Coles sales growth shrinks further | Woolworths nuts re-brand pays off
Tesco to promote exotic fruit from Thailand
Retailers and wholesalers have called on the EU to work on a new deal for SMEs, in a paper launched by EuroCommerce, a group that represents the retail sector across Europe. The paper, entitled The Contribution of Retail and Wholesale to the EU Economy, highlights the challenges that face small traders, pointing to the need for the EU and national authorities to provide support for SME retailers and wholesalers. The proposed measures include offering aid to develop online platforms, providing easier access to finance, a stronger approach to enforcing Single Market rules, removing barriers to SMEs operating across borders, and reducing burdens for small exporters and importers. (esmmagazine.com)
AU: Coles sales growth shrinks further in Q3
Coles food and liquor sales rose 1.2% to $7.6bn in the 12 weeks to March 26, but its key comparable food and liquor sales growth was 0.3%, significantly weaker than the 4.9% growth in the corresponding period a year ago. That continues its trend of shrinking comparable sales growth - 0.9% in the second quarter and 1.8% in the first - in a sign it is losing customers to major rivals Woolworths and Aldi. Coles' comparable food and liquor sales increased 0.7% after adjusting for the timing of Easter, which this year falls in the fourth quarter. (news.com.au)
AU: Woolworths makes gains with nuts re-brand
Using “Australian grown” as a selling tool has helped increase the profile and throughput of nuts sold in supermarkets, according to Woolworths’ Paul Schadel. "We are learning through this process that using country of origin and utilising Australian, gives us a great opportunity," he said. He also mentioned the importance of the Woolworths organic brand, Macro, and the placement of organic nuts in the health aisle. (goodfruitandvegetables.com.au)
Tesco's to promote exotic fruit from Thailand
Tesco Lotus is to promote a variety of Thai products bearing the Thailand Trust Mark, as well as exotic fruits from Thailand, to customers in the UK in 250 Tesco stores. The Thai products will be available at 250 Tesco stores in the UK, giving Thai farmers and businesses an opportunity to reach international markets. (news.thaivisa.com)
India: BigBasket looks to scale B2B business with SnapBizz partnership
Grocery delivery startup BigBasket is looking to scale up its B2B business. It has partnered with retail tech company SnapBizz as it looks to push its private labels into more kirana stores in the country. BigBasket co-founder Abhinay Choudhari said, while B2B constitutes 17-18% of the company's total business, it is expected to grow to 25% in the next two to three years. (indiatimes.com)
24/7 stores in Japan hit by labour shortage
Japan's growing labour shortage threatens the nation's ubiquitous convenience stores, whose business model relies on an army of part-timers packing bento lunch boxes, manning cash registers and delivering goods 24/7. "The labour situation is starting to get health-hazardous," said one store owner who asked not to be identified, bangkokpost.com reports. (bangkokpost.com)
Slovenian Mercator revenue declines
Slovenia's largest retailer Mercator reported a 4.5% decline in 2016 revenue to €2.5bn, and a loss of €72.7mn. This follows parent company's, Agrokor, activation of the 'Lex Agrokor' process in Croatia in early April, and the handover of control to the Croatian government. (igd.com)
Alibaba to help US businesses sell to China
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. plans to host a two-day conference in Detroit on June 20 and 21 to help U.S. businesses sell to 443 million consumers in China. The step follows Alibaba founder and chairman Jack Ma's promise he made in January after meeting with President Trump to help one million U.S. small businesses enter the Chinese market. (chinamoneynetwork.com)
Sears Canada eyes groceries amid transformation
Sears Canada is looking to expand its plan to sell organic groceries and build so-called dash buttons to help customers purchase their favourite products from home as the retailer, better known for tools and appliances, looks to reinvent itself. Executive chairman Brandon Stranzl said Wednesday he expected three to five locations would give some space to a partner grocer to be finalized by the end of this year, including two in Ontario and one in B.C. (canadiangrocer.com)
US: 365 by Whole Foods set to enter stage ‘2.0’
On Wednesday, Whole Foods Markets will further its endeavor to bring a more economical incarnation of its brand to the market. 365 by Whole Foods will roll out its fourth location Wednesday with a 30,000-square-foot facility that will serve as the first installment in Texas. The 365 branded stores bring Whole Foods’ patented organic, healthy approach and deliver it to customers via grab-and-go prepared options as well as standard grocery items, available at a more value-oriented price point. (supermarketnews.com)
US: Albertsons appoints White as president of own brands
Albertsons Cos. late Tuesday said Geoff White has been appointed president of own brands, a new position at the company. White will lead the own brands team, including the Culinary Kitchen and Technical Center, the company said. He will be responsible for furthering the growth, development and innovation of the company’s private label products, including O Organics, Lucerne, Open Nature and Signature products. (supermarketnews.com)
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