US: Parent group is the next to oppose Kroger, Albertsons merger
ParentsTogether Action, in collaboration with the national “Stop the Merger” coalition, protested outside the Federal Trade Commission headquarters in Washington, D.C., to voice opposition to the grocery deal. Parents, children and activists joined together in an attempt to persuade the agency, which has yet to rule on the merger. ParentsTogether Action is a national, parent-led organization that helps parents stay up to date on issues affecting parents. According to the coalition, more than 13,000 have signed a petition to stop the Kroger, Albertsons deal.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: ‘Eat a Whole Lot More Plants’ campaign encourages New Yorkers to put vegetables at the center of their plates
Vision Times had the opportunity to sit down with Kim Kessler, the Assistant Commissioner of the Bureau of Chronic Disease Prevention at the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) to discuss the City’s recently launched “Eat a Whole Lot More Plants” campaign. The campaign urges New Yorkers to put plants on their plates and to adopt a healthy, balanced diet full of whole foods to address a variety of challenges facing the city’s residents including chronic illnesses like type 2 diabetes. Citing a recent survey, Kessler said that only 7% of New Yorkers are eating the recommended five servings of vegetables or fruits per day, and that the City aims to change that by implementing a targeted marketing campaign.
Source: visiontimes.com
US: Serve Robotics to deploy up to 2,000 sidewalk delivery bots on Uber Eats
Serve Robotics, the Uber spinout that builds autonomous sidewalk delivery robots, is expanding its partnership with Uber Eats. The Nvidia-backed startup will now deploy up to 2,000 of its cute little bots via Uber’s platform in multiple markets across the U.S. The partnership is slated to last through the beginning of 2026.
Source: techcrunch.com
Amazon: ‘Digital euro accelerates innovation’
Amazon is convinced of the added value of the digital euro, which the European Central Bank (ECB) aims to introduce. The company has built a prototype for its application in ecommerce payments.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Belgium: Renewed OKay Jabbeke reopens on 2 June as a sustainable local supermarket
On Friday 2 June, OKay Jabbeke reopens its doors after undergoing a thorough facelift. Thanks to the fresh and modern interior, customers of OKay Jabbeke can now find their way even more easily in the wide range of fresh products. "In the renewed freshmart our extensive range of fresh fruit and vegetables is shown to its full advantage", store manager Annelies explains.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Romania: Retailer Profi sees sales up 22% in 2022
Retailer Profi has recorded a sales increase of more than 22% in its 2022 financial year, to 11.7bln RON (€2.3bln). EBITDA increased by 5% compared to the previous year, the group said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
New Zealand: Countdown to freeze prices on 300 products but only two vegetables make the list
Countdown is freezing prices on a revised list of basic food items again this winter. Just two vegetables were on the list - a pack of mushrooms remained at $4 and 4kg of potatoes at $10.
Source: rnz.co.nz
Italy: Esselunga invests €65mln in Genoa superstore
Supermarket chain Esselunga has opened its second store in Genoa, in which it has invested an estimated €65mln. The San Benigno superstore is the brand’s second store in Genoa, following the one in Via Piave opened in late 2020. The fruit and vegetables counters feature more than 500 selected products, the Bio line and many local products.
Source: esmmagazine.com
1,000 jobs at risk at Carrefour France?
As part of its cost-cutting plans, Carrefour is reportedly looking to cut as many as one in eight jobs at its French headquarters. The retailer did not confirm the rumours for now.
Source: retaildetail.eu
HMP Northumberland: Prison farm shop to sell inmates' produce
A charity is setting up a farm shop at a prison to sell produce grown on site to the public. The Oswin Project, set up to help ex-offenders, will also take over the management of HMP Northumberland's gardens. Chief executive Fiona Sample said the shop, set to open on 28 June, would prevent produce normally grown for prisoners being wasted. The prison, near Acklington, houses about 1,400 male inmates.
Source: bbc.co.uk
UK: Competition watchdog to study link between input costs and high food prices
The UK competition watchdog plans to gather evidence from suppliers and retailers as part of its work to assess how “competition” is working in the grocery retail market in the UK. In an open letter to stakeholders the Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) said it is seeking to determine the “drivers” of grocery price inflation.
Source: agriland.co.uk
New Zealand: Cauliflower steak predicted to trend this winter
Vegetables don’t have to be the side dish to main meals this winter, as the seasons brings forth a selection of delicious options for the whānau table. A cauliflower steak (resembling a ‘steak’, cauliflower steak is a head of cauliflower that is cut into larger slabs, instead of smaller florets. Because it's larger, it takes a little longer to roast), roasted with paprika and chilli is a great quick, mid-week option. Serve it with a crisp winter salad of fresh herbs, grated carrot, apple and a handful of spinach plus protein of choice - for a complete meal. 5+ A Day Trustee and Principal Scientist and Team Leader at Plant and Food Research, Dr Carolyn Lister says as the cost of living stretches Kiwi, whānau can maximise in-season vegetables and get creative.
Source: 5aday.co.nz
Spain: Caprabo expands in Barcelona with five new openings
Retailer Caprabo has announced it plans to open five new supermarkets in Barcelona in June, with a total estimated investment of €3.1mln. The new stores, one of which is company-owned, are located in four districts in the Barcelona metropolitan area; in L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Badalona, El Prat de Llobregat and Sant Feliu de Llobregat.
Source: esmmagazine.com