Amazon challenges food industry by starting to sell private label perishables -Amazon has debuted its first private-label groceries according to the Wall Street Journal. Amazon had no comment from the report. Amazon has reportedly been preparing to roll out its own grocery product for some time, effectively competing with many of the brands that already make their perishable items available through the online marketplace Other perishables that the company is expected to start selling are nuts, spices and tea. It's not clear if the private-label groceries will include fresh produce. (fortune.com)
Lidl and Leclerc improve hold on French market
Lidl and Leclerc improve hold on French market
New statistics from Kantar Worldpanel have shown that over the four weeks to 12 June, Lidl France and Leclerc both attained a 40 basis point increase in market share in the French market. Casino supermarkets and Géant Casino hypermarkets won ten basis points of market share over the same period, while Carrefour, the biggest grocer in the country, dropped 40 basis points. (esmmagazine.com)
UK: Waitrose profits slide on higher pension costs
Waitrose has reported a 17pc slide in pre-tax profits after rising pension costs within the John Lewis Partnership. Waitrose posted pre-tax profits of almost £67m for the year to the end of January, compared to £80.6m, according to Companies House figures, which do not include four branches in the Channel Islands. Sales also fell to £5.9bn from £6bn a year earlier while like-for-like sales were down by 1.3pc.(www.telegraph.co.uk)
AmazonFresh expands across London
Following the launch of AmazonFresh in 69 London postcodes on Thursday 9th June, 2016, Amazon.co.uk yesterday announced the expansion of AmazonFresh to customers in an additional 59 North, East and South London postcodes. Amazon Prime members in 128 eligible postcodes can now order their full weekly grocery shop from a range of over 130,000 products including brands and offerings from local food producers and shops based in locations including Borough Market and Notting Hill. Customers can order their full weekly grocery shop including fresh fruit and vegetables. (elpasotimes.com)
HelloFresh meal-kit service lands in Canada
Berlin-based HelloFresh has brought its meal-kit subscription service to Canada. The company was founded in 2011 and now operates in nine countries, including the U.S., U.K., Germany and Switzerland. It launched in Canada in June. The weekly service delivers insulated meal boxes with pre-portioned ingredients (including fresh produce) and include step-by-step recipes, to people’s homes. (canadiangrocer.com)
Choice of Irish supermarket not driven by low prices
A new survey (Nielsen) shows that product availability and quality are the most influential factors when it comes to where Irish shoppers choose to buy their groceries from. The survey found that 60% of Irish shoppers say the fact that products they want regularly being in stock was "highly influential" in choosing which retailer to buy from. This comes ahead of having high quality fresh produce (59%), while good value for money (58%) is the next most influential factor. (rte.ie)
Shoprite launches “Usave” format in Nigeria
Shoprite Group has introduced its Usave brand to Nigeria, with its first store now open at the Maryland Mall. Usave combines the convenience of location with consistently low prices to attract customers who are serious about saving and who do not need the expensive frills and spills of regular supermarkets. (businessdayonline.com)
Greece:IMF concerned over Marinopoulos supermarket chain’s problems
International Monetary Fund Spokesman Gerry Rice commented on the news of Greek supermarket giant chain, Marinopoulos, seeking protection from its creditors under an article of Greece’s bankruptcy code. Speaking at the IMF Bi-Weekly press briefing, Rice was asked a question about the situation. “Clearly the objective that we share with the Greek authorities and the European Parliaments is precisely to help Greece get back on a path of sustainable growth and employment so that these things don’t happen,” he said, adding that the goal was for a “credible program” and to work to alleviate the problems that Greece is facing. (greece.greekreporter.com)
Coop Italia has reported a turnover of €12.5bn for 2015, and improved profitability.
Coop strengthened its convenience strategy in 2015, as Italian shoppers become less loyal to one format and continue to hunt for convenience opportunities. It said participation in Coopernic is generating significant cost savings for the business, while its private label brands are having a positive impact on sales. Coop is still growing its member base and now has more than 8.5m members. (igd.com)
'Cool streets' to influence mainstream retail: Report
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Walmart president and CEO outlines retailer’s newest chapter
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