UK: Aldi shoppers can recreate trending Italian sandwich for under £1 
Aldi UK reported: "Shoppers can be transported to Italy for just 94p per person by picking up trending Italian sandwich ingredients at Aldi. Shoppers can find all they need to create a hearty Italian sandwich in the aisles of Aldi, including: Village Bakery Italian Style Panini Rolls (£1.29, 4 pack) The Deli ItalianMilano Salami (99p, 90g) Everyday Essentials Classic Mozzarella (69p, 200g) Nature's Pick Wild Rocket (79p, 60g)".
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Belgium: Colruyt issues profit warning on stronger competition, lower food inflation
Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt said its full-year result would likely miss forecasts due to stronger competition and lower than expected food inflation, leading to slower revenue growth. The company, which will publish its 2024-25 full-year results on June 17, said it expects an increase in consolidated revenue of about 1% for the year based on preliminary non-audited figures.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Emotional farewell for two long-standing SPAR independent retailers
Two long-standing SPAR independent family retailers have bid an emotional farewell from the convenience sector after a combined 102 years in business. Roy Kellett and Graham and Kathleen Grant received a rousing ovation from delegates at James Hall & Co. Ltd's SPAR Inspire retailer event when their departures were announced. They were each given commemorative plaques and thank you gifts from Chairman of James Hall & Co. Ltd, Ian Hall, and Deputy Chairman and Joint Managing Director, Andrew Hall.
Source: jameshall.co.uk
Lidl to open 50 new stores in Spain in 2025
German discount supermarket chain Lidl is rapidly expanding in Spain with the aim to open 50 new stores in 2025, reported daily El Pais. Adapting to shrinking household sizes and a shift from hypermarkets to local shopping, the company is focusing on mid-sized stores, around 1,500 square metres with approximately 100 parking spaces, offering a wide selection of fresh produce to facilitate one-stop shopping.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Matt Simister to leave Tesco, joins Petfood firm Fressnapf as group CEO
Tesco has announced that Central Europe Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Matt Simister will step down in August after a 30-year career with the company. Simister is set to join European pet food group Fressnapf as group CEO.
Source: boardstewardship.com
India: Swiggy temporarily suspends its hyperlocal delivery service Swiggy Genie in multiple cities
Swiggy has temporarily suspended its hyperlocal delivery service, Swiggy Genie, in several major cities across India. The service, which operates in nearly 70 cities, is currently marked as "temporarily unavailable" for most users in locations such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Delhi NCR.
Source: outlookbusiness.com
UK: Around Noon opens new multi-million-pound facility to drive growth in food-to-go market
Food-to-go manufacturer Around Noon has officially opened its newest manufacturing facility at Slough Trading Estate following continued strong business performance last year. Located close to London Heathrow, the new 30,000 sq. ft. factory becomes the group's fifth manufacturing facility in the UK & Ireland and its second in the South East of England. It will increase the manufacturing capacity of the firm's Slough operations by £50mln. Around Noon produces chilled, hot and frozen food-to-go across a range of product categories, including sandwiches, wraps, salads, breakfast and hot deli options, snack pots, bakery products and natural fruit juices.
Source: kamcity.com
Croatia: SPAR opens new supermarket in Dugo Selo
SPAR Croatia has opened a new 1,200m2 supermarket in the newly built Retail Park in Dugo Selo, 20km east of Zagreb. The SPAR Own Brand assortment stands out, including specialised product lines like SPAR Free From (gluten or lactose-free), SPAR Vital (for a balanced diet), and SPAR Veggie (for vegetarians, vegans, and flexitarians).
Source: spar-international.com
Spain: Transgourmet Ibérica sees 15% profit growth in FY 2024
Spanish wholesale food distributor Transgourmet Ibérica reported a profit of €24.3mln in its 2024 financial year, reflecting a 15% year-on-year increase, while sales dropped by nearly 3%, to €1.22bln. The company invested significantly in its hospitality services, including converting its 70 GM Cash-Gros Mercat cash-and-carry stores to also function as local foodservice platforms. In the retail sector, Transgourmet continued to expand its franchise model, particularly under the Suma brand, and opened 58 new supermarkets.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Bangladesh: Krishi Bazar app inaugurated to make safe agro-product available in Rangpur
The Krishi Bazar Ltd mobile app has been inaugurated in Rangpur city aiming at building a healthy nation by producing safe agricultural products, including vegetables, and delivering those to
consumers at fair prices.
Source: bssnews.net
UK: Aldi retains crown of cheapest supermarket for AprilAldi UK reported: "Research by consumer group Which? has found that Aldi is yet again named the cheapest supermarket for a basket of 79 essential items this month. The new research from Which? marks 18 months that Aldi has been consistently crowned the cheapest supermarket by the consumer champion".
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
US: Associated Grocers names David Politz as president and CEO
Associated Grocers Inc. has named David Politz as its president and CEO, the wholesaler announced. Based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Associated Grocers provides whole distribution and support services to about 180 independent grocery stores in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: C&S Wholesale Grocers to close Florida warehouse, lay off 490 workers
C&S Wholesale is ceasing operations at a distribution center in Baldwin, Florida, and laying off approximately 490 employees, according to a letter sent to Baldwin Mayor Sean Lynch and the Florida Department of Commerce.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Whole Foods rebuked by labor board in union dispute
Whole Foods has received a clear rebuke from the national labor board, with the board definitively siding with workers at the retailer's first-ever unionized store. In a hearing officer's report, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) overruled every objection filed by Whole Foods regarding workers at a Philadelphia store joining United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) Local 1776 on January 27.
Source: supermarketnews.com