Holland: Albert Heijn closes 2021 with a market share of 35.9%
Dutch retailer Albert Heijn closed 2021 with a market share of 35.9% in the Netherlands, registering a growth of 0.9% compared to 2020. The retailer attributed this growth to an increase in online shopping and the conversion of 38 DEEN stores to the Albert Heijn banner last autumn. The turnover from home delivery now accounts for approximately 10% of its total turnover.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Lidl GB expansion continues at pace with 900th store opening in Liverpool
Lidl GB announced its 900th store in Great Britain. Located on Edge Lane near Liverpool city centre, the discounter’s 900th store has created 40 new jobs for the region and joins 5 other stores opening in January, which will collectively create nearly 250 new jobs. Additional store openings include 2 new London stores in Heston and St Mary Cray, Shipley, Merry Hill and Newcastle.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Carrefour invests in 4 Polish foodtech startups
4 Polish startups in the foodtech sector have been awarded a grant from the Carrefour Foundation, the company has announced. The companies include Food Jack, KuMin.Sys, Nielone, and Yoush. Technology Incubator Foundation together with the content partner foodtech.ac. is implementing the project.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Just 4 days of work at supermarket chain Morrisons
The British supermarket chain Morrisons will allow its employees to work 4 days a week instead of 5 for 6 months. It is supposed to be better for the well-being and the environment. However, the regulation only applies to the head office.
Source: retaildetail.eu
South Africa: Woolworths issues 2nd profit warning in 3 months
Retailer Woolworths Holdings lowered its half-yearly earnings estimate, in its 2nd profit warning in 3 months, as its sales were impacted by lockdowns in Australia and civil unrest at home. The clothing, food and homeware retailer said headline earnings per share - the main profit measure in South Africa - was expected to fall 30%-40% in the 26 weeks to Dec. 26, 2021.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Grocery wholesalers enjoyed solid growth last year, says analyst
UK grocery wholesalers had a good year of growth in 2021/22, according to analyst Lumina Intelligence. Although the total wholesale market experienced a slowdown in growth compared with 2019/20, Lumina highlighted the success of grocery wholesalers within this in its UK Wholesale Market Report 2021/22. Costco and Morrisons were the 2 fastest-growing, up 15.8% and 15.6% respectively.
Source: talkingretail.com
Kenyan e-commerce company Copia Global raises $50mln to ramp up African expansion
B2C e-commerce company Copia Global has raised $50mln in a Series C equity round led by Goodwell Investments. The new financing round welcomed new investors such as Zebu Investment Partners, the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and Koa Labs, as well as past investors Lightrock, German development finance institution DEG, and Perivoli Innovations.
Source: techcrunch.com
Bol.com launches French-language website
Ahold Delhaize subsidiary Bol.com has launched a French-language version of its website and is increasing the number of local sellers, to fuel its Belgian offensive. Until now, Bol.com was only available in French through an app.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Esselunga, Aldi score highly for consumer satisfaction in Italy
Retailers Esselunga and Aldi are among the retailers scoring highest for consumer satisfaction in Italy, a survey has found. The survey by Italian consumer association Altroconsumo polled more than 9,700 people in June 2021.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Mexico's Cuervo, Femsa among companies well-positioned for '22-Barclays
Tequila maker Cuervo, restaurant operator Alsea, bottler and retailer Femsa and supermarket retailer La Comer are among the listed Mexican companies positioned well in 2022, Barclays analysts said in a report, adding consumer companies in general will surpass pre-pandemic sales levels.
Source: reuters.com
US: Frank Curci to replace retiring Scott Grimmett as CEO of Northeast Grocery
Northeast Grocery Inc. (NGI), the company formed by last year’s merger of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets, has named former Tops Markets Chairman and CEO Frank Curci as CEO, succeeding Scott Grimmett, who is retiring. Schenectady, New York-based NGI said that Grimmett, the former president and CEO of Price Chopper/Market 32, is slated to retire in February, at which time Curci will take the chief executive’s reins.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Meijer commits to 50% carbon emission reduction goal by 2025
Midwestern retailer Meijer announced an ambitious goal to reduce absolute carbon emissions by 50% by 2025. Rooted in the company's mission to be a good neighbor, Meijer integrates environmental sustainability into daily operations and is committed to continual improvement through smart decisions and innovations that benefit customers and the broader community.
Source: prnewswire.com
Canada: SVG Ventures | THRIVE launches Global Agrifood Innovation Hub in Calgary
SVG Ventures | THRIVE and Platform Calgary have entered into a strategic collaboration to create a Canadian hub and headquarters for agrifood innovation in the heart of Calgary. THRIVE will be a Resident Program Partner within the new Platform Innovation Centre where they will launch their THRIVE Agrifood Innovation Digital Hub for Canada.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Raley’s promotes Jen Warner to president of namesake operating division
The Raley’s Cos. has tapped Jen Warner as president of the Raley’s division, following the completion of the Western grocer’s acquisition of The Bashas’ Co. last month. With the promotion, Warner will lead the West Sacramento, California-based company’s Raley’s business unit, which includes 123 grocery stores in northern California and Nevada under the Raley’s, Bel Air, Nob Hill Foods and Raley’s O-N-E Market banners. She reports to Keith Knopf, president and CEO of The Raley’s Cos.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Schnucks eases labor woes with new workforce solution
To help alleviate labor issues that are being felt across food retail, Schnuck Markets Inc. has completed a company-wide implementation of the Workforce Management solution suite from Logile Inc., a retail labor-planning, workforce management, inventory management and store execution provider.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: GrubMarket expands into Nevada through acquisition of Terra Exports
GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Terra Exports, a Las Vegas, Nevada-based company that distributes fresh produce to and from over 65 countries around the world, while handling a very diverse commodity produce portfolio. Founded in 2012 by Nils Goldschmidt, Terra Exports is a global fresh produce company that imports and exports fresh fruits and vegetables across 65+ countries. While Terra handles over 50 different products, the company is particularly strong in avocados, cherries, apples, grapes, and berries.
Source: prnewswire.com
Beyond Meat and PepsiCo team up to make plant-based jerky
PepsiCo Inc. and Beyond Meat Inc. are planning a vegan jerky snack as the 1st product in their joint venture, according to people familiar with the matter, setting up a test of whether the food giant’s marketing muscle can build enthusiasm for plant-based meat.
Source: bloombergquint.com