US: E-grocer Weee! raises $425mln in funding round led by SoftBank
E-grocer Weee! has raised $425mln in a late-stage funding round led by SoftBank Vision Fund 2, riding on investor interest in a sector that has been one of the biggest winners of the pandemic. Greyhound Capital and existing shareholders also took part in the round that took the start-up's total capital raised so far to $800mln, Weee! said in a statement.
Source: reuters.com
US: Grand Union celebrates legendary store grand openings
C&S Wholesale Grocers, Inc., an industry leader in supply chain solutions and wholesale grocery supply in the United States has officially brought the iconic Grand Union supermarkets back to its beloved shoppers in New York state and Vermont. GU Markets LLC, an affiliate of C&S Wholesale Grocers will operate these stores.
Source: prnewswire.com
Flashfood raises $12.3mln for app that tackles retail food waste
Flashfood, a Toronto-based mobile marketplace providing customers access to discounted food nearing its best by date, has secured $12.3mln in a Series A funding round led by S2G Ventures. Follow on investment came from ArcTern Ventures and existing backers including General Catalyst, Food Retail Ventures, Rob Gierkink and Alex Moorhead. S2G Ventures MD and founder of OpenTable, Chuck Templeton, will join the Flashfood board of directors.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
US: Albertsons starts strategic review, shares rise
Albertsons Cos Inc said it had started a review of potential strategic alternatives, including financial deals, nearly 2 years after the U.S. grocer went public. Shares in Albertsons, which last month posted a bigger-than-expected 3rd-quarter profit, increased nearly 10% in extended trading.
Source: reuters.com
US: Shipt expands delivery reach with Walgreens, 7-Eleven
Same-day delivery company Shipt announced that it has partnered with Walgreens and 7-Eleven to offer customers same-day delivery of products from 2 of the country’s retail leaders. The addition of these 2 retailers increases Shipt’s store coverage across the country by more than 40% and represents the most stores ever added to Shipt’s marketplace at one time. Together, these launches represent an impressive show of momentum and growth for Shipt, which now boasts a diverse collection of more than 140 retail partnerships.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Target to spend $300mln more in next year improving wages and healthcare
Retailer Target Corp said it would spend $300mln more in the next year improving starting salaries and healthcare for its vast army of employees as it looks to be an attractive workplace in a tight U.S. labor market.
Source: reuters.com
Mexico's Femsa eyes thousands more Oxxo stores across Latin America
Mexican bottler and retailer Femsa plans to increase the number of its Oxxo convenience stores by as much as 50% across Latin America over the next decade, executives said, with hundreds planned for Brazil, Chile and Colombia in 2022 alone. Femsa posted a 4th-quarter net profit of 6.7bln pesos ($328mln), up from a net loss of 1.2bln pesos in the year-earlier period, boosted by a higher operating profit and a decrease in net interest expenses.
Source: reuters.com
Finnish consumer confidence recovers in February
Consumer confidence in Finland recovered in February after dipping in the December-January period due to the pandemic and associated restrictions, according to Kaupan Liitto (the Confederation of Finnish Trade Unions).
Source: esmmagazine.com
France: Auchan's profit reduced by half
French hypermarket group Auchan reported a 50% drop in profits in 2021. The coronavirus pandemic was particularly damaging to the French home market. The next challenge is already looming: Auchan also has stores in Russia and Ukraine. The turnover of Auchan Retail, the holding company's retail branch, fell by 1% to 30.5bln euros. On the French home market, the decline was even 2.6%, totalling 16.2bln euros.
Source: retaildetail.eu
AllDay introduces Philippines’ 1st supermarket ‘smart carts’
AllDay Supermarket, the country’s fastest growing supermarket operator, continues its tradition of innovation-first customer experiences by rolling out the Philippines’ 1st “smart carts” in its stores, a nod to its continuous effort to bring global best practices to the local supermarket experience.
Source: bworldonline.com
Just Eat now available on Order with Google in UK
Following Germany, Just Eat Takeaway.com is now also available on Order with Google in the UK, providing a new way for customers to place Just Eat orders. The collaboration with Google reiterates Just Eat’s commitment to support its restaurant partners, enabling them to reach new customers and grow revenue.
Source: justeattakeaway.com
Carrefour launches the 1st BIO store in the UAE
Carrefour, owned and operated by Majid Al Futtaim in the UAE, has opened its 1st BIO store in the UAE, supporting healthier lifestyle choices as consumers call for improved availability, pricing, and education when it comes to organic produce. Featuring the retailer’s 1st ever café and an in-store hydroponic farm, Carrefour’s BIO store offers a state-of-the-art solution for those looking to make more sustainable swaps this year.
Source: zawya.com
UK: 59p bananas and oranges in Aldi's latest low-price Super Six range
Aldi has announced some of the latest Super 6 offers that will be coming to its stores. Every fortnight, Aldi picks 6 of its favourites to offer to shoppers at low prices, and at no extra cost to its suppliers. Shoppers will be able to purchase the following Super 6 items: 5 pack bananas (59p / 5 pack); 5 pack oranges (59p / 5 pack); 4 pack unwaxed lemons (59p / 4 pack); Pineapple (59p each); Blueberries (99p / 150g); 6 pack mini apples (59p / 6 pack).
Source: walesonline.co.uk
UK grocery inflation hits 4.3%, Ukraine conflict adds to pressure - Kantar
British grocery inflation hit 4.3% in February, market researcher Kantar said, warning more pain for consumers was likely from ongoing supply chain pressures and the potential impact of the conflict in Ukraine.
Source: reuters.com