Amazon-backed More Retail plans India IPO next year, betting on its hybrid model
Amazon-backed More Retail, a key player in India's food and staples market, plans to go public next year and double its store count in five as shoppers keep turning to supermarkets and online buying for daily groceries, a top executive told Reuters. Mumbai-based More, known for its neighborhood supermarkets and fresh grocery offerings, operates one of the country's largest retail chains, with 775 stores as of its latest count.
Source: reuters.com
From the south coast of England to the Isle of Skye, Co-op relaunches three further stores following major makeover
Co-op relaunched three further stores following major makeovers to transform the customer experience. Stores in Brighton, Whitehawk Road; Portree, Bank Street and Bristol, Broomhill Road, all re-opened after undergoing an extensive investment programme. The stores all include a focus on fresh and healthy produce, food-to-go and meal deals; Fairtrade products, pizzas, flowers; ready meals, award winning wines and every day essentials.
Source: co-operative.coop
Ocado's AI-powered robotic arms: levelling up efficiency in online grocery and logistics
Ocado Group reported: "Robots simply don't possess the same sensory or cognitive abilities as a person, such as the cognition humans rely on to learn and generalise knowledge in new situations. In no industry is this more challenging than grocery retail, where a whole new host of complexities are introduced, from differing temperatures to delicate items like glass bottles, and food categories which vary in shape and size, such as soft fruit. On Grid Robotic Pick (OGRP) is Ocado's robotic arm technology, automating the picking, packing and organisation of stock within fulfilment centres, directly from the grid".
Source: ocadogroup.com
Spain: Alcampo's sales drop 1% in FY 2024 despite network expansion
Spanish supermarket chain Alcampo saw sales dip nearly 1% year-on-year to €5bln in its financial year 2024. The company's investments also dropped 70% to €117mln in 2024, down from €357mln the previous year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
M&S Union Square opens new Foodhall, Café and Menswear department
M&S Aberdeen Union Square has opened its new foodhall, following an eight month transformation to offer customers a fresh and exciting shopping experience. The 18,900 sq ft fresh market-style foodhall features the full range of M&S food and offers a fresh market feel to food shopping.
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com builds on Ochama move in Europe as it gets ready to rumble in UK
JD.com has entered into recruitment mode as it works on an entry in to the UK market. In a LinkedIn post, Matthew Nobbs, Chief Merchandise Officer, JD.com, said: "Getting ready to rumble in the UK for one of China's biggest success stories. With global annual turnover of in excess of $157bln last year- we are coming to the UK. Calling all category superstars. If you are a Category Manager or a seasoned expert Senior Category Manager- we are hiring right now in London".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
DUG Barista will be listed in 1600 Rossmann stores in Germany
DUG Foodtech announces that their innovative and climate-friendly potato-based drink, DUG Barista, will soon be available in 1600 Rossmann stores across Germany. In addition to the in-store launch, all three DUG variants - DUG Original, DUG Unsweetened, and DUG Barista - will be listed at Rossmann's online shop. This move strengthens DUG's presence in Europe's largest market for plant-based milk alternatives.
Source: ir.dugdrinks.com
UK: Iceland agrees deal to double forecourt presence
Iceland Foods is set to double its presence in the forecourt sector through a new partnership with EG On the Move, the business set up in 2023 by Zuber Issa to operate the sites that the EG Group didn't sell to Asda.
Source: kamcity.com
Bakkavor gets more time to discuss Greencore deal
The board of Bakkavor Group has secured an extension of the deadline for Greencore to make a firm takeover offer, moving it to 9 May 2025 from its initial deadline of 17:00 (GMT) on 11 April 2025.
Source: esmmagazine.com
EuroCommerce urges EU and US to seize tariff halt opportunity
EuroCommerce reported: "European retail and wholesale sector, calls on EU and US leaders to leverage the recent US tariff suspension to engage in meaningful transatlantic dialogue. Urgent discussions are needed to tackle global trade challenges and protect consumers".
Source: eurocommerce.eu
Portugal: Jerónimo Martins gets go-ahead to acquire 75 Colsubsidio supermarkets
Retail group Jerónimo Martins has received approval from Colombia's antitrust authority (Superintendencia de Industria y Comercio) to acquire 75 Colsubsidio supermarkets across the country. The acquisition will help Portugal-based Jerónimo Martins to boost its presence in Colombia to more than 1,500 outlets. This acquisition, along with 150 planned new stores and a €1bln investment plan, will consolidate Ara's position as the third-largest retailer in Colombia, after Éxito and D1, accoriding to media reports.
Source: esmmagazine.com
China's retail giants pledge to help exporters go domestic amid trade warChinese e-commerce giant JD.com said on Friday it will launch a 200bln yuan ($27.35bln) fund to help the country's exporters to sell their products domestically over the next year.
Source: reuters.com
US: Consumer Price Index - March 2025
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) decreased 0.1% on a seasonally adjusted basis in March, after rising 0.2% in February, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The index for fruits and vegetables declined 0.5% in March as the index for lettuce fell 3.5%.
Source: bls.gov
US: Healthy Family Project celebrates 9 years of partnership with Associated Wholesale Grocers through 2025 Produce for Kids campaign
Healthy Family Project reported: "Healthy Family Project is proud to kick off its 2025 Produce for Kids campaign in Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) Springfield and Gulf Coast divisions, marking a milestone nine-year partnership dedicated to promoting healthier families and supporting communities in need".
Source: healthyfamilyproject.com
US: How Walmart is winning value shoppers
In an exclusive interview with Progressive Grocer, the EVP of the Walmart U.S. food business, John Laney, offers a comprehensive look at how the company is accelerating its ability to serve shoppers how they want to be served in the moment, like whether they need chips and salsa - or an extra folding table and a couple of chairs - for Game Day. "Our fresh business has significantly grown over the past several years, in part due to the popularity of pickup and delivery", explains Laney. "We've expanded our assortment, including across tropicals, grape varieties and salad kits".
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Plum Market to open 2nd Florida store
Neighborhood grocer Plum Market has signed the lease for its second Florida location, in Palm Beach Gardens. Features include - A peak-of-season, organic and locally sourced produce and raw juice program - Chef-crafted meals such as hot entrees, side dishes and sandwiches; self-serve composed salads, a salad bar and soups; fresh-made sushi; and packaged grab-and-go options.
Source: progressivegrocer.com