Latvian PM Siliņa: reduced VAT on produce will need EUR16mln
In order to apply the reduced value-added tax (VAT) rate of 12% to fresh fruit and vegetables in Latvia next year, it will need EUR16mln in the budget, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) said after the coalition meeting.
Source: eng.lsm.lv
Promotional products constitute over a quarter of UK grocery baskets, study finds
More than a quarter (28%) of UK grocery baskets are made up of products that are on promotion or are part of offers, according to a new study from Retail Insight. Fresh meat emerged as the most promotionally sensitive food category, with 30% of respondents saying they would be more likely to buy it when on offer, followed by fresh fruit (26%) and vegetables (24%).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Asda sales growth slows and underperforms UK rivals
Asda, Britain's third largest supermarket group, said its underlying sales rose 2.8% year-on-year in its third quarter - a sharp slowdown from growth of 9.6% in the previous quarter and underperformance versus its bigger rivals. The grocer, owned by brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity group TDR Capital, reported revenue of 5.4bln pounds ($6.7bln) for the three months to the end of September.
Source: reuters.com
Malaysian pineapples galore at LuLu Hypermarket
In collaboration with the Embassy of Malaysia, the Malaysian Agricultural department and LuLu Hypermarket in Bahrain have embarked on a tasty and nutritious promotion of juicy Malaysian pineapples.
Source: newsofbahrain.com
How beans can help fix the future of food
Beans are How reported: "Beans is How, a global coalition of partners from all over the world, are working together to amplify and make visible the importance of beans as a simple and affordable solution to our cost of living, health, and environmental challenges. We have the ambitious goal to double the global consumption of beans by 2028".
Source: foodfoundation.org.uk
UK: Fresh food expert Ford appointed board director at 'Produced in Kent'
Fresh food expert and industry-heavyweight Carol Ford said she was "honored" to become a new board director at trade body 'Produced in Kent.' Starting out as a retail buyer for Sainsbury's, Ford has worked in various marketing and commercial management roles for Fyffes, Congelow Organic Produce, and The Greenery, among others.
Source: thebusinessmagazine.co.uk
Grocery price inflation hits single figures in Ireland as level of promotions grows
Latest data from Kantar shows inflation in Ireland's grocery sector was 9.8% in the 12 weeks to October 29, dropping into single figures for the first time this year.
Source: kamcity.com
Australia: Coles helps customers reduce food waste & save on groceries this National Recycling Week
Coles wants to help its customers reduce food waste and save on their grocery bills this National Recycling Week with the release of a checklist designed to help families keep track of what's in their fridges. Other ways in which Coles is working to reduce food waste include 20,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables flawed in appearance sold through the I'mPerfect range in FY23.
Source: colesgroup.com.au
Thai Central Group becomes owner of Selfridges as Signa woes deepen
Thailand's largest department store owner, Central Group, has taken control of Selfridges department stores, the company said in a statement, as its Austrian partner faces an investor revolt.
Source: reuters.com
US: Amazon leads grocers in personalization
Creating a personalized shopping experience is at the forefront of most grocers' minds these days, and a new report by data analytics firm dunnhumby said online retail giant Amazon is leading the pack. dunnhumby's Retailer Preference Index (RPI) ranks H-E-B and Kroger at second and third place, respectively, noting that the top three companies "deliver targeted savings, a localized assortment, and frictionless shopping experience best."
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Save A Lot CEO Leon Bergmann resigns
Save A Lot CEO Leon Bergmann has departed the company after 20 months at the helm. Fred Boehler, a Save A Lot board member, has been appointed interim CEO as the company begins a search for a new full-time chief executive.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
US: Consumer Price Index Summary
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in October on a seasonally adjusted basis, after increasing 0.4% in September, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The fruits and vegetables index was unchanged over the month, as it was in September.
Source: bls.gov
HelloFresh debuts last-mile solution in US
Leading meal kit company HelloFresh has launched its own delivery fleet network in the United States. Employing both HelloFresh and Factor branding, the company-managed fleet is currently available in 19 major metropolitan areas.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Vallarta Supermarkets continues expansion with grand opening in Salinas 
Vallarta Supermarkets is thrilled to share its expansion to Monterey County with its newest store location in Salinas, California. Located at 1050 N. Davis Road, Salinas, CA 93907, the new store is set to open its doors to the public on November 15, 202, at 8:00 AM. Vallarta Supermarkets sources the freshest produce from local growers, as well as those across the USA and around the world, including Mexico, Chile, Canada, Peru, Guatemala, New Zealand, and more. Latino favorites like mamey, chayote, mango tierno, and seasonal favorites can be found at every location.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Cold storage space lags behind demand as digital grocery sales soar
The rise of online food sales means food manufacturers and shippers need more cold storage to ensure fruits and vegetables don't spoil on the way to their destination. But, industry insiders have doubts that the nation has enough cold storage space to meet the rising demand. The United States has roughly 3.7bln cubic feet of refrigerated storage capacity, according to the real estate services company CBRE Group.
Source: themessenger.com
US: Grocer Coborn's sells its fuel and convenience stores
Regional grocer Coborn's, Inc. is selling its 14 Holiday franchised fuel and convenience stores and one developmental site to Holiday Stationstores LLC.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: GrubMarket launches pioneering AI product to bring AI solutions to the food supply chain industry
GrubMarket announced the launch of Farm-GPT, a groundbreaking new generative artificial intelligence (AI) product designed to empower American farmers and growers with valuable data-driven insights for maximizing profits and optimizing crop selection.
Source: prnewswire.com
Canada: Loblaw launching new 'Small Supplier Program'
Loblaw Companies Ltd. is introducing a new Small Supplier Program, providing additional support and resources to more than a thousand existing Canadian growers, bakers, vintners, and local product creators and making it easier for new suppliers to work with Loblaw.
Source: supermarketnews.com