Import cargo to hit 2mln containers for the first time since last fall
Next month's inbound cargo volume at the nation's major container ports is expected to top 2mln units for the first time since last fall as imports grow despite new supply chain challenges, according to the Global Port Tracker report by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
Source: nrf.com
US: A trio of supercenters on tap for Meijer
Meijer will unveil two 159,000-square-foot supercenters in the towns of Alliance and North Canton, Ohio, on May 14. In Michigan, Meijer is putting the finishing touches on a new supercenter in the city of Hillsdale, southwest of Ann Arbor and Detroit. Also welcoming shoppers on May 14 and spanning 159,000 square feet, the store will have a similar format and assortment as the new Ohio locations and will operate an adjacent gas station.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: FMI welcomes updates to WIC food package increasing fruit and vegetable benefits and providing greater flexibility on package sizes
FMI - The Food Industry Association welcomed provisions in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) final rule updating package sizes and increasing fruits and vegetables in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
Source: fmi.org
US: Trader Joe's workers in Chicago to vote on union
According to a report in the Chicago Tribune, crew members at a Trader Joe's in the city's North Center neighborhood are set to hold a vote on forming a union, motivated by a desire for higher wages, more paid time off, and protected benefits.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Canada: Metro and Too Good To Go join forces to reduce food waste and lower grocery bills for Quebecers
The grocer Metro and the Too Good To Go app are proud to announce a major partnership aimed at offering Quebecers a new way to save on their grocery bills while helping to reduce food waste. According to Recyc-Québec, 1.2mln tonnes of edible food are lost or wasted each year in Quebec. 45% of these foods are fruits or vegetables.
Source: newswire.ca
US: 18 years as a Top 100 company!
Nugget Market reported: "It's official - Nugget Market is once again one of the best places to work in the nation! Clocking in at #99 on Fortune's latest "100 Best Companies to Work For" list, this marks our 18th year of being recognized!"
Source: nuggetmarket.com
South Africa: Checkers opens five supermarkets in the East Rand in one day
Gauteng's East Rand saw five new Checkers supermarkets open in a single day on Monday, April 8, 2024. These new stores offer customers a convenient shopping experience and access to several in-store fresh food departments, including a Meat Market, Hot & Cold Foods Deli, Bakery, Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, and an in-store Money Market counter.
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
Holland: PLUS Retail teams with commercetools, Contentful, OutSystems to launch new e-commerce platform
PLUS Retail, the third largest service supermarket organization in the Netherlands, has gone live with a new e-commerce platform. In a LinkedIn post, Arvid Nieuwsma, Head of Product at PLUS Retail, said that this was inspired by the MACH Alliance.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
New Zealand: The Warehouse expands fresh range to 10 more stores
The Warehouse is doubling down on providing affordable essentials as it expands its fresh produce range to a third of its stores across New Zealand. This expansion of ten stores takes the total to 32 stores, helping consumers buffeted by rising food prices. The Warehouse Group chief executive Nick Grayston said the Red Shed's growing focus on fresh fruits and vegetables is a key part of its mission to provide more affordable essentials for Kiwi families.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
Spain: Alimerka enhances supply chain efficiency and sustainability with Cimcorp
Juan Carlos Suárez Fueyo, Logistics Director at Alimerka: "When considering the possibility of improving our logistics, especially in the fruit warehouse, we sought suppliers offering proven solutions in our sector. That's when we came across Cimcorp, a company that had already implemented successful solutions in similar enterprises."
Source: cimcorp.com
UK: Tesco says price pressures easing as profits soar
Tesco has said price pressures on grocers have eased as it reported bumper sales and profits for the past year. The UK's biggest supermarket chain said pre-tax profits hit £2.3bln, up from £882mln, while sales rose by 4.4% to £68.2bln in the year to February 24 The company said price inflation in groceries had "lessened substantially".
Source: bbc.com
UK: Labour reveals plans to 'breathe new life' into high streets with reformed rates
PA News Agency reported: "Analysis from the party claims that under the Conservatives, there are 3,700 fewer fruit and veg shops, butchers and newsagents since 2010, adding that an additional 385 towns have seen their last bank branch close, or announce that they will be closing imminently".
Source: oxfordmail.co.uk
UK: M&S innovating its way to Net Zero through new Plan A partnership funding
Marks & Spencer reported: "Further projects will be announced in the coming months, but some of the initiatives will look at Water - Applying innovative solutions to water in irrigation systems such as nanobubble technology (water with increased oxygen) and organic components, to conserve water resources in the production of fruits and brassicas in water-scarce regions."
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
Jumbo to spin off three stores in Belgium
Jumbo Belgium plans to transfer stores in Lanaken, Sint-Lambrechts-Herk, and Heusden-Zolder to franchise entrepreneurs. Jumbo believes the move will help the business grow sustainably in Belgium as it 'sees advantages' in working with entrepreneurs.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Germany: Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof returns to old owner
Galeria Karstadt Kaufhof has finally found a new owner, who surprisingly turns out to be a former owner as well. Hudson's Bay owner Richard Baker has confirmed the acquisition of the German department store group.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Japan: Seven & i to list supermarket unit Ito-Yokado, Kyodo reports
Japan's Seven & i Holdings plans to list its supermarket unit Ito-Yokado, Kyodo news agency reported, citing unidentified sources. The retail conglomerate aims to focus on its mainstay 7-Eleven convenience store operation by having the supermarket business listed, Kyodo said.
Source: reuters.com
Belgium: Revamped Okay Stekene to reopen as a sustainable neighborhood supermarket on April 10
On Wednesday, April 10, Okay Stekene reopened its doors after undergoing a thorough facelift. "In the renewed freshmart, it's easy to choose from our ample offer of fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, fish and ready-made meals, all tasty and fresh like you're used to at Okay," store manager Olivier explains.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Kaufland to open its marketplace in Poland and Austria
Kaufland, one of the larger e-commerce platforms in Germany, is expanding to Poland and Austria in the coming late summer. Last year, Kaufland already became active with its marketplace in Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Tesco Ireland opens new Townsend St storeTesco Ireland has opened a new store at Dublin's Townsend St in the city center, creating 14 new jobs. The Express store will offer customers a modern retail experience and a wide selection of quality fresh Irish produce.
Source: tescoireland.ie