Even shop robots should have Sundays off, German court rules as it says automated supermarkets must close on the seventh day
Robots working long hours in supermarkets are just as entitled to a day of rest as their human counterparts, a German court has ruled, upholding a centuries-old ban on Sunday commerce. Tegut, a regional chain now experimenting with some 40 fully automated stores, has been embroiled in a legal battle since service sector union Verdi argued allowing the shops to stay open could have 'knock-on effects' for human workers. Thomas Stäb, a board member of Tegut, told the Financial Times the ruling was 'entirely grotesque', arguing that the stores were 'basically walk-in vending machines'.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Coles and Woolies could face $10mln fines under new code of conduct
Supermarket giants Woolworths and Coles could pay billions of dollars in fines under a new, mandatory code of conduct that protects food suppliers like farmers and family businesses from mistreatment. An interim review of the ACCC's Food and Grocery Code of Conduct revealed business recommendations that aim to restructure "a heavy imbalance in market power between suppliers and supermarkets" in Australia.
Source: vice.com
Carrefour returns to Bulgaria after a decade
French supermarket chain Carrefour is back in Bulgaria after a nearly ten-year hiatus, according to local media reports. News portal Capital reported that the retailer opened two stores in Sofia in the TSUM (Central Department Store) and on Al. Malinov Blvd, replacing a previous Parkmart store and offering a more compact format compared to Carrefour's previous presence in the country.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Can a Waitrose shopper's gaze boost loose produce and cut plastic waste?
A supermarket is using eye-tracking technology to find what messaging encourages take-up of unpackaged fruit and veg. Hooked up with the glasses, a shopper is being tailed around a Waitrose produce department by a researcher carrying a large tablet that displays live footage of them picking up things such as potatoes, apples, and bananas.
Source: theguardian.com
European Commission examines complaint about Hungary's tax on foreign retailers
The European Commission is looking into a complaint about Hungary's tax on retailers, saying it will "ensure appropriate follow-up" after the Austrian government and Austrian supermarket chain Spar objected to the policy in letters seen by Reuters. Taxes on retailers in Hungary have been increasing since the government announced a special tax in 2020, and the tax rate is now up to 4.5% of revenues, Spar Austria CEO Hans Reisch said in letters to the Commission on March 4, 11, and 20.
Source: reuters.com
India's Vishal Mega Mart said to pick Kotak, ICICI for mega IPO
Indian supermarket chain Vishal Mega Mart Pvt. has picked banks as it presses ahead with a planned initial public offering in Mumbai this year, according to people familiar with the matter. Vishal Mega Mart chose Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. and ICICI Bank Ltd to help arrange a share sale as early as in the fourth quarter of this year, the people said, asking not to be identified because the deliberations are private.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Ireland: Retailers must step up and support fruit & vegetable growers
IFA President Francie Gorman called on all players in the food chain, big retailers in particular, to engage with their suppliers of Irish fruit and vegetables to ensure they can remain financially viable and overcome the current crisis being caused by the adverse wet weather conditions. "Growers of fruit and field vegetables, in particular, are under intense pressure due to the continued challenging weather conditions", Francie Gorman said.
Source: ifa.ie
Belgium: Delhaize franchising operation is halfway
Belgian retailer Delhaize reopened its supermarket Sart Tilman in Liège under independent ownership. It is the 64th store to be transferred out of the 128, so the retailer is exactly halfway. The whole transition plan should be completed before the end of this year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Brits enjoying the biggest baking cheese boom since the 1970s
Tesco Cheese Buyer Charlotte Gramlick said: "Brits are a nation of cheese lovers, and any food with molten cheese such as pizza, baked potatoes, cauliflower, macaroni and even plain cheese on toast is generally a winner that is loved by young and old alike."
Source: tescoplc.com
Ireland: Smithfield Victorian fruit and vegetable market is set to reopen
Dublin's Victorian fruit and vegetable market in Smithfield is set to finally reopen. The market has been closed since 2019. City Council chief executive Richard Shakespeare has confirmed to the Irish Times that the redevelopment of Dublin's Victorian fruit and vegetable market is finally to go ahead at a cost of around €25mln.
Source: fm104.ie
Germany: Tegut expands and restructures management boardWith the new management structure, Tegut now has five members on its management board: Robert Schweininger (sales and purchasing), Michael Egerer (logistics/SCM and IT), Alexander Wilhelm (expansion, construction, and real estate), Knut Röger (finance and human resources) and Thomas Gutberlet is chairperson.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: New Seasons Market champions sustainable agriculture through Earth Month celebration
In observance of Earth Month, New Seasons Market is launching "Building Better Soil for a Healthier Future," an effort in which the neighborhood grocer and select vendor partners are collaborating to contribute to the vitality of the planet. During the month of April, more than 25 brands found at New Seasons Market's 21 stores will donate 1% of their sales to benefit Zero Foodprint, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers implement regenerative agricultural practices. In collaboration, New Seasons Market will also contribute 1% of its Partner Brand private label product sales.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Weis Markets revamps store in Central Pennsylvania
Weis Markets Inc., which has been focusing on providing low prices to consumers and improving efficiencies to streamline operations, is following a parallel track to store improvement. The mid-Atlantic grocer announced an extensive remodeling project at its location in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, in the south-central part of the state.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
99 Cents Only discount chain to close all US stores
The discount chain 99 Cents Only announced that it will close all 371 of its stores in the US as part of an "orderly wind-down" of the business. In a statement, the company's interim CEO, Mike Simoncic, said 99 Cents Only had been under economic pressures that had "greatly hindered the company's ability to operate."
Source: theguardian.com