New Zealand: ComCom files proceedings against Foodstuffs North Island for blocking rivals
The Commerce Commission has filed proceedings in the Wellington High Court against Foodstuffs North Island, alleging that anti-competitive land covenants were lodged by the supermarket operator with the purpose of blocking competitors from opening rival supermarkets at particular sites and developing existing ones at several locations across the lower North Island.
Source: comcom.govt.nz
Dominic Hall named President of SPAR International
SPAR International reported: "Dominic Hall, Joint Managing Director of James Hall & Co. Ltd in the United Kingdom, was elected President of SPAR International, the world's largest voluntary retail food network".
Source: spar-international.com
India: Amazon Fresh expands presence to 130 cities
Amazon's grocery delivery arm Amazon Fresh has expanded its services to 130 cities, including Ambala, Aurangabad, Hoshiarpur, Dharwad, Una, Suri, among others. This more than doubles the vertical's presence from about 50 Indian cities last year. Amazon Fresh delivers groceries, including fruits, vegetables, chilled products, beauty, baby, personal care, and pet products.
Source: inc42.com
UK's Uber Eats research: growing number of 'grocernauts' pick healthy options when placing grocery orders
Britain's home delivery app shoppers' tastes are changing with people eating more healthily than ever, ordering strawberries, bananas, cucumber and semi skimmed milk over chocolate and crisps.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
French watchdog asks court to fine Carrefour over franchise operations
France's finance ministry has asked a court to fine retailer Carrefour over contracts with franchisee stores that it says were unbalanced in its favour, it said, a move the group denounced. The ministry's General Directorate for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) said in a statement that its investigations had found several companies in the group engaging in practices contrary to the French Commercial Code.
Source: reuters.com
Just Eat Takeaway.com offers Amazon Prime members free delivery in Germany, Austria and Spain
Just Eat Takeaway.com is partnering with Amazon in Germany, Austria and Spain to offer Amazon Prime members unlimited free delivery on their food orders.
Source: justeattakeaway.com
Croatia: Studenac to build distribution centre near Zagreb
Croatian food retailer Studenac said it will build a new distribution centre near the country's capital Zagreb, set to open next year, to enhance the efficiency and capacity of its logistics network. "The new center in Velika Gorica will cover 36,000 square meters and eventually create approximately 500 new jobs", the company said in a press release.
Source: seenews.com
Food over friends - one in three Brits prioritise using up food over spontaneous social plans, Ocado reports
A surprising one in three Brits (34%) are regularly turning down plans to eat out with friends because they're worried about their food going off at home. Over a third of Brits (36%) say they have to make return visits to the shops due to their produce going off quicker than expected, with the most common culprits being salad leaves (43%), bread (34%) and soft fruits (33%).
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
Belgium: Colruyt aims for growth, but fears resurrection Delhaize
One year after he took office as Colruyt Group CEO, Stefan Goethaert shows his ambition: a 30 % market share is not the limit, he says. However, the market leader is impacted by the introduction of Sunday openings in Delhaize's franchised stores. Three Belgian newspapers published an extensive interview with the Colruyt CEO: De Tijd, Het Laatste Nieuws and La Libre Belgique.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Purchasing habits of French consumers were 'transformed' last year: Kantar
The purchasing habits of French consumers were 'transformed' last year, according to Kantar, adding that the effects of this shift are likely to continue to be felt in 2024. Fresh produce sales have been particularly affected, with sales down 3.4% across all distribution channels, a continuation of the trend seen in recent years.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK Amazon workers balloted on union recognition
A ballot process that could see Amazon recognise a trade union in the UK for the first time is to begin. GMB union officials were due to enter the trading giant's Coventry fulfilment site for the first time on Wednesday, where they were set to hold meetings with the 3,000 workers to try and win their vote.
Source: bbc.com
UK: Lab-grown burgers and cricket salads revealed as 2054 dinnertime staples
Co-op published its latest Responsible Retailing Report: Health was revealed to be a big concern for respondents in the latest report too, with people saying they now eat more fruit and vegetables (88%) and choose healthier options (87%). Full 2054 predictions include: Vegetable consumption will evolve drastically, towards embracing locally sourced seasonal produce. This shift also promotes dietary diversity and celebrates seasonal flavours, whilst also embracing traditional preservation methods (pickling, fermenting, etc.)
Source: co-operative.coop
UK: Brakes scoops award for its Sustainability Training Programme
Brakes has been awarded the prestigious Stakeholder Engagement Award at the Foodservice Footprint Awards for its comprehensive programme to offer sustainability training to all of its colleagues in Great Britain.
Source: brake.co.uk
US: New Whole Foods Market in Huntington Station, New York, to open July 17
Whole Foods Market will open a new 43,916-square-foot store, located at 350 Walt Whitman Road, Huntington Station, New York, on July 17 at 8:00 a.m. ET. Features of the Huntington Station store include: An array of certified organic, conventional and Sourced for Good produce, plus offerings from more than 11 local farms and suppliers, including local sunflowers and floral bunches from Tucker Farms and Cranbury Fields, Rubi tomatoes from Oishii, and packaged salads from Satur Farms.
Source: media.wholefoodsmarket.com
US: Save A Lot now on Uber Eats
Last-mile delivery service Uber Eats announced that select Save A Lot grocery stores will now be available through the Uber Eats app. More than 150 of Save A Lot's 600-plus locations now offer Uber Eats as a delivery method, the company said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Vallarta Supermarkets debuts new HQ
Hispanic grocery retailer Vallarta Supermarkets recently held a grand-opening event for its new office headquarters in Santa Clarita, California. The new facility was designed to support Vallarta's commitment to innovation, collaboration and community engagement.
Source: progressivegrocer.com