Canada: METRO Inc. completes the transformation of its supply chain with an investment of nearly a $1bln
METRO Inc. ("METRO") announced the inauguration of its automated distribution centre for fresh products in Toronto which marks the completion of nearly billion-dollar investment in the modernization of its supply chain. With the new Toronto Fresh distribution centre now fully in operation, the final milestone of METRO's seven-year modernization project has been reached.
Source: newswire.ca
US: Uber Eats now accepting SNAP EBT nationwide with Albertsons Companies, Walgreens
Uber Eats is accepting SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) EBT (Electronic Benefits Transfer) payments, starting with the regional grocery banners Albertsons, Safeway, Jewel-Osco and Vons as well as Walgreens locations nationwide and Duane Reade stores exclusively in New York.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Brookshire Grocery widens presence in Texas
Brookshire Grocery Co.'s footprint in Texas just got bigger. The retailer announced that it is acquiring four Shoppin' Baskit stores in West and Central Texas and will integrate them into the Spring Market banner.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Lidl looks to hold onto its roots as it reboots its image
Lidl's updated U.S. marketing strategy is centered around attracting more people to its stores by emphasizing that it offers the "freshest possible" produce, meat and baked goods alongside a "manageable amount" of center store choices, said Joel Rampoldt, who took over as CEO of Lidl US in mid-2023.
In other news: Lidl US opening a fresh new store in Pelham, New York.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: SpartanNash acquiring Markham Enterprises Inc.
Food solutions company SpartanNash (the "Company") announced that it has entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with Markham Enterprises, Markham Oil and its affiliates, a three-store chain of convenience stores and fuel distributor in mid-Michigan.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: PepsiCo to shutter Chicago bottling plant, laying off more than 100 workers
PepsiCo is closing a Chicago bottling plant that "has physical limitations", the company said in an email to Food Dive. Teamsters Local 727, the union group representing the plant's workers, said more than 100 people would be impacted.
Source: fooddive.com
Spar appoints Michael Fletcher as UK managing director
Michael Fletcher has been appointed as the new managing director of Spar UK Ltd. With over two decades of experience, he brings a wealth of knowledge from various high-profile roles within the convenience and grocery retail sectors.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
Saudi agtech Nabt raises $1.5mln seed for its B2B fresh produce marketplace
Saudi agtech startup Nabt has raised $1.5mln in a seed round led by Merak Capital, it announced. The round was also joined by a few angel investors. Founded in 2022 by Abdullah Alotaibi, Nabt operates a three-sided marketplace connecting farmers, businesses, and delivery partners. The platform enables farmers to sell fresh produce directly to hotels, restaurants, catering companies, supermarkets, and other business customers.
Source: menabytes.com
Belgium: Colruyt reveals new concept, aims for 100 city stores by 2032
Belgian market leader Colruyt Group has very lofty ambitions with its new Okay City concept, which should have 100 locations in eight years' time. The city stores will function as trial stores as well, so that successful tests can be expanded to the retailer's other, larger store concepts.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Australian grocer Woolworths warns food earnings to fall as shoppers seek bargains
Australian grocer Woolworths warned first-half profit from its main Australian food division would dip as a hunt for bargains and intense scrutiny of supermarkets during a cost-of-living crisis lower shelf prices, sending its shares tumbling. Sydney-based Woolworths forecast earnings before interest and taxes between A$1.48bln ($970.73mln) and A$1.53bln for Australian food in the half-year ending December 31, down from A$1.60bln a year earlier.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Traders unhappy at smaller 'food-focused' market
Traders who had to move their stalls to allow the demolition of Leicester Market have hit out at a new scheme for a smaller, food-focused market for the city. But traders are not happy with the new, smaller 48-stall market proposed, which would be prioritised for traders selling "fruit, vegetables and high-quality food from around the world".
Source: bbc.com
UK: Lower shop prices boost prospect of Bank of England rate cut
The chances of a fresh cut in interest rates from the Bank of England next week have been boosted by a report that shows shop prices falling at their fastest pace in more than three years. The monthly snapshot from the British Retail Consortium showed prices were 0.8% lower this month than in October 2023 - compared to an annual fall of 0.6% in September.
Source: theguardian.com
Finland: Oddlygood acquires Rude Health
Finnish plant-based company Oddlygood has taken another step towards its ambition of becoming one of the leading plant-based companies in the UK and Europe with the acquisition of British plant-based drinks company Rude Health for an undisclosed sum.
Source: kamcity.com
Billionaire Ambani's Reliance plays catch-up to ride India quick commerce wave
Asia's richest man Mukesh Ambani is mimicking the strategy of popular Indian grocery startups to drastically change how his retail empire operates: from home deliveries that can take a day or two, his business is now targeting a 10-30 minute service.
Source: reuters.com
New Zealand: Woolworths celebrates excellence at 2024 Supplier Awards
Woolworths New Zealand has announced the winners of its annual Supplier Awards. Taking out the award for Fresh Supreme Supplier of the Year was Willowtree Produce with their work delivering differentiated fruit products producing exceptional results across the tropical fruit categories.
Source: scoop.co.nz
South African supermarket chain Shoprite's first-quarter sales rise 10.4%
South Africa's biggest supermarket group Shoprite said its first-quarter sales rose 10.4%, buoyed by new store openings and growth across all its operating segments.
Source: reuters.com
Coles becomes first Aussie retailer to add electric prime mover truck to its grocery delivery network
Coles has become the country's first retailer to welcome an electric prime mover truck to its transportation network, with the heavy-duty vehicle now delivering groceries to hundreds of stores across Victoria.
Source: colesgroup.com.au