Walmart CEO: Expect food inflation to still be an issue in 2025
Walmart CEO Doug McMillon sees food inflation ticking up as we head into 2025, but he noted that consumers have proven more resilient than retailers initially expected. McMillon made these comments at the 2024 Morgan Stanley Global Consumer and Retail Conference, expressing disappointment at the resurgence of climbing food prices.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Weis Markets makes executive promotions, including Fresh Merchandising
Weis Markets made a slew of internal executive promotions. Doug Becker was promoted from director of Meat Merchandising, to vice president, Fresh Merchandising and Senior Director of Enterprise Services Angela Charnosky was promoted to vice president, Enterprise Services. Becker has more than 40 years of store-level and merchandising management experience. In addition to meat, he now oversees the Company's produce, deli/food service, bakery, seafood and floral departments.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: ReposiTrak welcomes 50 new produce suppliers to rapidly expanding Food Traceability Network
ReposiTrak is proud to welcome 50 new produce suppliers to the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® (RTN). Among the new suppliers are long-standing companies known for their strong regional presence and innovative practices. One supplier has been a trusted name in the Southwest since 1943, delivering fresh produce to food service and retailers. Another, founded in 1994, is the leading fresh-cut processor in the Southwestern U.S., providing a diverse range of value-added fruits, vegetables, and specialty items. A third supplier, established in 1976, specializes in supplying organic, local, and conventional fresh produce to a diverse range of buyers, including organic markets, food co-ops, independent retailers, and chain stores.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Picadeli partners with Digimarc to curb retail shrink and combat food fraud in fresh and prepared foods market
Picadeli, a pioneer salad company, and Digimarc Corporation, a global leader in digital watermarking technologies, announced a strategic partnership aimed at tackling the increasing problem of retail shrink and food fraud in the fresh and prepared foods market. Retailers, both large and small, are facing rising challenges with price look-up (PLU) fraud at self-checkout, particularly in areas like produce, deli counters, and salad bars.
Source: businesswire.com
Canada: Farm Boy to open new Toronto store with 'fresh twist'
Ontario retailer Farm Boy is set to open its 51st store next week - with a twist. The opening of the store in Toronto's Leaside neighbourhood will coincide with the launch of "A Farm Boy Fresh Twist", the company's commitment to transforming the grocery shopping experience. Opening December 12 at 146 Laird Drive, the store will feature an enhanced range of fresh items, frozen and grocery products, everyday non-food essentials and international offerings.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: UNFI will close Rhode Island office, laying off 121
Layoffs have been a central part of United Natural Food Inc.'s new three-year strategy. The wholesale distributor of natural, organic, and specialty foods confirmed to Supermarket News that it will initiate the second phase of layoffs announced in the fall. A total of 121 layoffs are tied to the closure of UNFI's Lincoln, Rhode Island, office and affect positions in human resources, accounts payable, and billing.
Source: supermarketnews.com
New Country Manager for Dutch Amazon branch
On New Year's Day, Eva Faict will add the title of Country Manager Netherlands for Amazon to that of Country Manager Belgium, where she helped launch the platform in 2022.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Australia: Primary Connect team at Heathwood Chilled and Fresh Distribution Centre agree to new Enterprise Agreement
Woolworths Group reported on Tuesday 3 December 2024: "A new Enterprise Agreement (EA) covering over 300 team members at Woolworths Group's Heathwood Chilled and Fresh Distribution Centre (HCFDC) has been agreed by the team after receiving a majority 'yes' vote this afternoon".
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au
Switzerland: Migros Zürich sets German supermarket subsidiary a deadline until the end of 2026
Migros Zürich has set its German subsidiary Tegut a deadline until the end of 2026. If Tegut is in the black by then, "the company has a future at Migros - otherwise not", said Patrik Pörtig, head of the regional cooperative. Tegut still has one last chance, said the Managing Director of the Migros Cooperative Zürich in an interview with the "Neue Zürcher Zeitung". There must be a "significant improvement" next year. The employees are also aware of the clear guidelines.
Source: bluewin.ch
Holland: De Bijenkorf seeks new CEO after just six months
After less than six months, Matthijs Visch, De Bijenkorf's newly appointed CEO, is stepping down. "In the interests of both De Bijenkorf and himself", the chain of department stores must once again look for a manager.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Find out how long your fruit and veg will stay fresh with supermarket packaging hack
Experts have revealed the clever way you can make sure the fruit and vegetables you buy at the supermarket stay fresher for longer. To help you cut the cost of your regular supermarket shop as well as a food waste, the experts at Which? revealed there's a clever way to tell how long products are in date. The key is to have a look at the packaging.
Source: express.co.uk
'Two Turtle Doves….': How Tesco and the RSPB are working together to help the Christmas mainstay thrive on UK farms
The recovery of the Turtle Dove, an integral part of the popular Christmas carol, 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' could soon be accelerating across farmland in East Anglia after the launch of a new partnership between Tesco and the RSPB. The area is one of Tesco's key sourcing regions for fresh produce, and the partnership will create essential habitats for Turtle Doves and other at-risk bird species, including Lapwings and Stone Curlews. G's, which has farms across England, including East Anglia, is a key supplier of fresh produce to Tesco. They are already seeing the benefits of protecting and restoring nature on their farms. Peter Sargeant, Managing Director of G's Fresh in Norfolk said: "At G's Norfolk Farms we have created a unique habitat combining large scale salad and vegetable production, while allowing wildlife to flourish".
Source: tescoplc.com
Sodexo announces changes to its UK and Ireland regional leadership team
Sodexo has announced that Sean Haley, CEO, UK and Ireland, will be leaving the business at the end of December. Jean Renton, Chief Finance Officer since 2019, has been promoted to the newly created position of Chief Operating Officer, effective from 1 January. In this role, she will become the executive lead of the region with an operational focus on business transformation.
Source: uk.sodexo.com