UK: M&S Union Square unveils date for foodhall opening
M&S reported: "M&S has announced the opening date for its highly anticipated, expanded foodhall at Union Square. The doors will open on Friday 11th April at 8am, promising a fresh and exciting shopping experience. The star of the show is the 18,900 sq ft fresh market-style foodhall which will feature the full range of M&S food and offer a fresh market feel to produce shopping".
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
UK: Poundland could be put up for sale as taxes rise
Poundland's owner has said it is considering putting the chain up for sale after warning tax changes coming in April will put more pressure on the business. The discount chain has 825 UK stores but sales were down this January and February, its Polish owner Pepco Group said.
Source: bbc.com
UAE and Egypt: Talabat expands grocery vertical with InstaShop acquisition from Delivery Hero
Talabat has acquired InstaShop from Delivery Hero for $32mln, the company announced. The price is largely symbolic, as the deal is part of an internal restructuring within Delivery Hero. InstaShop, founded in June 2015 and headquartered in Dubai, is a leading online grocery delivery marketplace operating in the UAE and Egypt.
Source: menabytes.com
Checkers named South Africa's strongest brand
Shoprite reported: "Checkers has been named South Africa's strongest brand in the Brand Finance 2025 South Africa Top 100 Report, securing an AAA+ rating, the highest brand strength rating awarded".
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
China: JD.com announces fourth quarter and full year 2024 results
JD.com, Inc., the "Company" or "JD.com"), a leading supply chain-based technology and service provider, announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2024. Net revenues were RMB347.0bln (US$47.5bln) for the fourth quarter of 2024, an increase of 13.4% from the fourth quarter of 2023. Net revenues were RMB1,158.8bln (US$158.8bln) for the full year of 2024, an increase of 6.8% from the full year of 2023.
Source: globenewswire.com
UK and Ireland: Sodexo launches nutrition report, revealing the science behind its healthy, sustainable menus
Sodexo UK and Ireland reported: "To mark National Nutrition Month, Sodexo UK and Ireland has published a nutrition report, revealing the collaborative approach between its dietitians, nutritionists, chefs and supply chain as the recipe for success in developing nutritious, tasty meals that promote healthier lives every day. Key nutritional achievements highlighted in the report include: Modern Recipe menus are 50% plant-forward and 50% plant-based".
Source: uk.sodexo.com
Japan: Bain Capital agrees to acquire supermarket & specialty stores businesses from Seven & i Holdings
Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm, announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire York Holdings' headquarters and subsidiary management functions, along with its supermarket and specialty store businesses ("SST Business Group"). Bain Capital has also agreed with Seven & i Holdings regarding the absorption-type split and the implementation of a partial reinvestment from Seven & i Holdings.
Source: baincapital.com
Couche-Tard executives to visit Tokyo to speak on $47bln Seven & i bid
Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard said on Friday its top executives will visit Tokyo to speak with media about its $47bln bid to buy 7-Eleven convenience store operator Seven & i Holdings.
Source: reuters.com
US states seek legal fees from lawsuit challenging Kroger-Albertsons merger
California, Oregon, Illinois and five other U.S. states have asked a U.S. judge to award them legal fees for winning an order in federal court blocking Kroger's now-abandoned $25bln deal for grocery rival Albertsons.
Source: reuters.com
US: BJ's Wholesale Warehouse: Fresh produce is driving loyalty
Fresh produce remains a key driver for BJ's Wholesale Club, which announced that comparable-club sales increased by 4.6%, excluding the impact of gasoline sales, during its fourth-quarter earnings call. "Our strength in perishables has been a recurring theme all year, as more members make us their weekly destination for quality essentials such as produce, dairy, and meat", said Bob Eddy, chairman and CEO of BJ's Wholesale Club. BJ's Wholesale Club is reporting another record membership year, with full membership fee income increasing by 7.9% year over year to approximately $117mln in Q4, and a renewal rate of 90%.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: FreshDirect notches up on demand delivery first as grocery retailer added to Uber Eats platform in NYC
Uber Technologies has announced an expansion of its grocery delivery offering with the addition of FreshDirect, the online fresh food grocer, to the Uber Eats platform in New York City. The partnership marks the first time FreshDirect's catalogue will be available for on-demand delivery on a third-party app.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
US: Kroger posts mixed Q4 results as it begins search for new CEO
Kroger posted $34.3bln in sales during its fourth quarter, down nearly 8% from the same period a year ago, the grocer reported. Identical sales growth excluding fuel came in at 2.4%. The grocer reported an operating profit of $912mln in Q4, down nearly 24% year over year.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: BJ's Wholesale Club announces expansion into Texas as part of plan to add 25-30 new Clubs over next two fiscal yearsBJ's Wholesale Club announced plans to open 25-30 clubs over the next two fiscal years, including several clubs set for the Dallas-Fort Worth area starting in early 2026. BJ's also announced several new locations set to open in 2025, including: Delray Beach, Florida; Warner Robins, Georgia; Sevierville, Tennessee; Casselberry, Florida.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Costco reports mixed second-quarter earnings, comparable sales growth
Costco's fiscal second-quarter results missed on earnings but beat on revenue. Net sales for the quarter totaled $62.53bln. Comparable sales for the quarter rose 6.8% year over year.
Source: cnbc.com