Texas-sized expansion continues for H-E-B

CEO Simo says both Instacart, online grocery poised for growth
Competition is good, and Instacart is thriving as the grocery delivery market grows, Instacart CEO and Chair Fidji Simo said at the Goldman Sachs Communacopia & Technology Conference. Simo said the delivery and tech company maintains the leading share of the online grocery marketplace and more than 70% share among digital-first grocery players. The company has delivered two quarters of double-digit growth and continues to expand its EBITDA, she said.
Source: supermarketnews.com

US: H-E-B continues its Texas-sized expansion
Texas grocery chain H-E-B has broken ground on its third location in Georgetown, Texas, about 30 miles north of downtown Austin. Located near the intersection of Ronald Reagan Blvd. and Ranch Road 2338, the new 112,000-square-foot supermarket is set to open sometime in the summer of 2025, the grocer said in a press release.
Source: supermarketnews.com

US: Publix expands plans for Kentucky stores
Publix announced it has executed a lease for a new store in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, according to an emailed press release. The store marks the grocer's 12th announced location in the state. Publix's expansion in Kentucky comes at a time when the grocery chain is pushing further north and expanding its store fleet outside its home state of Florida.
Source: grocerydive.com

Bid for 7-Eleven owner shows Japan's governance gains, says Suntory CEO Niinami
A $39bln Canadian takeover bid for 7-Eleven's owner indicates a shift in Japan's corporate governance and has left CEOs "nervous" that their companies could be next, the head of drinks giant Suntory Holdings said.
Source: reuters.com

Carrefour's Paris stores saw turnover 'rise by a quarter' during the Olympic Games
French retailer Carrefour reported a 25% increase in turnover in its Paris-based convenience stores during the Olympic Games, with 'very good' performances reported in outlets located close to venues. The retailer also provided 900 tonnes of product to the Athletes' Village, including 300,000 bananas, 15 tonnes of potatoes, 36 tonnes of pasta, 20 tonnes of peaches and nectarines.
Source: esmmagazine.com

Australia: ALDI best for fruit and veg
ALDI has been rated Australia's best supermarket for fruit and vegetables for the fourth consecutive year in Canstar Blue's annual Customer Awards. The retailer has been recognised as the cream of the crop for fresh produce, achieving five-star scores for three out of five categories - overall satisfaction, value for money, and freshness of produce - against its rivals. ALDI Group Buying Director of Fruit and Vegetables Matt Atley says winning this award really shows that at ALDI, low prices can also mean freshness.
Source: retailworldmagazine.com.au

UK: John Lewis says recovery on track as losses halve
Retail giant John Lewis has said its plans to revive the business are working after its losses over the first half of the year nearly halved. The partnership - which includes the John Lewis department stores as well as Waitrose supermarkets - reported a loss of £30mln, down from a £59mln deficit last year.
Source: bbc.com

Romania's inflation slows to 5.1% in August
Romania's annual inflation rate eased to 5.1% in August 2024 from 5.42% in July, according to the official report released by the statistics institute INS. Among foods, the biggest year-over-year price increases were recorded for potatoes - 18.78% and vegetables and canned vegetables - 14.13%.
Source: romania-insider.com

Kate Middleton's filling 9p breakfast 'superfood' available at Aldi
Kate Middleton is renowned for her royal duties, impeccable fashion sense and charitable endeavours. The mother-of-three's diet has been a topic of interest for many, with reports suggesting she is a fan of fruit and vegetable-rich meals. It's believed that the Princess of Wales starts her day with a Mediterranean-inspired breakfast. She reportedly often opts for a green smoothie - packed with kale, matcha, spinach and blueberries. Oats are rich in soluble fibre, meaning a bowl each morning can keep you satiated for an extended period. For a weight loss-friendly porridge, it's recommended to use filtered water or unsweetened almond milk, avoiding plant milks with long ingredient lists, reports the Mirror.
Source: walesonline.co.uk

Spain: DIA minority shareholders call on board for better representation of interests
A coalition of minority shareholders at Spanish retail group DIA (Distribuidora Internacional De Alimentacióen) has raised serious concerns about the company's lack of stakeholder engagement and how it has affected the business.
Source: esmmagazine.com

Aldi announces £800mln investment in Britain and reveals where it's still looking for new stores
Priority locations where Aldi is searching for sites include: 1. Woodford, London 2. Surbiton, London 3. Bromley, London 4. Barnet, London 5. Redhill, Surrey 6. Aldershot, Hampshire 7. Haywards Heath, West Sussex 8. Chatham, Kent 9. Chorlton, Manchester 10. Formby, Liverpool 11. Newark, Nottinghamshire 12. Chesterfield, Derbyshire 13. Wellingborough, Northamptonshire 14. Brentwood, Essex 15. Dorchester, Dorset 16. Clarkston, Scotland 17. Cathcart, Scotland 18. Penzance, Cornwall 19. Warwick, Warwickshire 20. Bath, Somerset.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk

New Zealand: All Good Oat Milk recall
All Good Bananas Ltd has recalled a specific batch of its oat milk. This recall for All Good brand Barista Oat Milk (1 Litre) has been issued due to the possible presence of Bacillus cereus. This recall does not affect any other brand products.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz

JD Super celebrates 10th anniversary with significant investment in brand growth and new initiatives
On September 5th, in Beijing, JD Super, the supermarket division of JD.com, marked its tenth anniversary by announcing a significant RMB 10bln investment to bolster the growth of its brand partners, with a particular focus on agricultural producers and new product launches.
Source: jdcorporateblog.com

Ireland: Aldi Portlaoise reveal intention to expand Laois store but low vegetable prices criticised
German supermarket chain Aldi Stores (Ireland) Ltd has announced an intention to expand its Laois store in Portlaoise. However a Laois councillor is not welcoming the news, and has used it to level criticism at all big supermarkets in their support of Irish vegetable growers. Cllr Ollie Clooney is a vegetable farmer from Durrow, representing the Mountmellick Borris-in-Ossory Municipal District. He made his claims at a special meeting by Laois County Council, to consider 37 submissions made to the draft Portlaoise Local Area Plan for 2024 to 2030. Those submission include one by Aldi Ireland.
Source: leinsterexpress.ie