Whole Foods unveils its new chain 365 | Aldi Süd comes with regional label
Aldi to open 45 stores in California and expects 2000 stores by 2018
Underlining its commitment to Northern Ireland, the firm said it is extending and modernising its warehousing operations to meet the growing demand from consumers, particularly for fresh produce, newsletter.co.uk reports. “Today’s announcement is good news for Northern Ireland and is an exciting prospect for local food producers. It demonstrates Lidl’s commitment to the high quality produce that we have become famous for.” said NI regional director Glen Cinnamon.
Turkey: (Tesco) chain wins tax case
Izmir 3 tax court has found Tesco Kipa’s objection to a €24.63m tax penalty justified, karar.com reports. Tesco Kipa made this statement to the Public Disclosure Platform: “Izmir 3 tax court gave the verdict in our favour concerning the Ministry of
Finance Tax Audit for the periods 2009 till 2012 and the carrying out of withholding limited taxpayer VAT, intended as part of a committed limited tax investigation; our company is opposed to the moratory interest, excluding the €24.63m tax penalty, and total tax loss which will be repealed.” KIPA added to the statement that they have the right to appeal the decision of the tax administration and announced that they are now continuing their examination of the 2014 and 2015 tax investigations.
US: Whole Foods goes on the attack
Whole Foods Market announced today that it would name its new value-oriented chain of stores 365 by Whole Foods Market, fortune.com reports. The namesake is the company’s more accessibly priced private label brand, whose products will anchor the new stores. The first of the new 365 groceries will open in 2016. They will not change the company’s target of hitting 1,200 locations with its original Whole Foods Market (it currently has about 420). The company didn’t specify how many 365 stores it plans to open, but it has said it believes it could have the potential for the same scale as its parent. The 365 chain will be able to keep prices lower by building its stores with cheaper materials, operating them in smaller footprints, and offering a smaller, more curated assortment of products. The stores will have less autonomy and be more prescribed than the company’s original concept.
US: Aldi to open 45 stores in Southland
German discount grocer Aldi plans to open the first of 45 Southern California stores in March, a move that analysts say could force some competitors to lower prices, latimes.com reports. The company is building a regional headquarters and distribution center in Moreno Valley to support further expansion in coming years, said Jason Hart, Aldi's chief executive for U.S. operations. Its entrance is expected to shake up the $44bn Southern California marketplace crowded with a range of players – Costco, Target, Smart & Final, Walmart, Trader Joe’s, Ralphs, Vons, Albertsons, Stater Bros. Haggen, Fresh & Easy and countless ethnic markets, ocregister.com reports. Aldi’s West Coast expansion is part of a five-year plan to open 650 stores across the nation. By the end of 2018, Aldi expects to operate nearly 2,000 stores, the company said Thursday.
Nielsen Hong Kong wins "Agency of the Year"
Once again, Nielsen’s team in Hong Kong has been named Best Market Research Agency by Marketing Magazine, beating out brands like GfK, MillwardBrown and comScore, internationalsupermarketnews.com reports. This is the second year Nielsen’s Hong Kong office has taken home the award for its efforts in providing accurate and thorough market research initiatives to client marketers.
US: Publix says to competitors: good luck with going online
Two key competitors to Publix, Kroger and Walmart. are testing out online grocery shopping, but the Lakeland-based grocer says it's difficult to profit from the service, bizjournals.com reports. "Anyone can offer online shopping, even in the grocery business," Publix spokesman Brian West said Wednesday. "The struggle is making it profitable." Walmart is Publix's top competitor in Florida, where the two hold the most market share. Kroger, which owns Harris Teeter, is Publix's top competitor in the Carolinas, where Publix is on an aggressive growth path.
US: Walmart wants to focus on low price again
Walmart Stores Inc. is scaling back TV advertising, newspaper circulars and in-store displays in an effort to refocus on everyday low prices, even as major suppliers complain the move is harming sales, bloomberg.com reports. “We are getting back to a place where we are playing offence with price to best serve our customers,” a spokeswoman said.
Aldi and Lidl to consume 4% more of 'Big Four' marketshare by 2020
Cut-throat retail discounters Aldi and Lidl are expected to eat into more of the big four supermarket's share – some 4% by 2020, according to Moody's, ibtimes.co.uk reports. That said, there could be light at the end of tunnel for Tesco, Morrison, Asda and Sainsbury's: the ratings agency said margins will start to recover from 2016-2017. Moody's vice president and senior analyst, said:
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"We expect Aldi and Lidl's combined share of the UK market to reach 12%-15% by 2020. "Although the discounters' sales densities have caught up with the big four retailers, Aldi and Lidl could continue to gain around 1% market share every year supported by their store expansion plans at a time where the Big Four selectively close unprofitable stores in order to save costs. However, the UK's economic growth, rising real wages and improving consumer sentiment could support the big four's gradual recovery from fiscal 2016/17," he said.
ALDI SÜD distinguishes local products with regional label
Consumers find it increasingly important to be informed about the origin of a product. For this reason, the ALDI group introduces the regional label. The first products with the regional label are already available in individual ALDI stores. In the future, more products, including vegetables and dairy products will be awarded the regional label.
India: Big-Basket buys Delyver
Online grocer Big-Basket has bought logistics provider Delyver in a cash-and-stock transaction as it seeks to strengthen its capacity to deliver in quick time to customers across 50 cities and compete with a slew of nimble rivals, indiatimes.com reports.
Simply opens first 'ecologically-attentive' store in Italy
Italy's Etruria Cooperative, a master franchisee of French retailer Auchan Group, has opened its first "ecologically attentive" supermarket, esmmagazine.com reports. The remodelled Simply store in Capalbio near Grosseto combines respect for the environment, promotion of local products and convenience. The assortment includes a selection of locally produced products, such as wine, oil, meat, fruit, vegetables, cold cuts, cheeses and baked goods, distinguished by the "Sapori & Valori" logo.
Bingo to takeover Tuš stores in Bosnia
Bosnian retailer Bingo is planning to take over several supermarkets formerly owned by Slovenia's Tuš, according to a statement by the Competition Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina, esmmagazine.com reports. Due to economic problems and an unstable business environment, Tuš closed the 20 or so stores it had in Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of last year.
SPAR UK to trial partnership with Roadchef
Major convenience retailing network SPAR has announced the launch of a trial partnership with Roadchef, the UK's number three motorway services operator, igd.com reports. This will see SPAR open convenience stores in two pilot locations, alongside the wider portfolio of Roadchef franchise brands that includes McDonalds, Costa and WH Smith.