Thailand’s Central Group to invest $512m in Vietnam
Thailand’s Central Group has revealed plans to invest US$512m in Vietnam over the next five years, to expand its retail operations. The company, which has acquired local businesses and is introducing its own Thai retail banners into the fast-growing market, is aiming to achieve sales growth of between 20% and 30% annually there. It already has 160 outlets, the Big C hypermarket chain, the latter of which recorded 11% sales growth in July. (insideretail.asia)
German Metro Wholesale & Food specialist undergoes name change
Germany's Metro Wholesale & Food Specialist AG has changed its name to Metro AG, effective 18 August 2017. This move follows Metro Group's demerger, which was completed last month and divided the business into two independent public companies. (esmmagazine.com)
Northern Ireland retailers welcome Brexit position on Irish borders
The Northern Ireland Retail Consortium (NIRC) has said that it welcomes the UK Government's latest position paper on Ireland after Brexit. "We welcome the recognition of the importance of Northern Ireland and Ireland issues and their unique situation given by both the UK Government and the EU," said NIRC director Aodhán Connolly. The NIRC noted that its members purchase over £1.6bn worth of Northern Ireland's agri-food produce, around a quarter of the total output, a large percentage of which is exported to Great Britain through Ireland. As a result, any new tariffs that emerge in a post-Brexit deal could lead to higher costs for consumers, both in Northern Ireland and the UK. (esmmagazine.com)
Supermarket chains claim provinces all over Greece
With many Greeks leaving the larger cities for the summer holidays, major supermarket chains have taken their battle for a slice of the market beyond their traditional stomping ground. The trend is recorded in the fact that the reach of the Sklavenitis chain now extends outside Attica for the first time in its history, as well as efforts by the other big supermarket chains, AB Vassilopoulos, Lidl and My Market, to establish themselves outside Athens. (tornosnews.gr)
Profi expands in Romania
Romanian discount supermarket chain Profi has opened three new supermarkets this month, as part of its ongoing expansion plans. With the latest openings, Profi now operates almost 600 stores in 328 locations throughout Romania. (esmmagazine.com)
Alibaba's Jack Ma is ahead of Jeff Bezos in grocery store ambitions
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ICA's organic and ethically-labelled products sales grow
Swedish retailer ICA Gruppen has published its sustainability report for the second quarter of the year, highlighting the progress that the company has made with regards to decreasing emissions and food waste. The report shows that sales of eco-labelled, organic, and ethically-labelled products in ICA Sweden grew by 8% year-on-year, while new packaging innovations created a longer shelf life for certain products, contributing to lower food waste. (esmmagazine.com)
Leading Russian food retail firm to import PH fruits
According to Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta, the managers of Azbuka Vkusa, a Russian company that has developed a chain of grocery stores that focus on clients which seek premium goods, are keen on introducing Philippine agriculural products to a growing Russian market. Sorreta personally visited the headquarters of Azbuka Vkusa recently to present a taste of the Philippines’ potential contribution to the Russian market. (news.mb.com.ph)
Lidl sees fivefold revenue growth in Croatia over decade
Discounter Lidl has seen its turnover in Croatia rise from HRK 767m (€103.5m) in 2007 to HRK 4bn (€540m) last year, new data has revealed. The data, from Croatia’s Financial Agency (FINA) analysed the performance, in terms of turnover, over the past decade, of some of the country's top businesses. (esmmagazine.com)
Walmart says it has gained market share in Canada
Walmart says its Canadian stores gained market share against rivals during its fiscal second quarter. “We further improved our price position against competitors, which contributed to market share gains in key traffic driving categories such as food and consumables,” Walmart chief financial officer Brett Biggs said. Walmart Canada’s comparable-store sales rose 2.5%, trailing only the Mexican arm’s 7.2% growth and ahead of the United States (1.8%), United Kingdom (1.8%) and China (0.6%). (canadiangrocer.com)
US: Raley’s wants more Fresh Produce
California Ag Today recently had an exclusive conversation with Mike Teel, the owner of the Raley’s Supermarket chain “We’re looking for fresh, and any new products that could be in development, because that’s what differentiates us from the rest of the competitors,” Teel said. “You know, there are new products coming on, and while most of them are not in the produce and fresh arena, there are interesting ways to combine and bring fresh produce and different combinations for our consumers. We’re a great chain for that, because we’re not too big, but yet not too small,” Teel explained. Please, click here to read more at californiaagtoday.com.
US: Misfits moves to Market 32, Price Chopper
Several Price Chopper and Market 32 locations in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York and Vermont are now offering “ugly” produce. The Misfits line from Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Robinson Fresh will be available at 15 stores, according to a news release. Robinson Fresh supplies numerous retailers with cosmetically imperfect fruits and vegetables. (produceretailer.com)
US: SpartanNash to boost spending on ‘emerging growth’
SpartanNash said Thursday it would boost its planned capital spending this year in order to invest in what it called “emerging growth opportunities.”Officials were light on details citing competitive concerns, but one initiative involves new packaging for items that would emerge from the company’s Fresh Kitchen fresh-food processing facility. (supermarketnews.com)
US: Five reasons why Walmart is winning with food
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