UK: Supermarket sales slow amid growing concerns about higher food inflation
Latest data from NielsenIQ (NIQ) shows Total Till sales growth in UK supermarkets slowed to 4.0% during the four weeks to 22nd February, down from the 5.3% figure recorded in January. Over the four weeks, meat, fish and poultry was the fastest growing super-category (+8.5%) followed by dairy (+6.4%) and produce (+5.7%) as fresh foods were favoured over packaged grocery (+2.4%) and frozen food growth was weaker (+0.7% and -0.6% units).
Source: kamcity.com
Biedronka enters Slovakia, opens first store in Miloslavov
Polish retailer Biedronka has launched its first store in Slovakia, welcoming shoppers in Miloslavov, near Bratislava. The Jerónimo Martins subsidiary has prepared a completely new distribution centre in Voderady, where a team of 66 people supports the logistics of the retail chain. Biedronka will expand its presence in the country with new stores planned in other Slovak cities, such as Zvolen, Považská Bystrica, Nové Zámky and Senica.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: M&S announces biggest ever investment in retail pay
M&S reported: "Marks & Spencer has announced a £95mln investment in its retail pay offer. This is the biggest investment M&S has made in its retail pay offer and third consecutive increase since Stuart Machin became CEO in 2022, despite new cost pressures from the Government".
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
UK: Co-op addresses land agreements which restrict rivals opening nearby
Co-op has admitted to 107 breaches of an order put in place to protect competition and stop the use of unlawful anti-competitive land agreements in grocery retailing. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) found that the supermarket chain, which owns almost 2,400 stores across the UK and holds a 5.2% market share in the UK's £190.9bln supermarket industry, breached the Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010.
Source: talkingretail.com
Australia: SPAR welcomes a new SPAR Express store in New South Wales
SPAR Australia opened a new SPAR Express store located in Blayney, in the heart of New South Wales' Central West region, offering an enhanced shopping experience to the town and surrounding communities.
Source: spar-international.com
Shoprite customers can now also Sixty60 as digital adoption grows in South Africa
Shoprite reported: "The convenience of on-demand grocery delivery will soon be available to even more South Africans as Sixty60 expands its award-winning service to selected Shoprite supermarkets. Following a successful pilot in Gauteng and the Western Cape, Sixty60 is set to launch in 19 Shoprite stores across eight provinces".
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
Lidl, Eroski announce price reductions to ease household budgets
In Germany, Lidl has reinforced its price-performance policy by permanently reducing the prices of selected meat and other products across all its outlets. Furthermore, Lidl Plus customers are now eligible for an additional 10% discount on more than 200 organic items such as fruits, vegetables, yoghurt and oats throughout March. Spanish retailer Eroski has announced a new initiative to further support savings on essential household items. The company is set to invest €71.6mln in 2025, focusing on reducing the prices of 700 own-brand products.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Japan: Seven & i names Dacus as new CEO to replace Isaka
Seven & i Holdings Co. said it has named Stephen Hayes Dacus, 64, an outside director of the major Japanese retail group, as its new president and CEO to replace Ryuichi Isaka, 67. Dacus, former CEO of Japanese supermarket operator Seiyu, will assume the new post after a shareholders meeting on May 27, becoming the first non-Japanese head of Seven & i.
Source: jen.jiji.com
US: Online influencers can be strong produce conduits"Social media is significantly shaping consumer tastes, preferences, and trends around all food categories, including fruits and vegetables", said Jack O'Leary, director, e-commerce strategic insights thought leader, for NielsenIQ, a New York-based consumer intelligence firm. "Influencers who focus on fitness, healthy eating, and dietary conditions are driving demand from their audiences".
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market readies for significant expansion in 2025
Fast-growing Sprouts Farmers Market has provided more information in its quest to open at least 35 new stores for fiscal year 2025. "As we expand to new markets across the country, we will stay true to our roots of fresh produce and healthier products that inspire our customers to live and eat better, and enrich the communities we serve", said CEO Jack Sinclair.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: GoodSAM Foods secures $9mln Series A to scale regenerative food movement
GoodSAM Foods, the mission-driven food brand dedicated to regenerative agriculture, transparency, and farmer empowerment, announced a $9mln Series A funding round. The funding will enable team expansion, new product line launches, and continued direct trade support for smallholder and indigenous farmers in the nine countries where GoodSAM operates, including Colombia, Mexico and Kenya.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Chipotle premieres "Unfolded" - An animated short film featuring a cover by Halsey alongside $2mln donation to support sustainable AG
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced the debut of a new short film "Unfolded", which showcases sustainable agriculture comparable to Chipotle's Food With Integrity principles. Chipotle created "Unfolded" to generate awareness for the future of sustainable agriculture. The short film displays agrivoltaics, the practice of using land for both agriculture and solar energy production, which is an example of an initiative the brand is supporting with its $2mln pledge.
Source: prnewswire.com