India: How Fresh From Farm (F3) is helping 500 fruit retailers earn more
Launched by Rohit Nagdewani, this supply chain startup streamlines fruit procurement, processing and deliveries to maximise product freshness and minimise waste. The full-stack platform caters to around 500 fresh marginal fresh fruit retailers in Delhi NCR and has introduced its private-label offerings to drive revenue. It has developed a five-pronged business strategy to blend quality, sustainability and innovation to redefine fruit distribution.
Source: inc42.com
Picnic continues French expansion
Dutch online supermarket Picnic continues its growth in the Paris region, adding 185,000 households to its delivery network. The retailer wants to provide home delivery to the whole Paris region before the year is over. Despite challenges in securing warehouse locations, Picnic remains committed to reaching a broader audience, French news website LSA reports.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Another major supermarket announces hundreds of job layoffs in major staff change
Another major supermarket has announced hundreds of job layoffs after Sainsbury's said it would cut 3,000 head office staff roles. Morrisons have said they will cut 200 staff in a major company shake up.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
Japan supermarket sales up for fifth year in 2024
Supermarket sales in Japan in 2024 increased 2.7% from the previous year on a same-store basis, up for the fifth consecutive year, the Japan Chain Stores Association said. Sales at all stores totaled ¥13tln. Price increases of rice and vegetables such as cabbage pushed up overall sales while the number of purchased items continued to decrease as customers became thriftier.
Source: japantimes.co.jp
Jumbo opens first Belgian supermarket of the year
Dutch supermarket chain Jumbo has opened its 38th Belgian store in Boom, marking the first of potentially seven new locations this year in the country. Jumbo aims to open seven stores in Belgium this year: Managing Director Peter Isaac says that the necessary permits have been obtained, but that the exact timing will depend on construction progress.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Ahold Delhaize launches Alfa Beta's new app for customers
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Ahold Delhaize is proud to announce the launch of Alfa Beta's new customer app, the final in a series of six launches across the European market. This unified, modular app is designed to deliver a seamless and cohesive online shopping experience for customers shopping at five of Ahold Delhaize's European brands".
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
Poland: Grupa Muszkieterów reports growth in full-year turnover, driven by Intermarché and Bricomarché
Grupa Muszkieterów, the Polish arm of France's Les Mousquetaires, has reported a turnover of PLN 10.93bln (€2.6bln) in its full financial year 2024, with the Intermarché and Bricomarché chains jointly reporting growth of 6.3% on the previous year. The company added that its average market performance was ahead of its peers, consolidating its position as one of the top companies in the Polish retail market.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Aldi reveals over half of Brits throw away untouched food wasting up to £520 a year
According to new research from Aldi, over half (52%) of Brits admit they are ashamed about how much fruit and veg they bin, tossing out nearly 500 pieces and wasting up to £520 a year. Bananas were revealed as the worst offenders, as the average household still ends up throwing away each year: 114 bananas; 99 potatoes; 94 carrots; 88 oranges; 88 bags of salad; 83 onions; 73 boxes of strawberries; 73 cauliflowers.
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Belgium: Exki secures 15mln euros for relaunch plan
Belgian restaurant chain Exki has secured 15mln euros in new capital, which it wants to use to implement its relaunch strategy and fulfil its European ambitions.
Source: retaildetail.eu
METRO expands delivery service in Spain
METRO's Spanish Food Service Distribution (FSD) specialist Pro a Pro Spain is constructing a new multi-temperature depot in Seville, Andalusia. The new depot, which is scheduled to open in May 2025, will cover an area of 12,000 square metres and have a capacity of around 10,500 pallet spaces.
Source: newsroom.metroag.de
New and refurbished DESPAR Italia stores open to end 2024
In the North, DESPAR Nord saw 4 new stores open their doors. A EUROSPAR Supermarket in Melegnano provides convenience for the local community and has a focus on locally sourced goods. Another EUROSPAR Supermarket was opened in Guastalla. The supermarket places a focus on fresh departments including fruit and vegetables, a butchery, and a fishmonger. The DESPAR Supermarket in Forlimpopoli offers customers a larger shopping area alongside a product assortment which includes traditional local produce such as fruit, vegetables, and meat. Investment was made into a new INTERSPAR Hypermarket in Castelfranco Veneto.
Source: spar-international.com
Walmart unveils new innovation pilots with Indian startups to help enhance supply chain resilience
Walmart announced strategic pilots with India-based startups to provide solutions for the company's U.S. supply chain and sourcing operations. The three startups selected for pilot programs include Pune-based KBCols Sciences, Chennai-based GreenPod Labs, and Bengaluru-based Cropin. GreenPod Labs produces small sachets filled with plant extracts that activate the natural defense mechanisms of fruits and vegetables, slowing down ripening and mimicking the state when it is still on the vine. This extends travel times in the supply chain, enabling produce to stay fresh longer. Cropin offers an AI-driven AgTech platform that provides valuable insights into crop yields, enhancing productivity, optimizing resource use, and ensuring consistent harvest quality. The pilot will test this technology on the produce supply chains to gain a deeper understanding of yield estimations, crop health, and seasonal transition timing
Source: apnnews.com
US: King Soopers and City Market workers will strike, union chief says
King Soopers and City Market workers in Colorado will hold strike vote meetings from January 29 to February 1, the union announced. United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 7 President Kim Cordova said the strike is motivated by unfair labor practices by Kroger, which owns King Soopers and City Market.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: The Fresh Market announces new President and CEO Brian Johnson to head specialty grocery chain
The Fresh Market, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Brian Johnson as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) effective February 3, 2025, replacing Jason Potter, who has decided to pursue a new opportunity. The Fresh Market thanks Mr. Potter for his service and leadership over the last five years.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Uber Eats partners with Wegmans to expand grocery delivery
Uber Eats announced a new partnership with Wegmans Food Markets, Inc., bringing the beloved supermarket's products directly to customers' doors. Starting this month, Uber Eats users will have the convenience of ordering from Wegmans' expansive collection of high-quality groceries through the app, increasing consumer access to the company's offerings.
Source: prnewswire.com
Kayco snaps up Paramount Foods to expand product offering
US-based Kosher and speciality foods supplier and distributor Kayco has acquired Paramount Foods, a New Jersey-based family-owned business. Founded in 2006, Long Hill Township headquartered Paramount Foods provides bulk nuts, dried fruits and grains to supermarkets in northern New Jersey.
Source: just-food.com