US: Costco workers make historic move to join union
Costco drivers in Sumner, Washington, have voted to join Teamsters Local 174. The move marks the first time a group of workers at a Costco distribution center have unionized.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Canada: Metro's Q2 profits dip, but sales rise 2.2%
Canadian retailer Metro Inc. said that second quarter net income was down compared with a year ago as it transitioned into two new automated warehouses and prepared to expand a new loyalty rewards program. Net income was down about 14.5% to $187.1mln Canadian (about U.S.$136.4mln). Sales increased 2.2% for the quarter to about C$4.7bln (U.S.$3.4bln).
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Grocer lowers prices on essential basket staples, asking customers to "Compare & Save" versus National Brands
Giant Food, the leading greater Washington, D.C. regional grocery chain, has lowered prices on hundreds of items within its private brand selection, which includes the Giant brand, Nature's Promise, Taste of Inspirations, Smart Living, Always My Baby, Companion and CareOne.
Source: prnewswire.com
Retailer Walmex's quarterly profit jumps on more stores, higher wages
Walmart's Mexico and Central America unit posted a 14.4% year-on-year rise in first-quarter net profit, fueled by strong sales across its markets which it attributed partly to Mexicans' larger disposable income. Walmart de Mexico, the country's largest retailer, posted a net profit of 13.18bln pesos ($797.5mln), above the average forecast of 12.93bln pesos seen by analysts polled by LSEG.
Source: reuters.com
Strong sales increase for Carrefour, courtesy of Latin America
Carrefour posted solid performance in the first quarter of 2024. At group level, the French retailer's sales rose 13.5% to a good 22bln euros. That growth was due to strong momentum in Latin America, where sales rose by as much as 48%. Carrefour Belgium's comparable sales in the first quarter saw a slight decline of 0.2% versus 2023, but are 9.7% higher than in 2022.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Italy fines Amazon 10mln euros for alleged unfair commercial practices
Italy's antitrust authority has fined two subsidiaries of Amazon a total of 10mln euros ($10.7mln) for alleged unfair commercial practices, the regulator said, a decision the U.S. e-commerce giant said it would appeal.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Sainsbury's expects strong profit growth in 2024/25
Sainsbury's, Britain's second largest supermarket group, forecast strong profit growth in its new financial year as it reported a 1.6% rise for 2023/24, above company guidance, that partly reflected customer wins from rivals. It said underlying pretax profit was £701mln (€820.17mln) in the year to March 2, 2024 - ahead of company guidance of between £670mln and £700mln (€783.90mln to €817.80mln) and the £690mln (€807.30mln) made in 2022/23.
Source: esmmagazine.com
France: Intermarché, Auchan and Casino enter into long-term alliance
Three major French retail groups announce a purchasing alliance with a remarkably long duration: for up to 10 years, Intermarché, Auchan and Casino will jointly negotiate with major brand manufacturers.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Germany: HelloFresh SE reports quarterly revenue of approx. €2.07bln
HelloFresh SE ("HelloFresh" or "Company") released its results for the first quarter of 2024. The HelloFresh Group delivered its highest ever quarterly revenue of approx. €2.07bln, corresponding to an approx. 3.8% constant currency growth (Q1 2023: €2.01bln). The Company continues to capitalize on strong demand for its Ready-to-Eat (RTE) offering, which delivered in the first quarter 2024 revenue of €496mln (Q1 2023: €322mln), corresponding to a 56% y-o-y growth rate in constant currency. The meal kit product category delivered revenue of €1,559mln (Q1 2023: €1,687mln), corresponding to a negative approx. (6.9%) revenue growth rate on a constant currency basis. The Company's RTE brand Factor is also officially available in Sweden and Denmark, underlining HelloFresh Group's position as a leading digital-first FMCG group globally.
Source: ir.hellofreshgroup.com
Scotland: Integration trial between Gander and Snappy Shopper promises to reshape food waste landscape
Retail tech firm Gander has reported the results of a trial undertaken with Snappy Shopper, a specialist in the Q-commerce convenience grocery sector. This integrated Gander into the Snappy Shopper home delivery app. The trial, conducted since April last year, saw Gander and Snappy Shopper launch a move in five SPAR Scotland stores.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Germany: Edeka first to build 'circular supermarket'
In Braunschweig, in the German state of Lower Saxony, Edeka is starting construction of a special store: the country's first recyclable supermarket, according to the retailer. To build the premises, it is using materials and components that can be reused or recycled to ensure a sustainable circular economy.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Retail data experts Reapp add Waitrose to platform
Waitrose joins the list of major UK retailers available through Reapp Insights including Asda, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco, Co-op, Poundland, and Marks & Spencer, allowing brands to harness AI-driven data to grow sales.
Source: reapp.uk