Artisan Partners opposes Japan retailer Seven & i's CEO choice
Artisan Partners, a U.S.-based investor in Seven & i Holdings, on Sunday opposed the Japanese retailer's CEO succession plan and urged the company to reconsider a takeover offer, according to a letter to the board.
Source: reuters.com
US: UNFI workers in Atlanta hold 'practice' picket as they await first contract
More than 350 drivers and warehouse workers at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) in Atlanta want a fair first union contract that recognizes their role in the company's success. The group held a practice picket on Friday in case a strike is necessary. The Atlanta workers voted to join Teamsters Local 728 last year but are still waiting for a contract from UNFI. Other UNFI workers in Florida and Illinois are also waiting for their first union contract.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: A recipe for greater produce safety
Fruit and vegetable contamination is becoming a more manageable, but still arduous, food safety threat. While produce merchandisers can reduce incidents by using newer technologies to better monitor operations, it is crucial that workers also receive the necessary instruction if they are to take appropriate measures, said Shipra Pareek, senior account manager, food retail, at NSF, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based provider of testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services, and digital solutions.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Canada: Federated Co-operatives Limited purchasing ColdStar Solutions Inc.
Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) is pleased to announce that it has purchased ColdStar Solutions Inc., a transportation, warehousing and grocery wholesaler. Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia, ColdStar has been providing trucking and warehousing solutions, as well as wholesale groceries and produce, to stores and supermarkets across Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands and the Lower Mainland for more than 25 years. This acquisition is subject to closing conditions. ColdStar is expected to begin operating under the ownership of FCL on March 14, 2025.
Source: fcl.crs
US: Pop Up Grocer returns to Texas capital
Traveling grocery store concept Pop Up Grocer has brought its carefully curated collection of new products from emerging food, beverage and beauty brands to downtown Austin, Texas, the Lone Star State's capital city. From March 7 through April 6, Austin residents can visit Pop Up Grocer - located at 513 East 6th Street - to shop items from such brands as Floura, Kaizen, Pecana, Rivalz, Sidekick Soda, VUUM, CANN, Harlo, Hero, Blue Circle Foods, Yellowbird and Yes! Apples.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
UK: Asda strengthens supply chain leadership team
Asda has announced the appointment of Gavin Chappell as Vice President of Food and GM Supply. The appointment marks a return to Asda for Gavin, as he previously spent six years with the business across numerous roles including Vice President - eCommerce and Supply Chain. In his new role, Gavin will be responsible for Asda's food & general merchandising supply teams and will look to apply his experience in operations and supply chain roles.
Source: corporate.asda.com
UK food delivery firm Deliveroo to exit Hong Kong
British meal delivery company Deliveroo said that it will exit its Hong Kong operations by selling some assets to Delivery Hero's foodpanda for an undisclosed amount, and by closing other assets.
Source: reuters.com
Grab partners with autonomous technology companies to assess impact of autonomous vehicles in Southeast Asia
Grab announced the signing of new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with four prominent autonomous technology companies: Autonomous A2Z, Motional, WeRide and Zelos. These partnerships aim to explore the impact and potential role of autonomous vehicles (AVs) within Southeast Asia's unique transportation landscape.
Source: grab.com
UK: Sainsbury's uses Leeds and London stores to try out new Local formats
Sainsbury's has refurbished three of its convenience stores in slightly different variations of its new format in order to establish how it will develop Sainsbury's Local in future. The first opening was at the Pudsey store in Leeds in February. This has now been followed by two in London, in Bermondsey Square and Sloane Avenue.
Source: talkingretail.com
Singapore's Good Farmer launches website: Family-approved fresh food delivered
Singapore-based family-run farm and online grocery store Good Farmer has officially launched its new grocery shopping website. With a focus on natural ingredients and thoughtfully curated products, the platform aims to simplify grocery shopping while maintaining farm-to-table freshness.
Source: media-outreach.com
Luxembourg: CVC Capital Partners considers takeover of Mercator, report says
Luxembourg-based global financial fund CVC Capital Partners is reportedly planning a takeover of certain assets of Croatian conglomerate Fortenova. The potential deal, reported by the Slovenian daily Dnevnik, could include the sale of Slovenia's largest retail chain Mercator.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Court fine for waste mismanagement gives Ilford fruit and veg store food for thought
An Ilford fruit and vegetable shop that repeatedly left its rubbish piled up at the front of the store has been successfully prosecuted by Redbridge Council. Nittyo Bazaar Ltd was ordered to pay nearly £1400 in court fines and costs for failing to store its commercial waste properly.
Source: redbridge.gov.uk
Reckon.ai powered Carrefour BuyBye interactive fridge deployed at Auderghem, Belgium hypermarket
Carrefour Belgium has developed a new autonomous micro-store concept, Carrefour BuyBye, in association with Reckon.AI, with the aim of tapping into opportunities beyond traditional retail. The initiative has now seen a trial of an interactive fridge section at an Auderghem hypermarket.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: Meat and dairy reign supreme in January as plant-based alternatives see decline
AHDB reported: "While the meat, fish and poultry (MFP) category saw volume growth of 1.4%, meat-free products had their fourth consecutive year of decline. This was mostly driven by vegetable-based products such as bean burgers, rather than meat imitation products (like Quorn), as vegetable-based products saw a -12.4% decline (Kantar, 4 w/e 26 January 2025)."
Source: ahdb.org.uk
Slate Asset Management acquires 45 grocery properties in Germany
Global investment and asset management firm Slate Asset Management has acquired 45 properties housing grocery outlets in Germany, for over €420mln. The acquisitions were conducted across four separate portfolio transactions, expected to close in the first quarter of 2025 and subject to standard closing conditions. The properties in question are strategically located near major population centres throughout the country and secured by long-term leases with leading German grocery retailers, including REWE Group, Schwarz Group, Edeka Group, and Aldi.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Italy's frozen food consumption increases in 2024, study finds
Italy's at-home frozen food consumption grew by 1.3% in 2024, reaching 652,643 tonnes, according to the Italian Frozen Food Institute (IIAS). Frozen vegetables remained the most popular category, with 220,497 tonnes consumed in 2024 (+2.2% year-on-year), data showed. Frozen potatoes followed with 107,207 tonnes, down by 3.1% after a record year in 2023 (110,532 tonnes).
Source: esmmagazine.com