Woolworths NZ sales rise despite grocery price decrease
Woolworths New Zealand's third quarter sales rose 4.8% to nearly $2.12bln. However, the grocer said there was a 0.3% drop in prices, led down by fruit and vegetables, such as potatoes, tomatoes and citrus, which offset increases in meat and dairy in the three months ended 6 April.
Source: rnz.co.nz
Spain: DIA increases share despite challenging market
Despite a challenging market, DIA has increased its share over the past year, consolidating its fourth position in the Spanish food distribution market. NielsenIQ data has revealed that DIA reached a 5% market share in March 2025 - a 0.1-percentage-point increase, year on year, and for the first quarter of 2025.
Source: esmmagazine.com
First SPAR Supermarket opens its doors in Rwanda
The license to operate the SPAR brand exclusively in Rwanda was granted to a local retail business - Sawa Citi. The first SPAR branded store has now opened in the suburb of Nyarutarama, located in the Rwandan capital city of Kigali. There is an assortment of fresh fruit and vegetables, a dairy section, a good range of frozen goods, dry grocery products, as well as a selection of alcoholic beverages.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: Aldi predicts huge BBQ and fizz sales this May Bank Holiday
Aldi reported: Savvy shoppers can grill up a four-person feast for as little as £1.98 per head when buying BBQ essentials from Aldi. BBQ Bundle Deal: Village Bakery White Rolls (45p, 6 pack) Quarter Pounders (£3.19, 4 pack) Emporium Cheese Slices (99p, 8 pack) Nature's Pick Mixed Leaf Salad (59p, 120g) Butchers Pork Sausages (£1.79, 8 pack) Bramwells Tomato Ketchup (89p, 550g).
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Sweden: Cibus acquires two retail assets, divests six
Sweden-based Cibus Nordic Real Estate has restructured its portfolio, spending €9.3mln on two grocery-anchored properties in Belgium and Finland. In Belgium, Cibus acquired a Jumbo supermarket in Limburg for €4.6mln. In Finland, a €4.7mln sale-and-leaseback deal was signed for a 2,500 square metre grocery store in Iisalmi with a major grocery chain. The real estate company, focusing on the retail sector, has also sold six properties across Belgium, Finland, and Sweden for €20.2mln.
Source: esmmagazine.com
South Korea: Home-grown papayas soar in popularity at Seoul's Shinsegae
Shinsegae Department Store said that sales have tripled from a year ago since it introduced domestically cultivated Sweettan papayas - a first for the Korean retail industry. The fruits were launched in February 2025 at the Shinsegae Gangnam store's Shinsegae Market. Previously reliant on imports from places like the Philippines, Korea is now successfully growing papayas thanks to smart farming advancements. Sunwoo Farm in Pocheon, Gyeonggi Province, succeeded in seed development and now cultivates about 2,000 papaya trees.
Source: pulse.mk.co.kr
UK: Warm weather and late Easter boost grocery sales - NIQ
According data from NielsenIQ (NIQ), total till sales at UK supermarkets rose 9.6% in the four weeks to 19 April, up from the 2.7% growth seen in March. Easter Sunday fell unusually late this year, on 20 April. The strongest-performing category was confectionary, snacks and soft drinks, which jumped 19.3%. However, there was also a sharp increase in fresh food sales, up 11.6%, alongside solid demand for seasonal items like clothes and outdoor accessories.
Source: investments.halifax.co.uk
Bosnia and Herzegovina: Lidl starts building supermarket in Bihać - report
German retail chain Lidl has started construction works on its new supermarket in Bihać, Bosnia and Herzegovina, local media reported. The investor is Lidl's Bosnian subsidiary Lidl BH d.o.o., while the contractor is a local company Bossil, media outlet Indikator reported.
Source: seenews.com
UK: Planted launches first plant-based steak in Tesco
Planted has launched its first plant-based steak in Tesco's UK stores following a successful debut in European foodservice and retail. Thanks to an innovative fermentation process, it boasts an authentic umami flavour, which is claimed to set a new standard for large plant-based cuts in the retail market.
Source: kamcity.com
Retail giant Magnit to buy premium supermarket chain Azbuka Vkusa for $490mln
Russian retail giant Magnit has agreed to acquire a controlling stake in the premium supermarket chain Azbuka Vkusa in a deal worth an estimated 35-40bln rubles ($428-490mln), the RBC news outlet reported, citing three sources familiar with the talks.
Source: themoscowtimes.com
US: Sprouts Farmers Market defies consumer confidence slump
Continued consumer interest in health and wellness appears to be winning out over declining consumer confidence, which is very good news for Sprouts Farmers Market. Sprouts' net sales rose 19% from a year ago to $2.2bln, and the grocer ended the quarter with $286mln in cash and no debt.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Walmart reinstates minimum basket fee for SNAP orders
Walmart is reinstating a minimum basket fee for customers who qualify for U.S. government assistance and those subscribed to its Walmart+ Assist program, according to a memo seen by Reuters and confirmed by Walmart.
Source: reuters.com
Couche-Tard advances deal talks for Japan's Seven & i with access to books
Alimentation Couche-Tard and Japan's Seven & i said they have signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that will give the Canadian company access to the Japanese retailer's financial data as it seeks a $47bln acquisition.
Source: reuters.com
Canada: Loblaw reports revenue growth of 4.1% and adjusted diluted net earnings per common share growth of 9.3% in the first quarter
Loblaw Companies Limited ("Loblaw" or the "Company") announced its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 22, 2025. Revenue was $14,135mln, an increase of $554mln, or 4.1%. Retail segment sales were $13,837mln, an increase of $547mln, or 4.1%.
Source: loblaw.ca
US: Kroger taps into one of the year's juiciest trends with limited-edition Private Selection® Cherry Harvest collection
With cherry blossoming as a standout trend across food, beauty, and fashion this year, The Kroger Co. announced the launch of its juiciest limited-edition collection yet - Private Selection® Cherry Harvest.
Source: prnewswire.com
First look: How ALDI and Lidl keep attracting shoppers
New research from location analytics firm Placer.ai, shared first exclusively with Progressive Grocer, shows that these grocery chains have experienced higher year-over-year (YoY) visits compared to the overall grocery segment so far in 2025. Traffic at ALDI spiked 8.9% YoY during the first quarter, while visits to Lidl stores rose 4.2% in that same time frame. Underscoring the chain-wide trend, average visits per location were also up, with a 4.7% gain at ALDI and a 1.9% bump at Lidl.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Sysco reports third quarter fiscal year 2025 results
Sysco Corporation ("Sysco" or the "company") announced financial results for its 13-week third fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2025. Sales increased 1.1%; U.S. Foodservice volume decreased 2.0%; Gross profit decreased 0.8% to $3.6bln; Operating income decreased 5.7% to $681mln, and adjusted operating income decreased 3.3% to $773mln; Net earnings decreased 5.6% to $401mln, and adjusted net earnings decreased 2.9% to $469mln.
Source: globenewswire.com