Italy's EcorNaturaSì secures €45mln for growth strategy
Italian organic food company EcorNaturaSì has secured €45mln in financing to support its growth strategy. The deal was facilitated by Banca Finint as advisor and coordinated by BNL BNP Paribas, Intesa Sanpaolo, and Unicredit. Banca Popolare dell'Alto Adige and Cassa di Risparmio di Bolzano participated as financiers. With 2023 revenue of approximately €415mln, the company's 370 NaturaSì stores offer a selection of between 1,500 and 4,500 SKUs, including fresh foods (deli, fruits, and vegetables), packaged foods, herbal remedies, personal care items, household goods, and pet supplies.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Belgium: 4 trends for a crackling Colruyt barbecue
Colruyt Group reported: "During the summer months, Belgians enjoy: 1,650,000 ball brochettes; more than 100 meat substitutes; 1,500 tonnes of courgettes; 1.5mln iceberg lettuce; 70 tonnes of burrata; 10,000 sauces per month; more than 100 non-alcoholic drinks. Besides an extensive offer, there are four food trends that characterise this barbecue season: effortless food, food connects, food for joy and roots foods".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
UK: New plant-based product Veg'chop secures listing with Tesco
New brand Oh So Wholesome has announced its first major retail listing with Tesco, set to launch on April 28 2025. The brand's flagship product, Veg'chop, will be available in 649 Tesco locations across the UK, marking its entry into the competitive plant-based market. Veg'chop is a minimally processed product crafted from a blend of pulses, seeds and vegetables, designed to offer a nutritious alternative to traditional meat substitutes.
Source: theplantbasemag.com
UK: Couple plan for new fruit and veg delivery business
A couple who run an organic produce company has applied to set up a new fruit, veg and flower business. Dorset Council has received the application for a site in Bowgrove Road, Beaminster. The application says they are looking to site a temporary agricultural workers dwelling "to aid in the set up of a new rural enterprise, West Hays farm, producing vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers for sale into Beaminster via our veg box scheme and sale to local shops and restaurants."
Source: bbc.com
Italy: Increased investments boost Despar Nord's FY 2024 revenue
Northern Italian SPAR concessionaire Despar Nord saw continued growth in its financial year 2024, achieving €2.78bln in turnover, a 2.7% increase over 2023. This growth was driven by a 12% rise in investments, amounting to €76mln, focused on expanding and modernising its sales network.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Sales of asparagus and rhubarb mark significant rise this season 
Sales data from Ocado shows that British rhubarb sales are up +88% year on year and sales of asparagus are up +12% month on month. Field-grown rhubarb typically comes into season in April, lasting until September. Brits have been equally keen to stock up on this crumble favourite, with searches for 'rhubarb' marking an increase of +11% month on month and +19% year on year.
Source: farmersguide.co.uk
Belgium: Final store formats for Comarkt/Comarché stores announcedColruyt Group reported: "About a year after Colruyt Group completed the conversion of Match and Smatch stores to Comarkt/Comarché, the final destinations of these stores have now been confirmed: Belgium will gain 21 Spar Colruyt Group stores, 14 Okay, 10 Colruyt, 6 Bio-Planet stores and 1 Cru market. The full conversion to the retailer's final store formats in Belgium is scheduled to be completed by 2027".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
UK: Food sales dip despite general retail rise
Sales from food stores fell in March despite a rise in retail sales more generally, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The sales pattern was slightly different for online sales, with online retail volumes up more at 2% and online food sales down less at 0.4%.
Source: talkingretail.com
Survey finds strong preference for domestically produced food among Japanese shoppers
The online Japanese gourmet and restaurant guide Gurunavi conducted a survey on food consumption in mid-February, targeting its users. The results show that monthly spending on rice, meat, and vegetables increased by more than ¥400 compared with the previous year.
Source: nippon.com
India's Reliance Retail should make big move into USA to build on quick commerce market push
India's largest retailer, Reliance Retail, should put Stateside success on its radar, according to Brittain Ladd, a supply chain consultant and former Amazon executive. The company operates multiple brands including JioMart, Freshpik, Reliance Smart, and AJIO.com. These sell products across food, groceries, apparel, footwear, toys, home improvement, electronics, and farming.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
US: Oregon Indie grocer expands footprint
Market of Choice, the largest independent, family-owned grocer in Oregon, is putting the finishing touches on its 12th location in that state. A store at 3515 SE Cornelius Pass Road in Hillsboro will open on May 22.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Hy-Vee shutters 2 production facilities
Hy-Vee announced that it is closing two production facilities in Iowa on June 24, impacting 461 employees. The fresh commissary located in Ankeny spans 150,000 square feet and produces sandwiches, salads, bakery items and take-and-bake pizza for Hy-Vee stores. The second facility, located in Chariton, is 48,000 square feet and prepares fresh-cut fruits and vegetables to be shipped directly to stores.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: United Family opens 100th store in New Mexico
United Supermarkets, LLC just hit a major milestone, opening its 100th location. The grocery operator, also known as The United Family, unveiled its latest Market Street store in Rio Rancho, New Mexico.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Albertsons supermarket chain warns suppliers company is 'not accepting cost increases' over Trump's tariffs
North America's second-largest supermarket chain is warning its suppliers that it won't allow price hikes due to President Trump's tariff spree. Albertsons, which operates over 2,200 grocery stores - including Balducci's, Kings and Acme in the New York area, blasted out a missive to its suppliers late last month, explaining that suppliers must get authorization for significant price hikes.
Source: nypost.com
T&T Supermarket to open its first Southern California store in Irvine in Winter 2026
T&T Supermarket reported: "T&T Supermarket, Canada's largest Asian grocery retailer, is excited to announce the opening of its first Southern California store in the Great Park community - a master-planned development within the City of Irvine - slated for Winter 2026".
Source: prnewswire.com