Amazon successfully tests using delivery drones in Italy
Amazon said it had successfully completed an initial test of using delivery drones in Italy, the first European country where the e-commerce giant plans to introduce the service. The test was carried out in San Salvo, a town in the central Abruzzo region.
Source: reuters.com
'Unlawful': Woolworths wins bid to clear picket line outside Melbourne warehouse
Woolworths has won its application to clear a picket line at one of its key distribution centres in Melbourne, and prevent similar action at other sites, after arguing that the industrial protests were being used as a "metaphorical gun" during negotiations over pay and conditions. The Fair Work Commission's deputy president, Gerard Boyce, found on Friday that the United Workers Union (UWU) had engaged in "unlawful picketing" to hinder access to warehouses, and that the union had therefore not met good faith bargaining requirements.
Source: theguardian.com
Food retail sales rose 4.8% in Hungary in October
Food retail sales in Hungary rose by 4.8% in volume terms in October 2024, new data from KSH, the Hungarian statistics office, showed. Supermarkets and grocery stores, which account for 76% of food retailing, reported sales growth of 5.1% in the period, while specialised food, beverage and tobacco stores reported sales growth of 3.9%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Aldi's festive Super Six returns for just 15p
Aldi reported: "Supermarket Aldi has announced it will slash prices on its festive veg staples to just 15p as part of its popular Christmas Super Six promotion, available in stores from 19th December. Shoppers are guaranteed a tree-mendous Christmas feast with a selection of Aldi's fresh and delicious British-sourced veggies including White Potatoes (15p, 2kg), Carrots (15p, 1kg), Parsnips (15p, 500g), Red and White Cabbages (15p each), Brussels Sprouts (15p, 500g) and Broccoli (15p each)."
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Italy: Gruppo Selex sees 4% revenue growth in 2024
Gruppo Selex achieved a turnover of €21.1bln in 2024, marking a 4.5% increase over 2023. This year, the group also celebrated its 60th anniversary. The retail group captured a 15.4% market share in this period, according to data from Nielsen.
Source: esmmagazine.com
M&S can tear down flagship Marble Arch store, says UK government
British retailer Marks & Spencer can demolish and rebuild its flagship Marble Arch store in central London, the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said, ending a three-year planning battle over the site.
Source: reuters.com
Data: Online and discount grocery to experience fastest growth in next 5 years
Online and discount grocery channels are set to experience the fastest growth worldwide over the next five year, according to the latest forecast from the Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD). It also notes that supermarkets will remain "a crucial channel", contributing significantly to net new sales, despite a gradual decline in market share.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Ahold Delhaize USA announces retirement of Food Lion President Meg Ham after distinguished career
Ahold Delhaize USA has announced that Meg Ham, president of Food Lion, plans to retire in May 2025, after more than 35 years with the organization. She has been at the helm of Food Lion for more than a decade and has been part of the brand's unprecedented growth, grounded in Food Lion's heritage of customer service and convenient locations. A successor for Ham will be announced before year-end.
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
US: The art and science behind produce department signage
Produce department signage is essential for boosting activity, but leveraging the optimal designs is no easy task. Ensuring that signs contain relevant data, are the proper size and shape, and consist of the most effective materials is vital, along with ensuring proper placement, said Jonathan Raduns, founder of Merchandise Food LLC, a Greenville, South Carolina-based food retail strategy and merchandising advisory firm.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Tops Markets to hold grand reopening of Depew/Lancaster store
Tops Markets LLC will hold the grand reopening of its 77,000-square-foot Depew/Lancaster store location on December 11 at 10 a.m. at 5175 Broadway in Depew, New York. The renovated location features a bigger selection of fresh produce, complete with seasonal items, including fresh-cut veggies, fruit and trays, sourced from local farmers.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger is prepared to go it alone if Albertsons deal falls through, chief executive says
Kroger remains committed to merging with Albertsons, but the company is well-positioned for growth even if it doesn't complete the transaction, Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said during the company's third-quarter earnings call. Kroger generated $33.6bln in sales during the third quarter, down about 1% compared with the same period a year ago, the supermarket operator reported. The company attributed the sales decline primarily to the sale in October of its specialty pharmacy business, which it said reduced its sales for the quarter by about $340mln.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Sweetgreen supports LA farmers markets at risk of shutdown
Sweetgreen announced its commitment to Food Access LA, formerly Sustainable Economic Enterprises of Los Angeles, the non-profit organization behind eight Los Angeles farmers markets. With LA's beloved farmers markets at risk of closure, Sweetgreen's support helps ensure all eight markets will remain open, preserving a vital connection between local growers and the Los Angeles community.
Source: businesswire.com
Walmart offers jolly Christmas meal deal
Walmart is offering a holiday meal that serves 12 for less than $5 a person, according to the retailer. The meal deal includes 28 items, such as two hams -one boneless honey-cured and one brown sugar double-glazed - along with necessary side dish ingredients: two packs of Great Value gravy powder; one package of Great Value brown & serve rolls; four whole sweet potatoes; one 10-ounce package of Great Value mini marshmallows; two 10.5-ounce cans of Campbell's condensed cream of mushroom soup; four 14.5-ounce cans of Great Value green beans; four 15-ounce cans of Great Value golden sweet whole kernel corn; one 6-ounce package of French's crispy fried onions; one can of Great Value evaporated milk; one 15-ounce can of Great Value pumpkin; one package of Great Value 9-inch pie crusts; one Marie Callender's pecan pie; one carton of Great Value whipped topping.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Dollar General Corporation reports third quarter 2024 results
Dollar General Corporation reported financial results for its fiscal 2024 third quarter (13 weeks) ended November 1, 2024: net sales increased 5.0% to $10.2bln. Same-store sales increased 1.3%. Operating profit decreased 25.3% to $323.8mln. Year-to-date cash flows from operations increased 52.2% to $2.2bln.
Source: businesswire.com
US: E-retailers position for an online produce push
Grocery e-commerce is on the upswing - and that is providing a solid foundation for the online purchasing of fruits and vegetables. E-commerce also provides the marketing "real estate" that is not available in brick-and-mortar locations, said Roger Brady, purchasing and category manager, produce, for Good Eggs Inc., an Oakland, California-based online grocer. "There is such a good in-depth story-telling opportunity", he said, which includes enabling shoppers to easily garner information on growers and the different varieties of specific fruits and vegetables. "That creates an experience that is almost like walking through a farmers market", Brady said.
Source: supermarketnews.com