UK: John Lewis Partnership axes chief executive role under new chair
The first-ever chief executive of the John Lewis Partnership is having his role axed as part of a reshuffle under Jason Tarry, as the new chair accelerates a turnaround plan only weeks after taking the reins from his predecessor, Sharon White.
Source: theguardian.com
Shopping basket prices fell marginally in Spain in September, says OCU
Spain's Organización de Consumidores y Usuarios (OCU) has noted that the price of the average shopping basket fell by 0.58% in September. Fruits and vegetables saw the most significant price increase in Spain, up by 6.59% in September, compared to the previous month. Among individual items, salads, onions, oranges, and apples were among those with the highest price increases, likely due to the ending of the summer season.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Belgium: Okay (Colruyt Group) starts using self-checkouts
Okay, part of the Belgian retailer Colruyt Group, has opened its first self-checkout in a supermarket in Hoegaarden, near Leuven. A dozen stores will follow suit in the next few months, but the (larger) Colruyt supermarkets will not.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Lidl Italia CEO predicts market share growth for discounters
The CEO of Lidl Italia, Massimiliano Silvestri, believes discount stores are poised to expand their market share in the coming decade significantly. In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, he recalled that discount stores accounted for 12.6% of the market in 2010, a figure that has now reached 23% and is expected to grow to 30% within the next decade, representing a growth worth €10bln. Food and beverage products account for 4% of its total export, with local produce like fruits and vegetables contributing €600mln, making Lidl Europe's leading exporter of Italian fruits and vegetables.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Taiwan: New study finds 'adequate' fruit, vegetable diet can boost life expectancy
A healthy diet that includes at least four servings of fruits and vegetables per week can increase life expectancy in Taiwan by an average 3.25 years, according to the findings of a recent study. The fruit and vegetable diet was among five lifestyle factors associated with life expectancy in the research conducted at Taipei Medical University (TMU), the team said a press conference. The study examined how diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and weight could impact the life expectancy of Taiwan residents, according to Lo Wei-cheng, an associate professor of public health at TMU.
Source: focustaiwan.tw
Independent Dutch retailer opens new SPAR Supermarket in Diemen Zuid
Independent Dutch retailer Paul Toepoel celebrated the opening of the SPAR Supermarket in Diemen Zuid. A former manager at the SPAR Supermarket on the Warmoesstraat in Amsterdam's city centre, this is Paul's first independently owned SPAR Supermarket. Residents of the nearby area can source daily grocery essentials. This includes a selection of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Grocery price inflation edges up ahead of autumn budget
Grocery price inflation increased slightly to 2.0% during the four weeks to 29 September, up from 1.7% last month, according to the latest data from Kantar. Take-home sales at the grocers grew by 2.0% over the same period. Britain's biggest supermarket Tesco achieved its largest share since December 2017. Ocado was the fastest growing grocer for the eighth month running, pushing its sales up by 10.0% over the latest 12 weeks.
Source: kantar.com
South African antitrust body faults grocers over high food costs
Cost pressures are easing because of an end to rolling power outages, the rand's strength against the dollar and declining fuel costs, the Competition Commission said in a report. Still, essential-food prices "remain high and are increasing at a rate that is unaffordable for low-income households." Shoprite, Pick n Pay Stores Ltd., The Spar Group Ltd. and Woolworths Holdings Ltd. have all pointed to their internal inflation being lower than the official inflation rate over multiple reporting periods.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
Ban on "veggie burgers" ruled unlawful
European countries are not allowed to ban manufacturers of meat substitutes from using designations that traditionally refer to meat, the European Court of Justice says… but there is a catch.
Source: retaildetail.eu
3 New York City Amazon Go stores close their doors
Amazon closed three of its cashierless Amazon Go convenience stores in New York City in late September, the company has confirmed for CSP Daily News. The September 27 closures at 11 West 42nd Street, One Liberty and 30 Rockefeller Center were first reported by The Information.
Source: cspdailynews.com
US: Price Chopper/Market 32 accepts S3 health benefit cards
Price Chopper/Market 32 has announced a partnership with Optum Financial, a technology payment platform, to make it easier for S3 health benefit cardholders to use their health plan funds for purchasing eligible products at Price Chopper/Market 32 locations. Depending on the cardholder's health benefit plan, coverage may include purchases of healthy foods such as fresh, frozen, and canned produce.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Uber and Avride announce autonomous delivery and mobility partnership
Uber Technologies, Inc. and Avride announced a multiyear strategic partnership to bring Avride's delivery robots and autonomous vehicles to Uber and Uber Eats.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Fresh Thyme Market releases second annual Top 10 Food Trends for 2025
In Fresh Thyme Market's top 10 Midwest grocery trend predictions for 2025: 2. Evolution of the Mushroom: Adaptogenic mushrooms - which may help the body manage stress, anxiety and fatigue include varieties like Chaga, Lion's Mane and Turkey Tail - will start to gain momentum. 4. Spicy Foods Takeover: Consumers are demanding more complex flavor profiles and will be bringing on the heat through expanded use of more fresh and dried chilis like ghost chilies, Chilis De Arbol and jalapenos; 5. Mango-Everything (and Everywhere!): Mangos are finally getting their time in the spotlight with mango-flavored products showing up in everything from drinks to snacks, and for good reason. According to Meghan Sedivy, Fresh Thyme Market's registered dietitian, mangoes are a "nutritional powerhouse" packed with vitamin C to help support the immune system and are great for adding sweetness and a creamy texture to foods.
Source: prnewswire.com
How to keep produce safe and sound 
Ensuring fruits and vegetables are safe to consume is vital for merchandising success. "Retailers must prioritize produce food safety by implementing robust protocols both in-store and with suppliers", said Shipra Pareek, senior account manager, food retail, at NSF, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based provider of testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services, and digital solutions.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Walmart-owned Sam's Club tests a future without checkout lines
Walmart-owned Sam's Club is opening a club in the Dallas area that offers a glimpse of its future. The club will have no checkout lanes, will display online-only items and will have a larger area for fulfilling e-commerce orders for curbside pickup and home delivery.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Local growers add luster to produce merchandising
Offering locally grown produce enables smaller regional grocers to better compete with the national chains, said Jim Sullivan, vice president of produce for Spokane, Washington-based Yoke's Fresh Markets, which operates 19 Yoke's Fresh Market stores in Idaho, Washington, and Montana.
Source: supermarketnews.com