Delhaize finds new Country Director Luxembourg at Auchan
Nicolas Gueuzurian is the new Country Director for Delhaize's activities in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. Until recently, he was Marketing Director at Auchan Luxembourg, but he will succeed Cédric Gonnet on 1 April.
Source: retaildetail.eu
France: Casino shares slide more than 12% after group reports 2024 loss, store closures
French supermarket group Casino reported a net loss of 295mln euros ($306.8mln) for 2024 after a year marked by restructuring, store disposals and job cuts, sending shares down more than 12%. The owner of the Monoprix, Franprix and Naturalia brands, which fell out of France's SBF120 index for a second time in two years in December, said it sold 366 hypermarkets and supermarkets and closed 768 points of sale last year.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Strangest supermarket substitutions include dog treats instead of steak, poll shows
Almost a third of online grocery shoppers (29%) reported having received a substitution in their most recent food order, the survey for consumer group Which? found. A bemused online Asda shopper was sent a roasting tin instead of roast potatoes, while one was offered bananas instead of pizza. At Sainsbury's, 32% of customers said they had received a swap in their latest shop, including beef dog treats instead of beef steaks. One bewildered shopper was sent leeks instead of flowers. One in four Iceland shoppers received a replacement product in their most recent online shop. One customer had ordered a 24-pack of Pepsi Mango and received pasta instead, another was sent oranges in place of ham.
Source: theguardian.com
New Zealand: Woolworths Ōtaki to become FreshChoice
Woolworths New Zealand has announced that Woolworths Ōtaki will be converted to a FreshChoice store. This news follows a review of how the store can best meet the needs of locals now, and into the future.
Source: woolworths.co.nz
Finland: S-Group sees double-digit growth in plant-based cheese, milk sales in January
S-Group has seen a notable increase in demand for plant-based products in January, fuelled by targeted vegan campaigns. In January 2025, sales of plant-based cheese items and milk increased by over 10% compared to the same period last year. The data further showed a growing demand in other categories, including fresh vegetables, plant-based frozen foods, and plant-based cooking products. S-Group has also implemented the 'Alle euron hevi' concept in its stores, highlighting fruit, vegetables, and root vegetables priced at under €1 per unit, per kilogram, per box, or per piece.
Source: esmmagazine.com
DIA reports a 'solid' FY 2024 driven by Spain
Spanish retailer DIA has reported growth in sales and profit in its financial year 2024, driven by robust performance in its home market. Adjusted EBITDA in the business unit increased by 37% to €265mln, while the margin increased by 1.4 percentage points to 6.2%. Overall, Grupo DIA reported net income of €28mln in the financial year as Spain drove growth.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: James Graham to retire and Peter Allen to become Chairman of the Board of Coles Group Limited
Coles Group Limited (Coles or Group) announced that its Chairman, James Graham, will retire from the Board of Coles, effective 30 April 2025. The Board has appointed Peter Allen as Chairman-elect to succeed Mr Graham on 1 May 2025.
Source: colesgroup.com.au
France: Auchan Retail returns to growth in FY 2024
Auchan Retail has reported revenue growth of 2.1% in its financial year 2024, reaching €31.67bln, with a 4.2% growth in the second half of the year. Auchan France's 2024 revenue grew 1.3% to €16.95bln, primarily driven by the addition of 94 ex-Casino stores starting in May.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Asda supporting the opening of new social supermarket
Asda and social supermarket chain Community Shop are joining forces to open a new store in Swarcliffe, Leeds, next month. Community Shop stores operate on a free membership basis and are open to those on means-tested benefits who live in the local area. They provide members with access to deeply discounted food and essentials, including fruit, vegetables and bread for only 20p.
Source: kamcity.com
Alibaba partners with Maersk to offer logistics services
Alibaba.com and A.P. Moller - Maersk have announced a collaboration that will integrate Maersk's less than container load (LCL) and full container load (FCL) logistics services into Alibaba.com's ecommerce platform.
Source: digitalcommerce360.com
Japan: Seven & i Pres. Isaka likely to resign
Seven & i Holdings Co. President Ryuichi Isaka is expected to step down, informed sources said. Stephen Hayes Dacus, 64, an outside director of the major Japanese retail group and former CEO of Seiyu, a Japanese supermarket operator, is seen as the likely successor of Isaka, 67, the sources said.
Source: jen.jiji.com
US: Massachusetts Teamsters secure tentative agreement with Stop & Shop
Teamsters Local 25 has reached a tentative six-year agreement covering more than 900 workers at Stop & Shop's Freetown distribution center. The agreement guarantees the facility remains open, secures the largest wage increases in the workers' history, and strengthens benefits. Teamsters at Stop & Shop had the full backing of more than 30,000 United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) members, who pledged to honor Teamsters' picket lines if Stop & Shop moved forward with threats to close the facility.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Publix reaches 1bln pounds of food donated through Good Together food donation program
Publix announced it surpassed 1bln pounds of food donated through its food donation program, which began in 2009. Publix is donating $5mln of fresh produce as part of the campaign.
Source: businesswire.com
Canadians want retailers to make it easier to support local businesses amid trade war threats
As more Canadians choose to buy local products amid the looming threat of U.S. tariffs, a new survey from KPMG in Canada finds they want retailers to make it easier for them to do so. Key poll highlights: 80% say they are purposefully looking for a non-U.S. version (e.g., if fruit is available from either the U.S. or Peru, choosing the Peruvian version) if a Canadian product equivalent isn't available.
Source: newswire.ca