France: Changes in governance at Monoprix and Naturalia
Philippe Palazzi, Chief Executive Officer of Casino Group, appointed Chairman of Monoprix and Chairman of Naturalia on top of his current role. Alfred Hawawini, Group Transformation and Strategy Director, named Chief Executive Officer at Monoprix.
Source: groupe-casino.fr
Australia: Coles is trialling free cardboard boxes in fruit and vegetable section
Coles has announced it is trialling a new way for shoppers to complete their grocery shopping by giving customers the option to use a cardboard box to carry fresh fruit and veg. The Australian retailer is offering free-of-charge containers in its fresh produce section in a bid to reduce the number of single-use plastic bags used.
Source: news.com.au
France: Super U quits purchase alliances Everest and Epic
The paths of French retailer Super U and European procurement organisations Epic and Everest are parting after only two years, due to unspecified "disagreements". The purchase alliances reportedly are not happy with a lack of solidarity on the part of the French, who are said to have wanted to share the joys but not all the burdens (such as sanctions against suppliers). "Edeka has ended its cooperation with Coopérative U at the request of the remaining participants in Epic and Everest", the German retailer told trade magazine Lebensmittel Zeitung.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Chickpeas and cream cheese lead the convenience price gaps
A report from consumer watchdog Which? has highlighted which products have the biggest mark-up in the convenience stores of the big supermarket brands compared to their bigger branches. In Morrisons Daily the biggest gap was between own-label chickpeas, which cost £1, more than twice as much compared as the 49p in bigger stores.
Source: talkingretail.com
MINISO to acquire stake in Yonghui Superstores, a leading Chinese retailer
MINISO Group Holding Limited ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company") announced that it has entered into share purchase agreements with certain shareholders of Yonghui Superstores Co., Ltd ("Yonghui"), to acquire an aggregate of 29.4% of the issued and outstanding shares of Yonghui for a total cash consideration of approximately RMB6.3bln. Upon the consummation of the transaction, the Company expects to become the largest single shareholder of Yonghui. Yonghui is a leading retail chain operator in China, listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange (stock code: 601933) since 2010. It operates approximately 850 supermarkets, offering fresh produce and daily necessities to consumers across China.
Source: prnewswire.com
Żabka Group's positive impact on Polish eating habits
The owner and operator of Poland's largest chain of convenience stores has published its annual Responsibility Strategy report outlining its positive impact on the Polish economy, as well as helping the country's dietary habits. Under its Policy for the Sustainable Sourcing of Raw Vegetable Materials, Fish and Seafood, the suppliers of private-label ranges must hold appropriate certification covering sensitive commodities.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Belgium: Improved Spar Wolvertem to reopen on 26 September
On Thursday 26 September, Spar Colruyt Group Wolvertem will open its doors once again. The Spar in Wolvertem has been run by Katleen and Carolien Collier for eight years. "Our store always offers a wide range of products from our own region. Flowers and plants, as well as desserts and soil-grown chicory", Carolien says.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Three fifths of French grocery categories have seen volume declines in year to date
Some 61% of consumer goods categories in France have seen volumes decline in the year to date, compared to the same period last year, new data from Kantar has revealed. Households are also prioritising certain categories at the expense of others, Kantar added. Fresh products, in particular, have been impacted, with a 2% volume decline compared to 2023 and an 8% drop compared to 2019.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Festival Foods opens another store in Wisconsin's Fox Valley
Regional grocer Festival Foods opened its newest location on September 20 at 800 East Maes Avenue in Kimberly, Wisconsin. The deli department touts a Picadeli salad bar, offering more fresh, convenient options to customers.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Sam's Club and Walmart supply chain teams to merge
Sam's Club's corporate supply chain team plans to merge with the supply chain team of parent company Walmart, according to a memo obtained by Business Insider. David Guggina, head of supply chain operations for Walmart, wrote the memo, which was sent to the Sam's Club supply chain team.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Wegmans holds the future of food
Wegmans started out with its original 50-acre farm property in 2007, and then expanded by acquiring a 168-acre orchard nearby in 2014. The Wegmans Organic Farm today grows fruits, vegetables, lavender, flowers for floral bouquets, micro greens, and cat grass among other crops.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Sen. Ossoff introduces bill to attract more grocery stores to Georgia communities, support Georgia farmers
U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is introducing legislation to attract more grocery stores to Georgia communities and support Georgia farmers. Sen. Ossoff's bill would offer a tax credit to grocery stores that open locations in underserved areas to make fresh fruits, vegetables, meat and dairy more available and accessible.
Source: ossoff.senate.gov