Belgium: Blockades at Lidl due to "unbearable" workload
Lidl employees are blocking the discounter's five Belgian depots due to the workload, which they call "unbearable". As a result, the supplying of the stores has been completely shut down. The unions are demanding a concrete plan to improve the situation, otherwise strikes may follow in the stores themselves. Lidl's five distribution centres in Belgium (Genk, Gullegem, La Louvière, Marche-en-Famenne and Sint-Niklaas) were shut down, Belgian newspaper De Tijd writes.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Sounds fresh: Morrisons strikes a cord with London vegetable orchestra as official veg supplier
Morrisons reported: "Morrisons is proud to announce it is the official fresh vegetable provider to the London Vegetable Orchestra (LVO) for the ensemble's summer tour kicking off at the RHS Hampton Court Garden Festival on 1st July. Founded over a decade ago by classically trained musicians, the LVO performs using instruments made entirely from fresh vegetables including Morrisons carrots, courgettes, potatoes, swedes, pumpkins, and aubergines. Morrisons will provide produce that meets particular instrument-worthy specifications - for example, carrots must be large and straight. These will be sourced from the farmers and growers that Morrisons works with all year round".
In other news: Morrisons becomes first UK supermarket to save three million surprise bags of food with Too Good To Go.
Source: morrisons-corporate.com
Schouten Europe launches vegetable-rich "Taste of the World" burgers
Dutch meat alternatives producer Schouten Europe has expanded its range with the launch of three new "Taste of the World" burgers. The vegetable-rich burgers are inspired by international cuisines, and are available in Mexican, Italian, and Thai varieties. Each has a distinct flavor profile that uses natural ingredients rather than imitating meat. Mark van Noorloos, Marketing Manager at Schouten Europe: "All the burgers are rich in vegetables".
Source: vegconomist.com
New Zealand: ComCom to disrupt power structures in grocery
The Commerce Commission has spotlighted two commercial behaviours it believes are reinforcing the powerful positions of the major supermarkets and big grocery suppliers: Suppliers covering retailer costs; Promotional payments in the wholesale market.
Source: supermarketnews.co.nz
Sweden: ICA Gruppen's report for first four months of 2025
ICA Gruppen reported: "For the Group as a whole, net sales increased 5.5% in the first four months to SEK 45,234mln (42,864). Operating profit excluding items affecting comparability and IFRS 16 Leases declined to SEK 1,257mln (1,632), corresponding to an operating margin of 2.8% (3.8). The Group's profit for the period increased SEK 203mln to SEK 1,223mln (1,020). The increase was entirely related to earnings from discontinued operations (Rimi Baltic), which are included in profit for the period in the amount of SEK 362mln (-9), an increase of SEK 371mln".
Source: icagruppen.se
Israel: A new food chain is being launched that will change the equation in the market
The Shai Market chain will be launched this coming Thursday with a first branch in Pisgat Ze'ev. Entrepreneur Ronen Ganon plans to open three more branches and expand throughout the country. Among the prices that will be offered at the first branch: Watermelon - NIS 2.90 per kg; White cabbage - NIS 1.90 per kg.
Source: jpost.com
Thirteenth Jumbo Foodmarkt counts on Belgian and German customers
Jumbo opened its thirteenth Foodmarkt in Echt, in the Dutch province of Limburg. With a wide range of Belgian and German products, the 2,500 m² experience store expressly targets cross-border shoppers. The new Jumbo Foodmarket is located in the village of Echt, north of Maastricht, in a narrow part of the Netherlands wedged between Belgium and Germany.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Deliveroo connects with Manna as it goes live with test phase of drone deliveries in Dublin, Ireland
Deliveroo has launched drone deliveries in Dublin, Ireland, through a partnership with Manna. The service is based in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, with Deliveroo conducting a test phase over the coming weeks.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: 'Ripen at home' bananas launched to help shoppers cut down on food waste
Tesco reported: "Shoppers are to be given more choice when buying bananas so that they can cut down on food waste in the home - thanks to a new move by Tesco. Bananas are among the most popular foods bought at UK supermarkets - but also one of the most wasted because they ripen very quickly. But now customers will have more shelf-life flexibility at home as Tesco add 'ripen at home' bananas to their range".
Source: tescoplc.com
Tropicana adds smaller serve cartons to its number one orange juice range in UK
Tropicana has expanded its range with the launch of two of its best sellers in smaller serve cartons in the UK market. Tropicana original orange juice is now available in two varieties - with pulp and without pulp, in a smaller portion carton for the first time. With this 500 ml beverage carton, Tropicana offers more options for consumers to experience its 'as fresh as from the fruit' signature taste in an increasingly diverse market.
Source: elopak.com
South African supermarket group SPAR sets out growth plan
South African supermarket retailer SPAR Group is looking to broaden its produce range, expand its on-demand delivery service and sell more own-brand goods after first-half results showed flat revenue and a small decline in earnings.
Source: reuters.com
US: How paper towels, avocados, and bananas became some of Amazon's most frequently purchased items
Groceries - from household essentials and pantry staples to fresh produce, dairy and meat - are among the items most frequently purchased in Amazon's online stores. In the first quarter of 2025, Amazon's everyday essentials - comprising groceries and household essentials - grew more than twice as fast as all other categories in the U.S., and represented 1 out every 3 units sold.
Source: aboutamazon.com
US: West Texas Food Bank receives 4,800 lbs. of apples
The United Family reported: "The United Family donated 4,800 pounds of apples to the West Texas Food Bank as part of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger® program. This donation is part of a larger donation of 50,000 pounds of apples across Texas and New Mexico. This year's donation marks the 15th year of the Take a Bite Out of Hunger® program. Thanks to the partnership between The United Family and FirstFruits Farms, more than 650,000 pounds of apples have been donated, helping countless families across both states".
Source: theunitedfamily.com
Amazon Fresh turns up the volume on low prices
During visits to three of the supermarket chain's locations on the East and West coasts in May, Grocery Dive journalists observed an abundance of bright red low-price signs inside and outside stores. Produce prices at Amazon Fresh were also strikingly low. The grocer's store in Alexandria, Virginia, beckoned customers on May 29 with 1-pound packages of strawberries for $1.89 each, while a Giant Food store a five-minute drive away charged $3.79 for the same size package of the popular fruit (or $4.99 for shoppers who don't belong to the Ahold Delhaize banner's loyalty program).
Source: grocerydive.com
Amazon's delivery, logistics get an AI boostAmazon wants customers to know that artificial intelligence is not just for writing college essays. In a series of announcements, Amazon demonstrated how stockroom robots, delivery people and its sprawling warehouses will all benefit from a hefty dose of artificial intelligence, speeding packages to customer doorsteps.
Source: reuters.com