UK: Pepco Group expects Poundland exit by September
European discount retailer Pepco Group is still exploring options for the separation of its struggling Poundland business in Britain, with an exit expected by September, it said. The Warsaw-listed group, which also owns the Pepco and Dealz brands, also warned that 818-store Poundland might not make a profit in its 2024/25 financial year.
Source: reuters.com
UK: Asda eyes £400mln sale of 20 supermarkets
Asda is looking to sell around 20 stores for £400mln to help fund its turnaround plan. The supermarket chain is planning to offload the shops located across the UK and lease them back for the next 20 years. Asda has appointed property advisor Eastdil Secured to manage the sale, Green Street News reported.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Holland: Crisp posted hefty loss in 2023
In 2023, Crisp's sales rose from 58 to 74mln euros, but at the same time there was a hefty loss of 48mln euros, only slightly less than the 50mln from a year earlier. That is according to figures the retailer filed with the Chamber of Commerce, reports Quote.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Discounters to lead growth in physical grocery retail through 2029, IGD says
The discount channel is projected to grow by $217bln (€191.6bln) globally from 2024 to 2029, making it the fastest-growing physical channel in grocery retail, new research from IGD showed.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Sweden: Greenfood's Interim report first quarter 2025
Greenfood reported: "Greenfood started 2025 on a strong note, with profitable growth across the board. Group net sales rose 7.3%, led by Picadeli and Food Solutions. Picadeli continued to serve as the Group's primary growth engine, demonstrating both the strength of its concept and its scalability across markets. Net sales for the group totaled SEK 1,443.8mln (1,345.9), an increase of 7.3%, driven by 16.8% growth in Picadeli, 14.3% growth in Food Solutions and 3.0% growth in Fresh Produce. Group adjusted EBITDA of SEK 72.0mln (61.6) increased by 16.9% driven by improvements in all three business areas. Operating profit of SEK 14.0mln (7.8). Due to trading seasonality, the first quarter of the year has historically been lower in profitability than the average quarter".
Source: greenfood.se
UK: Aldi calls on shoppers to 'press pause' on their food
Aldi reported: "Aldi has teamed up with a food waste expert to encourage the nation to reduce food waste and save money. The UK's fourth largest supermarket is working with Kate Hall (@thefullfreezer) to inspire customers to 'press pause' on their groceries - sharing smart tips and surprising recipes to make freezing food easier. Roughly 4.4mln potatoes are wasted every day in the UK! Advice around storing potatoes actually changed a couple of years ago and it has been found that keeping them in the fridge can help them last up to three times longer".
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Slovenia: Mercator streamlines operations, Kea expands, REWE pauses acquisition
Mercator, owned by Croatia's Fortenova Group, is streamlining its Slovenian retail operations by closing 43 smaller, underperforming stores by autumn of this year. Twenty outlets have already closed, and the remaining 23 will follow, with some potentially becoming franchises while others will be leased or sold, according to a report in the Slovenian daily Večer. A new Stu.Market, owned by the Šentjurj-based retailer Kea and part of Croatia's Studenac chain since 2024, has opened in Radlje ob Dravi, replacing a former Mercator franchise. This seventh Stu.Market location in Slovenia focuses on fresh food and a convenient shopping experience. German retail giant REWE has unexpectedly paused its acquisition of the Slovenian retail chain Engrotuš (Tuš), according to local newspaper Dnevnik.
Source: esmmagazine.com
French meal-planning and grocery app forms new partnership with Instacart
Jow, a fast-growing French meal-planning and smart grocery app that has already served 200mln healthy meals across Europe, has officially launched a partnership with Instacart, accelerating Jow's expansion in the U.S. market.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Executives from Kroger, Publix, Sysco and Walmart join GS1 US Board of Governors
The GS1 US Board of Governors has elected four industry leaders to join the GS1 US Board: Benjamin Hamilton, vice president, supply chain planning, Kroger; Brad Oliver, senior vice president of product business development, Publix Super Markets, Inc.; Greg Keller, senior vice president, national accounts, Sysco, SYGMA, and Guest Worldwide; and Greg Cathey, senior vice president, transformation and innovation, Walmart. Additionally, Brian Dick, president and CEO, Golden State Foods, has been appointed vice chairman.
Source: prnewswire.com
Blooms plans more digital financial tools for Latam's produce exporters with SP Ventures-led fundraise
US-based startup Blooms has raised a $2.6mln seed round for its fintech business that provides finance, payments, and foreign exchange (FX) solutions to Latin American produce exporters that supply the US and Canada. The company aims to provide better financial tools to these exporters in the hopes of building a stronger supply chain up and down the Americas, founder Francisco Meré tells AgFunderNews. "Around the world, there has been an increase in consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables", he says, adding that the US is the largest produce market in the world, with American households consuming about $100bln of fresh produce annually.
Source: agfundernews.com
US: Target Corporation reports first quarter earnings
Target Corporation announced its first quarter 2025 financial results: first quarter net sales were $23.8bln, compared with $24.5bln in 2024. First quarter SG&A expense and operating income included $593mln in pre-tax gains from the settlement of credit card interchange fee litigation. The Company has established an acceleration office led by Michael Fiddelke, with the purpose of enabling faster decisions and execution of its core strategic initiatives in support of a return to growth.
Source: prnewswire.com
A cultural approach to produce merchandising
Fifty-two percent of Hispanic and Asian Americans also are trying to increase their consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables and more than 70% indicate that eating fresh vegetables is a priority, according to research from the Collage Group, a Bethesda, Maryland-based consumer research firm.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Top 10 supermarket retail chains in Brazil
The data comes from the comprehensive annual analysis conducted by the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS) in collaboration with NielsenIQ. 1. Carrefour Brasil turnover: R$120.6bln (2024) 2. Assaí Atacadista turnover: R$80.6bln (2024) 3. Grupo Mateus turnover: R$36.4bln (2024) 4. Supermercados BH turnover: R$21.3bln (2024) 5. Grupo Pão de Açúcar (GPA) turnover: R$20.0bln (2024) 6. Grupo Muffato turnover: R$17.4bln (2024) 7. Grupo Pereira turnover: R$15.3bln (2024) 8. Mart Minas Atacado e Varejo & Dom Atacadista turnover: R$11.4bln (2024) 9. Cencosud turnover: R$11.2bln (2024) 10. Koch Hipermercado turnover: R$10.3bln (2024).
Source: esmmagazine.com
The long and short of sourcing produce from nearby growers
Obtaining fruits and vegetables from local farmers can enhance a grocer's reputation and revenues. But successfully operating an efficient local program takes tenacity and flexibility, analysts said. "A local produce program is essential for all food retailers", said Russell Zwanka, assistant professor of food marketing and director of the food marketing program at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo. "It shows a store's connection to the local and regional farmers, conveys a fresh image, and even has a super carbon footprint impact".
Source: supermarketnews.com