Grocery retail analysts predict steady growth in Central Europe -
Analysts from the Polish market research agency PMR have predicted that grocery retail in Central Europe will continue growing in the coming years, and could generate a €145bn turnover by 2021. The growth is expected to include all Central European markets, although the growth rate is expected to vary. The Romanian and Bulgarian grocery retail markets are predicted to be the fastest-growing in the coming years, on account of a rapid expansion of hypermarkets and discount stores in those countries. (esmmagazine.com)
Analysts from the Polish market research agency PMR have predicted that grocery retail in Central Europe will continue growing in the coming years, and could generate a €145bn turnover by 2021. The growth is expected to include all Central European markets, although the growth rate is expected to vary. The Romanian and Bulgarian grocery retail markets are predicted to be the fastest-growing in the coming years, on account of a rapid expansion of hypermarkets and discount stores in those countries. (esmmagazine.com)
UK: Waitrose is shutting five supermarkets
The supermarket chain said 498 staff would face redundancy consultation amid plans to shut five under-performing stores. However, the firm said plans were under way to open eight new shops and create 600 jobs this year. Waitrose retail director Ben Stimson said: "We'd always try hard to avoid closing branches but we review how our shops are doing commercially and respond where we have to. Waitrose said it will launch new stores in Haywards Heath, Banbury, Bromsgrove, Finchley, Addlestone and Winchmore. Click here to read more about the stores earmarked for closure at mirror.co.uk.
Five reasons why Waitrose is closing stores
Click here to read why is Waitrose shutting branches at theguardian.com.
Whole Foods says it’s focusing on price
Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey directly addressed the company’s biggest issue, price, on the fiscal first-quarter earnings call, saying the company must be conscious about the cost of its merchandise because “nobody wants to feel like they’re being cheated.” While Mackey doesn’t think the grocer always has to be the least expensive option, he does think that the company has to be “price relevant” in order to keep up with the competition. The retailer said however, that products that are distinctively of higher quality compared to the similar products elsewere, will obviously have a higher price. (marketwatch.com)
The supermarket chain said 498 staff would face redundancy consultation amid plans to shut five under-performing stores. However, the firm said plans were under way to open eight new shops and create 600 jobs this year. Waitrose retail director Ben Stimson said: "We'd always try hard to avoid closing branches but we review how our shops are doing commercially and respond where we have to. Waitrose said it will launch new stores in Haywards Heath, Banbury, Bromsgrove, Finchley, Addlestone and Winchmore. Click here to read more about the stores earmarked for closure at mirror.co.uk.
Five reasons why Waitrose is closing stores
Click here to read why is Waitrose shutting branches at theguardian.com.
Whole Foods says it’s focusing on price
Whole Foods Market CEO John Mackey directly addressed the company’s biggest issue, price, on the fiscal first-quarter earnings call, saying the company must be conscious about the cost of its merchandise because “nobody wants to feel like they’re being cheated.” While Mackey doesn’t think the grocer always has to be the least expensive option, he does think that the company has to be “price relevant” in order to keep up with the competition. The retailer said however, that products that are distinctively of higher quality compared to the similar products elsewere, will obviously have a higher price. (marketwatch.com)
Supermarket giant Sainsbury's has been forced to pull seven of its stir-fry products over salmonella fears. It has emerged that the products may be contaminated with salmonella - symptoms caused by the bacterial disease usually include fever, diarrhoea and abdominal cramps. Among the products which are being recalled are the Sainsbury's Oriental style vegetable stir fry pack, the beansprouts pack, the mixed pepper stir fry pack and the sweet and crunchy stir fry pack. (dailymail.co.uk)
Dutch SPAR opens first SPAR Express store
SPAR Netherlands has opened its first SPAR Express forecourt store located in Geertruidenberg. The launch of additional SPAR Express stores is now at the planning stage. To develop its network of SPAR Express forecourt stores, SPAR Netherlands has entered into an agreement with EFR, the operating company of Texaco service stations. The forecourt stores will enable customers to buy daily groceries. (eprretailnews.com)
Aldi wins Multiple Retailer of the Year at The Drinks Retailing Awards
Aldi collected the top award for Multiple Wine Retailer of the Year for the third year running, beating Waitrose in the battle of the taste buds. Results were announced a day after Aldi overtook the Co-op as the 5th biggest supermarket in the UK. (internationalsupermarketnews.com)
Grocery delivery startup Shipt to launch in Charleston
The Alabama startup Shipt has quietly been preparing to launch its on-demand grocery service in Charleston, the first company in an emerging field to arrive in Charleston since the concept was first tried more than a decade ago. The service will get underway on Feb. 23 with deliveries from Whole Foods Market, spokeswoman Julie Coop said. In other cities, the company also makes stops at Harris Teeter and Publix, but those stores won't be part of the initial launch in Charleston. (postandcourier.com)
UK grocer first in Europe to use new trucks fueled by food waste
Waitrose has become the first retailer in Europe to use a new type of tank that keeps trucks motoring on fuel made from food waste for 500 miles, almost twice the current average. "We will be able to make deliveries to our stores without having to refuel away from base," Justin Laney of the John Lewis Partnership, which runs the Waitrose grocery chain, said in a statement on Thursday. Gas provider CNG Fuels said the upmarket grocery chain had added 10 trucks to its fleet, all powered by renewable biomethane gas, which emits 70% less carbon dioxide than diesel. (Reuters)
US: WinCo Foods announces Q2 earnings
Sysco Corporation released its Q2 financial results, highlighting significant growth in profits. Sales increased 10.7% to $13.5bn; excluding Brakes, sales decreased 0.2% to $12.1bn. Gross profit increased 19.2% to $2.6bn, and gross margin increased 137 basis points to 19.11%; excluding Brakes, gross profit increased 2.9% to $2.2bn. Click here to read more at delimarketnews.com.
AU: Woolworths embraces self-service
Woolworths is replacing nearly all of its traditional check-outs with self-service at some inner-city stores as part of its multimillion-dollar renewal program to win back customers. The retailer is making a pointed move to embrace self-service as rival Coles goes in the other direction, bringing back more belted check-outs and trialling item limits on self-service. The move comes as industry sources estimate Coles’ annual grocery theft bill at about $1.1bn, a figure the retailer disputes. (news.com.au)
Sweden: Outgoing Axfood CEO calls on successor to foster growth
The outgoing chief executive at Swedish retailer Axfood, Anders Strålman, has told ESM that his successor, Klas Balkow, should focus on three simple things: "growth, growth and growth." Strålman spoke to ESM following a positive set of full year results at the Swedish retailer, in which it posted a 5.1% consolidated net sales increase to SEK 43,355m. He also commented on the purchase of Eurocash Food AB, alongside Norgesgruppen. Please, click here to read more at esmmagazine.com.
Proposed Tesco Ireland strike 'unjustified': Retail Ireland
Retail Ireland has issued a statement saying that the proposed strike by Tesco Ireland employees who are members of the Mandate Trade Union is 'unjustified' and 'unreasonable'. The representative for the Ibec group said that the strike is in opposition to Workplace Relations Commission and Labour Court recommendations. Maeve McElwee, Ibec's head of employee relations, commented, "This action by Mandate is extraordinary in its approach to a good employer who has complied with all procedures and who needs to react to the changing retail environment. (esmmagazine.com)