New Zealand: Commission extends timeline for Foodstuffs merger application
The Commerce Commi
ssion has agreed to an extension of time to consider the Foodstuffs merger application with the parties. A decision from the Commission, whether to clear the application or issue a Statement of Unresolved Issues, is now due on 21 June 2024.
Source: comcom.govt.nz
Mercadona opens supermarket in Guarda and hits its target of 50 stores in Portugal
Supermarket company Mercadona has opened its first store in the district of Guarda, located on Avenida de São Miguel in the town of the same name. This inauguration, the first of the 11 stores it plans on opening this year, sees the company hit its goal of 50 supermarkets in Portugal.
Source: info.mercadona.es
German food sales increase 1.5% in February, BVE says
The German food industry saw a 1.5% price-adjusted increase in sales in February 2024, compared to the same period last year, according to the Federation of German Food and Drink Industries (BVE). Grain prices saw a sharp decline of 33.6% year on year, while fruit prices saw a 27.2% increase and table potatoes were up 36%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Getir quits UK with multimillion pound Tottenham Hotspur debt
Getir, the grocery delivery app which this month confirmed plans to exit the UK, has an outstanding debt to Tottenham Hotspur Football Club running to millions of pounds. Sky News understands that Turkey-based Getir, whose three-year training kit sponsorship deal with Spurs expired at the end of the Premier League season on Sunday, owes close to £5mln to the club.
Source: news.sky.com
UK supermarket Asda's sales growth slows in latest quarter
Asda, Britain's third largest supermarket group, said its underlying sales rose 1.4% in the first quarter - a slowdown from growth of 2.2% in the previous quarter and an underperformance versus its bigger rivals. The grocer, owned by brothers Zuber and Mohsin Issa and private equity group TDR Capital, said total revenue, excluding fuel, rose 6.6% to 5.3bln pounds ($6.7bln) in the three months to March 31.
Source: reuters.com
Ireland: Aldi unveils new Sallynoggin 'Project Fresh' store
Aldi Ireland's Sallynoggin store has reopened after undergoing a €1mln renovation project, as part of Aldi's Project Fresh. The updated Sallynoggin store features a new layout that includes a wide selection of fresh food at the front of the store.
Source: checkout.ie
Austria: SPAR supports the Linz Marathon
SPAR Austria supplied five tonnes of SPAR Natur*pur organic bananas and 3,000 litres of carbonated drinks in reusable containers during the Linz Marathon on 7 April.
Source: spar-international.com
Sonae accounted for 3.7% of Portugal's GDP in 2022, study finds
Sonae, which owns the food retail chain Continente, accounted for 3.7% of the Portuguese gross domestic product (GDP) in 2022, a new study has revealed. Sonae contributed €8.9bln to Portugal's GDP for the year, while its contribution to total national production amounted to €17.8bln, the study by Nova School of Business & Economics showed.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: M&S website and app hit by technical issue
Customers were unable to use Marks and Spencer's website and app for several hours on Saturday after it was hit by a technical issue. The website and app were back up and running by 18:15 BST.
Source: bbc.com
UK: Asda launches six new globally-inspired crisp flavoursDriven by inspiration from its 'Trend Book', Asda has rolled out six new "world food-inspired" flavours in its own label crisp range. They include Extra Special Habanero Hot Honey Hand Cooked Crisps (£1.35/150g), Extra Special Caprese Salad Flavour Hand Cooked Crisps (£1.35/150g), Extra Special Lemon Cajun Chicken flavour Hand Cooked crisps (£1.35/150g), Chilli Mac 'n' Cheese flavour ridged sharing crisps (£1.15/150g), Thai Beef Flavour Ridged Sharing crisps (£1.15/150g), and Jerk Chicken Flavour ridged crisps (£1.15/100g).
Source: kamcity.com
Magnit reports like-for-like sales growth of 5.5% in FY 2023
Retailer Magnit has reported like-for-like (LFL) sales growth of 5.5% in its full financial year 2023. Net retail sales amounted to RUB2.5bln (€25mln) during the year, reflecting a 9.1% year-on-year increase compared to 2022.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: H-E-B opens ecommerce fulfillment center in suburban San Antonio
San Antonio-based grocer H-E-B is growing its omnichannel capabilities with the opening of an ecommerce fulfillment center in the San Antonio suburb of Cibolo. The 55,000-square-foot facility, connected to an H-E-B store in Cibolo, will provide curbside and delivery throughout the San Antonio area.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Joe V's Smart Shop sets opening date in Southern Dallas
Joe V's Smart Shop is a grocery store launched by H-E-B in 2010 that focuses on innovative price formats to deliver the lowest prices in the marketplace. In 2022, H-E-B bought an abandoned grocery store space in South Oak Cliff and announced plans to bring a Joe V's to Dallas. This will be the store's first location outside Houston. The opening of this grocery store will make fresh foods and vegetables more accessible in this neighborhood.
Source: dallasobserver.com
Geissler's Supermarket is taking over Fitzgerald's Foods in Simsbury
A family-owned supermarket in Simsbury is being acquired by Geissler's Supermarket. A spokesperson for Geissler's said they plan to obtain a substantial majority of assets of Lussier Ventures Inc., which operates as Fitzgerald's Foods.
Source: nbcconnecticut.com
US: Walmart opens 4th next-generation fulfillment center
Walmart continues expanding its high-tech supply chain facility model. The discounter has opened its fourth next-generation fulfillment center. The 1.5mln-square-foot facility is located in Greencastle, Pennsylvania, and being opened by Walmart with the intention of enabling faster order fulfillment.
Source: progressivegrocer.com