Aldi boss: Planning delays are slowing new supermarket openings and job creation
Aldi's UK boss Giles Hurley has criticised the UK's complex planning system and objections from competitors for stalling new store openings and job creation. The supermarket chief executive said a once straightforward 12-week planning process had now extended to a process which can take up to three years. "There's a number of hurdles in the way of moving at the pace we'd like to. It's now more convoluted, more complex", Hurley told The Times.
Source: retailgazette.co.uk
Belgium: Colruyt has completed Delitraiteur acquisition
The 41 Delitraiteur shops and all of their employees have now officially been transferred to Colruyt Group, following the approval of the takeover by the Belgian competition authority. For now, nothing will change about the concept.
Source: retaildetail.eu
When is the Spanish potato season at Mercadona?
Mercadona reported: "Mercadona reinforces its commitment to Spanish produce by backing Spanish potatoes, which are available in its stores for a large part of the year thanks to a double harvesting system. In mid-May, the summer campaign begins with the arrival of Spanish new potatoes, initially from the south and centre of the Iberian Peninsula, and which is extended in August with production from Castile and Leon, the main producing area in the country. The winter campaign, known as the green potato campaign, is one of Mercadona's strategies to offer Spanish produce even during the coldest months. Thanks to this initiative, the Spanish potato is also available in stores in January, February and most of March. The company works with nine national suppliers located in different regions, including Hijolusa, Meléndez, Gómez and Udapa, and offers potatoes in different formats".
Source: info.mercadona.es
ALDI doubles down in Australia with the opening of its 600th storeAmy Peters, Managing Director, NSW/ACT at ALDI Australia, said: "Our 600th store opening in Wright marks a special milestone in ALDI's Australian story. We have been delivering shoppers across the country unbeatable value for almost 25 years and we can't wait for the locals in Wright to experience this for themselves".
Source: aldiunpacked.com.au
UK: Morrisons to scrap 2,500 items in major supermarket change
Morrisons has unveiled plans for a sweeping reform across its UK stores, with intentions to eliminate 2,500 items. The refresh of Morrisons will centre on its Market Street selection, a favourite among customers for accessing fresh meat, seafood, vegetables, and bakery items.
Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk
Malls with several supermarkets becoming more common in Estonia
Lidl has announced plans to open its new store in Tallinn's Järve Keskus, where rival supermarket chain Selver has been operating for years. While having several supermarkets in a single mall is a reasonably new trend in Estonia, it is long been common in the Nordic countries.
Source: news.err.ee
New rumours of mega-merger between Aldi Nord and Süd
The families behind Aldi Süd and Aldi Nord are reportedly holding talks to bring the two companies - which have operated independently since 1961 - back together under one holding company. This is not the first time rumours of such a merger have surfaced.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Makro expands in Spain
Makro is boosting its online marketplace for the HoReCa sector in Spain and Portugal with a new logistics centre in Azuqueca de Henares, Spain. Managed by Metro Markets, it features advanced logistics technology for efficient order processing, including handling bulky equipment.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR Saudi Arabia celebrates new flagship store opening as part of convenience focus
The new flagship SPAR Express store at KAFD Metro Station marks the first store as part of SPAR Saudi Arabia's evolution into foodvenience. SPAR Saudi Arabia has opened the new flagship SPAR Express store at the KAFD Metro Station, located in the King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) in the heart of the capital city Riyadh.
Source: spar-international.com
Simbe's Tally shelf-scanning robot is being piloted in SuperValu supermarket stores across Ireland
SuperValu, a Musgrave Group owned supermarket chain that operates throughout Ireland, has been testing out Simbe's Tally in-store shelf scanning robot. The pilot is now in its second phase, which has more fully integrated the robots into other systems and processes. Subject to results, SuperValu says it roll-out to further stores.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Belgium: Collect&Go expands home delivery in Antwerp, Limburg and Walloon Brabant
Colruyt Group reported: "Collect&Go started home delivery in Ghent in 2020. Thanks to strong growth, which will continue in the coming months, 60% of Belgian households can now choose this option. Today, Collect&Go's home delivery specifically expands to 74 municipalities in Antwerp, Limburg and Walloon Brabant, bringing the total to 435 municipalities in Belgium".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
ALDI announces promotion of Atty McGrath to ALDI U.S. CEO, as current CEO Jason Hart is named Global COO of ALDI South GroupALDI U.S. reported: "ALDI U.S. is excited to announce that Jason Hart, ALDI U.S. Chief Executive Officer, has been promoted to join the Executive Board of ALDI South as Group Chief Operating Officer. Hart will help oversee the company's global operations in Salzburg, Austria, effective September 1. Atty McGrath, currently Chief Operating Officer, will assume the ALDI U.S. Chief Executive role".
Source: corporate.aldi.us
Costco execs weigh in on tariff impacts, tech investments
As Costco Wholesale Corp. shared the results of its recently concluded third quarter, the club operator also took the time to shed insights on the future. That future involves tech, as Costco disclosed in its earnings call that it is investing in speedier checkouts, similar to ones that mass retailers like Sam's Club are using.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Misfits Market acquires grocery delivery service The Rounds
Online grocer Misfits Market has acquired The Rounds, a New York-based startup known for restocking recurring essentials in reusable packaging for a highly engaged member base. "This acquisition furthers the joint mission of both Misfits Market and The Rounds to reduce waste and inefficiency in the supply chain while expanding our offering", explained Abhi Ramesh, founder and CEO of Misfits.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Price Rite Marketplace marks 30 years in business
Price Rite Marketplace plans to celebrate its 30th anniversary in June with special promotions and events marking three decades in business. On May 30, Price Rite is launching promotions for produce, specialty meats, everyday essentials and more, both in-store and online.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: AGS and C&S join forces to provide grocery retailers optimized wholesale and supply offerings
Atlantic Grocery Supply (AGS), the grocery division of Pompano, Florida-based Sun Commodities Inc. (Sun Group), and C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC, (C&S) an industry leader in wholesale grocery supply and supply chain solutions in the United States, are partnering to provide wholesale supply solutions to retailers in the Caribbean, Central and South America.
Source: businesswire.com