Norway: Reitan Retail posts lower profits, seeks growth ahead of IPO
Norway's Reitan Retail has reported a drop in operating profit for 2021 from the previous year's record and said it was ready to resume growth in groceries and other businesses ahead of a planned stock-market listing. The family-owned company, which has more than 3,800 convenience stores, grocery outlets and petrol stations in the Nordic and Baltic region, also appointed an independent board chair. Operating profit (EBIT) for the full year eased to NOK3.8bln (€370mln) from NOK4.4bln (€430mln) in 2020, but was still up from the NOK3.0bln earned in 2019.
Source: esmmagazine.com
DEEN acquisition boosts Ahold Delhaize sales in Europe in Q1
The acquisition of 38 DEEN stores last year helped Ahold Delhaize's European operation reported a marginal increase in sales in the first quarter of the year, a period that was otherwise impacted by tough comparatives. Net sales were up 0.6% in the group's European arm, or 0.3% on a constant currency basis, while comparable sales growth was down 3.1% (compared to a 8.2% increase in the corresponding period last year). Net sales in Ahold Delhaize's European business totalled €7.575bln in the first quarter, compared to €7.526bln in the same period last year. In the US, net sales were up 5.8%, while online sales rose 4.6%, it added.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Co-op puts external hatch in Brighton store for click-and-collect customers
A Co-op store in Brighton, East Sussex, is trying out an outside service hatch from which click-and-collect customers can pick up their shopping. The Co-op has launched the new service in Lewes Road - a store that has been identified as one of its busiest in the UK for click-and-collect orders. The move is designed to enable time-pressed shoppers to pick up orders placed online without having to go in-store and queue.
Source: talkingretail.com
New Zealand: Foodstuffs announces food price reduction amid soaring inflation
Supermarket operator Foodstuffs, which owns Pak'nSave, New World and Four Square, has announced it will cut the price of food by an average 10% on more than 100 groceries. From Monday May 16, Foodstuffs North Island and South Island will "roll back the prices" on some of its most shopped grocery items to what they averaged between January and April 2021. The reductions would be implemented at all New World, Pak'nSave, and Four Square stores on items such as meat, butter, cheese, vegetables and nappies.
Source: nzherald.co.nz
This Israeli startup allows us to use GPS inside buildings - without additional equipment
The Israeli startup Oriient has developed a system that enables navigation inside buildings that uses your phone's compass - without installing beacons or WiFi. The goal: to let us successfully navigate supermarkets, malls and more.
Source: geektime.com
SPAR retail chain to enter Latvian market
International retail chain SPAR will start operations in Latvia this summer, the LETA newswire reported. The company's representatives said that the first stores will be opened in Latvia this summer. "We are in negotiations process with a number of retailers already working in the sector who would be interested to work in the SPAR chain", said SPAR Latvija board chairman Andris Vilcmeiers who previously has been the head of Maxima Latvija and also Putnu Fabrika Kekava.
Source: eng.lsm.lv
Barakat partners with Xare to offer card-free payment option to online customers in UAE
Xare, the world’s first and revolutionary money-sharing app, and UAE’s homegrown ultra-fresh juice maker and a leading supplier of fresh produce, Barakat, have announced a partnership to offer a seamless payment option, value-added benefits, more savings, and an enhanced shopping experience to customers who do not have a credit or debit card.
Source: issuewire.com
Chile’s Cencosud to buy 67% of Apollo’s Fresh Market for $676mln
Chilean retail chain Cencosud has reached an agreement to buy 67% of The Fresh Market Holdings for $676mln, according to a filing sent to the local regulator. With this buy-in, Cencosud will enter the U.S. market, where it currently has no operations, and the agreement offers Cencosud the possibility to reach 100% ownership of Fresh Market after a certain period of time. The Fresh Market Holdings is currently owned by Apollo Global Management.
Source: bloomberglinea.com
US Foods seeks new CEO
The US Foods Holding Corp. has announced that CEO Pietro Satriano will be leaving the company, according to a press release. Robert M. Dutkowsky, a non-executive board chairman, has been appointed executive chair and Andrew Iacobucci, chief commercial officer, has been appointed interim CEO. The board has formed a 5-member search committee to find a permanent CEO.
Source: qsrweb.com
US: SpartanNash and DoorDash partner to scale on-demand grocery offerings
Food solutions company SpartanNash (the “Company”) announced an innovative partnership with local commerce platform DoorDash to expand the Company’s grocery services and solutions across both digital and physical platforms through various different initiatives.
Source: businesswire.com
Canada: George Weston reports Q1 profit, raises quarterly dividend 10%
George Weston Ltd. raised its dividend by 10% as it reported a profit attributable to shareholders in its latest quarter compared with a loss a year ago. The company, which owns large interests in Loblaw Companies Ltd. and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, says it will now pay a quarterly dividend of 66 cents per share, up from 60 cents. The increased payment to shareholders came as George Weston reported a first-quarter profit available to common shareholders from continuing operations of $363mln or $2.45 per diluted share compared with a loss of $62mln or 41 cents per diluted share a year ago. Revenue for the quarter ended March 26 totalled $12.41bln, up from $12.02bln in the same quarter last year.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca
US: EasyBins opens new online grocery service in Topeka, Kansas, expands service areas in Kansas City and Wichita
EasyBins, a company solving the grocery logistics problem for suburban markets in North America, has expanded its online grocery marketplace to begin serving families in Topeka, Kansas and surrounding communities. Topeka customers can now enjoy easy online access to in-stock grocery items across multiple stores in their area so they can enjoy more time with their families. EasyBins plans to grow its staff in Topeka to 20 team members over the coming year.
Source: businesswire.com
US: UNFI to extend reach of Too Good To Go program
Grocery distributor United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) is expanding its partnership with food waste reduction app Too Good To Go into more markets. A certified B-Corp, New York-based Too Good To Go provides an app that gives consumers access to an online marketplace of surplus food that would otherwise be discarded by grocery stores, restaurants, bakeries and other merchants.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: GrubMarket expands into Florida through the acquisition of Vega Produce
GrubMarket announced it has completed the acquisition of Miami, Florida-based Vega Produce, a highly respected, global fresh produce company that provides the highest quality Asian fruits and vegetables, sourced from nearly 40 countries worldwide. They currently operate in Florida and Colombia (South America) and sell to hundreds of customers across North America and Europe. They also have a strong reputation as a leader in food safety practices.
Source: prnewswire.com