Amazon is using generative AI to drive more same-day shipping using smarter robots
For years, Amazon has set the bar for package delivery. When Prime launched in 2005, two-day shipping was unheard of. By 2019, one-day shipping was standard for millions of items. Now, the retail giant is turning to generative AI to drive more same-day shipping.
Amazon is using the technology to optimize delivery routes, make more intelligent warehouse robots, create more-ergonomic environments for employees and better predict where to stock new items, said Steve Armato, Amazon's vice president of transportation technology and services.
Source: CNBC
Save Mart unveils northern California store refresh
The Save Mart Companies rolled out a refresh of one of its Save Mart banner stores in Northern California on Sept. 12. According to the company, the location, situated at 2237 Claribel Road in Riverbank, was updated and customized to reflect the local tastes and meet the shopping needs of the local community.
Upgrades include thousands of new items, an expanded assortment of organic produce, and more than 600 new wine, spirits and beer selections. A cheese monger and a new floral department with a dedicated florist have also been added, and the location also now employs a wine steward to help customers find desired beverages.
Source: Progressive Grocer
Walmart-owned Sam's Club raises hourly wage for 100,000 workers
Sam's Club has introduced an employee compensation plan that raises the average hourly wage for almost 100,000 employees. The Walmart-owned membership-based retail chain is increasing its entry-level wage to $16 per hour from the $15 per hour rate it established three years ago.
Sam's Club said Tuesday that these steps will bring the average hourly wage to more than $19 for associates. The company added that the company's average hourly wage has increased almost 30% over the past five years. The new plan increases the annual pay jump for years of service to between 3% and 6%, depending on time worked at the stores.
Source: Investopedia
Whole Foods opens first small-format store on Upper East Side 
Whole Foods opened up its first "smaller format store," Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, on the Upper East Side on Wednesday at 1175 Third Avenue (between 69th and 68th streets).
The store, which was originally announced in March, caused a bit of a controversy before it opened, with the board of the Trump Palace Condo suing the supermarket chain and others over damages caused by the construction.
Still, opening day at the new Whole Foods attracted a ton of customers, with the store being very crowded less than an hour after opening its doors.
Source: East Side Feed
Japan: Japanese displeased with Canadian firm's proposal to buy out 7-Eleven
"As opposed to 7-Eleven's strong desire to develop the convenience store culture in Japan, the (other party's) proposal was based solely on the principle of 'profit above all.' I don't think that this anxiety will be dispelled in future negotiations."
This remark, attributed to an unnamed individual described as a 7-Eleven insider, appears in a four-page article in Shukan Shincho of Sept 19. The key word here is "culture." Is 50 years long enough for a foreign transplant to become acculturated to Japan? After all, isn't the American convenience store brand 7-Eleven -- whose first outlet opened for business in Toyosu, Tokyo in May 1974 -- itself proof of successful acculturation?
Source: Japan Today
New Zealand: Investors call for Woolworths to sell off NZ division 
Investors are urging Woolworths to sell off its New Zealand business and discount chain Big W to simplify operations and boost sales growth in its home market. The action came as Woolworths has been losing to its local rival Coles in terms of sales over the past 12 months.
Ray David, a portfolio manager at Blackwattle Investment Partners, told The Australian Financial Review that Woolworths' New Zealand supermarkets had not performed well, with earnings down 57 per cent in the year ended June 30.
"We are advocates of simpler leaner business, as sometimes the essence of strategy is choosing what not to do, and we would welcome any strategy that simplifies the business that brings a greater focus on the core," added David.
Source: InsideFMCG
Kenya: Carrefour Kenya sets up new store in Ruiru
Carrefour Kenya has announced the opening of its 24th store in the country, located in Ruiru Town at the newly developed Nord Mall. The store opening is in line with the company's expansion strategy, focusing on the rapidly expanding Nairobi satellite towns.
Covering approximately 2,500m2 of retail space, the store will offer a wide selection of consumer goods, home appliances, electronics, groceries, and fresh food, enhancing convenience and accessibility to affordable, high-quality products for customers in the area. The store will also serve as a hub for Carrefour's e-commerce operations, tapping into the growing market in Kiambu County and the greater Nairobi Metropolitan area, including Thika Town.
Source: Soko Directory
UK: Supermarket sales growth slows after summer holidays
British supermarket sales growth slowed over the last month as consumers trimmed spending after their summer holidays, industry data showed on Wednesday. Market researcher NIQ said UK supermarket sales rose 4% in the four weeks to Sept. 7, after rising by 5.5% in last month's report. "This slowdown in growth is likely due to cooler weather and a return to regular routines for shoppers after the summer break," NIQ said.
The researcher's data, the most up-to-date snapshot of UK consumer behaviour, showed the online channel's share of supermarket spend increased to 13% from 12.5% a year ago.
Source: Reuters
Portugal: Supermarket sales in Portugal continue to rise
Food retail sales in Portugal reached a total of €8.8 billion in the year to July, representing a 4.4% increase compared to the same period last year. This follows on from a 14.1% increase in food retail sales achieved in the same period in 2023.
According to Nielsen IQ Scantrends data, grocery spend accounted for 41.1% of total food retail sales in the first 32 weeks of the year (the period to 11 August), up from 40.5% last year. Grocery purchases accounted for €3.6 billion of food retail sales. When combined with dairy and frozen products, food purchases comprised two thirds (66.7%) of the total, or €5.9 billion.
Source: ESM Magazine
UK: Asda co-owner resigns, Lord Rose takes over responsibilities
Asda has announced that Mohsin Issa is stepping back from his executive leadership role to focus on his previously announced role as sole CEO of EG Group. Stuart Rose will assume Mohsin's executive responsibilities alongside Rob Hattrell and Asda's highly experienced leadership team. Rob is currently a Partner at TDR Capital, as well as a Director on the Asda Board. Mohsin remains a co-owner of Asda and non-executive on the Board.
Lord Rose, Chairman of Asda, said: "We respect Mohsin's decision to move on from his role at Asda where his work is complete to be the sole CEO of EG Group. We are very grateful to Mohsin for the role he has played in overseeing Asda, including launching into the growth market of convenience stores and introducing a loyalty app now used by more than six million customers. He has laid the foundations to deliver a world-class IT infrastructure, strengthening Asda for the long term. I look forward to continuing to benefit from his insight as a non-executive director on our Board."
Source: Asda
Spain: Mercadona warns about the cash payment limit in its supermarkets and the maximum number of coins it accepts
Mercadona has clarified some of the most frequent doubts of its customers regarding the payment methods accepted by the supermarket chain. The Valencian company has answered consumers, through its customer service channel, to questions related to the payment of purchases in cash or by credit card.
Mercadona explains that the cash payment ceiling to pay in the chain's stores "cannot exceed 999.99 euros by law." For this reason, he suggests to his "bosses," as the company calls its customers, that "if the purchase amount is higher, up to that amount can be paid in cash and the rest by card."
The company emphasizes in this sense that "we accept any bank card bearing the symbol of Visa, MasterCard either Teacher". On the other hand, he warns that "we do not accept American Express."
Source: TopBuzzTimes