European retail and wholesale calls for swift EU-US trade talks
EuroCommerce reported: "EuroCommerce urges immediate EU-US trade negotiations to address unjustified US tariffs on EU imports. These tariffs fuel inflation and price hikes, adding pressure on European retailers and wholesalers who play a key role in cushioning consumers and business customers from cost increases".
Source: eurocommerce.eu
Digital tools are transforming the way Aussies shop for food and manage their health
The research from the fourth edition of the Living Healthier Report from Woolworths Group health and wellness platform Healthylife has analysed four years worth of supermarket transactions and customer surveys. It also found: Australians are buying more vegetables - There has been a slight increase in vegetable purchases, with potatoes, tomatoes, frozen vegetables, canned vegetables and carrots making up the majority of the vegetable purchases. Simone Austin, Chief Health Officer of Healthylife said: "It's great to see there has been an increase in vegetable consumption. However, we still have a long way to go to make sure we're meeting the recommended daily 5-6 serves of vegetables, as our data shows that Australians are currently only purchasing 2.8 serves per day. Eating one additional serving of vegetables a day, can reduce the risk of long term illness by 14%".
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au
The Ocado Smart Platform is live in South Korea with Lotte
Ocado Group reported: "Lotte is now live with the Ocado Smart Platform (OSP) in South Korea, launching a new online service "Lotte-Mart Zetta" to customers across the country".
Source: ocadogroup.com
Belgium: Delhaize set to turn Ghent church into supermarket, wine bar and restaurant
© Rogier Peterse | FreshPlaza.comThe Delhaize supermarket chain is set to begin renovating the Sint-Anna church in Ghent, to turn it into a shop, restaurant and wine bar. The work should be finished by the autumn of 2027.Source: belganewsagency.eu
Kantar's Worldpanel announces the UK's largest shopper panel, providing even deeper shopper insights
Kantar's Worldpanel, the global experts in decoding shopper and consumer behaviour, announces that it will expand its UK grocery panel by 83% to cover 55,000 households, making it the largest and most representative continuous consumer panel in the UK.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
UK: Simply Fresh set to open new stores
New Simply Fresh stores are due to be launched in the near future, "bringing fresh, local, and convenient shopping to even more communities", the retailer announced on social media. The upmarket grocery store said in a LinkedIn post: "Our mission is to redefine convenience retail with a focus on fresh, healthy choices. Whether you're a shopper looking for the best local produce or a retailer interested in joining our growing franchise network, there's never been a better time to be part of Simply Fresh".
Source: talkingretail.com
Sodexo First half Fiscal 2025 results
Sodexo reported: "First half Fiscal 2025 consolidated revenues were at 12.5bln euros, up +3.1% year-on-year, including a negative currency impact of -0.1% and a net contribution from acquisitions and disposals of -0.3%. Organic revenue growth was +3.5%. Underlying operating profit was 651mln euros, up +6.4%. The Underlying operating margin was up +10 bps at 5.2%".
Source: sodexo.com
Carrefour hikes offer to take Brazil unit private up 10%
France's Carrefour hiked its offer to shareholders of Carrefour Brasil to take the retail giant's Brazilian unit private, both companies said, raising the purchase price by about 10%.
Source: reuters.com
US: South Omaha grocer concerned about produce prices as new tariffs are implemented
© Rogier Peterse | FreshPlaza.comFruits and vegetables grown or harvested out of the U.S, like bananas, limes, and avocados, could see a significant increase. Jose Palomares, owner of Super Carniceria El Pueblito in South Omaha says he fears fruit prices spiking. He's stocking up on canned goods before prices increase. "It's expensive right now, one avocado is $3.20", he said.Source: 3newsnow.com
US: Shoppers will pay more for bananas, coffee and toilet paper because of tariffs, trade group says
The Trump administration's new tariffs will likely mean higher prices for household staples such as coffee, toilet paper and bananas. The U.S. climate limits the domestic production of some key ingredients, according to the Consumer Brands Association, an industry trade group that represents Procter & Gamble and Coca-Cola.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Coborn's acquires another grocery banner
© Rogier Peterse | FreshPlaza.comCoborn's is expanding its store portfolio. Two Kessler's Food locations in the South Dakota towns of Aberdeen and Miller are transferring ownership to Coborn's. Reed Kessler, owner and EVP of Kessler's, made the announcement in a heartfelt letter shared on that grocer's Facebook page.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: BJ's drives growth with focus on perishables
Bob Eddy, chairman and CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club, said unit sales of produce increased 15% in the past year as the company focused on quality and freshness in the category to help drive membership and traffic. In an interview with Matthew Shay, president and CEO of the National Retail Federation, Eddy said BJ's has "cracked the code" on how to expand into new markets as the retailer embarks on an aggressive expansion plan. The effort to improve the quality of its produce offering was part of an initiative called Fresh 2.0, which Eddy described as taking the company's perishables assortment from being "good" to "great." It involved taking distribution in-house, increasing the frequency of deliveries, and retraining produce buyers and workers about the complexities of procuring and merchandising top-quality produce.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Kroger alleges C&S misconduct in Albertsons deal
Kroger claimed in a recent legal filing that C&S Wholesale Grocers is not entitled to the $125mln merger termination fee it is seeking to collect because it breached its contract with the grocer during the battle with regulators over its proposed combination with Albertsons.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Stokes Markets acquiring Gary & Leo's locations in Montana
© Rogier Peterse | FreshPlaza.comStokes Markets, a fourth-generation family grocer with five locations in Montana, Idaho and Utah, has revealed that it will acquire the three Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods IGA stores in Montana after the two businesses came to a mutual agreement. The transition will occur over a three-week period, with Stokes officially assuming operations of its fellow independent food retailer's Florence, Montana, store on May 22, of its Conrad, Montana, store on May 29, and of its Havre, Montana, store on June 5.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Produce contends with a loud and crowded marketing landscape
The food merchandising landscape is cluttered and that is a major impediment for effective fruit and vegetable marketing. "We are a highly distracted world, and merchandisers have roughly eight seconds to catch someone's attention, if even that long", said Russell Zwanka, assistant professor of food marketing and director of the food marketing program at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. The biggest paybacks for produce can come from spotlighting producers, especially local fruit and vegetable growers; demonstrating the multiple ways that shoppers can use produce in different recipes and meal occasions; and emphasizing health benefits, including how produce can be part of a well-rounded diet and wellness regimen, Zwanka said.
Source: supermarketnews.com