight. Retailers Spar, Woolworths, and Shoprite/Checkers acknowledged challenges with stockouts at some branches, although the Consumer Goods Council of South Africa (CGCSA) downplayed issues with stocking levels. At one retailer, the manager of the fresh produce department said: "Since the weekend, it's looked like we were shutting down for good. We've had almost no fresh fruit or vegetables - we can't get deliveries".
Source: dailymaverick.co.za
Top UAE grocer Lulu to raise $2.7bln ahead of possible IPO
Lulu Group International, which operates one of the Middle East's largest hypermarket chains, is raising 10 bln dirhams ($2.72bln) to refinance debt ahead of a potential initial public offering, people familiar with the matter said.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Germany: Wholesaler Metro sees sales up 5.9% in the third quarter
Wholesale operator Metro AG has reported a 5.9% increase in currency- and portfolio-adjusted sales in the third quarter of its financial year. Sales in local currency were up 2.5% in the quarter. In the first nine months of the year, sales were up 4.1%, to €22.65 bln, Metro noted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Kenya: TAT dismisses appeal by Naivas Kenya Ltd opposing its appointment by KRA as a tax representative
Naivas Kenya Ltd (NKLs) is liable to pay KRA KShs.1,794,000,000 in corporation tax, after the Tax Appeals Tribunal (TAT) dismissed an appeal by the firm, against payment of corporation tax accrued from the sale of its 30% minority stake.
Source: kra.go.ke
New Zealand: Foodstuffs data shows food price inflation and consumer pessimism easing
Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director, Chris Quin said: "With the weather still the wild card here in New Zealand, everyone across the industry is hopeful growers will have some respite as we head into Spring to boost supply and ease the cost of fresh fruit and veggies, which have been a big contributor to food price inflation."
Source: foodstuffs-si.co.nz
UK: Blakemore signs up to MealTrak consumer tracking programme
Food-to-go and out-of-home tracking program MealTrak has signed up A.F. Blakemore & Son as a new client. A.F. Blakemore is the largest Spar wholesaler in the UK and owns 263 Spar stores across England and Wales, as well as supporting its independent Spar estate through Blakemore Trade Partners.
Source: talkingretail.com
Magnit finalises buyback of blocked shares from Western investors
Retailer Magnit said it had completed a deal to buy back blocked shares from Western investors. "Approximately 200 orders have been fulfilled - including those from investors from the USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Scandinavian countries, Singapore, Japan, Canada, Australia, and other jurisdictions", Magnit said in a statement.
Source: reuters.com
US: Consumer Price Index summary
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.2% in July on a seasonally adjusted basis, the same increase as in June, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The fruits and vegetables index increased 0.4% over the month, and the other food at home index rose 0.2%.
Source: bls.gov
US: Hy-Vee Healthy You Wellness Tour kicks off
In partnership with Tex-Mex-style food brand Old El Paso, Hy-Vee has launched the Hy-Vee Healthy You Wellness Tour, which will travel across the Midwest promoting healthy eating habits and nutrition through October.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Instacart becomes first grocery marketplace to accept SNAP online in all 50 states
Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, announced that Electronic Benefits Transfer for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (EBT SNAP) can now be used to buy groceries online via Instacart in every state, making Instacart the first and only online grocery marketplace to accept SNAP in all 50 states and Washington DC.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Kroger Health shares easy back-to-school breakfast ideas
Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. shared quick and easy kid-and parent-approved back-to-school breakfast ideas. For those extra busy mornings, try grab-and-go items such as Simple Truth Organic® Raspberry and Blueberry Fruit and Veggie Blend Strips. Bananas or any favorite fresh fruit.
Source: prnewswire.com
Carrefour Brasil's wholesale unit adds 15,000 jobs in first half of 2023
The wholesale arm of Carrefour Brasil added 15,000 direct and indirect jobs in the first six months of 2023, the retailer said, as it continues to expand in South America's largest nation.
Source: reuters.com