South Africa: Checkers aeroplane debuts ahead of festive season
In a South African grocery retail first, Checkers has taken to the skies in a specially branded aeroplane. Emblazoned with "Sixty60" on its sides and "Checkers" on its belly, the plane was first spotted at the OR Tambo International Airport on Thursday, 24 October.
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
UK: Lidl accelerates expansion with 10 new stores opening before Christmas
Lidl GB is accelerating its national expansion with the opening of 10 new stores before Christmas, creating around 400 jobs and extending its reach to thousands more households. From Berwick Green in Bristol to Bovey Tracey in Devon and Stirchley in Birmingham, the discounter is continuing its mission to make high-quality, affordable produce accessible to all corners of Great Britain.
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Slate Asset Management acquires Portuguese grocery portfolio
Canada-based real asset investor Slate Asset Management has acquired a portfolio of 12 grocery properties in Portugal, adding a new market to its real estate strategy. The assets were purchased for approximately €150mln from LCN Capital Partners, one of the largest private owners of supermarket assets in Portugal. All of the 12 grocery stores are leased to Continente, the Portuguese grocery retail chain owned by MC Sonae, under long-term agreements.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Nisa helps with successful trial of new food redistribution scheme
Nisa has linked up with waste management company Biffa and food sharing app Olio to take part in a trial of a scheme for same-day local food redistribution. Following the trial, Biffa and Olio are now launching the scheme more widely.
Source: talkingretail.com
South Africa's Pick n Pay to exit Nigeria
South African grocery retailer Pick n Pay will exit Nigeria by selling its 51% share of a joint venture as part of plans to restructure outside of its home market, CEO Sean Summers said. In other news, Pick n Pay reported a wider half-year loss, reflecting trading losses in its core supermarkets business alongside higher borrowing costs. The country's third-biggest grocery retailer reported loss before tax and capital items of 1.1bln rand ($62mln) in the 26 weeks to August 25, compared to a loss of 837.2mln rand a year ago. In other news, Pick n Pay says base size of Boxer IPO towards upper end of guidance.
Source: reuters.com
PM Chinh asks hypermarket chain Lulu to bring UAE investors to Vietnam
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on LuLu Group International, with its extensive network of branches, to bring potential investors from both within and outside the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to invest in Vietnam.
Source: theinvestor.vn
UK: Tesco unveils 2024 Christmas sandwich line-up, bringing festive cheer to lunchtime on the go
Tesco reported: "NEW Tesco Plant Chef Christmas Veg Fest Wrap: A plant based delight, this wrap is inspired by festive leftovers, featuring roasted carrots, sweet parsnips, and spiced red cabbage. The vibrant veggie filling is brought together with a savoury vegan gravy mayo, all tucked inside a spinach tortilla".
Source: tescoplc.com
Germany: HelloFresh raises 2024 core-profit outlook on marketing strategy shift
German meal-kit company HelloFresh raised the lower end of its guidance on adjusted core profit but cut its full-year revenue-growth outlook, as it expects bigger returns due to more focused marketing, despite a weaker fourth quarter. It expects revenue growth on a constant-currency basis between 1% and 1.7%, down from a previous range of 2% to 8%. HelloFresh raised the bottom of its core-profit forecast to 360mln euros ($389.66mln) after previously guiding for between 350mln euros and 400mln for the year.
Source: reuters.com
UK: The family shop saying goodbye after 64 years
Alan Hartley was never supposed to open a fruit and veg shop. On Friday, 64 years later, Alan pulled down the shutter for the final time on local retail institution AE Hartley & Son.
Source: bbc.com
Amazon's top grocery executive exits
Tony Hoggett, Amazon's senior vice president of worldwide grocery stores, posted on LinkedIn that he is leaving the company. Hoggett, a Tesco veteran, is departing after nearly three years leading up Amazon's grocery business.
Source: grocerydive.com
7-Eleven plans to open 500 new stores from 2025 through 2027
From 2025 through 2027, 7-Eleven plans to build 500 new convenience stores, the company said in an investor presentation by parent company Seven & i Holdings Co. Ltd.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Wasteless AI launches in 640 Carrefour stores in Argentina
Carrefour Argentina has completed the rollout of Wasteless AI across all 640 of its stores. This collaboration aims to drastically reduce food waste, lower markdown costs by 54%, and offer consumers fresh products at the best prices.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Trader Joe's picks up pace of openings
October is proving to be a busy month for Trader Joe's. The grocer has opened 10 stores since October 1, with geographical representation across the United States. The latest store at 16701 Mill Plain Boulevard in Vancouver, Washington, welcomed shoppers on October 25. The previous day, residents in and around Sugar Land, Texas, got to check out their local Trader Joe's at 13550 University Boulevard.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Sam's Club enters the Thanksgiving meal deal wars with a pre-cooked feast
Sam's Club announced a Member's Mark Thanksgiving meal, which feeds up to 10 people for under $100, made up of the warehouse club's private label products. The deal features a whole hickory-smoked turkey, dinner rolls, a tray of macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes, brussels sprouts, sweet potato mash, a cranberry crunch salad, and a pumpkin pie.
Source: edition.cnn.com
US: BJ's on the move with 2 new clubs
BJ's Wholesale Club is set to unveil two new locations. One store in West Palm Beach, Florida, opened on October 25 and another in Carmel, Indiana, near Indianapolis, will welcome shoppers on November 1. The new BJ's clubs feature a large assortment of fresh produce.
Source: progressivegrocer.com