Waitrose boss vows to expand despite discounters
Walmart left behind as world's largest retailer by Alibaba
Fresh from Texas of San Antonio is recalling multiple products containing sliced red apples because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes bacteria. The product was sold by H-E-B stores in Texas. No illnesses have been reported to date, but listeriosis, the illness caused by this bacteria, can take up to 70 days to appear. (foodpoisoningbulletin.com)
UK: New Waitrose boss vows to expand grocer despite discounters
The new boss of Waitrose has vowed to expand the grocer despite the onslaught of discounters such as Aldi and Lidl. Waitrose former retail director Rob Collins took over the food chain as managing director this week and admits he has a big role to fill, but sees ‘further potential’ for growth at the supermarket. (thisismoney.co.uk)
Walmart left behind as world's largest retailer by Alibaba
In a filing with the SEC on Tuesday, China's online retail behemoth Alibaba Group announced that it had "become the largest retail economy in the world" at the end of its fiscal year on March 31, "as measured by gross merchandise volume (GMV) on its China retail marketplaces." As IBT notes, the company has yet to declare its financial results for its last quarter and the complete fiscal year, but the announcement makes it clear that BABA surpassed the $482.1 billion in 2015 revenues reported by Walmart Stores Inc. for its fiscal year ended Jan. 31. (zerohedge.com)
France: Casino CEO outlines Paris delivery model strategy
Group Casino chief executive Jean-Charles Naouri has outlined his plans for the development of a delivery model in the French capital, Paris, in a discussion with Bernstein Research. Franprix, its network of smaller stores around the city will be used to realise the new service. The retailer aims to be able to deliver within 90 minutes. (esmmagazine.com)
UK: Food sales up 4% at Marks & Spencer in Q4
UK retailer Marks & Spencer saw its Food sales rise by 4.0 per cent in the fourth quarter of the year, according to a trading statement issued today. However, like for like sales in its Food division were flat (0.0 per cent growth). In the statement, M&S said that its new store opening programme was performing ‘ahead of expectation’. Overall, group sales for the quarter were up 1.9 per cent, while sales in its Clothing and Home division were down 1.9 per cent (LFL -2.7 per cent). International sales were up 3.8 per cent. (esmmagazine.com)
Sainsbury's to focus on lowering prices instead of vouchers
Sainsbury’s has announced it will be ending its Brand Match scheme, which gave shoppers vouchers if they could have bought a branded items elsewhere for less, and will instead be focusing on lowering prices on essential products. (esmmagazine)
Walmart recognizes Polymer Logistics and Calavo as innovation partners
Polymer Logistics was recognized by Walmart at its U.S. YBM (Year Beginning Meeting) as an innovative partner for its wood grain reusable plastic containers (RPCs) that bring a clean and consistent look inspired by farmer markets to stores. Walmart also recognized Calavo Growers, a leading avocado grower, for being among the first wave users of Polymer’s wood grain RPCs. (businesswire.com)
US: Costco Wholesale March net sales rise 3%
Costco Wholesale Corp. reported that total comparable sales for the month of March 2016 increased 1 percent, with a 1 percent rise in U.S., a 3 percent rise in Canada, while Other International comparable sales declined 1%. (nasdaq.com)
Kenya spotlights challenges and opportunities
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Qatar: LuLu Hypermarket in Barwa City gets international certification
LuLu Hypermarket, Barwa City, has achieved the ISO 22000:2005 Food Safety Management Systems Certification and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) Standards. LuLu Hypermarket, Al Khor branch, was certified last year. With the latest achievement, LuLu Hypermarket Trading Company has become the first hypermarket chain in Qatar to get the prestigious international certification. (gulf-times.com)
BigBasket.com is India's #1 online supermarket (research)
According to a recent market research report published by global consultancy firm TechSci Research titled "India Online Grocery Market By Product, Consumer Behaviour, Competition Forecast and Opportunities, 2011 - 2021", BigBasket.com has emerged as a leader in brand awareness in competitive landscape of online grocery shopping experience in India. (prnewswire.com)
Tanzania: Uchumi borrows Sh5.4 billion to pay suppliers
Kenya's troubled Uchumi Supermarkets, which is yet to pay a total of Sh5.1 billion to its suppliers in Tanzania, has taken a %2.5 million short-term loan from United Bank for Africa (UBA) Kenya to pay suppliers.This is the second time in three months Uchumi is borrowing to settle suppliers' dues, having borrowed $5 million from KCB Bank in December last year. (allafrica.com)
Italy: Sogegross becomes second largest Cash and Carry group
Sogegross Cash & Carry has acquired four outlets in the Lombardy Region, making it the second largest Cash & Carry group in Italy. The Genoa-based company now owns a total of 21 stores in the northern Italian regions of Lombardy, Liguria, Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Tuscany. (esmmagazine.com)
Retailer plans to expand into Europe could be thwarted by Brexit uncertainty
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