US: Whole Foods Market names suppliers of the year
Whole Foods Market recently recognized 42 local, regional and national suppliers as part of the company’s ninth annual Supplier Awards. Recipients span all product categories and were selected by Whole Foods Market leaders, category experts and buyers who work closely with suppliers every day, the company said.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Gorillas’ 10 minute grocery delivery to launch in the U.S.
Gorillas, the on-demand grocery delivery startup and the fastest European startup to reach unicorn status, is launching its operations in the U.S. on May 30. Providing on-demand grocery delivery service in 10 minutes or less, Gorillas will begin its U.S. expansion with service in Bushwick, which includes parts of Williamsburg and Downtown Brooklyn, which includes the Boerum Hill, Cobble Hill and Carroll Gardens neighborhoods, with plans to expand to additional areas of New York City and other major cities.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Sprouts accelerates efforts to stand out with unique products
Sprouts Farmers Market is stepping up efforts to sell products that aren’t available at other retailers, CEO Jack Sinclair said during BMO Capital Markets’ virtual Farm to Market Conference. The health-focused specialty grocer also said it’s making money with its e-commerce business, in part because it focuses on selling attribute-based products that yield higher margins than other goods, Chief Financial Officer Denise Paulonis said during the conference. Sprouts is looking to convince investors that it can thrive by focusing on the relatively small segment of the market that is drawn to the wellness-oriented products it sells instead of going after shoppers looking for bargains.
Source: grocerydive.com
China Resources considers $2bln supermarket Hong Kong IPO
China Resources Holdings Co. is weighing a Hong Kong initial public offering for its supermarket business CR Vanguard that could raise as much as $2bln, according to people familiar with the matter. The state-owned conglomerate has held initial talks with potential advisers on the share sale plan, which could happen as soon as next year, the people said, who asked not to be identified as the discussions are private.
Source: bloombergquint.com
Spain: Caprabo sees 6.6% growth in turnover in FY 2020
Spanish retailer Caprabo has reported a 6.6% year-on-year growth in turnover to €842mln in its financial year ended 31 January 2021. The retailer opened a dozen new stores in 8 towns in Catalonia, its strategic market, in this period. It invested approximately €15mln in new stores and a transformation plan for supermarkets and €20mln in constructing a new logistics complex for fresh produce, online sales, and the new company headquarters, the company added.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Auchan weighs Asia exit in $400mln Taiwan stake sale
Auchan Retail is considering selling its stake in a group of RT-Mart-branded stores in Taiwan and is seeking $300mln to $400mln, people familiar with the matter said. The French supermarket chain is working with an adviser to find a buyer for its 65% stake in the retail locations, the people said, asking not to be identified as the process is confidential. The sale kicked off last week, they said.
Source: bloombergquint.com
Italy: Gruppo VéGé expands network with Dado entry
Italian retail cooperative Gruppo VéGé is expanding its presence in Northeast Italy with the addition of Dado as a new member from January of next year. Operating since 1998, Dado operates 58 direct and affiliated Eurospesa and Ideashop outlets in the Triveneto region, as well as 90 affiliated Belmarket stores and a further 410 wholesale customers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Qatar: Doha gets its first ever ‘floating’ supermarket for customers at sea
Qatari-owned supermarket chain Al Meera has taken its motto “dedicated to being in every neighbourhood in Qatar” to a whole new level. Qatar now has a floating grocery store anchored near Al Saffliyah Island for passengers and staff using private boats, yachts, ferries and those taking part in water sports along the coast. The floating supermarket by Al Meera is the first of its kind in Doha and brings a variety of snacks and refreshments for those at sea.
Source: dohanews.co
UK shoppers return to supermarkets as vaccination rollout gains pace: Kantar
Shoppers across the UK are visiting stores more often as the country’s COVID-19 vaccination programme gathers pace, Kantar data has shown. According to the data for the 12 weeks to 16 May, shoppers made 58mln more than they did at the same period last year. Consumer confidence remains high, having increased last month.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Woolworths has rolled out a little-known camera feature in self-serve checkouts
Woolworths has rolled out a little-known camera feature that will stop dodgy shoppers from scanning expensive fruits and vegetables at cheaper prices at the self-serve checkouts. The ‘Pick List Assist’ technology uses image recognition to filter the list of ‘possible’ products based on their colour, shape or size – saving shoppers time from having to search through the system for individual items. The high-tech system would make it trickier for sneaky shoppers pretending to buy a cheaper fruit or vegetable when weighing pricier loose produce.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Germany: Edeka Minden-Hannover hits €10bln in annual sales for first time
Edeka Minden-Hannover, part of Germany’s Edeka Group, has reported sales of €10.6bln in full-year 2020, the first time that the regional business has broken the €10blnn mark in sales. The business, which is headquartered in Minden, North Rhine-Westphalia, saw group sales rise 8.4% in the full-year period, while consolidated net profits were €142mln.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Coles to boost Local network to 9 stores
Coles has opened its first Local store in Sydney’s CBD and will open a further 2 urban supermarket stores under the banner by the end of June. The new Coles Local on Sydney’s York Street is the first Coles store to open in Sydney’s CBD in 15 years and the 4th in the city, following openings in Chatswood, Manly and Rose Bay.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com