Slovenia: SPAR continues to roll out new initiatives
SPAR Slovenia, in cooperation with Resman Plus d.o.o., opened a new franchise SPAR supermarket in Naklo. The focus is on fresh produce, including a colourful array of fruits and vegetables. In partnership with the YouSea Institute, the retail organisation conducted marine clean-ups, and launched new features in their SPAR Plus mobile app, allowing users to receive digital invoices. Additionally, they introduced exclusive SPAR To Go dishes created by MasterChef winner Luka Pangos.
Source: spar-international.com
Kaisa Väistö-Nurminen appointed Managing Director of Picadeli Finland
Greenfood Group reported: "Kaisa Väistö-Nurminen has been appointed as the new Managing Director of Picadeli Finland. She will take up the position on June 1, 2025. Kaisa succeeds Nina Westerberg, who has successfully led both Picadeli Finland and Salico Oy, two companies within the Greenfood Group. Nina will now fully focus on her role as Managing Director of Salico Oy".
Source: greenfood.se
EBRD backs Viva Fresh with €25mln loan to acquire SPAR Albania
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Enterprise Expansion Fund II (ENEF II), backed by the EU, are providing a €25mln loan to Viva Fresh Kosovo. The Kosovo-based retailer will use the resources to expand into neighbouring Albania by acquiring SPAR Albania.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Retailers warn of tougher times ahead as costs drive up food inflation
Food inflation rose for the fourth month in a row in May, driven by higher fresh food prices and mounting costs for retailers, the latest BRC-NielsenIQ Shop Price Index has found. The annual rate of food inflation hit 2.8% in May, up from 2.6% in April, and sits above the three-month average of 2.6%. Fresh food was the biggest contributor, rising 2.4% year on year, up from 1.8% the month prior. British Retail Consortium CEO Helen Dickinson said: "While overall shop prices remain unchanged in May, food inflation rose for the fourth consecutive month".
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Belgium: New Spar in the heart of Namur
Colruyt Group reported: "Namur city centre is welcoming a brand-new Spar store on the site of the former Match on Rue des Échassiers, which briefly operated as a Comarché. This modern store promises an experience focused on culinary pleasure, with a marked increase in the range of fresh and healthy produce on offer. Celebratory opening on Thursday 5 June".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
China: Meituan's first-quarter revenue jumps 18% amid increased competition
Chinese on-demand local services giant Meituan posted an 18.1% year-on-year surge in revenue for the first quarter. Meituan's revenue for the three months through March was 86.6bln yuan (US$12bln). Net profit reached 10.1bln yuan, up 87.3% year on year.
Source: scmp.com
European online grocer and technology specialist Rohlik Group nabs major AutoStore systems milestone
Rohlik Group reports that, after four months of preparation and execution, all 12 of its AutoStore systems are now fully operated by its own control system: ARCOS - developed in-house, designed around the European e-grocery specialist's processes, and optimised for speed, efficiency, and agility.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: M&S accelerates new store openings with development of 12 former Homebase stores
Marks & Spencer has announced investment in twelve brand new food stores, some with over 20k Sq ft of trading space, on former Homebase sites across England, creating over 550 new jobs. They feature the latest in-store designs to bring more of the M&S Food range to customers with market-style fruit and vegetables.
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
DUG Foodtech in the spotlight: Potato-based drink captivates German media and consumers
DUG Foodtech reported: "The Swedish brand DUG is making headlines in Germany as its pioneering potato-based milk alternative receives significant media attention and consumer interest. Germany's largest tabloid BILD recently featured DUG in a prominent article highlighting the brand's entrance into major supermarket chains like Rewe, Rossmann and Kaufland. The article, titled "Kartoffel-Milch erobert deutsche Supermärkte" ("Potato milk conquers German supermarkets"), reflects growing curiosity and interest in alternative milk options among German consumers - with DUG standing out for its unique use of potatoes".
Source: ir.dugdrinks.com
Australia: Woolworths boosts shopping convenience for Western Sydney customers
Woolworths is increasing its online capacity into Western Sydney by 50%, with the opening of its first Automated Customer Fulfilment Centre (CFC) in Auburn. The Auburn CFC spans 22,000 square metres - equivalent to the size of Western Sydney Stadium - and is equipped with cutting-edge picking and storage technology.
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au
Competition intensifies to buy UK supermarket stores despite uncertainty
Real estate investors are increasingly competing to snap up UK supermarkets as a lack of new locations and slow planning processes weigh on developments. Grocery properties are "proving to be one of the most resilient and attractive investment sectors", according to research by Colliers.
Source: standard.co.uk
Lidl, Kaufland owner Schwarz Group reports 4.9% sales growth in FY 2024
Schwarz Group, which operates the Lidl and Kaufland chains, has generated sales worth €175.4bln in its financial year 2024, representing a 4.9% increase compared to the previous year. Discount chain Lidl reported a 5.3% increase in store sales, to €132.1bln, compared to the previous year. Kaufland generated €35.2bln in sales, achieving growth of 2.9% during the year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Target Corporation announces multi-year Enterprise Acceleration Office
Target Corporation announced it has established a multi-year Enterprise Acceleration Office to drive even greater speed and agility across the company, positioning Target to deliver faster progress on its roadmap for growth. Michael Fiddelke, chief operating officer, will oversee this effort to improve how functions work together to advance key priorities, ranging from simplifying cross-company processes to using technology and data in new ways to power the team.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: PCC Community Markets posts surprise profit in 2024
The Seattle-based organic and natural retailer, which is the nation's largest consumer-owned cooperative grocery chain, reported net income of $391,493 in 2024, vs. a loss of about $9.9mln in fiscal 2023. The year-ago loss included a non-cash impairment charge and closing expenses totaling about $12.6mln related to the closure of PCC's downtown Seattle store. Sales for the year were up 3.1%, to about $449.9mln, compared with $436.5mln in fiscal 2023.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Chile: Cencosud returns to profit after robust first quarter
Chile-based retailer Cencosud reported strong first-quarter 2025 earnings, with a net profit of $131mln (€117mln), a significant turnaround from the previous year's first-quarter loss of $0.6mln (€0.5mln).
Source: esmmagazine.com