Dutch fresh produce in demand in UK stores

Fresh produce decision-makers at major UK retailers have of late been leaning increasingly in the direction of goods from the Netherlands, esmmagazine.com reports. Results of the study carried out by ProduceView, the produce-market analysis company, show for example that the leading large-scale grocers operating in Britain have, over the course of the last 15 weeks, either procured their cucumbers domestically, or imported their Dutch counterparts. The average price for the vegetable for the period studied was £0.52; Lidl cucumbers were the least expensive at £0.39, while those of the Co-op were the most costly (£0.80). Furthermore, Dutch peppers have become available in the Co-op and Morrsions for the first time in 2015, and Marks & Spencer have imported the first vine tomatoes, from the Netherlands, of the year. (source: esmmagazine.com)

Carrefour Q1 sales don't disappoint

Carrefour, Europe's biggest retailer by sales, beat expectations in its first quarter as it reported an improving performance in its French business, ft.com reports. Total sales were up 6.2% year-on-year to €21B in the three months to March 31, marginally ahead of analysts' expectations of €20.8B. In France, which accounts for almost half of total sales, revenue rose 7.9% year-on-year, excluding petrol. Growth was fastest in the group's convenience stores, located in town and city centres, which rose 50.3% excluding petrol year-on-year. International sales grew 8.4%. However in China sales fell, with the environment "marked by frugal consumption," Carrefour said.

H-E-B presented international award

The Free Trade Alliance San Antonio celebrated its 20th anniversary Thursday by presenting its International Visionary Award to H-E-B and the grocery chain’s Mexico unit, expressnews.com reports. The award was accepted by Howard Butt III, H-E-B Mexico president, and Jody Hall, H-E-B global sourcing director. “Free trade is a perishable commodity,” Butt said. “It’s constantly under attack,” he added after thanking several H-E-B executives who have helped H-E-B expand into Mexico.

US: Haggen slows conversion pace

Haggen is slowing down its schedule of store conversions, the company said, supermarketnews.com reports. Bill Shaner, CEO of the company’s Pacific Southwest division, said Haggen is adjusting its timeline or changing store conversion dates “to address any issues that arise, including licensing or permitting; city, county or state regulations; systems issues, and so on.” As it converts stores, he added, “we’re committed to doing it right. Our goal is to have as smooth a transition as possible for our teams and our guests.”

Intermarché’s offering freshly squeezed fruit juice

An Intermarché in Issy-les-Moulineaux is testing a new packaging for their freshly squeezed in-store orange juice: the time it was squeezed is the brand on the label. The idea comes from the agency Marcel, who came up with the ugly fruit and vegetable campaign. The bottles will no longer be plain bottles of orange juice, but the time it was made will be proudly on the label.

UK: Aldi to create over 500 new London jobs
The discounter said on Wednesday that it will target expansion in London during 2015 and quadruple in size in the city by opening nine new stores, telegraph.co.uk reports. Growth in London is a key part of Aldi’s ambition to double in size to 1,000 stores by 2022.

X5 Retail Group cooperates with other chains

X5 Retail Group announced today the signing of a cooperation agreement between Pyaterochka, the Company’s proximity store chain, and the Moscow Regional Union of Consumer Societies (‘MSPK’), eprretailnews.com reports. According to the Agreement, Pyaterochka and MSPK will open co-branded stores under the Pyaterochka.MSPK brand at MSPK’s retail facilities using a reverse franchise model in at least 21 of MSPK’s Moscow Region district consumer societies. The Agreement is aimed at meeting the needs of Moscow Region residents, particularly those living in rural areas, by providing a wide range of products and services at affordable prices.

Marsh Supermarkets closing four Indiana stores

Within the next few weeks, Marsh Supermarkets Inc. plans to close four stores in Indiana, including three in the Indianapolis area, the locally based grocery chain announced Thursday, ibj.com reports. “After extensive review, it has been determined these stores do not meet our business requirements regarding sales or future growth potential going forward,” Marsh said in a written statement.

Armenian food prices slip 0.9% in March
Food prices in Armenia went 0.9% down in March 2015, compared with the previous month, arka.am reports. Prices for vegetables and potatoes fell 3.2% over one year and 2.8% over one month.

Costco's weak March should pick up in April: Analysts

Sales at Costco Wholesale Corp. should normalize going forward, according to industry analysts, supermarketnews.com reports. Several unique factors, including a shift in Easter, had a negative impact on March results, they said. The Issaquah, Wash.-based company said Wednesday overall sales for the five weeks ended April 5 fell 0.3% to $10.4B and comparable sales declined 2% for the company overall and were flat for the U.S. due in part to one less sales day for Easter during the period — a shift the company said impacted sales and comps by 1% to 1.5%.

Ethiopia’s inflation rate rises to 8.5% in March

Ethiopia’s inflation rate had risen to 8.5% in March from 8.2% in February, Central statistics Agency said on Monday, April 6, 2015. Food price inflation rose to 10.1% from 9.6%, due to a rise in the prices of items like cereals, vegetables and fruits, Reuters Africa reported.

Indian Future Group predicts 30% growth

Future Group CEO, has said that the retailer will invest INR 5-6B (approximately US$80-96m) during this financial year, with it targeting to drive revenue to INR 225B, an increase of 30%, retailanalysis.igd.com reports. A significant proportion of the investment will be put towards driving organic growth, with the retailer planning to open around 350 convenience stores and 20 Big Bazaar hypermarkets.

Lower grocery costs drive Irish prices down

Prices were 0.6% lower last month than in the same period of 2014 as fuel and grocery prices contributed to the longest decline in prices on an annual basis since the middle of 2010, Irish Examiner‎ reports. The cost of food and beverages (excluding the sale of alcohol) was more than 2.5% lower last month than March of last year as the battle for market share heated up between discounters Aldi and Lidl and more established outlets like Dunnes Stores, SuperValu and Tesco, which now commands top spot in the Irish market by just a whisker.

Irish Dunnes 'targeting' workers who went on strike

Dunnes workers who went on a one-day strike last week have been hit with changes that are threatening their jobs, their union has claimed, independent.ie reports. The actions have been branded "deplorable and despicable" by Mandate Assistant General Secretary Gerry Light as he condemned Dunnes Stores for "targeting" staff.

Indonesia Feb retail sales grow 16.5% y/y

Indonesia's annual retail sales in February grew at a much faster pace of 16.5%, bolstered by information and communication equipment as well as food, beverages and tobacco, a Bank Indonesia survey showed on Thursday, Reuters reports. The 650 retailers in 10 major cities surveyed said they expected sales growth would continue to accelerate in March, led by an increase in sales of food, beverages and tobacco.

Dansk Supermarked to change 80,000 light tubes

Dansk Supermarked – the owner of Føtex, Bilka, Netto, and Salling – is investing to change 80,000 light tubes at more than 500 stores across the country, cphpost.dk reports. “LED lights provide an electricity saving of 53% and have about three times longer longevity than traditional lamps,” the project manager said.