UK: Lidl provides updates on largest ever regional distribution centre, a year on from its launch in Luton
It's been over a year since Lidl opened its largest ever regional distribution centre (RDC) in Luton, UK - its most ambitious construction project to date, spanning 1.2mln square feet and half a kilometre in length. The retailer reports that, during that time, the facility has: launched its first delivery fleet powered entirely by biogas generated from food waste; picked 61mln cases; shipped 850,000 pallets to Lidl stores.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Italy: Esselunga group reports higher revenue, lower profit in first half
Italian grocery retailer Esselunga has released its half-year report, reflecting increased revenue and lower margins. Esselunga achieved a turnover of €4.72bln, up 1.9% year on year, in the first half of 2024, while EBITDA declined by 4.7% to €341.5mln. Net profit fell by 16.4% to €44.7mln. The company's net debt increased by €35mln to €1.7bln.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Romania: Mega Image commits to fair practices over Profi Rom Food acquisition
In anticipation of a potential merger with Profi Rom Food, Romanian grocery retailer Mega Image has proposed measures to ensure a competitive retail market. The company aims to allay concerns raised by the Romanian Competition Council regarding the acquisition's impact on suppliers and market dominance, according to Romanian daily Ziarul Financiar.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR Austria regional Managing Director Marchtrenk Jakob Leitner recognised
Jakob Leitner, Managing Director of SPAR Austria's regional operations in Marchtrenk for 24 years, received the Silver Medal of Honour from the Federal State of Upper Austria.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Morrisons expands Uber Eats partnership adding 400 supermarkets to platform 
Morrisons is to expand its Uber Eats partnership, adding more than 400 supermarkets to the food delivery platform in the coming days. This move builds upon the existing collaboration between Uber Eats and Morrisons Daily convenience stores, and aims to enhance the retailer's speedy delivery offer.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Serbia's antitrust body probing four retailers over competition infringement
Serbia's competition authority said it has initiated proceedings against retail chains Delhaize Serbia, Mercator-S, Univerexport, and DIS over suspected infringement of competition regulations. In the period of monitoring from April to September 2024, the prices of milk, yoghurt, oil, flour, sugar, eggs, coffee and bananas at all observed retailers were the same or similar, despite different procurement conditions.
Source: seenews.com
EU aid worth €2.7mln to support 365 dismissed retail workers in Belgium
The Committee on Budgets approved Belgium's request for €2.7mln in EU aid through the European Globalisation Adjustment Fund for Displaced Workers (EGF). The aid will support 365 former Match-Smatch employees, who lost their jobs following the company's prolonged financial difficulties that lead to store closures and restructuring across Belgium, primarily in the Walloon region.
Source: europarl.europa.eu
Cyprus: Consumers pay up to 342% more than retail price for fruits and vegetables
The Cyprus Consumers Association has revealed that consumers are paying between 97% and 342% more for fruits and vegetables compared to producer prices, according to new data. The study compared actual producer invoices with average retail prices recorded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment's e-Kofini price observatory on October 14 2024.
Source: in-cyprus.philenews.com
Holland: Meal boxes earn Crisp first profit
Crisp recorded a 25% increase in sales this year, while managing to cut costs by 15% over the past two years. This resulted in a profit for the first time: the company has been operationally profitable in the Netherlands since June, CEO Tom Peeters told Dutch newspaper FD. Crisp still suffered a 50mln euro loss in 2022, but profitability is becoming more important given the changed investment climate: with rising interest rates, it is becoming harder for loss-making growth companies to raise venture capital.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Estonia: Starship Technologies and Bolt launch robot-powered grocery delivery
Starship Technologies and Bolt have announced the launch of a new food delivery service. As the first rollout of the commercial partnership agreed between the two Estonian-founded tech giants last year, this collaboration in Tallinn, Estonia, is the first of its kind in Europe.
Source: starship.xyz
Switzerland's Coop to take full control of Coop Pronto
Swiss retailer Coop has announced it plans to acquire the remaining 49% stake in Coop Mineraloel AG, the parent company of the Coop Pronto convenience brand, from the US company Philipps 66.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Just Eat lags GTV expectations on weak North America
Just Eat Takeaway missed expectations for third-quarter gross transaction value (GTV), as a bigger than expected decline in North America offset growth in its key Northern European, UK and Irish markets. Europe's biggest food delivery company by revenue said its GTV, which measures the total value of all goods sold, fell 3% to 6.34bln euros ($6.90bln) in the July-September period, below analysts' consensus of 6.5bln cited by ING in a preview note.
Source: reuters.com
Frans Muller opening keynote at Groceryshop 2024 conference
Ahold Delhaize reported: "To stay fresh and innovative within the retail world, it's important to take the time to get inspired with new ideas and connect with existing suppliers and innovative new companies. The annual Groceryshop conference in Las Vegas is the perfect opportunity to do just that. To kick off this year's Groceryshop event, our CEO Frans Muller had the honor of hosting the keynote opening on stage together with Melissa Repko, retail reporter for CNBC New York".
Source: aholddelhaize.com
US: Trader Joe's to open 2 stores this week
Trader Joe's is opening two new stores this month in fast-growing population centers. The retailer announced that it is welcoming shoppers to locations in Sparks, Nevada, near Reno, and in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina, near Charleston.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Albertsons records modest revenue gain in Q2, but profitability falls
Albertsons posted $18.6bln in net sales and other revenue during the second quarter, up about 1.6% compared with the same period last year, the supermarket operator announced.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: ALDI commits to Thanksgiving prices lower than 2019, feeding 10 people for less than $47
This holiday season, ALDI is offering its lowest-priced Thanksgiving basket in five years - a full meal for 10 people at less than $47 (availability may vary by store location and is subject to change. Pricing valid 10/16/24 - 11/27/24. Assumes a 16lb Turkey). The ALDI Thanksgiving shopping list includes a Butterball turkey with spices, gravy, rolls, mac & cheese, stuffing - plus the ingredients for cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole and pumpkin pie.
Source: prnewswire.com