Mercadona boosts investment in Portugal
Spanish supermarket chain Mercadona is planning to inject €180mln into its Portuguese subsidiary to fund continued expansion plans in the country throughout 2024. The additional investment will directly support the opening of 11 new stores in Guarda, Oliveira de Azeméis, Coimbra (Solum and Eiras), Leiria, Évora, Vila Nova de Gaia (Canelas), Sintra (Rio de Mouro), Maia (Moreira), Seixal (Fernão Ferro), and Barreiro (Lavradio). Mercadona also plans to complete the Almeirim logistics hub in July of this year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Fresh or Free guarantee as Woolworths officially launches in New Zealand
The Countdown to Woolworths is over, with Woolworths officially launching in the New Zealand market accompanied by a renewed commitment to its Fresh or Free guarantee to mark the milestone in its transformation journey. Woolworths has also launched That Fresh Food Feeling, which symbolizes its promise to bring New Zealanders the best supermarket experience every day and celebrates the return of the Woolworths brand to New Zealand.
Source: countdown.co.nz
Coop amba, OK agree on 50/50 ownership of Coop Danmark
Coop amba and energy company OK have agreed on a 50/50 ownership structure for Coop Danmark, with OK having 'decisive influence' over the grocery chain, regardless of ownership shares, the company noted in a statement. As part of the agreement, Coop amba and OK will invest DKK 2bln (€270mln) in Coop Danmark to help the grocery chain strengthen its SuperBrugsen, Kvickly, Brugsen, and 365discount banners.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Philippines: This 360-wellness superstore encourages you to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle
Visit this newly opened 360-wellness superstore at Glorietta, where various sustainable products and practices encourage you to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle. "At Heyday, our goal is to provide a diverse range of wellness products that cater to individual needs while fostering a sense of wellbeing, community support, and sustainability", said Heyday Co-Founder Ryan Tan. The store directly sources its fresh produce, including fruits and vegetables, from Filipino farmers.
Source: mb.com.ph
Italy: Famila reaches 300 stores, plans 15 new openings in 2024
Italian grocery chain Famila has surpassed the figure of 300 stores in the country as it marks its 40th anniversary this year. Part of the large-scale distribution group Gruppo Selex, Famila's network extends across 12 Italian regions, thanks to the five member companies that use the brand - Maxidi, Unicomm, Arca, Megamark, and Cds. Famila enjoys a loyal customer base and a 3.5% market share in the hypermarket and supermarket segment, according to data from NIQ.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Tesco and Asda giving free milk, fruit, and veg to parents with children under 4
Supermarkets, including some of the UK's biggest including Tesco and Asda, are giving out free milk and vegetables, as well as fresh fruit, in a Cost of Living boost. It comes as the supermarkets join forces with the NHS.
Source: birminghammail.co.uk
UFU shocked at Tesco profit announcements
UFU president David Brown says farmers will be frustrated by comments from Tesco that a surge in profits is on the back of 'price pressures' easing. He says this must not lead to a further correlation on the prices paid to farmers, which remain under pressure from aggressive retailers despite rising costs on farms.
Source: ufuni.org
Australians consume fewer vegetables, fruit, and less milk
Australians bought around 3.9% less food in 2022-23 than in the previous year, a drop of 63 grams or 337kJ a day, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). Vegetables had the largest drop of 14 grams per person per day. This was followed by Fruit (down 12 grams), Milk products (down 11 grams), and Non-alcoholic beverages (down 9 grams).
Source: abs.gov.au
UK: Grocery delivery giant Getir in talks about radical restructuring
Getir, one of the world's largest grocery delivery platforms, is in talks about a radical restructuring just two years after it was valued at nearly $12bln (£9.6bln). Sky News has learned that Getir, which was founded in Turkey and now operates in five markets, including the UK, is examining a number of options as part of talks with its leading investors.
Source: news.sky.com
Iconic German department store KaDeWe in Thai hands
The Central Group, from Thailand, has acquired the iconic 'Kaufhaus des Westens' (KaDeWe) building from the bankrupt Signa Group for a billion euros. It already had a majority stake in the eponymous retailer.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Amazon CEO talks grocery potential
In his annual letter to shareholders, Amazon President and CEO Andy Jassy addressed several aspects of the retail behemoth's grocery business, including items sold through its site and at its Amazon Fresh and Whole Foods Market physical stores.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Hannaford debuts newly acquired stores in Maine
Hannaford Supermarkets officially welcomed customers to its new stores in Fort Kent and Madawaska, Maine, on April 12. The grand openings follow the food retailer's acquisition of the stores earlier this year, which formerly operated as Paradis Shop 'n Save Supermarkets and were supplied and supported by Hannaford.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Canada: Walmart reveals new tech-focused flagship store
Walmart Canada has cut the ribbon on its newly-renovated flagship in Mississauga, Ontario, which includes a heavy focus on in-store tech and an expanded grocery offering. Billed by the retailer as its "Store of the Future", the 223,000-square-foot space located within Square One Shopping Centre in the city's downtown core, has been designed with a focus on customer convenience and tech-enabled experiences.
Source: canadiangrocer.com