Denmark: Dagrofa to invest DKK 1.3bln in new three-year growth strategy
Danish retailer Dagrofa has announced a new three-year growth strategy, Gro'27 - vækst på vores måde ('Gro'27 - growth our way'), to consolidate its position in retail, foodservice and logistics. Dagrofa will invest DKK 1.3bln (€170mln) in the new growth strategy, based on innovation and community efforts, and involving local produce and easy-meal solutions, among others.
Source: esmmagazine.com
South Africa: Shoprite opens 150th store in Gauteng at Carlton Centre
Shoprite is marking a major milestone with the opening of its 150th supermarket in Gauteng, at the iconic Carlton Centre in Johannesburg's central business district. It features various fresh food departments, including a Meat Market, Deli, Bakery, and Fresh Produce, along with 13 pay points for a convenient shopping experience.
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
New Zealand: Woolworths reveals holiday feasting predictions with Christmas classics and seasonal treats reigning supreme
Woolworths reported: "As the weather warms up and the BBQ is dusted off, New Zealanders are preparing their festive menus, and Woolworths is revealing insights into what Kiwi shoppers are putting in their trolleys, and planning for the big day. Seasonal fruit is looking fantastic and Kiwi shoppers are making the most of delicious berries at great prices. In November, they bought 244 tonnes of strawberries, 35 tonnes of blueberries and 2.2 tonnes of raspberries. Strawberries will be one of the most sold items in Woolworths stores in the lead-up to Christmas".
Source: woolworths.co.nz
UK: Co-op's newest store launches in Shawfair Park
Co-op's newest store launched in Shawfair Park, Edinburgh. The brand new 5600 sq ft Co-op store has created 15 new jobs and will serve-up a focus on fresh, healthy and chilled produce alongside an extensive range of meal ideas and everyday essentials; food-to-go and meal deals; Fairtrade products; award winning beers and wines; ready meals; pizzas; vegan and, plant-based products.
Source: co-operative.coop
UK: Lidl unwraps six stores, just in time for Christmas
Lidl has opened six state-of-the-art stores nationwide as households gear up for Christmas. Four new stores have opened in Shinfield, Bovey Tracey, Downham Market, and Stirchley. Alongside these, a new store in Connah's Quay has replaced the old Lidl in the town, whilst its site in Chessington has reopened following a full refurbishment and extension.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Brown onion 'hack': Supermarket shoppers warned they could be prosecuted
Supermarket shoppers using a "brown onion hack" to reduce their grocery bills are being warned it is theft. One shopper, whom RNZ has agreed not to identify, said she had resorted to putting all of her fruit and vegetables through the self-checkout as "brown onions" to save money. Brown onions are currently selling for $1.49 a kilogram, compared to oranges for $5. Foodstuffs spokesperson Stefan Herrick said the company was aware of the trend being discussed online. "It's important to clarify this isn't a hack - it's theft".
Source: rnz.co.nz
Australia: Woolworths hikes worker wages to resolve strike action, shares gain
Australia's top grocer Woolworths said it has reached an agreement with industrial union workers to increase wages, resolving the strike action that had been affecting store service levels at Woolworths supermarkets across Australia.
Source: reuters.com
Ireland: Tesco opens new St James Gate store
Tesco has opened its newest store in Dublin 8, close to the world-famous Guinness Storehouse. The St James Gate Express store is set in the new Grand Canal Harbour Development and brings to 181 the total number of stores the retailer has across Ireland. The new store will offer an extensive selection of groceries, fresh produce, and household essentials, along with an in-store bakery, coffee station and DRS machine.
Source: tescoireland.ie
Lidl España accounted for 0.65% of national GDP in 2023Lidl contributed €8.7bln to Spain's GDP in 2023, representing 0.65% of the total and a 6% increase compared to the previous year, according to the company's latest report. Lidl's 2023 Corporate Impact Report in Spain, prepared by consultancy firm PwC, was released to mark the company's 30th anniversary in the country.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Woolworths celebrates 100th store in New ZealandWoolworths New Zealand has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing transformation journey with its 100th store undergoing the transition to Woolworths - Woolworths Dunedin South.
Source: woolworths.co.nz
Report: Health and wellness is a $285bln market
The health and wellness industry is on the rise, and brands and retailers that can crack the affordability code can position themselves to win that segment of the growing market, according to a report by data analytics firm dunnhumby. The report "Better for you (Customer), You (Brand) and You (Retailer)" shows that health-conscious shoppers represent $285bln in grocery spend annually, making up roughly a third of the $1.7tln grocery industry. Natural and organic-focused grocery chains like Natural Grocers, Amazon Fresh, and The Fresh Market are identified in the report as the leading retailers for health-conscious consumers. These chains and others that cater to this customer demographic are enjoying average annual growth of 7%, according to dunnhumby.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports November sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco" or the "Company") reported net sales of $21.87bln for the retail month of November, the four weeks ended December 1, 2024, an increase of 5.6% from $20.71bln last year. For the twelve-week first quarter ended November 24, 2024, the Company reported net sales of $60.99bln, an increase of 7.5% from $56.72bln last year. Net sales for the first thirteen weeks were $66.52bln, an increase of 7.2% from $62.04bln last year.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Dollar General slowing fresh produce rollout to stores
Dollar General's efforts to bring fresh produce to locations will continue into the new year, but at a slower pace compared to years prior. Dollar General plans to begin selling fresh produce at approximately 300 more locations in 2025, bringing the total number of stores that have this offering to roughly 7,000, CEO Todd Vasos told investors during an earnings call. From 2022 to 2023, Dollar General added produce to more than 1,800 stores, bringing the store count that offered fresh fruits and vegetables to more than 5,000 locations.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Aldi opened nearly 120 stores in 2024
Aldi reported opening nearly 120 new locations this year, bringing the chain closer to its goal of opening 800 new U.S. locations by the end of 2028. Organic foods were a big winner for the German grocer this year with shoppers buying 43mln lbs. of bananas, 20mln packs of grass-fed ground beef, 9mln cartons of organic eggs, 9.4mln lbs. of greens, and 11mln jars of pasta sauces.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Rabobank honors Flashfood at Annual Leadership Summit
Rabobank, a premier global food and agribusiness bank founded 125 years ago and a leading financier of the energy transition, announced the recipients of its annual prestigious Rabobank North America Leadership Awards. Flashfood, an app for affordable groceries, took home the hardware for the 2024 Rabobank Award for Emerging Leadership in Innovation.
Source: prnewswire.com