Canada: Loblaw employees reach tentative deal; strike averted
Thousands of grocery workers have tentatively reached a deal with Canadian retailer Loblaw, avoiding a strike, reports The Winnipeg Free Press. UFCW Local 832, which represents the nearly 4,000 workers, said 97% of them voted to authorize a strike.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: United Natural Foods wraps up Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas
United Natural Foods, Inc. (the "Company" or "UNFI") completed its 2023 schedule of shows and events, concluding it with a successful Natural Winter Show in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Dollar General celebrates first Montana store grand opening
Dollar General marked a major milestone as it celebrated the grand opening of its first store in Montana. With the addition of the Columbia Falls store in Montana, DG now serves all 48 continental US states.
Source: businesswire.com
US: ShopRite expands Fresh to Table concept to Warminster, Pennsylvania
ShopRite is expanding its Fresh to Table meal solutions program to its store at 942 West Street Road in Warminster, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Philadelphia.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Former FTC policy director: Kroger, Albertsons merger is facing 'a hurricane storm'
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) could be leaning towards challenging the Kroger-Albertsons merger in court, and representatives on both sides are scheduled to meet this week to talk about the deal. According to reporting from Axios, two sources claim the FTC is not satisfied with the $24.6bln deal, even despite Kroger and Albertsons' recent divestiture of over 400 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers.
Source: supermarketnews.com
UK: John Lewis chair Sharon White to step down in 2025
Sharon White, the chair of struggling British retailer the John Lewis Partnership, will step down early in 2025, having decided not to seek a second term of office, the company said, weeks after it warned its turnaround plan would need more time.
Source: reuters.com
Spain: Covirán tests new supermarket model
Spanish cooperative Covirán has reopened a supermarket in La Chana, Granada, under a new operating format, which it says is more innovative and sustainable. Highlights include assisted fishmonger, butcher, and delicatessen sections, a comprehensive fruit and vegetable display (with orange juice squeezer), a separate section to prepare cut fruits and vegetables, and a bakery area.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Delhaize announces another 19 supermarkets to be franchised across Belgium
The management of the Delhaize supermarket chain has announced a third batch of supermarkets that will be franchised, meaning they will come under the control of independent operators. This time, it concerns 19 shops - bringing the total number of supermarket branches to be managed by independent owners to 51 out of the 128 Delhaize shops in Belgium so far.
Source: brusselstimes.com
UK: Food prices see first fall for two years as stores compete
Fierce competition between supermarkets has led to the first monthly drop in food prices for more than two years, an industry body has said. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said prices in September were down 0.1% from the previous month. Prices of dairy goods, margarine, fish, and vegetables - which are often own-brand lines - all saw falls, it said.
Source: bbc.co.uk
SPAR China celebrates store openings through investment by partners
SPAR China partner Shandong Jiajiayue opened a new SPAR Supermarket, coinciding with the launch of The Construction Happiness Mall, located in Huaiyin, Jinan Region. Inside, customers can find a well-organized selection of vegetables, fruits, meat, fast food, snacks, daily necessities, and home textiles.
Source: spar-international.com
Croatia: Fortenova Group sees 9% revenue growth in H1 2023
Multinational food and retail company Fortenova Group generated €2.7bln in total revenue in the first half of 2023, registering an increase of 9% over the same period last year. Adjusted operating profit for the period amounted to €101mln, while net debt remained below €1.1bln, with liquidity on the company's accounts at €279mln, the company noted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Pumpkins will be larger this year
Pumpkins will be larger this year, and it's a result of Britain's unpredictable weather this summer. While many Brits may have been cursing the rainier-than-usual mid-summer months of July and August, the inclement weather actually was good news for the UK's pumpkin growers. And now Tesco is bracing itself for strong demand after this season's crop of pumpkins go on sale at stores across the UK on Monday, October 2.
Source: tescoplc.com
UK: Morrisons launches marketing push for wholesale arm Myton Foods
Morrisons is launching a new marketing push for its wholesale manufacturing firm Myton Foods, as the supermarket's private equity owners aim to recover lost ground following their £7bln takeover two years ago. According to The Times, the retailer has now rebranded Myton Food Group in the hope that distinguishing its wholesaling activities from the Morrisons brand will yield more business from retailers, restaurants, and catering firms.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Last Albrecht leaves Aldi management
For the first time, a member of the founding Albrecht family is no longer active in Aldi Nord's management as Theo Albrecht, son of the founder with the same name, is retiring from operational management, Lebensmittel Zeitung reports.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, and Aldi urged to roll out major change
City to Sea's policy manager, Steve Hynd, says plastic wrapping for fruit and vegetables should be banned. City to Sea in St. Paul's has partnered with Everyday Plastic and launched the Choose Loose campaign, which calls on supermarkets to have plastic packaging removed from the five top-selling fruits and vegetables. Mr. Hynd said the campaign had gained around 80,000 signatures so far to ban packaging for apples, potatoes, onions, carrots, and bananas.
Source: bristolpost.co.uk
Italy: Gruppo VéGé partners with Alfonsino for home delivery service
Retail cooperative Gruppo VéGé has partnered with an Italian food delivery startup specializing in serving medium and small-sized towns.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Tesco farmers told to plant more crops to shield against climate changeTesco farmers have been told to plant more crops this year over fears that climate change will spoil more of their harvest. The supermarket has struck new deals with two of its largest carrot and onion suppliers in a bid to safeguard crops from Britain's changing weather, The Telegraph reported.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Lithuanian food manufacturing company acquires a range of organic, ready-made products
Kauno Grūdaugai, one of the largest food manufacturing companies in Lithuania, has acquired shares of Auga Group, one of the largest producers of organic products in the Baltic States. Kauno Grūdai will acquire the shares of Auga Group's soup and canned products production unit Grybai LT. Grybai LT's main products include ready-to-eat organic soups, curries, cereal meals, and organic vegetables in packets, totaling about 70 product names.
Source: qualityassurancemag.com