US: Import cargo could see surge ahead of potential port strike and Trump tariffs
Import volumes at the nation's major container ports could be higher than previously expected for the remainder of this year as retailers face another potential East Coast/Gulf Coast port strike and tariff increases planned by President-elect Donald Trump, according to the Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Source: nrf.com
Canada: T&T opens second store in Quebec
T&T Supermarket Inc. opened its second store in Quebec. Its first in the Montérégie region, the Asian supermarket's new store is located at Quartier Dix30 in Brossard. The more than 5,000 square-foot grocery store - first announced in August 2023 - offers T&T's signature fare, including a self-serve hot food bar, a noodle station, sushi, Papa Chicken, freshly made bread and pastry, fruits and vegetables, seafood, groceries and ready-to-eat meals.
Source: canadiangrocer.com https://canadiangrocer.com/tt-opens-second-store-quebec
US: Serve Robotics steps into restaurant kitchens with Vebu acquisition
Serve Robotics, known for its sidewalk delivery robots, is branching out from its mainstay focus on automated delivery solutions and into restaurant kitchens through its acquisition of the 'Autocado' technology seen at burrito chain Chipotle Mexican Grill. Serve said it would acquire Vebu, the company behind the avocado processing robot Autocado, which automates the cutting, coring and scooping of avocados. Chipotle has been testing the robot for several quarters and recently deployed the technology in locations in California.
Source: reuters.com
Assaí: Revenue reaches R$ 20bln in the quarter, leverage continues to decline
Assaí Atacadista (ASAI) reported solid results for the third quarter of 2024, with revenue reaching R$ 20.2bln, a 9.3% year-over-year growth, reflecting the maturation of its expansion strategy and continued strengthening of its customer base. Focusing on profitability and financial sustainability, pre-IFRS16 EBITDA grew by 12.1%, reaching R$ 1bln, with a 5.5% margin, exceeding sales growth.
Source: prnewswire.com
Redefining retail: autonomous stores firm Sensei hits milestone in Italy as DAO Cooperativa location turns one
Sensei has celebrated one year of its Verona autonomous store with DAO Cooperativa. In a LinkedIn post, the company said: "One year ago, we proudly opened Italy's first autonomous store with DAO Conad, marking our debut in Italy and a major step in redefining retail."
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Local SPAR Northern Ireland retailer celebrates 50 years serving the local community
The award-winning Canning's SPAR Supermarket Bellarena in Limavady celebrated an amazing milestone of 50 years serving their local community and are giving back with fundraisers for important causes. Three significant refurbishments have been completed to bring even more services and products for their shoppers, including a butchery, an instore Post Office, and an extended offering of local fresh produce.
Source: spar-international.com
South Africa: Pick n Pay gives price range for IPO of up to 40% of Boxer
South African retailer Pick n Pay gave a price range of 42 rand to 54 rand ($2.39 to $3.07) per share for the initial public offering (IPO) of up to 40% of its discount grocery chain Boxer.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Asda updates on Q3 2024 trading
Asda has announced its results for the third quarter ending 30th September and updated on its plans and investment to improve the shopping experience for customers during the 'Golden Quarter'. The retailer reported a 2.5% decline in total revenues, excluding fuel to £5.3bln, with like-for-like sales declining 4.8% in Q3 2024, representing an improvement on the previous quarter this financial year.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Spain: Transgourmet expands into Murcia with six Suma supermarkets
Swiss-based wholesale distributor Transgourmet has made its entry into the Spanish region of Murcia. The move follows the acquisition and rebranding of six supermarkets previously owned by the Granada-based chain, Tu Super. The six supermarkets, all located in the city of Murcia, will operate under the Suma banner and have been renovated since the summer of 2024.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Albert Heijn launches AI assistant
Albert Heijn is launching a personal assistant in its app that uses generative AI. 'My AH Assistant' inspires customers with recipes, product suggestions and practical tips for cooking or storing dishes.
Source: retaildetail.eu
German supermarkets offer cheaper plant-based grocery baskets, study finds
Supermarkets in Germany offer a cheaper plant-based grocery basket compared with an animal-based counterpart, a new study by ProVeg has revealed. On average, the price difference between the baskets this year is 16% - 9 percentage points down compared to a year ago. "A plant-based shopping basket with no extra charge compared to its animal counterpart is a novelty", stated project manager Virginia Cecchini Kuskow.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Food-delivery platform Swiggy's India IPO sold on final day
Swiggy Ltd.'s $1.3bln initial public offering was oversubscribed more than three times on Friday, driven by a late surge in demand from large investors for the Indian food-delivery platform.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
A pint for every personality: Find your 'beersona' with CMBC
Carlsberg Marston's Brewing Company (CMBC) has crafted a range of profiles, or 'beersonas', based on the beer-buying habits of shoppers in convenience stores in the UK. Representing 29.3% of UK shoppers, Early Birds tend to buy beer earlier in the week, often purchasing ale alongside other grocery staples, such as tea bags, canned vegetables and salad.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Carrefour ramps up support for French food banks
Carrefour has reaffirmed its support for Fédération Française des Banques Alimentaires, the federation of French food banks, with a planned €1.5mln in donations over three years.
Source: esmmagazine.com