Study: Most U.S. consumers to stick with eating at home post-pandemic
The eat-at-home trend boosted by the COVID-19 crisis won’t recede anytime soon post-pandemic, according to new research from CPG sales and marketing firm Acosta. After the pandemic ends, 92% of families plan to continue eating together at home at least as often as – or more often than – they do now, Acosta’s “COVID Dining Journey: Eating at Home and Away From Home” report found. Online surveys of Acosta’s proprietary shopper community, conducted between March and April, showed that eating together as a family will stay the same for 72% of all households, while 20% expect to eat together more frequently.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: New innovator in online grocery shopping, Anycart, announces world’s first grocery shopping engine
Anycart, a software technology company, announced the launch of its innovative online grocery shopping engine as a way to make shopping, delivery, and meal planning easier and more affordable for everyone. With just a few clicks, consumers can shop their favorite local grocery stores, along with deliciously inspired recipes, and have them delivered to their door at no extra cost.
Source: prnewswire.com
Amazon in talks to buy MGM movie studio: The Information
Amazon.com Inc is in talks to acquire the iconic U.S. movie studio MGM, The Information reported, citing a person familiar with the matter. The status of Amazon’s discussions with MGM is unclear and it is possible no deal may result, the report said, according to Reuters.
Source: finance.yahoo.com
US: B2B procurement platform raises $4mln in funding
Forager, which connects local farmers with grocers to bring consumers locally sourced food, has raised $4mln in funding led by various private investors, among them Duncan Saville, of ICM Ltd., an international fund managing more than $2bln in funds, and Coastal Enterprises Inc. (CEI), a social impact fund focused on environmentally sustainable enterprises.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
What’s next for America’s grocers
Exclusive research and analysis from Progressive Grocer show retailers of food and consumables enjoyed record growth in 2020. The PG 100 ranking of the largest retailers of food and consumables in North America illustrates the dramatic effect of pandemic driven lifestyle changes, new shopper behaviors and the acceleration of disruptive trends. As the pandemic wanes and the vaccination rate moves past 50%, a great reopening of the world’s largest economy brings known and unknown changes to the world of food and consumables. A new era of uncertainty has arrived with fresh challenges and opportunities. Intensifying trends overlaid by the rapid advancement of technology and shifting shopper behaviors and product preferences are themes explored in Progressive Grocer’s 88th Annual Report.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: 7-Eleven completes Speedway acquisition of 3,800 convenience stores
Convenience retail giant 7-Eleven Inc. announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Speedway, the convenience store arm of Marathon Petroleum Corp.) with approximately 3,800 stores located in 36 states across the United States. The acquisition brings 7‑Eleven’s total North American portfolio to approximately 14,000 stores and diversifies 7‑Eleven’s presence to 47 of the 50 most populated metro areas in the U.S., as well as expanding the company-operated store footprint.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Finland: Kesko sees comparable sales up in April
Finland’s Kesko Group has reported an 11.7% year-on-year growth in comparable sales to €969.1mln in April. The company’s grocery trade division generated sales worth €473.2mln, with a marginal decline of 0.2% on a comparable basis. Grocery sales at K-food stores decreased by 6.9%, while the timing of Easter affected wholesale. K-Citymarket’s home and specialty goods trade saw an increase in sales. The company’s foodservice arm, Kespro reported a 48.5% increase in sales in April.
Source: esmmagazine.com
JD Logistics, China’s answer to Amazon’s logistics ambitions, to raise $3.4bln in IPO
After operating in the red for 14 years, JD.com’s logistics subsidiary is getting ready for an initial public offering in Hong Kong. JD Logistics will price its share between HK$39.36 and HK$43.36 apiece, which could see the firm raise up to about HK$26.4bln or $3.4bln, according to its new filing.
Source: techcrunch.com
Australia: Major change on its way to Woolies, Coles stores as retail giants join forces to tackle plastic waste
Dozens of industry behemoths are joining forces to ramp up the war against plastic waste. Leading retailers including Coles, Woolworths and consumer goods giant Unilever, are among businesses joining the ANZPAC Plastics Pact which will launch a new circular economy program designed to tackle the plastics crisis. The major move will mark the first time industry giants, representing all stages of the supply chain, will come together to address the issue.
Source: news.com.au
UK: Grocery delivery service Grocemania expands
Grocery delivery service Grocemania has launched in Leeds. The company, which offers delivery within as little as an hour, currently works Nisa, Costcutter, Londis, and Spar stores located in BP petrol stations.
Source: talkingretail.com
France: Casino subsidiary GreenYellow considers IPO
GreenYellow, the renewable energy subsidiary of French retailer Casino, is considering an IPO to finance its growth targets. The company plans to accelerate the expansion of its decentralised platform model serving its customers’ energy transition, both in France and internationally.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Lidl is giving away an overnight stay in one of its Irish stores
Lidl Ireland has launched a competition to win a ‘Night at Lidl’. The biggest fans of the retail chain are encouraged to take part in the competition for a chance to win a VIP package in one of the Irish branches.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Aldi launches soft plastic collection trial
Aldi is trialling its first collection facilities for soft plastics in select stores in the North of England and East Midlands, with a view to helping customers recycle problem materials. As the vast majority of UK local authorities do not currently collect soft plastics, the collection bins mean that customers can return all types of these materials – including crisp packets, salad bags, bread bags and carrier bags – regardless of where the items were purchased. Aldi will then work with its recycling partner to establish the best routes for the plastics to be processed.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk