Amazon faces US strike threat ahead of Christmas
Amazon workers in the US could go on strike ahead of Christmas, after members of the Teamsters union voted to support industrial action. The workers say the online retail giant has refused to recognise their union and ignored a 15 December deadline to hold talks over their contract. Amazon's facilities in Southern California, New York and Illinois could be affected, according to a Teamsters statement.
Source: bbc.com
US: Weis Markets announces plans to purchase Saylor's Market in Newville, Pennsylvania
Weis Markets announced it has entered into an agreement with Saylor's Market for the purchase of certain assets of Saylor's Market located at 37 Carlisle Road, Newville, Pennsylvania. The Company expects to complete the purchase in the first quarter of 2025. Once completed, the store will briefly close for conversion to a Weis Markets.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: The Fresh Market aims to upgrade retail experience
Specialty grocer The Fresh Market has chosen VusionGroup to digitalize both signage and inventory management of the retailer's physical stores across its entire footprint by the end of 2025. Better inventory management and product quality: The deployment of Captana Computer Vision & AI technology in all areas, including center store and fresh departments, will empower the store team and boost on-shelf availability chainwide. Detecting all out-of-stocks in real time, associates can efficiently prioritize shelf replenishment and take on issues relating to produce display, fresh food availability on the floor, and general waste reduction.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
FSF's report identifies innovative solutions to help ensure grocery retail access to affordable, nutritious food in low-income communities across the United States
Food Systems for the Future (FSF) has just released "Grocery Retail for All: Affordable, Nutritious Food in Every Neighborhood", a new report aimed at identifying creative solutions to the persistent challenges faced by grocery operators in low-income communities across the United States.
Source: fsfinstitute.net
Seven & i plans to open 500 stores in US, Canada by 2027
Japan's Seven & i Holdings said it plans to open 500 new convenience stores in the United States and Canada through 2027. A company spokesman confirmed an earlier report by Kyodo about the plan for convenience stores in North America, adding that it was part of Seven & i's strategy to grow to 100,000 stores in 30 countries and regions by 2030.
Source: reuters.com
This is (not) bananas: Amazon devices chief gives free Kindles to people stopping by HQ fruit standPanos Panay is the new king of daytime giveaways. In a video posted on Instagram, Panay peeled away from his day job and is seen giving away the new Kindle Paperwhite - a $159 item - to employees and members of the public stopping by for a free banana at the trailer located between the Spheres and Amazon's Day 1 office tower on 7th Avenue.
Source: geekwire.com
India: Hopcoms outlets in Karnataka on the verge of closure
Going by the current trend of online platforms and private players selling vegetables and fruits procured directly from farmers at competitive prices, outlets of the Karnataka government-owned Horticultural Producers' Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society (HOPCOMS) are on the verge of closure.
Source: newindianexpress.com
Opening of Colruyt Grâce-Hollogne: a new store focused on sustainable choices
On Wednesday 18 December 2024, Colruyt Lowest Prices in Grâce-Hollogne will be opening its doors at rue Laguesse nr 13. Store manager Geoffrey Sciorre explains: "We offer a wide range of quality products, both major brands and our own brands such as Boni Selection and Everyday. In our fresh aisle, customers can find vegetables, fruit, fish, dairy products, vegetarian products, and ready-made meals".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Launch of Nature's Basket: Premium fruits & vegetables category
Bidfood UAE is proud to announce the launch of its newest category, Nature's Basket - a premium selection of fresh, high-quality vegetables and fruits sourced from diverse origins.
Source: bidfoodme.com
UK: Morrisons slashes price of festive veg to 10p ahead of Christmas
Morrisons is cutting the price of vegetables used in a traditional Christmas dinner to 10p to allow all customers to enjoy a roast on 25 December. Morrisons More Card holders will be able to pick-up 1kg carrots, 500g parsnips, 500g Brussel sprouts and a British whole swede for 10p each from 18 December until 24 December. Shoppers will be also able to purchase 2kg of potatoes for half-price, £1.15, until 1 January.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Majid Al Futtaim opens Supeco store in Egypt with EGP 36mln investments
Majid Al Futtaim has inaugurated its latest Supeco store in Egypt with investments exceeding EGP 36mln, according to a press release. Being the first in the Fayoum Governorate, the new store spans 1,760 square meters and offers 3,500 products, including fresh, frozen, and canned food, light household items, as well as home appliances.
Source: arabfinance.com
Look for the logo to support Irish farmers
IFA is encouraging consumers to look for the Bord Bia and NDC logos when they shop for their Christmas dinner in the coming days. According to Kantar, shoppers spent nearly €90mln on December 23rd last year. They expect next Monday to be the single busiest day of the year for supermarkets. IFA President Francie Gorman said the work and investment by farmers and growers provides families with the highest quality food and drink for the festive season. For more information about what will be on dinner tables on Christmas Day, see here.
Source: ifa.ie
Aldi planning to invest £650mln expanding in the UK next year
Aldi has revealed that it expects to invest around £650mln in opening new stores in the UK during 2025. This includes the development of new sites in Fulham Broadway in London, Billericay in Essex, and Cheadle in Stoke-on-Trent, with the discounter targeting around 30 openings in total during the year.
Source: kamcity.com
Fast. Fresh. Food. Lekkerland SE and Reckon.ai team on REWE To Go autonomous store in German train station
REWE To Go and Lekkerland SE have launched an autonomous store at Koblenz Central train station, Germany. This is powered by AI smart cabinets in partnership with Reckon.ai.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
New Zealand: Summer favourites among foods seeing deflation in November at Foodstuffs stores, as bumper spring crop bodes well for Xmas
Foodstuffs' produce experts say after months of good spring weather there are bumper supplies of many fruits and vegetables heading into Christmas. "Growing conditions have been excellent so there should be lots of berries and summer fruit on the shelves for the pavlova or fruit salad", says Foodstuffs North Island's Brigit Corson.
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
UK: Aldi sees Gen Z shunning traditional Christmas foodA study by Aldi has found Gen Z and Millennials are turning their back on traditional Christmas food, including mince pies, Christmas pudding, and cranberry sauce. The top 10 Christmas foods that Gen Z and Millennials are turning their back on: 1. Mince pies - 31%; 2. Christmas pudding - 29%; 3. Christmas cake - 25%; 4. Cranberry sauce - 25%; 5. Brussels sprouts - 24%; 6. Bread sauce - 22%; 7. Chestnuts - 21%; 8. Brandy butter - 20%; 9. Turkey - 20%; 10. Trifle - 19%.
Source: kamcity.com