Taste.com.au survey reveals Aussie shoppers favourite aisles
According to taste.com.au's Dinner Heroes survey, the fresh fruit and vegetable aisle has come out on top, with almost one in five (16%) of Aussies nominating it as their favourite. Boomers enjoyed the fresh fruit and vegetable aisle the most, coming in at 24%, closely followed by Gen X at 16%.
Source: news.com.au
Lidl Ireland marks 25 years in Ireland with €997mln economic boost
Lidl Ireland reported: "Lidl Ireland has unveiled the findings of its 'Economic Contribution of Lidl in the Republic of Ireland' report, commemorating 25 years of operating in the country. Conducted by Oxford Economics, the report demonstrates Lidl Ireland's economic and social footprint since first opening its doors in Ireland in 2000. The report highlights Lidl's direct financial contribution to the Irish economy, its wider impact on employment and Irish suppliers, and underscores Lidl's positive role in communities across the country. Procurement of Irish produce grows by 70% over last five years".
Source: corporate.lidl.ie
UK: Make healthy food more appealing, government tells supermarkets
Food businesses must make it easier for customers to buy healthy food, under new government plans announced on Sunday. Supermarkets and food manufacturers in England will partner with the government to tackle obesity rates by encouraging people to make their weekly shop healthier. Ministers say it will be up to food retailers to decide how they do that, but it could involve offering promotions on healthy food, tweaking loyalty points to incentivise healthy options, or changing shop layouts.
Source: bbc.co.uk
UK: Southern Co-op announce food retail store closures
Southern Co-op reported: "Following a period of sustained market change and operating cost increases across the retail sector, Southern Co-op has taken the decision to sell 22 of its directly operated food convenience stores. 20 stores are being sold to two third-party retailers, and two will be converted to operate under Southern Co-op's Welcome franchise".
Source: southern.coop
Major UK supermarket chain at risk of closing 34 shops
Around 34 supermarkets and nine funeral homes across Essex could close forever unless members approve a crucial merger with Central Co-op. To avoid closures, the society is proposing a 'transfer of engagements' to Central Co-op, a much larger co-operative that operates across the South East and Midlands. This move would shift all assets and liabilities to the Central group, subject to member approval at two key meetings scheduled for July 16 and August 5. Both votes must pass for the merger to proceed.
Source: express.co.uk
New Zealand: Foodstuffs South Island invests in industries first fully automated super freezer
Foodstuffs South Island reported: "Foodstuffs South Island, the co-operative behind the South Island's New World, PAK'nSAVE and Four Square stores, is addressing a growing challenge in its supply chain, a shortage of frozen storage capacity, with a bold investment in automation at its Hornby Distribution Centre. As demand for frozen goods increases and pressure on storage intensifies, the co-operative is futureproofing its operations by building New Zealand's first fully automated -22°C freezer within the supermarket sector".
Source: foodstuffs-si.co.nz
Belgium: Okay will also open its doors on Sunday mornings from early 2026
Colruyt Group reported: "From early 2026, Okay customers will be able to visit their neighbourhood supermarket on Sundays between 8am and 12.30pm. Besides a more flexible offer for customers, Okay is also taking into account the impact of Sunday opening on staff. The shops carry a full range of daily groceries, with an extra focus on fresh products".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Germany: Kaufland reorganizes its marketing department following Lidl's example
Kaufland, part of the German group Schwarz Gruppe, is restructuring its marketing department and introducing a new unit called "Kunde" ("customers"), following the example of its sister chain Lidl. With this reorganization, Kaufland aims to place the customer at the center of its daily operations. "We want to more strongly anchor the needs and perspectives of our customers in our daily actions", the company states, according to Lebensmittelzeitung.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: The Happy Pear launches chilled & ambient range into Ocado
Irish plant-based power duo, Dave and Steve Flynn aka The Happy Pear, have been championing the benefits of embracing a healthier diet rich in vegetables for over 20 years. Now the brand is extending its UK reach of the eponymous range of high-quality products following a new listing with Ocado.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
UK: M&S boss says extending Brexit food labelling is madness
The decision to extend post-Brexit food labelling on products being shipped from Great Britain to Northern Ireland has been criticised by the chief executive of Marks & Spencer. The "Not for EU" labels have been phased in since 2023 with the final phase to be implemented 1 July 2025, but the labels are likely to become unnecessary when the UK and EU finalise a new agrifood deal. Stuart Machin said it was "bureaucratic madness" and the new deal "can't come soon enough".
Source: bbc.com
Lidl US opening a fresh new store in Hackensack, New JerseyLidl US reported: "We're opening a new Lidl US location at 150 River Street, Hackensack, New Jersey, 07601 on Friday, July 25. Break out your best fruit and veggie salad recipes; we dare you to find sweeter berries or juicier tomatoes!"
Source: mediacenter.lidl.com
US: Teamsters file wage theft complaint against Costco
Teamsters Local 174 has filed multiple official complaints with the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries after Costco Wholesale blatantly refused to pay fleet drivers the wages guaranteed under their collective bargaining agreement.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Flashfood releases 2024 Impact Report: "The Future of Waste is Health"
Flashfood released its third annual Impact Report: The Future of Waste is Health at the 2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit. The report digs into the growing connection between food waste and the health and nutrition crisis, presenting the case that wasting less fresh food is one of the simplest and most scalable tools to address a pressing nutrition crisis.
Source: businesswire.com
US: How Afresh is revolutionizing grocery perimeters with AI
With clients like Albertsons, Meijer, Smart & Final - and earlier this year, landing a chain-wide rollout of its fresh produce technology at Stater Bros. - San Francisco, California-based grocery tech company Afresh appears to be on a roll. Most recently, the AI-powered software company was in the news with the announcement that it had made the THRIVE Top 50 FoodTech Companies list for the second year in a row.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Celebrate for less with a summer BBQ for under $5 per person: Walmart Canada is serving up summer at every day low prices
Walmart Canada reported: "Barbecue season is here and Walmart Canada is here to help Canadians with everything they need for grilling up a summer feast - at every day low prices. This Summer BBQ Offer includes among other things - Tasty toppings: Beefsteak Tomato (grown in Canada), Iceberg Lettuce, Red Onion. Salty and seasonal sides: Corn on the Cob".
Source: walmartcanada.ca