Oldest Waitrose in Britain gets a contemporary new look
Waitrose Temple Fortune has just reopened its doors after a six-week closure period following a full refurbishment bringing a modern look and feel to this much loved North London store. The shop has gone through a significant transformation - customers will enjoy a new layout across the whole shop floor, including new refrigeration, an enhanced look and feel to the fruit and vegetable area and a relocated wine department.
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
UK: This supermarket has been named 'Grocer of the Year' by industry experts
A panel of industry experts named Lidl GB 'Grocer of the Year' at the Retail Week Awards - beating competitors Aldi, M&S, Sainsbury's, and Tesco. Judges said Lidl won due to its impressive growth over the past 12 months and its value offering.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
One year later: is the franchising plan bearing fruit for Delhaize?
The franchising of the 128 branches has only started a few months ago and the whole operation will continue until autumn this year. Still, the first signs are positive: it was a huge first boost for Delhaize that it did manage to find buyers for all 128 stores within the year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Shoppers baffled as popular fruit disappears from supermarket shelves
UK supermarkets have been hit with a shortage of bananas, after supplies were affected by transatlantic storms. It seems it's not limited to stores either, with loose bananas and ripe five-packs showing as out of stock online, too. Tesco and Asda have both been affected by these supply issues - with customers taking to X (formerly Twitter) to share their confusion and vent their frustrations.
Source: metro.co.uk
Germany: Aldi Nord raises salaries of employees covered by collective agreements
Aldi Nord is increasing the salaries of more than 39,000 retail employees covered by collective agreements in Germany. The employees have been waiting for an agreement in the collective bargaining dispute for more than a year, the discounter said in a statement.
Source: esmmagazine.com
'Wild' reason supermarkets always put fruit and veg right by the front door
An architecture and design expert says there is a tactical reason why fruit and veg are near the entrance, and essential items are at the back. Reeves Connelly, who studied architectural design at the Pratt Institute, said every corner of a supermarket has been designed to manipulate shoppers into spending as much as possible. "Grocery stores will place the produce section right at the entrance so you'll grab the fruits and vegetables first and then hopefully feel less guilty about grabbing junk food later on".
Source: mirror.co.uk
Portuguese supermarket hopes to become largest chain in Portugal
Pingo Doce will open 50 restaurants this year with hopes of becoming the largest chain in Portugal. According to ECO, Pingo Doce is investing in the restaurant area, whereby they are planning to open 50 restaurants in supermarkets this year, to reach a total of 240 and become the largest restaurant chain in the country, the CEO stated.
Source: theportugalnews.com
US: Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division and UFCW Local 400 union make deal on wage increments
Kroger's Mid-Atlantic division associates and the UFCW Local 400 union have reached a new agreement, avoiding a potential strike. The deal includes a starting wage increase to $13 per hour for new employees, with raises of up to $2.50 per hour for department leaders and top rate associates.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. announces fourth quarter and full fiscal 2023 results
BJ's Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") announced its financial results for the fourteen and fifty-three weeks ended February 3, 2024. Fourth quarter of fiscal 2023 and recent highlights: income from continuing operations of $145.9mln and adjusted EBITDA of $290.7mln. The Company opened 6 new clubs and 6 new gas stations since the third quarter.
Source: businesswire.com
FMI Report: Produce shoppers seek opportunities to add fruits and vegetables to meal occasions
FMI - The Food Industry Association released the Power of Produce 2024 report at the Southeast Produce Council's Southern Exposure conference. The report finds consumers want to incorporate produce into more meal occasions, reduce produce food waste and learn more about the nutritional value of fresh foods, identifying opportunities for growth within this fresh retail department. Fresh fruit and vegetable consumption has dropped to a seven-year low across all meal occasions, presenting an opportunity to increase sales by focusing on boosting consumption frequency. Critical areas for growth include offering shoppers ideas for vegetable and fruit snacking, incorporating vegetables at breakfast, and healthy desserts. For example, 51% of produce shoppers desire tips on innovative ways to incorporate fresh fruit and vegetable snacking.
Source: fmi.org
US: Import Cargo returning to normal after Red Sea disruptions
With the supply chain adjusting to ongoing Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, inbound cargo volume at the nation's major container ports remains on track to show year-over-year increases through the first half of 2024, according to the Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Source: nrf.com