Czech Republic: Kaufland aims for net zero by 2050
Kaufland has joined its Schwarz Group stablemate Lidl in announcing plans to be net zero by 2050 across its entire value chain, including Scope 3 emissions.
Source: esmmagazine.com
FairPrice Group first in Singapore to trial autonomous vehicles on public roads for cargo transportation
FairPrice Group (FPG) announced a milestone in its commitment to sustainable logistics; becoming the first organisation in Singapore to receive approval from the Land Transport Authority (LTA) for the final stages of trials to use autonomous vehicles on public roads for cargo transportation.
Source: fairpricegroup.com.sg
UK: Waitrose wins Sustainable Food and Farming Award from Compassion in World Farming
Waitrose has been awarded the Sustainable Food and Farming Award for its groundbreaking "Farming for Nature" initiative at the Compassion in World Farming (CiWF) 2024 Good Farm Animal Welfare Awards. This prestigious accolade recognises Waitrose's commitment to supporting its UK farmers in producing higher welfare meat, dairy, fruit, vegetables and eggs in ways that protect, improve, and restore wildlife and the environment.
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
Sweden: ICA Gruppen's report for the third quarter 2024
ICA Gruppen reported: "Consolidated net sales increased by 6.5% in the third quarter to SEK 39,362mln (36,943) and operating profit, excluding items affecting comparability, was slightly higher than last year, SEK 2,068mln (1,955). ICA Sweden's performance during the quarter was stable with increased market shares as well as e-commerce that continues to grow. Price investments led to a weaker operating margin, a development that was only partly compensated by improved efficiency and lower costs. ICA Sweden's operating profit amounted to SEK 1,200mln (1,168). Rimi Baltic's focus on efficiency enhancements as well as very active efforts with product range and campaigns, led to an earnings increase of 38.3% compared with 2023, to SEK 297mln (215)."
Source: icagruppen.se
Automating warehouse activities: Exotec robots now processing first orders at Auchan Luxembourg
Auchan Retail Luxembourg has become the first retailer in Luxembourg to use Exotec's Skypod system, with deployment in its Dudelange warehouse. At Auchan's site, Exotec has installed 37 robots in the facility to automate order processing, with the aim of making the workload of warehouse employees lighter and more pleasant.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Belgium: Colruyt Group takes over Delitraiteur
Colruyt Group reached an agreement to take over 100% of the stocks of Delitraiteur NV ("Delitraiteur"), which is part of the Louis Delhaize group. As a Belgian retailer, this take-over allows Colruyt Group to grow further and focus more on an offer that offers customers convenience.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
France: Carrefour sees consumer confidence improving as price cuts boost sales
Carrefour, Europe's largest food retailer, said that shoppers are buying more organic and branded products, in a sign of stronger consumer confidence helping its sales improve in the third quarter. Carrefour stuck to its annual financial targets and said price cuts have helped it win back market share from rivals in France. Carrefour's third-quarter group sales reached 23.983bln euros ($25.85bln), marking like-for-like annual growth of 8.8%, in line with market expectations for 8.6% growth.
Source: reuters.com
Sweden: Growth in all segments and strong market positions
Axfood reported: "Axfood summarises a third quarter with a continued positive trend in customer traffic, increased volumes and reinforced market positions, despite high comparison figures. Third quarter summary: Net sales totalled SEK 20,902 mln (20,293), an increase of 3.0%. Retail sales totalled SEK 16,427 mln (15,873), an increase of 3.5%. Operating profit amounted to SEK 1,007 mln (1,036). Operating profit in the prior year period included items affecting comparability of SEK -60 mln. The operating margin was 4.8% (5.1)."
Source: axfood.com
Seven & i makes no mention of $47bln buyout bid in laying out growth plan
Japanese conglomerate Seven & i Holdings laid out a growth plan that focused on its core 7-Eleven convenience stores and avoided any mention of a $47bln takeover bid from Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard.
Source: reuters.com
US: NLRB judge dismisses petition to decertify first Trader Joe's union
Trader Joe's United still represents workers at a Trader Joe's in Hadley, Massachusetts, after a petition to decertify the union was dismissed by Region 1 of the National Labor Relations Board earlier this month.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Associated Wholesale Grocers appoints John Cosentino to Board of Directors
Associated Wholesale Grocers, Inc. (AWG) announced the appointment of John Cosentino to fill an open position on the company's Board of Directors. John has been involved in the grocery business his entire life as he is a proud second-generation grocer of Cosentino Food Stores. Cosentino Food Stores currently operates 31 stores in the Kansas City area and celebrated their 77th anniversary this year.
Source: awginc.com
US: Jewel-Osco unveils latest store in 125th year
The latest Jewel, as it turns out, is a Diamond. The newest Jewel-Osco store was unveiled on October 22 in Diamond, Illinois, and the story behind the opening mirrors that of a gem waiting to be uncovered and polished to perfection. The produce department, across from an onsite Starbucks and adjacent to the floral department, features a wide range of fresh fruits and vegetables merchandised in creative, eye-catching displays.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Walmart in Mexico posts 5% dip in Q3 profit as costs grow
Walmart's Mexico and Central America unit reported a 5% dip in its third-quarter net profit on Wednesday as both the costs of its increased sales and general expenses grew. Walmart de Mexico, the country's largest retailer, posted a net profit of 12.93bln pesos ($656.61mln), below the average forecast of 13.62bln pesos seen by analysts polled by LSEG.
Source: reuters.com
Report tracks shoppers' shift to plant-based foods
Insights from the most recent "Plant-Based Migration Analysis" from The Kroger Co., the Plant Based Foods Institute and 84.51° - the data insights arm of Kroger, have found for the fourth consecutive year that shoppers who engage with plant-based foods reduce their spending on related animal-based food categories over time.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Walmart - The most innovative supermarket in the world
International Supermarket News reported: "Walmart's journey from a single store in Arkansas to the largest supermarket chain in the world is a testament to its commitment to innovation, flexibility, and understanding consumer behavior. By consistently leading the charge in technological advancements and adapting to market trends, Walmart has solidified its position as the most innovative supermarket in the world".
Source: internationalsupermarketnews.com