Kroger CEO: Merger is not an 'arm wrestle' with the rest of the industry
Kroger CEO Rodney McMullen believes the proposed merger with Albertsons will be good for the entire industry. The grocery chief opened Groceryshop in Las Vegas, talking about the $24.6 billion deal and Kroger's increased investment with local businesses if the merger is approved.
"We don't look at it as an arm wrestle," McMullen told CNBC's Melissa Repco. "We look at how we grow our combined businesses. So I just don't look at any of this as you lose, I win. To me, we have to figure out a way where we [all] win together."
One criticism of the Kroger Albertsons proposed merger is it could reflect the mistakes Albertsons made when it consolidated with Safeway.
Source: Supermarketnews
Harris Teeter rolls out on-demand delivery to metro D.C.
Just over three months after launching in Maryland, Harris Teeter Delivery on-demand grocery delivery has kicked off in metropolitan Washington, D.C. Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter said Wednesday that its delivery service, part of parent company Kroger's Ocado-automated delivery network, offers more than 30,000 items, including fresh produce.
The delivery drivers are uniformed Harris Teeter associates, and orders are delivered in temperature-controlled, red Harris Teeter Delivery trucks. The Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern supermarket chain noted that the trucks use technology to ensure drivers are on the fastest route, minimizing driving time and ensuring groceries arrive faster.
Source: Winsight Grocery Business
Who is C&S Grocers, which is buying 413 stores across the US, 12 in Wyoming?
C&S Wholesale Grocers, buying 413 stores as part of a proposed $25 billion merger between Kroger and Albertsons — including 12 in Wyoming — is one of the largest grocery wholesalers in the U.S. Of the 413 stores Kroger and Albertsons plans to sell to C&S Wholesale Grocers are 12 Wyoming Albertsons outlets.
Just which 12 Albertsons Corp.-owned stores in Wyoming will be sold off to C&S Wholesale Grocers will not be disclosed until the regulatory process examining the proposed $25 billion merger of grocery giants Kroger and Albertsons is nearly concluded.
Kroger and Albertsons jointly announced the sale of 413 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers a little more than a week ago, touting the sale as a solution to antitrust concerns with the merger of the two grocery giants. The deal ensures that the Albert Krogerson merger will meet all the promises that have been made regarding the deal, Kroger's CEO Rodney McMullen said in making the announcement.
C&S Wholesale Grocers is one of the world's largest grocery wholesalers, with annual sales of $30 billion for the distribution of some 100,000 products to 7,500 independent supermarkets and chain stores from Maine to Texas and Hawaii. The family-owned business already has 33 distribution warehouses in some 15 states.
Source: Cowboy State Daily
Walmart is introducing a subscription option for shoppers
Rather than needing to remember to buy needed essentials every month, customers will be able to set up a recurring order at an interval they prefer. Having to order the same items over and over again costs customers too much time, according to Walmart. "When customers shop Walmart.com or the app, their baskets often contain repeat items, which means precious time is spent every weekly shopping trip finding and adding the items they've purchased countless times before," the company said. The subscription option will now be available for thousands of everyday items.
Source: The Sun
Spain: How Mercadona managed to go from a loss in shares to a historic record in just three months
Mercadona reinvents itself. The Valencian supermarket chain, which was losing market share until April last year, has now broken all records, reaching a market share of 27% in August, "an unprecedented level," noted Bernardo Rodilla today, retail director at Kantar, during the presentation of a study on the market situation.
Shortly before the summer of last year, Mercadona had already reached a market share of 26%, but since then, it began to steadily lose market share due to increased food prices. And the problem is, as Juan Roig, the president of Mercadona, admitted last March, "We have raised prices a lot." Although he justified the decision by saying that "if we hadn't done it, the catastrophe in the production chain would be impressive," it cost him the loss of participation.
The turning point came, assures the Kantar boss, when the company announced the price reduction for a total of 500 products in April, which would bring its customers an estimated saving of more than 200 million euros by the end of the year.
Source: Nation World News
UK: Lidl has opened and closed stores this year, with aims to have more than 1,100 stores in the UK
Although one Lidl store is closing, the retailer is planning to open hundreds more locations across Scotland, England, and Wales. Speaking on the branch openings, Lidl GB CEO Ryan McDonnell previously said: "The last few years have been challenging for everyone, but we've made it clear that we're more committed than ever to ensuring that every single household has access to a Lidl store. That's why our focus is firmly on the future as we continue to grow and invest in our infrastructure while keeping a lookout for more sites and locations across the country."
Lidl GB Chief Development Officer Richard Taylor added: "In the last three months alone, we've opened 15 new stores – more than any other retailer, and in 2022, we welcomed customers through the doors of over 50 new stores. But we won't be stopping there. Our vision is to have over 1,100 stores in the future, but really, there's no ceiling on our ambition or growth potential. What's important is that we take a strategic and sustainable approach to getting there."
Source: GBNews
UK: Whole Foods Market UK introduces new range review process
Whole Foods Market has rolled out a new supplier process in the UK to improve the "rigor and efficiency of the onboarding process." The new process aims to give all potential and existing suppliers the same opportunity to get their products stocked in Whole Foods Market's seven stores in the UK, with clear requirements and timings. The move is also designed to help the retailer offer a bigger range of products to its customers.
For suppliers, the process is claimed to give them a clear timetable to follow for specific category product submissions, as well as clearer communication to help them prepare for a launch. If a brand makes the decision to join as an exclusive supplier, Whole Foods Market will offer more extensive in-store and marketing support. However, the submission process remains the same as for any other supplier. The retailer stated that this forms part of its strategy to create a level playing field for all brands interested in being stocked in Whole Foods Market.
Source: Kamcity
Spain: France's Carrefour to buy 47 stores in Spain
Carrefour has reached an agreement with El Corte Inglés to buy 47 stores under the SuperCor banner in Spain for an enterprise value of 60 million euros ($64.4 million), the French retailer said on Wednesday. The deal includes supermarkets and convenience stores notably located in the regions of Madrid, Catalonia, Andalucia, and Comunidad Valenciana. Carrefour plans to convert the acquired stores to the Carrefour Market, Carrefour Express, and Supeco banners.
Source: Reuters
New Zealand: Supermarket-anchored shopping center enters market
A 'last stop' shopping center with the only supermarket along a 160km stretch of State Highway 1 in one of the South Island's fastest-growing towns has entered the market. The 27,000 sqm Brackenfields Shopping Centre in Amberley includes a 3,564 sqm Countdown supermarket with 23 percent revenue growth over the past four years.
According to Stats NZ data, the population of Amberley in North Canterbury's Hurunui District increased by 58 percent over 12 years, and last year issued a record number of consents for new houses. A further surge in growth is expected in the coming months as eight new residential subdivisions and a $200m retirement village are completed, offering housing for hundreds of residents.
The Brackenfields Property Syndicate will mark the company's first entry into the retail market.
Source: Supermarketnews.co.nz
South Africa: Former Walmart Canada head Dries D'Hooghe moves into new role at Walmart South Africa
Dries D'Hooghe has been appointed senior vice president and CEO for wholesale Walmart South Africa. He had been acting as interim chief operations officer at Walmart Canada, he joined Walmart Canada in January of 2018. Before that, he held roles at Ahold Delhaize in The Netherlands, Deloitte Europe, and Nike Belgium.
Source: Grocery Business
JD.com's Agricultural Specialties Shopping Festival records' impressive sales' 
JD.com held a grand ceremony of its Agricultural Specialties Shopping Festival on September 19th, which coincides with the 2023 China National Harvest Festival. Now in its second year, JD.com's Agricultural Specialties Festival, which commenced on September 1st and continues for one month, has witnessed soaring sales across diverse agricultural products.
For example, over 50,000 shoppers ordered more than 400,000 Laiyang pears from Shandong. In a single day, sales exceeded 5,800 matsutakes from Tibet, and, to date, over five tons of Yunnan macadamia nuts have been sold.
Source: JD.com