US: Messy end to merger results in Albertsons debt issuance
Albertsons Companies, Inc. is looking to reduce the substantial debt it acquired as a result of its failed merger with Kroger by offering it up to investors. The Boise, Idaho-based retailer said that it intends to offer $600mln in "aggregate principal amount of new senior notes due 2033".
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Giant Food and Divert, Inc. prevent nearly 80mln pounds of unsold food from being wasted
Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, and Divert, Inc., a circular economy company on a mission to prevent food from being wasted, announced a milestone of nearly 80mln pounds of unsold food products processed since 2022, the equivalent of mitigating more than 37,000 metric tons of CO2e.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. reports fourth quarter and full year 2024 results
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. reported results for the 13-week fourth quarter and 52-week year ending December 29, 2024. Fourth quarter highlights: net sales totaled $2.0bln; a 18% increase from the same period in 2023. Comparable store sales growth of 11.5%. Full year highlights: net sales totaled $7.7bln; a 13% increase from the same period in 2023. Comparable store sales growth of 7.6%.
Source: businesswire.com
How grocers can spur natural, organic product growth
According to a recent Acosta Group natural and organic study, 75% of all shoppers bought at least one natural or organic product in the six months before the survey, with 59% saying that they think it's important that their groceries and/or household items are natural and/or organic. The study, conducted with Acosta's proprietary U.S. Shopper Community, spotlights several key insights to support further category growth ahead of Expo West, slated for March 4-7 in Anaheim, California.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
New owner, but sales drop for Just Eat Takeaway
Meal delivery company Just Eat Takeaway.com has accepted a bid from tech investor Prosus for a full takeover. The bid of 20.3 euros per share values the delivery giant at more than four billion euros. JET also announced its operating results for 2024. Its gross transaction volume fell by 2% to 26.3bln euros, a decline that was mainly caused by North America. As a result, group turnover also fell by 1% to 5.085bln euros. The profit figures showed the opposite movement: adjusted EBITDA rose from 339 to 460mln euros, while the net loss decreased from 1.846 to 1.645bln euros.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Japan: Seven & i to give Bain priority in Ito-Yokado supermarket spin-off
Seven & i Holdings Co is expected to make U.S. private equity firm Bain Capital the preferred buyer for its intermediate subsidiary operating Ito-Yokado supermarket chain, a source familiar with the matter said.
Source: japantoday.com
India: Lulu Group inks pact with Highland Group to source food from Odisha
Lulu Group is all set to expand its sourcing operations in Odisha. It has inked a pact with Highland Group at Gulfood 2025. "We see immense potential in Odisha for sourcing high-quality fruits, vegetables, rice, and seafood for our stores across the region and in India. Our team will be visiting the state to gain first-hand insights into the opportunities, and we will commence sourcing operations immediately", said Lulu Group chairman Yusuffali MA.
Source: newindianexpress.com
UK: Aldi to invest £67mln in existing stores in 2025
Aldi is investing £67mln into upgrading its existing store estate this year. The discounter said it has spent almost £600mln on improvements since 2017 and is moving on to the second stage of its store enhancement programme.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
UK: Supermarket reports surging demand for 'flavour of the moment' rhubarb
A UK supermarket has reported that demand for forced rhubarb has rocketed by 200% compared with the same time last year, amid a boom in rhubarb-flavoured products. Tesco said that out-of-season forced rhubarb, made to grow early through use of warmth and darkness, is widely considered to be the more tender and sweeter variety. Tesco supplier Place UK, a grower based in Tunstead near Norwich, has also reported that demand for forced rhubarb has soared by more than 170% since 2019.
Source: northern-times.co.uk
SPAR Netherlands university retailer to open stores on university campuses in Arnhem and Nijmegen
In collaboration with Compass Group Netherlands, SPAR Netherlands' university retailer will open two stores on the campuses of the HAN University of Applied Sciences in Arnhem and Nijmegen during the second quarter of 2025.
Source: spar-international.com
Cashierless Rewe To Go Smart Box store opens doors in public arrivals area of Germany's Frankfurt airport
Lekkerland SE's 20th entry in its smart store concept push, the Rewe To Go Smart Box, is now live at Germany's Frankfurt Airport Terminal 1 Gate B. In a LinkedIn post, Mehmet Tözge, Vice President Smart Stores at Lekkerland SE, said: "Customer preferences have changed. End consumers want to shop 24/7, quickly and with as few contacts as possible. We're developing smart stores to meet the evolving expectations of end consumers".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Belgium: Lidl expands presence in Brussels
Lidl Belgium is expanding its presence in the Brussels region with four new stores. The discounter is opening a new store in Jette, Anderlecht, and two in Schaerbeek, creating 50 new jobs.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Spain: Consum plans to open 35 Charter stores in 2025
Spanish consumer cooperative Consum saw significant growth in its Charter franchise in 2024, with sales to franchisees increasing by 12.7% to €781.6mln. The network expanded by 6.7%, adding 43 new stores and taking the total to 479 across Spain.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Aldi UK workers get second pay rise in two monthsThe UK arm of German discount supermarket Aldi is to give its hourly paid store workers a second pay rise in two months so it can match the increased level offered by rival Lidl GB.
Source: reuters.com
Belgium: Online supermarket Hopr discontinued
Belgian online supermarket Hopr has closed its virtual doors: as a national roll-out never materialised, the store never reached a large enough scale to become profitable.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Hungary: Competition authority fines Spar €12 thousandBecause Spar Hungary Kft. "committed omissions in the verification of implemented measures", the Competition Authority (GVH) has fined the company €12,430, a recent press release from GVH stated. Portfolio.hu reported on the case.
Source: agroberichtenbuitenland.nl