Here’s how much fruit you can take from a display before it collapses
The iconic sloped produce displays in grocery stores can cause chaos when they collapse. But the question of how much fruit can be removed before the structure comes tumbling down is surprisingly complicated. A new study, published in the December Physical Review E, finally provides an answer. Fruit display collapses are a good system for studying the dynamics that produce avalanches and landslides because they’re relatively simple, says physicist Eduardo Rojas of the University of Antofagasta in Chile (SN: 1/4/16).
Source: sciencenews.org
US: Aldi centralizes global shipping control with AI
Aldi is integrating its global network of logistics partners and suppliers. The fast-growing grocer’s Aldi International Buying Asia unit is deploying the artificial intelligence (AI)-based One Network Enterprises (ONE) Intelligent Control Tower. Aldi intends to centralize global shipping volume, enabling the development of a strategic ocean freight procurement strategy.
Source: chainstoreage.com
US: BJ’s readies new club in Florida
BJ's Wholesale Club is set to unveil a new location in North Jacksonville, Florida. The club at 12884 City Center Boulevard will welcome shoppers on January 12. The latest BJ’s features an assortment of fresh foods, produce, full-service deli offerings, bakery goods, everyday grocery staples and household essentials.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: United Natural Foods releases updated selling show 2024 schedule
United Natural Foods, Inc. (the “Company” or “UNFI”) released its updated selling show schedule for 2024. The Company will hold the following four shows in 2024: Spring and Summer West Selling Show in San Diego, California on February 7-8. Spring and Summer Central and East Selling Show in Orlando, Florida on February 20-21. Holiday and Winter East Selling Show Uncasville, Connecticut on June 4-5. Holiday and Winter Central and West Selling Show in Minneapolis, Minnesota on August 6-7.
Source: businesswire.com
US: FarmboxRx program finds SNAP recipients struggle to make their benefits last
For many low-income households, especially those in food deserts, buying fresh fruits and vegetables is not an affordable option, even if such nutrition is vital to their health. Social enterprise FarmboxRx approaches that problem by working with health insurance providers, distributing fruits and veggies as a covered Medicare and Medicaid health intervention.
Source: forbes.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market has plans for another Nashville store
Sprouts Farmers Market has plans to open another store in the Nashville, Tennessee, area, which would be the retailer’s fifth, reports the Nashville Business Journal. The Phoenix-based grocer announced a location in Madison is expected to be in business in early 2025.
Source: supermarketnews.com
New Year, new flu: How consumers are shopping for Sick Day
Instacart reported: "According to Instacart purchase data from 2023, customers purchased cold and flu medicine 14% more often in January than they do on average during the rest of the year. It should be no surprise that food and beverages packed with Vitamin C are also popular orders, including Pink Grapefruits and Orange Juice".
Source: instacart.com
Canada: Walmart scraps plan to open Quebec fulfilment centre, will instead upgrade stores
Walmart Canada says it no longer plans to open a new fulfilment centre in Quebec. The retail giant was due to spend $100mln on the facility slated for the Montreal-area municipality of Vaudreuil-Dorion. It was expected to open early this year.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
Alimentation Couche-Tard completes acquisition of European assets from TotalEnergies
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. says it has completed its acquisition of certain European retail assets from French oil giant TotalEnergies SE. The deal announced in March 2023 includes all of the company's retail assets in Germany and the Netherlands, plus a 60% controlling interest in its Belgium and Luxembourg entities.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
Greece: Supermarkets eye expansion
Supermarket chains across Greece are planning new investments this year, as part of efforts to maintain or increase their market shares in conditions that are far from ideal for consumers. All major chains are also planning on expanding their networks with new stores during the year, industry sources say.
Source: ekathimerini.com
Switzerland: Coop reports sales growth of 1.4% in FY 2023
Coop Switzerland generated total sales of CHF34.7bln (€37.3bln) in its financial year 2023, registering a 1.4% increase compared to the year before. The Coop supermarkets, including Coop.ch, reported year-on-year growth of 2.4% in full-year 2023 to CHF11.8bln (€12.7bln).
Source: esmmagazine.com
Estonia: December in grocery stores
Data from the Estonian Institute of Economic Research suggests that while most foods continued to get more expensive last year, all dairy products had become cheaper in December compared to the same period the year before last. Imported tomatoes became 48% more expensive on year, while local cucumbers gained 45%. This means that a kilogram of tomatoes set customers back €2.40 in 2022 and €3.55 last year. Estonian cucumbers went for €3.84 versus €5.57. Onions became 35% more expensive between Decembers 2022 and 2023, while imported apples gained 22%. On the flip side, cabbage lost a fifth of its price in the same period, while carrots became 11% cheaper. The price of potatoes also fell a little.
Source: news.err.ee
UK: Asda to price match both Aldi and Lidl on hundreds of core grocery products
Asda has become the first supermarket to price match both Aldi and Lidl across a broad range of popular everyday products, further reinforcing its value credentials with consumers. A host of core household staples such as milk, bread, cheese, tea, coffee, fresh meat, fresh fruit & vegetables, baked beans, pasta, rice and breakfast cereals are included in the discounter price match.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Australia: One-stop shop to GET breaking down the barriers to online purchases of local produce
toGET.com.au provides online shoppers with a selection of over 500 groceries and consumer goods from over a dozen local providers. The platform offers local businesses selling vegetables, fruit, bread, patisseries, fish, meat, and even giftware, a collective eCommerce platform where shoppers can provision their households easily, locally and online.
Source: insidesmallbusiness.com.au
Norway: REMA 1000 locks prices of more than 1,000 items until Easter
REMA 1000 has locked the prices of over 1,000 products until Easter as it seeks to ease the pressure on shoppers after an expensive Christmas. Many people find it difficult to start the new year on a strong financial footing, while January is also generally known for many things becoming more expensive, the retailer said in a statement.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK'S Sainsbury's to spend 200mln stg on 9% rise in workers pay
British supermarket group Sainsbury's said it would invest 200mln pounds ($254mln) on raising the pay of 120,000 workers by more than 9% to a level above the new rate of the government-mandated national minimum wage.
Link: reuters.com
Carrefour pulls PepsiCo products over price hikes
Carrefour is telling customers in four European countries it will no longer sell products, such as Pepsi, Lay's crisps and 7up because they have become too costly, in the latest tug-of-war over prices between retailers and global food giants.
Source: reuters.com
Thai retailer is open to investing in Selfridges if conditions are right
Central Retail Corp., one of Thailand’s biggest retailers, is open to investing in the iconic Selfridges department store if the opportunity meets the right conditions.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca