M&S food boss backs Starmer's calls for closer EU relations
M&S has backed the Prime Minister's call for closer ties with the EU, to finish years of "Brexit bureaucracy". Speaking to The Telegraph, the supermarket's head of food, Alex Freudmann, called on Keir Starmer to "move with pace" to remove the red tape governing trade across the Irish Sea.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Romania: Bringo reports over 1.6mln orders in 2024
Bringo has analyzed key trends shaping eGroceries consumption habits in 2024. The analysis, based on over 1.6mln orders delivered by Bringo's personal shoppers across more than 35 cities, reveals that Romanians are becoming increasingly conscious of both pricing and their food choices. Bringo LifeINDEX data shows that 4 out of 5 orders placed through Bringo contain discounted products, while 2 out of 5 shopping carts include organic products.
Source: business-review.eu
Estonian vegetable growers: In tough competition, retail chains determine prices
Retail chains in Estonia sell domestically grown packaged carrots at higher prices than Finnish imports, citing Finland's lower purchase prices and larger production volumes. Estonian vegetable producers say fierce competition leaves pricing up to retailers. At Prisma supermarkets, for example, a one-kilogram package of Finnish Kotimaista carrots costs €0.99 and a one-kilogram package of prewashed Finnish rainbow carrots is priced at €1.69, but domestic Kadarbiku carrots sold in half-kilo packages cost €2.58 per kilogram (kg). Finnish carrots are several times cheaper than Estonian ones in Coop stores as well. A two-kilogram bag of Finnish Kotimaista potatoes at Prisma, meanwhile, costs €2.19, or just under €1.10 per kg; Estonian potatoes, meanwhile, cost around €1.45 per kg. Kadarbiku Köögivili CEO Veiko Pak told ERR that you never know how a store will decide to price a product.
Source: news.err.ee
Amazon introduces Easy Ship in Europe
Online marketplace Amazon is introducing a shipping solution called Easy Ship in Europe, for sellers in the Netherlands and Poland. According to the ecommerce giant, the solution helps sellers ship their products faster, smoother and more cost-effectively.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
Greece: Sklavenitis planning a mall-like supermarket complex
Supermarket chain Sklavenitis will develop a two-story supermarket at the former Pitsos factory in Rentis, near Piraeus, also hosting food service and recreation areas on the first floor and a multistory office building with meeting rooms, multipurpose rooms, a restaurant and a roof garden.
Source: ekathimerini.com
Ousted Getir CEO returns as board restructured
Getir, the Turkish grocery delivery company, has reappointed its chief executive after he was removed last week, a document seen by Reuters showed, as struggle for control of the company continues.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Caterer Compass' first-quarter revenue beats expectations
Compass reported first-quarter organic revenue growth of 9.2%, ahead of market expectations, as the British catering group benefited from strong demand at its canteens, especially in North America and Europe.
Source: reuters.com
A recipe for greater produce safety
Fruit and vegetable contamination is becoming a more manageable, but still arduous, food safety threat. While produce merchandisers can reduce incidents by using newer technologies to better monitor operations, it is crucial that workers also receive the necessary instruction if they are to take appropriate measures, said Shipra Pareek, senior account manager, food retail, at NSF, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based provider of testing, inspection, certification, and advisory services, and digital solutions.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Amazon.com announces fourth quarter resultsAmazon.com, Inc. announced financial results for its fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024. Net sales increased 10% to $187.8bln in the fourth quarter, compared with $170.0bln in fourth quarter 2023. Operating income increased to $21.2bln in the fourth quarter, compared with $13.2bln in fourth quarter 2023.
Source: businesswire.com
US: Aldi supermarket chain signs lease in Portland at former Big Lots site
Aldi, the supermarket chain founded in Germany and known for its deep discounts and coin-operated shopping carts, has signed a lease to take over the former Big Lots store in Portland's Pine Tree Shopping Center. That would mark the chain's first venture into Maine, though it's not yet clear when the store may open or how many workers may be hired.
Source: pressherald.com
US: Costco Wholesale Corporation reports January sales results
Costco Wholesale Corporation ("Costco" or the "Company") reported net sales of $19.51bln for the retail month of January, the four weeks ended February 2, 2025, an increase of 9.2% from $17.87bln last year. Net sales for the first 22 weeks were $113.55bln, an increase of 8.2% from $104.94bln last year.
Source: globenewswire.com
US: Flashfood expands partnership with Earth Fare
Flashfood is now available at three new Earth Fare locations in North Carolina, South Carolina and Ohio. In August 2024, Flashfood launched in Earth Fare's Greenville, South Carolina store and became Flashfood's first location in the southeast and one of the first retailers on the Flashfood for Independents platform.
Source: flashfood.com