US: Stop & Shop workers threaten strike
All five United Food and Commercial Workers union locals representing Stop & Shop employees in New England have threatened to strike in solitarily with a Teamers local representing workers at a Stop & Shop warehouse.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Canada: Loblaw sees profits under pressure
Loblaw Cos. said it expected its profits for the year to fall below analysts' expectations as the company faces pressure from cautious Canadian consumers and ongoing price inflation. Loblaw said its operating income for the fourth quarter was down 9.7%, to about $600.4mln, vs. the year-ago fourth quarter. Net income available to common shareholders was down 14.6%, to $325.6mln, primarily driven by a non-cash charge of about $91mln related to the revaluation of its PC Optimum loyalty program. Q4 revenues were up 2.9%, to $10.5bln, including 3% growth in retail sales.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: New grocery store to make fresh produce more accessible to food insecure Las Vegas families
Getting a nutritious meal is not an option for one in five children who live in the Las Vegas valley but a new grocery store will try to make a dent by offering fresh produce in Las Vegas' Historic Westside. The Obodo Greengrocer store will open on Saturday, February 22 and will offer fresh vegetables and fruits along with some other essential goods to help families who struggle to eat more healthy food because of high prices and inaccessibility. The store is part of the Obodo Collective.
Source: 8newsnow.com
US: H-E-B opens another e-comm fulfillment center in Houston
Texas-based H-E-B has opened a new e-commerce fulfillment center in Houston to help drive omnichannel growth. The 100,000-square-foot stand-alone facility will support H-E-B Curbside and Home Delivery orders throughout Houston and surrounding cities.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Walmart gains market share with another strong quarter
Walmart Inc. has posted another strong quarter, reporting revenue of $180.6bln, up 4.1%, for the three-month period ended January 31. In the company's fourth quarter, gross margin rate was up 53 basis points, led by Walmart U.S.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Ahold Delhaize receives 2025 global Leading Employers award
Ahold Delhaize reported: "At the 2025 Leading Employers event held in Frankfurt this month, Ahold Delhaize was once again recognized as being among the top 1% of employers globally. In recognition of Ahold Delhaize's qualities as an employer, the global Leading Employers award was presented to Gez Asafu-Agyei, Director Strategic Partnerships at Ahold Delhaize Group, and Eline van der Hulst, NextCo member and Manager Area Delivery e-Commerce at Albert Heijn".
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
China: Alibaba Group announces December quarter 2024 results
Alibaba Group Holding Limited ("Alibaba" or "Alibaba Group") announced its financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024: Revenue was RMB280,154mln (US$38,381mln), an increase of 8% year-over-year. Income from operations was RMB41,205mln (US$5,645mln), an increase of 83% yearover-year, primarily due to the decrease in impairment of intangible assets as well as the increase in adjusted EBITA. Net income attributable to ordinary shareholders was RMB48,945mln (US$6,705mln).
Source: alibabagroup.com
Lidl boosts annual investment in Irish suppliers to €1.67bln and bumps Irish exports by 5%
Lidl Ireland's latest Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report shows the retailer procured more than €1.67bln worth of goods and services from Irish businesses in 2024 - an increase of €41mln (or 2.5%) on last year - demonstrating Lidl's continued strong investment in Ireland. Of this, Lidl Ireland procured €1.2bln worth of goods from the Irish agrifood sector in 2024 - up €89mln (or 7%) on 2023 - and procured a further €426mln worth of services from business partners in Ireland in 2024.
Source: corporate.lidl.ie
UK: Community celebrates the relaunch of SPAR Barrowford
An enhanced, standout range of vibrant fresh fruit and vegetables is now stocked in store, including loose produce and products that are on a mix and match deal. The range of freshly baked bread has also been boosted to the benefit of customers.
Source: jameshall.co.uk
Belgium: Cora increases Too Good To Go collaboration
After a successful test, Cora is rolling out its collaboration with Too Good To Go to six Belgian hypermarkets. With that digital solution, the retailer can manage shelf life data more efficiently and reduce food waste.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Online shopping in the EU keeps growing
Online shopping in the EU continues to expand, according to the latest annual survey on ICT usage in households and by individuals. The highest percentages of internet users who made online purchases in 2024 were in Ireland (96%), the Netherlands (94%) and Denmark (91%). Conversely, Bulgaria had the lowest share at 57%, followed by Italy and Romania, both at 60%.
Source: ec.europa.eu
Subway trials jacket potatoes in over 170 UK stores
Subway® is trialling a new range of freshly made, hot, fluffy, jacket potatoes in select restaurants across the UK. Spudway™ jacket potatoes are freshly made in-store daily and can be enjoyed on their own, or as part of a meal deal - which includes a spud, drink, plus crisps or cookie at a great value price. The jacket potatoes are available in over 170 Subway® restaurants from Tuesday 19th February until 15th April, or while stocks last, with potential for a nationwide rollout later this year.
Source: newsroom.subway.com
UK: Sainsbury's transforms food waste into fuel for 30 trucks at its Bristol distribution centre
Sainsbury's is set to revolutionise its logistics to transform food waste into fuel for a number of its HGV trucks. From March, the pioneering initiative will see biofuel produced directly from Sainsbury's food waste power 30 trucks at its Emerald Park distribution centre, half the site's fleet.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
UK: CMA finds that GXO's purchase of Wincanton could lead to supermarkets facing higher costs
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has published the findings from its initial assessment of GXO's £762mln purchase of logistics rival Wincanton, in which it warns that the deal could reduce competition in the supply of dedicated warehousing services to supermarkets in the UK.
Source: kamcity.com
Sweden: ICA Gruppen publishes Annual Report for 2024
ICA Gruppen's annual report for 2024 is now available at www.icagruppen.se. The annual report, which also includes ICA Gruppen's sustainability report, is available as a PDF document for download. In addition, an annual overview is published, providing a broader presentation of ICA Gruppen's operations during the year.
Source: icagruppen.se
Spain: Mercadona awarded for its innovative rice and vegetables tray meal and its new QR code
Mercadona reported: "The Observatory, made up of a panel of independent experts, has awarded prizes to the company's new rice with vegetables tray meal as the first cooked rice product in microwaveable packaging, a product that it has developed with its specialist supplier Platos Tradicionales. Another innovation that has received recognition is the new QR labelling on its products, which represents an evolution of the traditional barcode and a significant step forward for the company's operational efficiency".
Source: info.mercadona.es