Ahold Delhaize's near-term and long-term climate targets validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Ahold Delhaize has reached a significant milestone by gaining validation of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi)".
Source: newsroom.aholddelhaize.com
Dino Polska sees double-digit revenue growth in Q1 2025
Polish food retail chain Dino has reported 10.2% growth in revenue to PLN 7.4bln (€1.78bln) in the first quarter of its financial year. Fresh products, especially fruit and vegetables, bread and the fresh meat produced by the Agro-Rydzyna meat processing plant accounted for 42% of the revenue, the company noted.
Source: esmmagazine.com
DESPAR Italia continues store development nationwide
In the Central-South region, DESPAR Centro Sud further expanded its store portfolio with the openings of DESPAR Supermarkets in Capo Rizzuto and Soriano Calabro. Both stores focus on fresh produce with fruit and vegetables, butchers, and delicatessens at the heart of the instore offer.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: innocent drinks and partners sign open letter urgently calling for increased access to fruit and veg
innocent Drinks and its partners have published an open letter, marking the start of their latest campaign to tackle a growing issue: lack of access to fruit and vegetables across the UK.
Source: retailtimes.co.uk
China: Alibaba Group announces March quarter 2025 and fiscal year 2025 results
Alibaba Group Holding Limited, "Alibaba", "Alibaba Group" or the "company" announced its financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2025. In the quarter ended March 31, 2025: revenue was RMB236,454mln (US$32,584mln), an increase of 7% year-over-year. Income from operations was RMB28,465mln (US$3,923mln), an increase of 93% yearover-year, primarily due to the increase in adjusted EBITA and a decrease in non-cash sharebased compensation expense. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2025: revenue was RMB996,347mln (US$137,300mln), an increase of 6% year-over-year. Income from operations was RMB140,905mln (US$19,417mln), an increase of 24% year-over-year, primarily due to the decrease in impairment of intangible assets and goodwill, the decrease in non-cash share-based compensation expense and the increase in adjusted EBITA.
Source: alibabagroup.com
Belgium: Carrefour opens another Reckon.ai technology powered BuyBye location as it goes live at NATO base
Carrefour Belgium has developed a new autonomous micro-store concept, Carrefour BuyBye, in association with Reckon.AI, with the aim of tapping into opportunities beyond traditional retail. It launched its third location, at the NATO SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe) base in Casteau, near Mons. This offers over 250 everyday essentials, including breakfast options with fresh fruits, lunch, dinner, and personal care items, available 24/7, and supplied by the team at Carrefour Market Casteau.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: Gopuff launches on Amazon for ultra-fast delivery tie-up
Amazon is expanding its UK grocery offering by partnering with rapid delivery firm Gopuff. Initially available to Amazon customers in Birmingham and Salford, Gopuff will offer thousands of grocery products including alcohol, fresh food, cleaning supplies, baby essentials and snacks, delivered in less than 60 minutes and as fast as 15 minutes, 24/7.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Belgium: Colruyt's Delitraiteur acquisition greenlit
The Belgian Competition Authority has approved Colruyt Group's acquisition of meal shop chain Delitraiteur from the Louis Delhaize Group. With the acquisition, Colruyt Group wants to further focus on a convenience offering: Delitraiteur offers more than 200 freshly prepared dishes, salads and sandwiches that can be taken away or consumed on the spot.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Germany: Positive sales development in H1 2024/25
METRO reported: "METRO increased its sales in the first half of 2024/25 by 5.3% in local currency. Sales in the store-based business grew by 2.6% to €11.4bln in local currency, delivery sales by 13.4% to €4.1bln and METRO MARKETS' sales by 15.1% to €80mln, driven by the HoReCa business in particular".
Source: newsroom.metroag.de
Delhaize Belgium launches the "Cultivation Academy" to advance sustainable vegetable farming
Ahold Delhaize reported: "Delhaize Belgium continues to bring its ambitious mission for more sustainable agriculture to life through close collaboration with local Belgian growers. In partnership with produce supplier Bakker and agricultural expert Arvesta, the brand is launching the Cultivation Academy - an initiative aimed at making farming practices in Belgium more sustainable".
Source: aholddelhaize.com
US: Consumer Price Index - April 2025
The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2% on a seasonally adjusted basis in April, after falling 0.1% in March, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The fruits and vegetables index decreased 0.4% over the month and the cereals and bakery products index declined 0.5%.
Source: bls.gov
Statement by NGA President & CEO Greg Ferrara on proposed cuts to SNAP funding and impact on American jobs
NGA reported: "The National Grocers Association (NGA), the nation's leading association representing independent community grocers and wholesalers, is deeply concerned by the cuts and programmatic cost shift changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) outlined in the House Agriculture Committee's latest budget proposal. Independent grocers - often the only source of fresh and local food in rural and low-income communities - are vital partners in ensuring that SNAP recipients have access to healthy, affordable food in times of need, while also serving as an economic engine for local communities and small businesses. These cuts, if signed into law, risk undermining this long-running and successful public-private partnership".
Source: nationalgrocers.org
US: Walmart's digital sales contribute to profitability in Q1
Walmart Inc. has released its first-quarter results, which show steady growth in revenue and operating income. Revenue was up 2.5%, at $165.6bln, while operating income rose 4.3%. "We won't let tariff-related cost pressure on some general merchandise items put pressure on food prices", said CEO Doug McMillon, "but as it relates to food, tariffs on countries like Costa Rica, Peru and Colombia are pressuring imported items like bananas, avocados, coffee and roses. We'll do our best to control what we can control in order to keep food prices as low as possible".
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Wegmans, Tops choose to post in-store signs surrounding tariff impact
Tops has rolled the signs out next to its banana displays, a spokesperson for Tops told Supermarket News. Wegmans, which also had the signs posted near its banana displays, has since taken them down, the Buffalo News reported. The signs that Tops posted explain that a 10% tariff on bananas imported from Central and South America "has increased costs across the industry."
Source: supermarketnews.com