US: Grocery associations support EPA's deregulation efforts
Both FMI - The Food Industry Association and the National Grocers Association applauded the Environmental Protection Agency's announcement that it would reconsider regulations on the use of certain refrigerants. The EPA said it was evaluating the Technology Transition Rule, which calls for the transition away from the manufacture, sale, and use of some hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in retail refrigeration systems.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Dollar General hits $40bln in fiscal year net sales for first time ever
For the first time in company history, Dollar General hit $40bln in a fiscal year. The discount retailer's fourth quarter wasn't bad either, with $10.3bln in net sales for a year-over-year gain of 4.5%. Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos, however, voiced caution for 2025 during the retailer's fourth quarter earnings call. Vasos said the Goodlettsville, Tennessee-based company is not anticipating any improvement in the macro environment. Fourth quarter same store sales were up 1.2% year over year, and 1.4% for fiscal year 2024. Operating profit, however, dropped 49.2% to $294.2mln.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Procurant expands retail grocery connections for perishable goods suppliers
Procurant reported: "Procurant, a leading collaborative software platform for retail grocers, announced a major expansion of its network of retail grocery connections, now available to all suppliers on the Procurant platform. This expansion introduces seamless digital connections to some of the largest and most influential grocery and foodservice retailers, including: ALDI; Associated Grocers of New England; Costco; Gelson's; H-E-B; Stater Bros.; Target; Trader Joe's; US Foods; Wakefern; WinCo".
Source: businesswire.com
Empire CEO: Canadian consumers reject U.S. products
Canadian consumers are overwhelmingly rejecting products made in the U.S. and showing their support for Canadian brands, Empire Co., the parent of Canadian supermarket giant Sobeys, said. "Sales of the American products we sell are rapidly dropping", said Michael Medline, president and CEO, Empire Co., in the company's third-quarter conference call with analysts. Empire reported net income of $101.4mln for the third quarter, which ended February 1, vs. $93mln in the year-ago quarter, an increase of about 9%. On an adjusted basis, net income was down about 4.5%. Q3 sales were up 3.1%, to about $5.4bln, driven in part by a 2.6% increase in same-store sales, which continues a trend of sequential same-stores sales gains, the company said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
South Africa: SPAR plans chain of up to 40 high-end grocery stores
South Africa's SPAR Group is planning a chain of about 30 to 40 high-end grocery stores, with the first set to open in the fourth quarter of this year, an executive said, as the retailer targets affluent shoppers.
Source: reuters.com
UK: First profit is milestone for Deliveroo
For the first time in its 12-year existence, British meal delivery service Deliveroo has made a profit. On a turnover of 2.1bln pounds (2.5bln euros), up 5%, Deliveroo posted a profit of 2.9mln pounds (3.6mln euros) last financial year. That is a sharp turnaround compared to the 32mln pounds (38mln euros) loss in 2023. The delivery company also generated positive cash flow for the first time.
Source: retaildetail.eu
France: Carrefour gets green light for acquisition of Cora and Match
The French competition authority has given final approval to Carrefour's acquisition of Louis Delhaize Group's operations. However, the retailer must divest eight stores.
Source: retaildetail.eu
SPAR committed to local and sustainable sourcing
SPAR Gran Canaria supports local producers through long-term partnerships, enabling them to sell their produce in stores across the region. SPAR Gran Canaria collaborates with over 200 producers on the island to promote local products. This support includes a partnership with the Agricultural Cooperative Society of San Nicolás (COAGRISAN) to promote the production of tomatoes from La Aldea. Additionally, SPAR Gran Canaria purchases bananas directly from local farmers, collaborates with farmers in Vallesco to promote local reineta apples, and sources strawberries grown in Valsequillo.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: More than 200 Asda staff exit amid IT upgrade
More than 200 Asda employees are set to leave the business as it prepares to conclude its IT system upgrade. It is understood that the change comes as the majority of Asda's operations have successfully transitioned to new systems as part of 'Project Future' - the supermarket's attempt to transition from former majority owner Walmart's legacy IT system.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
New Zealand: Foodstuffs co-ops warn of tariff impacts, as global demand for three key commodities leads rise in food price inflation
The Foodstuffs co-ops say an increase in the rate of food price inflation in January was led by ongoing spikes in key global commodities, with the effects of the US's new tariffs yet to be seen. Specific foods seeing the biggest YOY price decrease in January were orange kūmara (down 60%), brown onions (down 32%) canned spaghetti (down 26%) and green kiwifruit (down 22%). Foodstuffs produce experts say there was plentiful supply of fruits like cherries, nectarines and peaches, with new season apples arriving several weeks ahead of schedule too.
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
Lidl Northern Ireland appoints Co Down man as new regional managing director
Lidl Northern Ireland has announced the appointment of a new regional managing director. Gordon Cruikshanks, who has worked for the discount grocer for 20 years, is taking over from Ivan Ryan. Mr Ryan has now become chief customer officer for Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Source: belfasttelegraph.co.uk
Starship Technologies agrees tie up with Swedish firm foodora for fast home delivery
Starship Technologies, a specialist in autonomous delivery services, has announced a partnership with foodora, a Swedish quick commerce platform. Starship's fleet of fully electric delivery robots are now delivering foodora orders, starting in Stockholm.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: Tesco to trial giving away expiring food to shoppers
Tesco is to begin a trial giving expiring food to customers for free at the end of the day as it tries to cut food waste. The supermarket will give away some already discounted "yellow sticker" items after 21:30 in some of its smaller Express stores in coming months. Tesco already donates expiring food to charities and foodbanks. It says it is taking this step to try to meet its goal to halve food waste.
Source: bbc.com