UK: Sainsbury's unveils new flagship supermarket in Alsager
Sainsbury's reported: "The new supermarket is Sainsbury's second store in Alsager, and the retailer plans to build on the success of its existing Local store in the town. Located on the newly created Brunds Farm Road, near Linley Lane, the new 25,000 sq. ft store is now open from 7am to 10pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Sainsbury's is passionate about providing good food for all of us and the new supermarket store centres around an extensive range of high quality, great value, tasty products including fresh food, fruit and veg, food-to-go, kitchen cupboard favourites, frozen food and baked bread and pastries".
Source: about.sainsburys.co.uk
UK: Ocado narrows losses as grocery sales surge
Ocado Group has narrowed its full-year losses as it capitalises on more shoppers choosing to order their groceries online. Group sales rose 14.1% to £3.16bln, boosted by an 18.1% surge in revenue to £496.5mln in its technology solutions and its logistics arm advancing 7.6% to £718mln. Ocado reported sales for its retail business - a joint venture with M&S - jumped 13.9% in the period to £2.69bln, driven by 12.5% growth in orders per week to 442,000.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Ireland: Tesco announces 80 new DEIS schools for Stronger Starts Food programme
Tesco Ireland reported: "80 new schools are to be added to the Tesco Stronger Starts Food Programme as new research reveals significant health benefits for children and families, arising from the three year old programme. The study reveals that almost 9 out of 10 parents surveyed are preparing more healthy food at home, with 8 out of 10 seeing their children eating healthier. Stronger Starts sees Tesco provide free packs of fresh fruit and vegetables to almost five thousand children in 240 DEIS primary schools across Ireland every week".
Source: tescoireland.ie
Carrefour Polska launches compact store format in Warsaw
Carrefour Polska has introduced a new compact store format, spanning 300 square metres and offering approximately 6,000 products. The first '300' store has opened in Warsaw's Praga Południe, marking a step forward in Carrefour Polska's strategy to accelerate its expansion in large and medium-sized Polish cities.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Coles profit drops 3%, receives $120mln sales boost from Woolworths strikes
Coles has revealed a 3% fall in half-year profit. The company received a major boost from its supermarket division, which recorded a 7% increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) to $1.08bln. Nearly all of Coles' sales revenue is generated from its vast network of 840 supermarkets nationwide. Sales revenue from its supermarket division rose 4.3% to $20.6bln during the half-year. It appears the country's second-largest grocery chain has benefited from its rival Woolworths' recent misfortunes. Woolworths workers went on a two-week strike in December, which hurt its sales by $240mln. Coles CEO Leah Weckert said: "These actions enabled the supermarkets' network to generate approximately $120mln in incremental sales".
Source: abc.net.au
Waitrose first in season for British asparagus
Waitrose reported: "Sales of Waitrose asparagus has skyrocketed 50% compared to this time last year. Searches on Waitrose.com for 'asparagus' and 'asparagus tips' up 120% and 99% compared to this time last year. Asparagus recipe searches on Waitrose.com up 133% in the last month. Waitrose has welcomed an extra early asparagus season which is due to arrive in shops from 26th February, 8 weeks earlier than normal, with Waitrose customers able to enjoy British Asparagus for even longer this year".
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
UK retail could shed 160,000 part-time jobs after employer tax increase, says trade body
Up to 160,000 part-time retail jobs in Britain are at risk of being lost over the next three years as a result of higher employer taxes and regulatory changes, the British Retail Consortium (BRC) trade body warned.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Co-op claims industry first as it launches Peckish rapid online grocery app for independent retailers
UK convenience specialist Co-op has announced the launch of a new rapid delivery grocery app, Peckish, which, in what is claimed to be a grocery retail first, offers a service to independent retailers looking to serve their customers and communities online.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Italy: Apulia Distribuzione plans investment of €50mln, targets €1bln turnover
Italian regional food retailer Apulia Distribuzione plans to invest €50mln between 2025 and 2027, with the goal of achieving a turnover of €1bln. The company is significantly expanding its reach through several strategic initiatives. It plans to open eight new Rossotono Market superstores in Puglia, each exceeding 800 square metres, and renovate 15 existing outlets.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Ahold Delhaize announced the nomination of a new member to its Supervisory Board
Ahold Delhaize announced the nomination of Per Bank for appointment to Ahold Delhaize's Supervisory Board. The Supervisory Board will propose his appointment alongside the proposal to reappoint Jan Zijderveld, to the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Shareholders on April 9, 2025.
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
Itochu to bow out of Seven & i buyout, Couche-Tard still interested
Japan's Itochu is withdrawing from a buyout for Seven & i Holdings proposed by the retailer's founding family, two sources with knowledge of the matter said, while Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard reaffirmed its commitment to a takeover.
In other news: Family behind Japan's Seven & i pulls $58bln buyout bid, shares dive.
Source: reuters.com
US: Vori partners with Fujitsu to deliver advanced self-checkout solutions to independent grocers
Vori reported: "Vori, the modern grocery operating system, announced a new partnership with Fujitsu Frontech North America Inc., a leader in innovative retail self-checkout hardware and software solutions. Together, the companies are working to provide independent grocers with the ability to easily incorporate advanced AI self-checkout solutions into their store operations, driving efficiency, reducing labor costs, and improving overall shopper experiences".
Source: vori.com
US: Just Salad raises $200mln to accelerate growth, make everyday health and sustainability possible
Just Salad, the fast-casual restaurant chain with a mission to make everyday health and sustainability possible, announced it has raised $200mln in capital from an investor group led by Wellington Management, alongside D1 Capital Partners, Neuberger Berman, and Stripes. The capital raise values the company at approximately $1bln. Proceeds of the transaction will be used to support new unit growth as well as continued investment in menu innovation, advanced technology initiatives and customer experience.
Source: prnewswire.com