Why produce is more attractive than ever to shoppers
Many consumers are searching for the best produce values and are willing to shop at a variety of retail channels, including mass merchandise, club, and dollar stores, said Chris Costagli, vice president of food thought leadership at NielsenIQ, a New York-based consumer intelligence firm. These channels offer greater affordability for essential items", he said. "As budgets tighten, this trend is expected to continue. More consumers are planning to cut back on snacks, confectionery, and frozen foods in favor of fresh produce, dairy, and meat". Older shoppers are especially prone to purchase produce, due in part to established cooking habits and a preference for home-prepared meals, Costagli said. "They often have more time to cook and are making fresh ingredients a staple in their diets", he said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Colombian regional supermarket chains expand market share, study finds
Regional supermarket chains in Colombia have experienced significant growth and increased their market share in 2024, according to a recent Kantar Worldpanel study. These chains have seen a 31% increase in value and a 6.3-percentage-point rise in household penetration, compared to 2023, establishing themselves as trusted and convenient options for Colombian shoppers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US Foods reports fourth quarter and fiscal year 2024 earnings
US Foods Holding Corp., one of the largest foodservice distributors in the United States, announced results for the fourth quarter and full fiscal year 2024. Fourth quarter fiscal 2024 highlights: net sales increased 6.2% to $9.5bln. Gross profit increased 4.8% to $1.7bln. Fiscal year 2024 highlights: net sales increased 6.4% to $37.9bln. Gross profit increased 6.3% to $6.5bln.
Source: businesswire.com
Dematic and Transcend Retail Solutions partner to revolutionize grocery picking
Dematic reported: "Dematic, a global leader in supply chain solutions announced an exciting new partnership with Transcend Retail Solutions - part of the Tesco group, the UK's largest in-store and online retailer. This collaboration step changes ecommerce through a proven micro-fulfillment center (MFC)".
Source: prnewswire.com
Mercadona increases Spanish market share to 26.6%
Mercadona retained its dominant position in the Spanish supermarket sector in 2024, increasing its market share by 0.5 percentage points to 26.6%, according to the latest data from Kantar.
Source: esmmagazine.com
New Zealand: Food price inflation in global commodities
Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director Chris Quin said the ongoing price spikes in three global commodities - olive oil, butter, and cocoa - were key contributors to January's rise in FPI. Orange kūmara, brown onions, canned spaghetti, and green kiwifruit were the foods with the most significant year-over-year price decreases in January. Foodstuffs produce experts said there was a plentiful supply of fruits like cherries, nectarines, and peaches, with new-season apples arriving several weeks ahead of schedule.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
UK: Tesco celebrates 30 years of Clubcard rewards
Tesco Clubcard is turning 30 and to celebrate 30 years of rewards for customers, has worked with BBH London on a campaign that reminds the nation of just how rewarding its membership can be whilst leaning into three decades of nostalgia.
Source: adsofbrands.net
M&S strengthens International leadership team
As M&S resets its International business, it has strengthened its global leadership team with three new senior appointments. Manish Kapoor joins from Pepe Jeans as the new Managing Director for M&S India; Victoria Jones, formerly from Clarks, steps into the role as Commercial Director, International, and Richard Davies has been promoted to International Partnerships Director - he was previously Head of Category for Brands at M&S.
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
Bulgaria: Billa to invest BGN 60mln in 2025, open 13 new stores
Billa Bulgaria invested over BGN 100mln (€51mln) in 2024, including BGN 44mln (€23mln) in a new logistics base near Stara Zagora and nearly BGN 60mln (€31mln) in store expansion and renovations. Seven new stores, including locations in Teteven and Svishtov, opened in the past year, bringing the total to 165 stores in 51 cities by the end of the year. In an interview with the Bulgarian news portal Capital, Billa Bulgaria's CEO, Vigintas Shapokas, projected continued growth in 2024, with a 6.6% turnover increase through October despite deflation, and a 4.5% rise in customer numbers. Shapokas added that Billa Bulgaria plans to invest over BGN 60mln (€31mln) in 2025, of which BGN 44mln (€22mln) will be for the opening of 13 new stores, expanding Billa's presence in existing cities and potentially entering smaller settlements like Vidin, Gorna Oryahovitsa, and Tryavna.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: CHEFS CULINAR enhances deliveries with Descartes last mile delivery solutions
Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announced that the German wholesale food distributor, CHEFS CULINAR, is using Descartes' last mile delivery solution to enhance the last mile delivery operations to its customers.
Source: routinguk.descartes.com
Australia: Cost-of-living pressures are creating new shopping habits
Gary Mortimer, a consumer behaviour researcher at the Queensland University of Technology, said shopping habits were changing. "The biggest change we have seen is the growth in online shopping … growing to about 12% [of food shopping]", Professor Mortimer said. "Which is a long way from where it used to be before the pandemic, at about 2 to 3%".
Source: abc.net.au
UK: Purchasing 'Spring Clean' can tackle higher food and drink costs
Operators facing the challenge of higher food and drink costs need to benchmark their purchasing and be ready to shake up bad habits this spring, warns hospitality specialist Lynx Purchasing. The warning comes as Lynx Purchasing publishes the Spring 2025 edition of its regular Market Forecast, using exclusive insight supplied by the range of suppliers that Lynx works with, as well as official inflation data, to look at food and drink pricing across the spring trading period. Product areas flagged up the Market Forecast include: Potatoes - Prices have continued to rise well ahead of the inflation rate, with the year-on-year price of unprocessed potatoes up 16.8% in December. With producers still recovering from the impact of flooding in early 2024, the effect of the freezing weather and floods in January this year is being assessed; Salads - The British salad industry has warned that post-Brexit checks on seed and plant imports will have a serious impact on this year's crops, particularly tomatoes, peppers and cucumbers. Higher prices and delays in availability are likely unless the UK government streamlines the process, producers have warned; Orange Juice - Supplies are short due to the impact of climate change. Brazil, the largest producer, exported 20% less concentrate year-on-year in the second half of 2024, which has had an impact on price.
Source: lynxpurchasing.co.uk