USA: A group of Trader Joe’s employees from Massachusetts want to leave the union
Employees at a Trader Joe’s store in Hadley, Massachusetts, have filed a petition calling for a shop stewardship election to disband Trader Joe’s United, an affiliate of the larger Service Employees International Union (SEIU).
Source: supermarketnews.com
Target plans to open four new stores in August
Target Corp. has announced four new stores that will come online on August 18. Target will open two stores in Florida this weekend, one in Bradenton Beach and another in Lecanto, north of Tampa. Another new store opening on August 18 is a 148,000-square-foot store in Boiling Springs, South Carolina. The last new store opening is in Portland, Texas.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Kroger defends itself against FTC’s request for preliminary injunction
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has filed a motion for a preliminary injunction against the proposed $24.6 billion merger of The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Co., seeking “extraordinary relief” to prevent the two companies from completing their proposed merger. However, Kroger says the FTC has failed in its burden to show that a preliminary injunction is permissible or warranted.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
GPA reduces losses in the second quarter, sales increase by 2.5%
Brazilian retailer GPA reduced its loss by 21.9 percent to 332 million reais (55.2 million euros) in the second quarter compared to the same period last year, while sales rose by 2.5 percent to 4.49 billion reais (746 million euros).
Source: esmmagazine.com
USA: Chipotle announces departure of CEO
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. announced that Brian Niccol, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has accepted the role of Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starbucks and will leave the company, effective August 31, 2024. Niccol has served as CEO of Chipotle since 2018 and Chairman of the Board since 2020.
Source: prnewswire.com
USA: Delivery drones ready for large-scale launch
Aerial food delivery service Flytrex announced that it has completed 100,000 drone deliveries in its current service areas in North Carolina and Texas.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
USA: NRF publishes list of the 25 hottest retailers for 2024
The National Retail Federation has announced the list of the 25 largest retailers for 2024. Rank, Company, U.S. Sales Growth (’23 vs. ’22) 2. Schwarz Group 32.8%; 5. Aldi 17.0%; 13. HE Butt Grocery 12.7%; 15. Superior Grocers 11.7%; 18. Cencosud 11.2%; 19. Grocery Outlet 10.9%.
Source: nrf.com
SPAR suppliers in Northern England work together on fresh ideas
Over 20 fresh produce suppliers to SPAR stores across the North of England came together for a day of inspiring ideas, company news and networking opportunities. Held at James Hall & Co. Ltd. SPAR Distribution Centre at Bowland View in Preston, the comprehensive session provided the opportunity to share new ideas, supported by insights into industry trends, innovations in fresh produce offerings and varieties in SPAR stores and merchandising concepts being tested in stores.
Source: jameshall.co.uk
UK: Asda announces attractive offers ahead of August bank holiday weekend!
Asda reported: “For any budding bartenders or those enjoying a sober weekend, Asda’s popular and high quality 1 litre fresh juices from the chilled aisle are also available in Mix & Match offer 2 for £3.50, available in stores and online: Asda Apple Juice (£2.00); Asda Orange, Mango & Passion Fruit Juice (£2.00); Asda Red Grape Juice (£2.00); Asda Pineapple Juice (£2.00); Asda Apple & Mango Juice (£2.00).”
Source: corporate.asda.com
Belgium: Carrefour implements AI tool to combat food waste
After a successful test phase, Carrefour Belgium is now rolling out its new AI tracking tool on a large scale. “The new tool will help us streamline operations, reduce costs and improve profitability,” explains Benoît Moreau, New Technology Manager at Carrefour Belgium.
Source: retaildetail.eu
SPAR Georgia Profile: Contact International
SPAR International reported: “The SPAR brand first entered the Georgian market in 2014 with the opening of three supermarkets in the capital Tbilisi. This year marks 10 years of impressive growth for SPAR Georgia, with now over 380 stores across the country. In our quarterly magazine Contact International we present a profile of SPAR Georgia’s development.”
Source: spar-international.com
Ahold Delhaize Europe launches its third unified app in Belgium
Ahold Delhaize reported: “Ahold Delhaize is pleased to announce that our Belgian brand Delhaize has launched its new app. This marks the third milestone in our ambitious six-country rollout plan.”
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Storm clouds over British supermarkets: Climate change and global tensions put pressure on harvests
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has raised the alarm about the increasing impact of climate change on global food production and is pointing to a rising risk of inflation.
Source: fpcfreshtalkdaily.co.uk
Australia: A free OzHarvest supermarket opens in Adelaide to help people with food insecurity
A free supermarket has opened in Adelaide’s inner west to support people in need while reducing food waste. OzHarvest’s new supermarket in Hindmash is the second in Australia to provide people experiencing food insecurity with fruit, vegetables and groceries for storage or a hot meal.
Source: 7news.com.au
UK: Waitrose unveils new store concept in a north London supermarket
The upmarket grocer said the Finchley Road store, in the former John Barnes department store, will open on August 21 and will feature a range of new and refreshed features, including a fully updated refrigeration system, a bakery with a new look and feel, and the first fully chilled beer, wine and spirits section. There will also be a dedicated baguette station with freshly made products, a hot chicken and salad counter, and a dedicated parmesan section.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Majority in Great Britain wants new tax on manufacturers of highly processed foods and junk food
A majority of Britons want to impose new taxes on companies that produce junk or highly processed foods to combat the obesity crisis, according to polls. In an Ipsos poll for the Health Foundation think tank, 58 percent of respondents said they would support the introduction of a tax on companies that produce foods with high sugar or salt content. Part of the revenue would be used to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for poor families.
Source: theguardian.com
Shake Shack Philippines introduces the Veggie Shack Burger with 11 garden vegetables
Get ready to indulge in vegetarian delights as restaurant chain Shake Shack is celebrating the debut of Veggie Shack on August 15. This limited-time vegetarian burger combines mushrooms, sweet potatoes, carrots, farro and quinoa into a deliciously savory patty.
Source: adobomagazine.com
