Lidl reports 9% sales growth in Romania
Lidl Romania saw strong growth in 2024, reporting over RON 24.6bln (€4.8bln) in consolidated net turnover - a 9% increase compared to 2023. The company invested more than RON 800mln (€158mln) and contributed over RON 2.8bln (€553mln) to the state budget, it noted. In 2024, Lidl strengthened its commitment to local sourcing, notably by expanding partnerships with Romanian fruit and vegetable suppliers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Fast food giant Subway EMEA hits major milestone in digital journey with self-serve kiosks roll-out
Subway EMEA reports that over 400 interactive self-serve kiosks are now live across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Finland and the Netherlands. In a LinkedIn post, it said: "These kiosks are more than just a tech upgrade, they're part of a broader transformation in how we design restaurants, serve guests and help drive franchisee profitability."
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Waitrose seeing increased demand for British produce
Waitrose has seen a surge in demand for homegrown food as a new wave of farming shows - including Jeremy Clarkson's and Jimmy and Shivi's Farmhouse Breakfast series - inspire consumers to support British farmers and buy more local produce. Sales of the supermarket's British produce lines are soaring, with strawberries, Jersey potatoes and beef up by 151%, 89%, and 193% respectively compared to this time last year. Other local items such as cheese, apples and asparagus have also seen big increases in demand.
Source: kamcity.com
Lidl boosts organic sales in Switzerland
In Switzerland, Lidl saw a 14% annual increase in organic sales during its 2024 financial year, fuelled by strong demand, especially for organic fruit and vegetables. Lidl Switzerland offers over 350 organic products on a regular basis, supplemented by promotional items and four annual organic-themed weeks. Popular choices include organic bananas, eggs, and cucumbers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Australia: Charter Hall's $850mln Light Horse Logistics Hub 90% leased, with major tenants Woolworths, HelloFresh, ALDI, Bidfood
Charter Hall Group (Charter Hall or the Group) is pleased to announce that its $13bln Charter Hall Prime Industrial Fund (CPIF) has secured further lease agreements at its $850mln Light Horse Logistics Hub in Eastern Creek, NSW, making the estate 90% leased. Major tenants Woolworths, HelloFresh, ALDI and Bidfood will now call Light Horse Logistics Hub home.
Source: charterhall.com.au
UK: Health, heat and higher prices shape grocery spend
Kantar reported: "Volume sales of cottage cheese, flatbreads and fresh prepared fruit have all been growing strongly, up by 30%, 29% and 22% in each case. Ocado marks a full year as Britain's fastest growing grocer, having held the position since June 2024. Over the 12 weeks to 18 May 2025, sales at the online retailer climbed by 14.9%".
Source: kantar.com
UK Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA): statutory review, 2022 to 2025
Justin Madders MP Minister for Employment Rights, Competition and Markets reported: "I am pleased to launch this consultation for the fourth statutory review of the Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) to gain evidence on how it has performed its statutory obligations from 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2025. The current adjudicator, Mark White, has presided over the entire period of this review. He was originally appointed in October 2020 and was reappointed in May 2024 for a further 3 year term".
Source: gov.uk
Holland: Pieter Pot opens first physical store
Dutch package-free online supermarket Pieter Pot has opened its first physical sales point in Utrecht, where shoppers can buy the most popular products from the range. If successful, the concept will be expanded to other cities.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Spain: Ahorramas reports 'record' sales and profit in FY 2024
Spanish supermarket chain Ahorramas has reported 'record' performance in its financial year 2024, with sales up 7% year on year to €2.34bln. Profit for the year increased by 11% to €126.5mln, while EBITDA reached €222mln, according to the company.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Creating greater operational efficiency: Delhaize doubles its e-commerce capacity with a new distribution center
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Delhaize Belgium has made extraordinary strides to improve customer reach, by doubling its capacity for online services. The Forest center optimizes deliveries in the Brussels region, ensuring fresh products through reduced transit times and efficient logistics".
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
US: New Whole Foods Market in St. Charles, Illinois, to open June 25
Whole Foods Market will open a new 36,234-square-foot store located at 300 S. 2nd Street in St. Charles, Illinois, at 9:00 a.m. on June 25. Features of the new St. Charles store include: an array of certified organic, conventional and Sourced for Good Local offerings include cilantro from Harmony Valley Farm, Windy City crunch salad from Gotham Greens and cherry on the vine tomato from Mighty Vine.
Source: media.wholefoodsmarket.com
US: Lowes Foods reinvigorates its growth plans for the Carolinas
Carolinas-based grocer Lowes Foods is expanding in the Triangle region of North Carolina. The food retailer will introduce new locations in: Wendell, North Carolina, at Wendell Falls Parkway and Eagle Rock Road; Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, at the Southeast corner of Old Honeycutt Road and Purfoy Road.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Teamsters at Kroger authorize strike
Drivers at Kroger's Forest Park fulfillment center have voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike in response to the company's repeated refusal to negotiate a fair agreement. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 528, are demanding a first Teamsters contract with strong wages, good benefits, and enforceable workplace protections.
Source: prnewswire.com
Salad and Go's new CEO wants to build America's most loved salad brand - not just its biggest
Salad and Go CEO Mike Tattersfield is on the typical listening tour. As he gathers thoughts from stakeholders, one question that pops up is where they think the company should be going. Tattersfield suggests: "How about we build America's most loved salad company?".
Source: qsrmagazine.com
US: ReposiTrak adds 60 new grocery suppliers to the queue for the rapidly expanding Food Traceability Network
ReposiTrak is proud to add 60 grocery suppliers to the queue of companies joining the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® (RTN). Among the 60 new grocery suppliers are many with a rich history. One company, founded in 2018, specializes in upcycled dried fruit snacks that retain the peel for added nutrition and sustainability. Another, established in 1929, is a family-owned business renowned for its soda crackers, serving markets across the U.S. and the Caribbean. A third, with over 40 years in operation, is a global supplier of premium tree nut products, including those used in nut butters, offering sustainably sourced ingredients through direct grower partnerships.
Source: businesswire.com