US: UNFI will let go 87 workers at distribution center in June
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) will be closing its transportation department at its Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, distribution center, reports the Central Penn Business Journal. The Providence, Rhode Island-based retailer filed a Worker Adjustment and Restraining Notice (WARN) with the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry stating that UNFI has decided to permanently close its transportation department at the facility and 87 positions will be eliminated on June 19.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Getir pulls out of the US but says FreshDirect will keep operating
Rapid delivery company Getir is winding down its operations in the United States as part of a broader plan to concentrate its resources on its home market of Turkey, "where it sees the biggest potential for long-term sustainable growth", the firm said in a statement. But Getir said FreshDirect, the New York-area e-grocer it bought at the end of last year from Ahold Delhaize, "will continue its operations".
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Tops Friendly Markets grows footprint in Western New York
Northeast Grocery Inc. is growing its corporate-owned footprint. The company's Tops Friendly Markets division announced it has acquired five store locations that had been owned and operated by Supermarket Management, Inc. (SMI), a longstanding franchise partner of Tops. The acquisition includes four full-service Tops stores located in Depew, Lockport, South Buffalo, and Buffalo's West Side as well as one Tops Xpress store in Lancaster.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Costco has yet to bring warehouses to these 3 US states
Costco has expanded its footprint across the U.S. with over 600 warehouses - and more than 270 others in countries across the world - but three U.S. states still don't have a location of the membership-only chain. The states that still don't have a Costco are Rhode Island, West Virginia and Wyoming, according to a nationwide warehouse list on Costco's website.
Source: foxbusiness.com
US: Big Y sponsors 10th year of Local Farmer Awards helping 100 local farms make infrastructure improvements
Big Y reported: "Checks of up to $2,500 have been sent to 100 Western Massachusetts farms that are recipients of this year's Local Farmer Awards. Among the winners, the most common 'primary product' were vegetables followed by others including meat, fruit, maple, milk, and flowers."
Source: bigy.com
US: Aldi opens new stores in Mississippi and Texas
Aldi continued its rapid expansion into the U.S. market with new stores opening in Pascagoula, Mississippi, and Texarkana, Texas, both on April 25. Aldi announced in early March that it plans to open 800 new U.S. locations by the end of 2028.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Holland: Albert Heijn already has one million premium subscribers
More than one million Dutch customers now have a My Albert Heijn Premium subscription. Those subscribers not only enjoy extra benefits but also buy organic and plant-based products more often than before.
Source: retaildetail.eu
DESPAR Italia accelerates growth in 2023
The growth of DESPAR Italia continued over the course of 2023, with a reported total revenue of EUR4.4bln, up 5.6% from the previous year. This expansion was driven through the increase in the store network, with DESPAR Italia celebrating 56 new store openings as well as the modernisation of 34 stores in 2023.
Source: spar-international.com
7-Eleven could re-enter the UK as it eyes European expansion
International convenience chain 7-Eleven could rebuild its presence in the UK as its parent company Seven & I Holdings looks to further expand into Europe. During Seven & I Holdings' investor relations day, presentations showed that the c-store operator has plans to enter 10 new countries by 2030 with Europe a 'top priority', Better Retailing reported.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
UK: Aldi shoppers score big savings with Too Good To Go bagsAldi shoppers have now saved over £7mln since the launch of its partnership with Too Good To Go. The UK capital follows closely behind with 11,800 bags purchased in London and over £230,000 saved, while those in Liverpool and Northampton have saved around £130,000 and £100,000 respectively.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Holland: Jumbo opens "Europe's largest mechanized food distribution center"
Jumbo has put a new fresh produce warehouse into use in Nieuwegein. This year, all fresh products in Dutch and Belgian supermarkets will come from this "largest mechanized food retail distribution center in Europe".
Source: retaildetail.nl
UK: Lidl sets sights on hundreds of new stores
Lidl GB announces plans to open hundreds of new stores across the country. This year marks 30 years since the opening of Lidl GB's first store, as it celebrates a record high market share of 8%.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Belgium: Five trends that will add some flavour to the 2024 BBQ season according to Colruyt Group
Colruyt Group reported: "Side dishes packed with vegetables are becoming increasingly important for a successful barbecue. This is a reflection of the growing desire for unprocessed food. Leaders in the Colruyt range: courgettes with sales of 1,500 tonnes between June and September 2023, iceberg lettuce with 1.3mln heads sold in the same period, and 336,000 portobello mushrooms sold."
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
UK: Brakes launches Foodie Expo 24
Brakes has announced three major live food events for 2024, each featuring more than 60 stands with a range of small businesses and national brands, alongside live demonstrations and presentations on food trends. An online event is running alongside the physical events allowing customers to access content from the live event virtually.
Source: feast-magazine.co.uk
Australia: Coles post 3.4% rise in sales amid intense supermarket scrutiny
Sales at Coles edged higher in the third quarter, its latest results have revealed, as the supermarket sector faces heated criticism over claims of profiteering. Unveiling its latest results, the supermarket giant reported that revenue from continuing operations rose to $10bln in the March quarter, up 3.4% from the corresponding period a year prior.
Source: news.com.au