Australia: Coles opens its second world-class automated customer fulfilment centre in time for Christmas
Coles has marked a major milestone in its technology-led supply chain innovation journey, with the official opening of its second Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in New South Wales, bringing together world-class technology and automation to enhance the shopping experience for Coles Online customers in greater Sydney.
Source: colesgroup.com.au
Cyprus: Soaring prices of fruits and vegetables hitting consumers hard
Marios Antoniou, General Secretary of the Pancyprian Retail Trade Association, confirmed the growing burden on consumers. "People are frustrated", Antoniou said, noting that the high costs of basic produce are deterring many from buying as much as they need. "They're shopping more often but in smaller quantities because they can't afford to buy in bulk". An example cited by Antoniou illustrates the issue: in many stores, tomatoes and cherry tomatoes are being sold at €4-€5 per kilo, a price point that has proven prohibitive for many households. As a result, many products remain unsold, further complicating the situation for retailers.
Source: knews.kathimerini.com.cy
UK: Sainsbury's biggest investor QIA cuts holding
The biggest shareholder in Sainsbury's, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), is selling 306mln pounds ($399mln) worth of shares in the British supermarket group, according to regulatory filings.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Munchkin Pumpkins from just 49p
Asda predicts to sell up to 2mln fresh pumpkins over the festive season, with the Munchkin Pumpkin (now on offer for 49p, down from 79p) and Large Pumpkin (£1.89) the most popular amongst customers.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Amazon nearing top 3 in Dutch ecommerce
Unlike most European countries, local players generate the most online revenue in the Netherlands. The top 3 in online spending for 2023 is led by online department store bol. Supermarket chain Albert Heijn, a sister company of bol, takes second place, and electronics retailer Coolblue is in third. Amazon rises in the new ranking and claims fourth place. Online retailers in the Netherlands are ranked annually in the Twinkle100, a publication by ecommerce trade magazine Twinkle.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Finland: S Group's sales continued to grow in January - September
The retail sales before taxes of S Group's regional cooperatives, SOK Corporation and their subsidiaries amounted to EUR 10,629.3mln in January–September. This represents an increase of 0.6% from the previous year. In January–September, the retail sales before taxes of S Group's supermarket trade totalled EUR 7,927.2mln. Compared with the corresponding period in the previous year, sales grew by 2.6%.
Source: s-ryhma.fi
Poland's Żabka sets IPO price at 21.50 zlotys/share
Polish convenience store group Żabka priced its initial public offering (IPO) in Warsaw at 21.50 zlotys per share, at the top of the previously given range, valuing the group at 21.5bln zlotys (€5bln).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Belgium: Colruyt changes 'red prices' policy (again)
Belgian market leader Colruyt has reevaluated its discount indication policy, as consumers are becoming ever more sensitive to promotions. The famous 'red prices' once again indicate a reactions to competitors' discounts. CEO Stefan Goethaert has now told Belgian newspaper De Tijd that "customers' sensitivity to promotions has increased".
Source: retaildetail.eu
Strong regional disparities in European B2C e-commerce give mixed picture on sector's growth
Ecommerce Europe and EuroCommerce have once again joined forces for the 2024 European E-commerce Report. In 2023, the European B2C e-commerce sector experienced a modest growth of 3%, up from 2% in 2022, with nominal turnover increasing from €864bln to €887bln, and inflation declining from 8.5% to 6.1%. However, despite overall nominal growth, the e-commerce landscape shows significant regional disparities.
Source: eurocommerce.eu
Japan: 7-Eleven's parent company cuts full-year earnings forecast, presses ahead with restructuring
Japanese convenience retailer Seven & i Holdings slashed its earnings forecasts for the fiscal year ending February 2025. The company slashed its profit forecast for the fiscal year ending February 2025 and now expects net income of 163bln yen ($1.09bln), a 44.4% reduction from its prior forecast of 293bln yen. The reduction comes as it reported first-half net profit of 52.24bln yen on 6.04tln yen in revenue.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Wakefern welcomes new leader to fresh division
Wakefern Food Corp. has tapped Mark Van Buskirk as group VP of fresh. He will oversee the fresh food division of the retailer-owned co-op, which includes bakery, meat, seafood, produce, appetizers/foodservice and floral.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: How Weis Markets is getting an e-commerce boost with Amazon
Weis Markets was initially skeptical when Amazon came to it with a plan to fulfill delivery orders for the chain. But the grocer's decision to accept the proposal has turned out to benefit the East Coast supermarket chain on several fronts, the company's chief information officer said.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: New Whole Foods Market in Hyannis, Massachusetts, now open
Whole Foods Market opened a new 42,560-square-foot store located at 790 Iyannough Road. The store is a relocation of the existing Hyannis store (990 Iyannough Rd), which has served the community for more than a decade. The Hyannis store's product assortment includes more than 370 locally sourced items from across New England, each selected to meet Whole Foods Market's stringent quality standards.
Source: media.wholefoodsmarket.com
More snacks to include fruit and vegetable ingredients: report
Almost half (48%) of consumers globally consume over two snacks a day, according to a new report from HealthFocus International. "Made with fruits and vegetables" is the third highest driver to snack selection globally, the report said.
Source: fooddive.com
Costco reports higher sales in September
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported net sales of $24.6bln for the real month of September, up from $22.6bln last year. Comparable sales in Canada rose 5.7%. Total company sales increased 6.7% and e-commerce sales were up 22.9%. U.S. sales climbed 6.5%.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
The fruit and vegetable renaissance: Championing transparency
Elizabeth Pigg, chief communications officer at That's it. reported: "Today's consumers are more informed and discerning about what they eat. However, despite growing awareness, only 1 in 10 Americans are meeting the recommended fruit and vegetable intake. This gap highlights the need for accessible, nutritious options that make it easier for everyone to incorporate more fruits into their diets. As the chief communications officer at That's it., I'm proud of our company's mission to deliver 200mln fruit servings this year".
Source: forbes.com