Aldi UK Chief Exec Giles Hurley reflects on big retail technology changes as firm crosses 1,000 stores mark
As German retailer Aldi celebrates 35 years of operating in the UK, Chief Executive Giles Hurley has taken to social media to discuss progress made, both in terms of store openings and technology roll-outs. In a LinkedIn post, he said: "In 1990, we opened our first store in the UK with a simple idea: bring great value and quality to communities. There were no barcode scanners, no middle aisle, and certainly no Kevin the Carrot! Back then, our store managers wore white coats, and if you needed to update a price you reached for a pen and showcased your best handwriting." Fast forward to today, and Aldi UK has grown to over 1,050 stores across Britain.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Penny Italia achieves growth in FY 2024 despite challenging market conditions
Discounter Penny Italia, owned by Germany's REWE Group, maintained its market position in its financial year 2024 and achieved 1.4% growth, reaching €1.6bln in turnover. This positive performance was achieved despite a challenging economic climate for Italian food retail in 2024, which saw recessionary trends leading consumers to cut back on spending.
Source: esmmagazine.com
We are building an internet supermarket chain: Zepto's Aadit Palicha
In a conversation with Garry Tan, CEO of incubator and investor firm Y Combinator, Zepto's co-founder and chief executive officer (CEO) Aadit Palicha said: "People think of us as a 10-minute delivery provider here. If you go into the ground in India, we're sort of looked at more as a hyperlocal Amazon - not just good serviceability to the customer but also great selection, great quality and great pricing. We've almost 45,000 - 50,000 products that you can order on Zepto, everything from oranges and apples all the way to earphones and hoodies. We're basically building out an internet supermarket chain".
Source: business-standard.com
UK: Deliveroo makes good start to the year
After securing its first annual profit last year, Deliveroo has reported a "strong" first-quarter performance after seeing order growth in both the UK and overseas. The takeaway food and grocery delivery platform saw a 9% increase in gross transaction value (GTV) for the period to 31 March, with a 7% rise in orders. Group revenue was up 8% to £518mln. In the UK, Deliveroo saw both its GTV (+9%) and orders (+7%) increase "ahead of the market", while its international operation also grew by 9% and 7% respectively, thanks to increased demand in the UAE and Italy which offset by ongoing softness in the French market.
Source: kamcity.com
China: Dingdong files its Annual Report on Form 20-F
Dingdong (Cayman) Limited ("Dingdong" or the "Company"), a leading fresh grocery e-commerce company in China, with advanced supply chain capabilities, announced that it filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 21, 2025. The Annual Report can be accessed on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.100.me.
Source: prnewswire.com
Milestone for HelloFresh UK as it opens first standalone delivery site outside of main distribution network
Meal kit specialist HelloFresh UK has officially opened its new home delivery depot - The Stables - in Atherstone. In a LinkedIn post, Jessica Farrell, Head of Logistics at HelloFresh, said: "This marks the next step in the growth of our internal delivery network, enabling us to offer customers expanded timeslot options, including guaranteed pre-dinner delivery by 17:00. We're so proud to be setting new standards with industry leading service scores combined with a premium delivery experience".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: The brand turning wonky avocados into a fresh food movement
"We've been riding a strong growth curve for the last few years", says Tom Walker, co-founder of Holy Moly. "January and the new year always brings a shift in consumer habits, with more people looking for healthier, time-saving alternatives, and our Smashed Avocado has become a go-to for shoppers who want the goodness of avocado without the worry or hassle of waiting for a ripe avo and reducing any waste".
Source: entrepreneur.com
India under tariff pressure to give Amazon and Walmart full market access, FT reports
U.S. President Donald Trump's administration intends to press India to give online retailers such as Amazon and Walmart full access to its $125bln e-commerce market, the Financial Times reported, citing industry executives, lobbyists and U.S. government officials.
Source: reuters.com
US: Tops adds self-checkout with $4.4mln renovations of 2 New York locations
Tops Friendly Markets is spending $4.4mln to remodel two stores - located in Fayetteville and Manlius, New York - and expects to have the projects completed in late summer or early fall, the Williamsville, New York-based grocery chain announced. The news follows Tops' announcement in late March that it is opening a new store at a former ShopRite location in Ellenville, New York, which is expected to cost about $2mln to renovate. The 46,750-square-foot Ellenville location is expected to open in mid-June.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Chipotle signs development agreement with Alsea to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time
Chipotle Mexican Grill announced it has signed a development agreement to open restaurants in Mexico for the first time. In partnership with Alsea, S.A.B. de C.V. (Alsea), a leading restaurant operator in Latin America and Europe, Chipotle will open a location in Mexico by early 2026 and begin exploring additional expansion markets in the region.
Source: prnewswire.com
Loblaw says Canadians will soon see impacts of counter-tariffs at grocery stores
Canadians could soon see the effects of counter-tariffs on grocery prices, Loblaw Companies Ltd. has warned. Nut prices are rising due to a combination of factors, including increased global demand, changes in consumer preferences, and the impact of poor weather in major nut-producing regions, Loblaw said.
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: UFCW Local 7 files counterclaims against King Soopers
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 is accusing King Soopers of acting in "bad faith" and violating the 100-day stand-down agreement the two sides agreed to following a nearly two-week strike earlier this year. The Kroger-owned banner set an arbitrary date for an offer that expired before the stand-down's scheduled expiration at the end of May, UFCW Local 7 said in papers it filed in response to a lawsuit filed by King Soopers in February.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Trump hosts Walmart, Target and Home Depot CEOs for tariff meeting
President Donald Trump met with Walmart CEO Doug McMillon, Target CEO Brian Cornell and Home Depot CEO Ted Decker to discuss tariffs. After the meeting wrapped, the three companies issued nearly identical statements.
Source: cnbc.com