US: Shoppable recipe technology company Grocery Shopii closes down after 'incredible' five year journey
Katie H. Hotze, CEO at US-based startup Grocery Shopii, has taken to social media to discuss the "difficult decision to close the business after five rewarding years of innovation and growth".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Justo closes Brazilian online supermarket
Justo, a Mexican online grocery store, has shut down its operations in Brazil following a three-year run, citing the challenges in a competitive market. Despite a recent $70mln investment, including a General Atlantic-led equity round, the company ceased operations by mid-December.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Ingles' net sales, gross profit down in 4Q
Following a trend this fiscal year, for its fourth quarter ended September 28, Ingles Markets Inc. reported net sales of $1.40bln for the quarter, compared with $1.58bln for the quarter ended September 30, 2023. Q4 results of fiscal 2024 had 13 weeks versus 14 weeks for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2023. Gross profit for Ingles' fourth quarter totaled $299.4mln, or 21.4% of sales, while gross profit for the year-ago period was $369.7mln, or 23.3% of sales.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Aldi expands in Georgia
Aldi has expanded its presence in Georgia with the opening of new stores in Hartwell and Brunswick. The new locations officially opened on December 19 and wil be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Source: storebrands.com
The produce sector preps for a snack attack
Research for the Power of Produce 2024 report published by Arlington, Virginia-based FMI - The Food Industry Association reveals that there already is considerable shopper interest in produce snacking. Thirty-seven percent of consumers always or usually include fruits as a morning snack, while 22% do so for vegetables, the report states. In addition, 38% and 29%, respectively, always or usually include fruits and vegetables as an afternoon snack, and 36% and 23% do so for an evening snack.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Realty Income acquires six Carrefour hypermarkets in Spain
US real estate giant Realty Income is expanding its Spanish portfolio with the acquisition of six Carrefour hypermarkets for approximately €100mln. The hypermarkets are located in Dos Hermanas (Seville), Orense, Torrelavega (Cantabria), Almería, the Las Arenas shopping centre in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and Palma de Majorca. Carrefour will continue to operate the stores. According to the Spanish daily Cinco Dias, this deal highlights investor interest in supermarket and hypermarket properties, considered resilient assets.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Amazon takes battle with Future Group to India's top court, fearing "irreparable harm"
Amazon.com Inc took its legal challenge against partner Future Group's $3.4bln retail assets sale to India's Supreme Court, as the U.S. firm tries to stop a major rival buying the assets. Amazon alleges that Future Group violated contracts by agreeing to sell the retail assets to market leader Reliance Industries last year. Future denies any wrongdoing.
Source: reuters.com
Delhaize completes acquisition in Luxembourg
Belgian supermarket chain Delhaize has acquired Alima, a chain of two convenience stores in Luxembourg City, to claim the title of market leader in the Grand Duchy's capital.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Poland's Biedronka delays Slovakian launch
Polish discount supermarket chain Biedronka has delayed its entry into the Slovakian market, missing the pre-Christmas shopping season. The first stores were originally slated to open by the end of 2024, including locations in several cities and towns. Portuguese retail group Jerónimo Martins, which owns Biedronka, confirmed the delay to Slovakian portal Aktuality.sk.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Japan: KKR and Bain each bid more than $5 bln for Seven & i assets, sources say
Private equity firms KKR and Bain Capital each offered more than $5bln in first-round bids for the non-core assets of Japan's Seven & i Holdings, according to people familiar with the matter.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Co-op accelerates convenience growth with 75 new stores planned to open in 2025
Co-op has revealed its commitment to continued convenience growth with a planned 75 new stores opening this year (2025), across the UK. The new stores will be both Co-op estate stores and Co-op franchise stores, a sector the convenience retailer has actively pursued recently with strong growth.
Source: co-operative.coop
M&S delivers first British asparagus of the season in time for Christmas Eve
M&S is offering a limited number of bundles of the first British asparagus of the season in time for local shoppers to buy on Christmas Eve. The offer has been made possible with the upmarket retailer's long-term partnership with Herefordshire asparagus producer Wye Valley Produce, a pioneer of the asparagus industry, developing sustainable growing methods and experimenting with varieties to extend the season.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Lidl's British sales up 7% on Christmas turkeys and holiday staples
The British arm of German retailer Lidl reported a 7% rise in sales over the four-week period before Christmas, with demand for holiday staples such as turkey and pigs in blankets pushing its turnover to a record high. The company, which has over 970 stores across the United Kingdom, said turnover exceeded 1bln pounds ($1.25bln) in the four weeks to December 24 for the first time in its 30 years in Britain.
Source: reuters.com
China's Wemart opens first branch in Saudi Arabia
Chinese Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Chang Hua announced the launch of the first branch of the Chinese hypermarket chain Wemart in Saudi Arabia. "I am delighted to launch the first Chinese Wemart hypermarket in Riyadh. There is a wide range of Asian goods and foods, and all vegetables are produced on its own farm. I would like to thank my fellow ambassadors for joining us today", the Chinese Ambassador said on X.
Source: argaam.com
Picadeli continues its rapid expansion in Germany
The Swedish salad bar brand continues to thrive across Europe. A few months after marking its 250th location in Germany, the number has now risen to 300. This growth further solidifies Picadeli's position as a leading player in one of Europe's most significant markets. "Growing from 250 to 300 salad bars in such a short time not only demonstrates the strength of our business model but also how well we are meeting consumers' needs for healthy and sustainable food", said David von Laskowski, CEO and Group President of Picadeli and Greenfood Group.
Source: greenfood.se
Alibaba's supermarket Freshippo records 9 straight months of profit, CEO says
Freshippo, Alibaba Group Holding's grocery chain known as Hema in its home market, was profitable for nine straight months in 2024, the unit's chief executive Yan Xiaolei said in an internal letter. The supermarket opened 72 new stores across China in the past year, averaging one every five days, the most in five years, according to Yan, who assumed the CEO role in March.
Source: scmp.com
South Korea's Shinsegae to set up joint venture with Alibaba International
South Korean retailer Shinsegae plans to set up a joint venture with Alibaba International, Shinsegae affiliate E-Mart said. The joint venture will be formed partly by Shinsegae investing its 100% stake in South Korean e-commerce platform Gmarket, it said in a regulatory filing.
Source: reuters.com