India: Kisanserv to open 250 new stores in Pune, Mumbai 
Agritech startup Kisanserv aims to open 250 new retail stores across Mumbai and Pune over the next three years to offer customers high-quality fruits and vegetables at competitive rates. It has already set up 25 stores in the two cities over 15 months.
Source: yourstory.com
Amazon launching new online store in Ireland, Amazon.ie, in 2025
Amazon has announced that it will launch a new dedicated store in Ireland, Amazon.ie, in 2025, to enhance the retail experience for new and existing customers.
Source: aboutamazon.eu
Belgian retail sales increase 11.7% in March
The volume of retail sales in Belgium, excluding fuels, increased by 11.7% in March 2024 compared to the previous month, according to the latest data from the Belgian statistical office, Statbel. The sales of goods in non-specialised stores increased 11.2% month-on-month, with food, beverages, and tobacco leading this growth, data showed.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Supercentro revamps Wiva cash-and-carry stores in southern Italy
Italian regional food retailer Supercentro is planning to expand in the cash-and-carry segment with a new format and the opening of new stores. The first step in this strategy is the opening of a revamped Wiva cash-and-carry store in San Giorgio Jonico, near Taranto.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Tesco Ireland doubles number of children and families receiving weekly supports through Stronger Starts schools programme
Tesco Ireland has doubled the number of DEIS primary schools nationwide receiving supports from its Stronger Starts schools programme, months ahead of schedule. Every week of the school term, 5,400 children in 240 DEIS primary schools are now receiving free, fresh food packs containing a mix of seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables including apples, onions, potatoes, and carrots.
Source: tescoireland.ie
Italy: Coop Alleanza 3.0 returns to profit in financial year 2023
Italian retail cooperative Coop Alleanza 3.0 bounced back to profitability in 2023. Sales grew 2.6% at the cooperative to reach €5.7bln, while net profit rose to €20mln, from a loss of €117mln the previous year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Malaysia: Vegetable wholesaler Farm Price posts RM2.67mln net profit in 1QFY2024 ahead of listing
Farm Price Holdings Bhd, which will be listed on the ACE Market next Tuesday (May 14), announced net profit of RM2.67mln on revenue of RM30.71mln for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024 (1QFY2024).
Source: theedgemalaysia.com
US: Beyond Meat reports wider-than-expected first-quarter loss
Reuters reported: "Beyond Meat posted a wider-than-expected quarterly loss and an 18% drop in revenue as its higher priced plant-based meat products hit volumes. For the first quarter, the company posted revenue of $75.6mln (€70.2mln), compared with analysts' average estimate of $75.2mln (€69.9mln), according to LSEG data".
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: The Fresh Market opens 48th Florida location
The Fresh Market has opened a new store in Lakewood Ranch, Florida, marking the first store for the specialty food retailer in the city and its 48th in Florida. The new 24,034 square-foot store will offer full-service produce, deli, meat, seafood, bakery, and floral departments in addition to a variety of specialty products, including wine and cheese.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Sales dip at Ingles Markets during Q2
Ingles Markets, Inc. wrapped a wobbly second quarter, which brought declines in sales and net income. According to the regional grocer's latest financial report, net sales fell slightly during the quarter ending March 30, dropping from $1.38bln in Q2 last year to $1.37bln this year.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage announces second quarter fiscal 2024 results
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. announced results for its second quarter of fiscal 2024 ended March 31, 2024. Highlights for second quarter fiscal 2024 compared to second quarter fiscal 2023: net sales increased 8.8% to $308.1mln; net income was $8.0mln, with diluted earnings per share of $0.35; adjusted EBITDA was $19.7mln.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Aldi opens new stores in Michigan and Pennsylvania
Aldi has opened two new stores, one in Muskegon, Michigan, and another in Red Lion, Pennsylvania. The stores opened May 9 and the hours on both are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., the Batavia, Illinois-based grocer said in a press release.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports April sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco" or the "Company") reported net sales of $19.80bln for the retail month of April, the four weeks ended May 5, 2024, an increase of 7.1% from $18.48bln last year.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Meati Foods raises $100mln, rolls out at Kroger nationwide
Fungi-fueled startup Meati Foods has raised more than $100mln in a C-1 round led by Grosvenor Food & AgTech, and has also rolled out its mycelium-based steaks and cutlets into 2,000 Kroger outlets across the US, taking its store count up to 6,000.
Source: agfundernews.com
US: Consumers report significant rise in diet satisfaction since January
In the latest Consumer Food Insights Report, Joseph Balagtas, professor of agricultural economics at Purdue University and director of the Center for Food Demand Analysis and Sustainability, examines the rise in consumer diet satisfaction, looking at urban versus rural populations. One-third of consumers selected "price" as the most important attribute, followed by "food selection" (19%) and "offering of fresh produce" (12%).
Source: purdue.edu
US Foods reports first quarter fiscal year 2024 earnings
US Foods Holding Corp., one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, announced results for the first quarter fiscal year 2024. First quarter fiscal 2024 highlights: net sales increased 4.8% to $8.9bln. Total case volume increased 4.2%; independent restaurant case volume increased 4.6%. Gross profit increased 4.9% to $1.5bln.
Source: businesswire.com