India: Instamart rolls out sunlight-triggered mango ad
To promote mango season, Instamart has launched a sunlight-activated newspaper ad. The full-page ad shows a mango tree with children around it. When exposed to sunlight, the mangoes change colour using photochromatic ink - a first for Indian print media.
Source: afaqs.com
Slovenia: SPAR expands retail network with new opening
SPAR Slovenia's retail network expands with the opening of a new SPAR supermarket in the village of Gozd Martuljek. Instore, the assortment focuses on fresh produce, including fresh fruit and vegetables, meat and fish, alongside an extensive range of SPAR own brand products.
Source: spar-international.com
Belgium: Competition puts Colruyt under further pressure
Equalling the results of the previous financial year was not in the cards for Colruyt Group. CEO Stefan Goethaert referred in a press release to the stronger competition in the Belgian retail market and lower than initially anticipated food inflation, which put pressure on the operating result. While turnover rose 1.1% to almost 11bln euros, operating profit fell 5% to 446mln (4.1% of turnover). Net profit fell to 6.4% 334mln euro (3.1% of sales).
Source: retaildetail.eu
The unexpected barbecue hero of 2025: Padrón peppers sizzle into the spotlight
Waitrose reported: "Enter the Padrón pepper, a humble Spanish staple that's making its way to British barbecues and alfresco summer feasts. Whether it's the tapas-style appeal or the joy of recreating your favourite Mediterranean dish on the barbecue, Padrón peppers are fast becoming the summer staple of 2025 (move over pickled cucumbers). Sales of Padrón peppers at Waitrose are up 12% year-on-year; traditionally served blistered over open flames and dusted with a generous pinch of sea salt, Padróns are a go-to favourite for bold, no-fuss alfresco flavour".
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
Spain: From 600 supermarkets to zero - Once a Mercadona rival, this chain now shuts down
After nearly four decades in business, one of Spain's well-known regional supermarket chains is shutting down for good. The final closure will happen once the remaining stock in its 30 stores across Gijon and the region of Asturias runs out. El Arco, once a chain that grew into a regional empire, issued a statement confirming its final closure.
Source: euroweeklynews.com
Colruyt Group sells 81 French supermarkets to Intermarché
Colruyt Group sells 81 French supermarkets and 44 Dats 24 petrol stations to Groupement Mousquetaires, the group behind supermarket chain Intermarché. Talks are still ongoing for the remaining supermarkets.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Ocado Retail CEO honoured with MBE in King's Birthday Honours
Hannah Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Ocado Retail, has been awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours list for her services to retail. Commenting on her award, Gibson said: "I am incredibly proud to accept this recognition on behalf of our team, whose hard work and innovation continue to push Ocado forward".
Source: fpcfreshtalkdaily.co.uk
Waitrose backs British farmers to introduce low carbon farming projectsWaitrose has announced the recipients of a new £500k fund aimed at helping British farmers transition to low carbon farming methods, as part of its commitment to reach net zero across its UK farms by 2035 and the entire supply chain by 2050. Winning projects: Soft fruit farm introducing wilded habitats - setting up a wilded habitat alongside intensive tabletop production, and lower carbon fertiliser and UV robot trials to reduce the need for fungicides on crops; Orchards trialing cover cropping - trialling of cover cropping in orchard systems, to reduce artificial inputs and improve fruit quality; Eggs and broccoli farms trialing waste fertiliser - converting poultry litter for use as fertiliser on broccoli farms; Blackberry farm trialing water and fertiliser recycling - piloting a circular solution that captures irrigation runoff (water and fertiliser) that can then be recycled, to reduce water and fertiliser inputs.
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
UK: Unique Lion's Mane variety set to be the next big trend in mushrooms
Tesco mushroom buyer Bobbie Fletcher said: "In the last few years demand for exotic mushrooms, like shiitake and particularly oyster, have soared so we're really excited to be able to offer the next big trend to our customers. We know how popular Lion's Mane have become recently as a functional mushroom in powder form sold in pharmacies but think the actual vegetable itself could now join shiitake and oyster as a culinary favourite. Lion's Mane have been hailed for their great taste and offer a unique flavour profile, with a mildly sweeter taste than normal mushrooms and a tender texture". Grower, Smithy Mushrooms, of Ormskirk, Lancashire, who have supplied Tesco for more than 30 years, also have high hopes for the mushroom after seeing how popular the vegetable has become in America. John Dorrian, the company's managing director says that the world of mushrooms has completely opened up thanks to the plant-based revolution in recent years.
Source: tescoplc.com
Soccer star David Beckham launches honey-based fruit snacks brand
Soccer star David Beckham is partnering with entrepreneur Shaun Neff to launch Beeup, his first food brand. Beeup's honey-based fruit snacks are designed to give kids and families a natural energy boost. The fruit snacks line is non-GMO, free from synthetic dyes and artificial flavors, and contains vitamins A, C and E. Beeup comes in Very Berry, Tropical Mix and Sour Watermelon flavors, and is available on the brand's website and in Target stores.
Source: fooddive.com
Newsweek names Kroger one of America's Most Trustworthy Companies
The Kroger Co. announced it has been recognized by Newsweek as one of "America's Most Trustworthy Companies" for 2025. "We work to earn trust every day by delivering great quality food at low prices, offering dependable employment with opportunities for fulfilling careers, caring for our communities and rewarding shareholders", said Ron Sargent, Kroger's Chairman and CEO.
Source: prnewswire.com
Canada: Walmart lowers prices on hundreds of items with 'more to come'
Walmart Canada said its lowered prices on hundreds of items since February. The retailer said it reduced the price of staples like fresh fruits and vegetables, bathroom tissue, water, cheese, ground beef and shampoo - with "more to come".
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Albertsons kicks off retail media network pilot
Albertsons is launching a pilot project this summer in partnership with STRATACACHE, Inc., to install a digital display network at select stores, the Boise, Idaho-based grocery chain announced. Albertsons said the pilot will launch in "two key regions" and will locate the large-format digital displays "in high-impact areas at impactful touchpoints in the customer journey throughout the store, such as store entry and produce department".
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Safeway and Albertsons workers go on strike in Colorado
Workers at Safeway and Albertsons stores in four United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7 bargaining units in Colorado - Estes Park, Fountain, Pueblo, and the Safeway Distribution Center in Denver - commenced an unfair labor practice strike on Sunday, the union announced. The strike could spread to stores throughout the state, according to UFCW Local 7 President Kim Cordova.
Source: supermarketnews.com