SPAR Slovenia's year 2023: €1.2bln turnover, market growth, and commitment to sustainability
In 2023, SPAR Slovenia achieved a gross turnover of €1.2bln (including VAT), a 13.6% increase compared to the previous year. The profit before tax (EBT) was €21.6mln, with a profit margin of 1.97%. The company's market share grew by 0.8%, reaching 21.7%. The number of purchases increased by 7.9% compared to 2022, with a total of 58.6mln purchases made in 2023. This means nearly 200,000 customers shopped daily at SPAR Supermarkets across the country.
Source: spar-international.com
Belgium: Colruyt seeks to expand Professionals chain
Colruyt will open its first Professionals store in Wallonia next Wednesday, 25 September, in Liège - following the first two stores in Brussels. A fourth store will open in or near Wallonia's other major city, Charleroi, before the end of the year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Plans to demolish site for new Lidl store approved
Plans to demolish a former Homebase in West Sussex and replace it with a branch of Lidl have been approved. An application for the site in London Road, East Grinstead, was given the go ahead by Mid Sussex District Council's planning committee. It is expected to open in November 2025 and create 40 jobs.
Source: bbc.com
Hungary: Authorities renew Spar investigationThe European Court of Justice ruled that the Hungarian government's 2022 price cap policy on food undermined fair competition. This came up due to Spar's legal dispute with the Hungarian government, which the Hungarian Supreme Court referred to the ECJ. Later, in a press conference, Gergely Gulyás, Minister of the Prime Minister's Office, told the press that the government was "not surprised", because, "If it had been up to Brussels, there would have been no price reduction campaigns in Hungary, and neither would there have been one if it had been up to Spar".
Source: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl
Globus announces deal with Kaufland over selected German locations
Globus Markthallen has announced it plans to cease operations at its Bedburg, Chemnitz, Essen, Neubrandenburg and Wesel locations in Germany. Schwarz Group-owned retail chain Kaufland is set to take over the locations, with the move subject to approval by the country's Federal Cartel Office and the consent of landlords.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Poland: CVC plans Zabka listing for biggest Warsaw IPO since 2021
CVC Capital Partners Plc is planning an initial public offering in Zabka Polska SA in what could be Poland's biggest first-time share sale in at least three years.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Grab2Go and Selver announce autonomous outdoor store pilot at Ülemiste City business park in Tallinn, Estonia
Grab2Go reports that a new autonomous outdoor store, in collaboration with Selver, has opened in Ülemiste City, a business park in Tallinn, Estonia. In a LinkedIn post, Grab2Go Founder Mart Viilipus said: "This pilot project is a significant step forward for our team and an exciting opportunity to push the boundaries of retail innovation".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: Farmfoods facing disruption from strike action
Around 100 workers at a distribution centre in Solihull owned by discount chain Farmfoods are set to take strike action. The GMB union said its members were "furious" with the retailer's management for turning down requests for union recognition and better pay. The walkout is due to take place on the 24th and 25th of September.
Source: kamcity.com
Israel: Pickommerce secures $3.4mln investment to advance innovative robotic piece-picking technology
Pickommerce, a warehouse automation innovator, announced it has secured $3.4mln in funding to advance the development, production and marketing of its innovative PickoBot piece-picking robot. Pickommerce's recent installation at Havivian Farm, one of the largest organic farms in Israel, showcases the adaptability and precision - or in this case, gentle touch - of Pickommerce's intelligent gripping technology. This organic farming enterprise turned to Pickommerce to reduce operational costs by automating their high-volume fresh produce packing line.
Source: prnewswire.com
Australia: ACCC legal action against Coles & Woolworths
The ACCC has commenced separate proceedings in the Federal Court against Woolworths Group Limited and Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Ltd for allegedly breaching the Australian Consumer Law by misleading consumers through discount pricing claims on hundreds of common supermarket products.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
US: Village Super Market CEO to step down
Village Super Market CEO and interim chairman of the board of directors Robert Sumas will depart from his roles on December 13, according to a press release. The grocery company's board of directors plans to name John J. Sumas as the new CEO and Nicholas Sumas as president and board chairman. Village Super Market operates 34 supermarkets under the ShopRite and Fairway banners across New Jersey, Maryland, New York and Pennsylvania as well as three Gourmet Garage specialty grocer locations in New York City.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Food Lion Feeds partners with customers to help fight hunger
Through its annual Gala Apple Bag campaign, which runs from September 18 - October 8, Food Lion Feeds is partnering with Food Lion customers to help nourish neighbors experiencing hunger. New this year, the sales of specially marked apple bags and customer donations will benefit hunger relief organizations awarded grants through the Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Weis Markets to buy two family owned grocery stores in Pennsylvania
Weis Markets is buying the two-unit Sunnyway Foods supermarket chain, a family-owned retailer that has been in business in Pennsylvania for nearly 70 years, Weis announced. Weis said it expects the deal to close during the fourth quarter. Details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Natural Grocers® voted "Best Natural Food Stores, 2024" in Green Matters Approved contest
Natural Grocers®, the nation's largest family-operated natural and organic retailer is proud to have received the "Best Natural Food Stores", award (both online and in-person) from this year's Green Matters Approved contest.
Source: prnewswire.com