US: SpartanNash’s results sag in Q4 as sales to Amazon remain under pressure
SpartanNash posted lower comparable-store and net sales during the fourth quarter of 2023, as the company’s retail and wholesale divisions both saw lower volumes. Net sales in Q4 came in at $2.25bln, a 2.8% year-over-year decline compared with the same period in 2022. Retail sales fell 4.5% during the quarter, to $647mln, while comparable-store sales were off by 2.8%. SpartanNash’s results during the quarter were held back by factors including lower inflation and reduced demand from Amazon.
Source: grocerydive.com
Mexico's Femsa eyes about $14bln CAPEX plan, more dividends
Mexican retailer Femsa plans to spend more than 237bln pesos ($13.91bln) over the next five years to grow its business and return capital to shareholders, the company said, following a series of divestments of non-core units. About 170bln pesos of the plan will be invested in Mexico, the company's main market, according to a Femsa filing.
Source: reuters.com
US: Grocery Outlet to acquire United Grocery Outlet
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has reached an agreement to acquire United Grocery Outlet, an extreme value discount grocery retailer operating throughout the Southeastern United States, from affiliates of Gen Cap America, Inc. and current and former UGO management. With 40 stores and a distribution center, the acquisition of UGO will expand Grocery Outlet's presence into Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky, and Virginia.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: DoorDash stock drops with release of Q4 earnings
DoorDash saw its total orders increase by 23% year over year to 574mln in the fourth quarter of 2023, while its gross order value also jumped by 22% to $17.6bln, the company reported. Revenue was also up 27% from the same time last year to $2.3bln, and its GAAP net loss was down to $156mln, a substantial decline from the $642mln reported in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Retailer Walmex eyes more Mexico stores after fastest expansion in decade
The chief executive of Mexican retailer Walmex said the company could continue to grow its footprint in Latin America's No. 2 economy after 2023, which marked its fastest year for adding new stores in a decade. The Walmart unit said in a call to discuss results that it had opened 162 new stores across Mexico and Central America last year - the most stores added in a single year in a decade - including 101 in the last three months of 2023.
Source: reuters.com
Sainsbury's celebrates opening of new flagship store in Wales
Sainsbury’s has celebrated the opening of a long-awaited flagship supermarket in Talbot Green, Wales. From tasty fresh food and fruit and veg to bread and pastries baked daily, frozen favorites, and kitchen cupboard essentials, customers will find a delicious section of branded and own-brand products throughout the store.
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
France: Système U sees revenue up 8.4% in 2023
French retailer Système U has reported an 8.4% increase in revenue in its 2023 financial year, to €25.89bln. The retailer, which is the fourth largest in the French market, held a market share of 11.8% as of year-end, a 0.2 percentage point increase on the previous year. The average basket size at the group's stores stood at €41 (+3.7% higher than the previous year), while its online platform, CoursesU.com, reported a 14% increase in sales in 2023, reaching €1.2bln.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Saudi Arabia: Tamimi Markets Company completes the acquisition of Al Raya
Tamimi Markets Company ("Tamimi") announced the completion of its acquisition of 100% of Al Raya For Food Stuffs Company JSC ("Al Raya" or the "Company"), a portfolio company of Levant Capital and a leading supermarket chain operating along the western half of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The transaction aligns with Tamimi Markets’ national growth strategy and further strengthens its position in the Western region of Saudi Arabia.
Source: tamimimarkets.com
Retail sales in Great Britain rebound strongly after Christmas slump
Retailers in Great Britain enjoyed the strongest rebound in monthly sales in almost three years in January as people returned to the shops after a slump in Christmas shopping. Sales rose by 3.4% last month, the biggest monthly rise since April 2021, as all retail sectors except clothing stores experienced an increase, providing welcome relief after dire Christmas trading, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Supermarkets had a good month, as did sports shops and department stores.
Source: theguardian.com
Isle of Man: Tesco store opens on the island after Shoprite takeover
The first Tesco Express has opened on the Isle of Man after the retail giant's takeover of Shoprite stores. The outlet in Arbory St, Castletown, is the first of nine new stores set to be rebranded.
Source: bbc.com
Ireland's Green Earth Organics: Going back to our vegetable roots 
"If you buy Irish, then that encourages the Irish vegetable industry to expand.” It’s all very simple when organic farmer Kenneth Keavey, who runs vegetable box delivery business Green Earth Organics, explains it like that. But the stark fact remains: despite the Irish climate being ideal for growing - at least most of the time - only 1% of Irish farms produce vegetables, according to 2016 Eurostat figures. The percentage of Irish farms growing organic vegetables is even lower, but Keavey has been bucking trends since he returned from Britain in 2004 with his wife Jenny to take over the family farm in County Galway.
Source: irishexaminer.com
UK: Rotary Tree of Light donation to help Shrewsbury fruit and veg appeal
A charity that is a beneficiary of the Rotary Tree of Light has announced the donation will launch a fresh fruit and veg appeal. Karen Williams, project lead of foodbank PLUS at the Barnabas Centre, Shrewsbury, made the announcement on a visit to Shrewsbury Severn Rotary Club which has given the charity £2,000. Karen told Rotarians that the money will help to launch a new appeal aimed at attracting businesses to finance the purchase of the fresh fruit and veg.
Source: shropshirestar.com