Central Retail unveils 1.38bln USD expansion plan for Thailand and VietnamThailand's largest retailer Central Retail Corporation (CRC) will invest over 45bln THB (1.38bln USD) through 2027 to expand mainstream markets and accelerate growth in both Thailand and Vietnam, the retailer said in a press release.
Source: vietnamplus.vn
UK: M&S launches new strawberries and cream sandwich just in time for WimbledonMarks & Spencer has launched a dessert sandwich filled with strawberries and cream to get Britons hooked on 'sweet sandwiches'. The retailer is charging £2.80 for the 'game-changing' limited edition Red Diamond Strawberry & Creme Sandwich.
Source: dailymail.co.uk
DESPAR Italia sees store network grow furtherIn the North of the country, a new DESPAR supermarket in Sarsina, in the centre of Cesena, is owned and operated by a local family in the area. With a retail sales area of 150m2, the supermarket offers a range of local produce. A new DESPAR supermarket in Genoa is designed to meet the daily needs of both the local community and tourists. This is achieved through an extensive instore offer, including fresh produce and DESPAR Own Brand products, as well as services such as home delivery and instore pickup. In the Central-South region of the country, three new DESPAR supermarkets opened in Calabria.
Source: spar-international.com
EuroCommerce asks EVP Séjourné for bold EU action against unfair competitionEuroCommerce reported: "EuroCommerce - the European retail and wholesale association - met with European Commission Executive Vice-President Stéphane Séjourné to present a united call for urgent action to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of Europe's retail and wholesale sector".
Source: eurocommerce.eu
UK: Driscoll's is opening London's first-ever pop-up devoted to berriesLondon On The Inside reported: "Opening on Bateman Street for three days this June, The Berry Patch, the city's first pop-up devoted to berries, will allow you to explore the full range of Driscoll's berries in one place. Each visitor to The Berry Patch, which will be decked out like a traditional greengrocer, will get a sample of Driscoll's berries, including strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, so you can try them out for yourself. Weds 25th - Fri 27th June 2025, Bateman Street, Soho, London, W1D. For more information | @driscolls.uk".
Source: londontheinside.com
China: Alibaba merges Ele.me and Fliggy into its e-commerce groupAlibaba Group has merged its food delivery platform, Ele.me, and travel services provider, Fliggy, into the Alibaba China eCommerce Business Group, effective immediately. The announcement was made via an internal email from Alibaba CEO Eddie Wu.
Source: techinasia.com
UK: Asda owner slumps to near £600mln loss as sales fallThe owner of Asda slumped to a near £600mln loss last year as sales at the supermarket group fell and the cost of servicing its debt pile increased. The UK's third-biggest supermarket dropped £599mln into the red in the year to 31 December 2024, before tax payments, down from a £180mln profit in 2023, according to accounts for Bellis Finco, the retailer's holding company. Sales at established stores slid by 3.4%.
Source: theguardian.com
Emart24 opens 100th outlet in Malaysia, aims to open 30 more this yearEmart24, a South Korean convenience store chain, said it has opened its 100th outlet in Malaysia and plans to launch 30 additional stores there by December under its expansion strategy. The company entered the Malaysian market in June 2021 with a single store, operating under a master franchise agreement with local partner Emart24 Holdings.
Source: en.yna.co.kr
UK: Treatment of grocery suppliers improves; Waitrose takes top spot while Amazon remains bottomThe Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) has published the findings from its annual industry survey that was carried out earlier this year. They show that grocery suppliers to the 14 designated large retailers experienced improved treatment for the second year running, with the number of firms reporting a Code issue falling from 33% to 30%.
Source: kamcity.com
Warm weather leads UK shoppers to prioritise healthy eating NielsenIQ (NIQ) reported: "Total Till sales growth increased at UK supermarkets (+3.8%) in the last four weeks ending 14th June 2025, up from (+3%) recorded in May, according to new data released by NielsenIQ (NIQ). A closer look at healthy eating habits reveals that limiting processed foods is now the single most important aspect for many. 44% of consumers are actively working to reduce their intake of processed items. In addition, 36% are making a concerted effort to eat five portions of fruits and vegetables each day (NIQ Homescan Survey March 2025)".
Source: nielseniq.com
Good deals - bad for the climate: Supermarket volume discounts lead to food wasteDepartment of Economics, University of Copenhagen reported: "In collaboration with eight Swedish supermarkets, two researchers have investigated how different types of offers affect our shopping and food waste. In the experiment, over 43,000 purchases of fresh vegetables (primarily cucumbers and broccoli) were analyzed. When customers were presented with a "2 for X" offer, they bought significantly more than those who saw a single offer such as "1 for X". However, a follow-up questionnaire survey showed that food from bulk offers ended up in the trash more often. "People think they are saving money - but end up buying more than they can eat", explains Christina Gravert, associate professor at the Department of Economics, University of Copenhagen. She and Milica Mormann, associate professor at Southern Methodist University, are the authors of the study, which points out that we often shop on autopilot".
Source: economics.ku.dk
US: Albertsons avoids New Mexico worker strike, nears new contract in IdahoAlbertsons continues negotiations with union grocery workers in New Mexico, narrowly avoiding a strike that would have seen thousands of employees walk off the job. The Boise, Idaho-based grocery retailer also appears to be back on track in its home state after facing a separate strike over contract negotiations. United Food & Commercial Workers Local 555, which represents more than 35,000 workers in Idaho; Jackson, Wyoming; and Ontario, Oregon, said in a press release that union negotiators and Albertsons are in their seventh round of contract negotiations.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Alimentation Couche-Tard reports 'disciplined' FY results driven by cost controlAlimentation Couche-Tard closed its financial year with a 'disciplined' performance, driven by focus on operational excellence and cost management measures. Gross profit for the year increased by $923.4mln, or 7.6% year on year, the company noted. EBITDA for the year amounted to $5.9bln, reflecting an increase of 6.1%, or $343.9mln, compared to the previous year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Walmart unveils new AI-powered tools to empower 1.5mln associatesWalmart reported: "Walmart is deploying AI-powered tools across its U.S. associate base - including real-time translation and task management (reducing shift planning time from 90 min to just 30) - to streamline tasks and improve service. These tools are part of Walmart's broader investment in its frontline workforce, which also includes recent wage increases, expanded upskilling programs and clearer career pathways for associates".
Source: corporate.walmart.com
US: Celebrate Independence Day at home with KrogerKroger reported: "Watermelon Caprese Salad: Creamy mozzarella, fresh basil and juicy watermelon make for a fun and refreshing take on caprese salad. Kroger® Cole Slaw Mix - Two for $3. To wow guests, serve tossed in Private's Selection's® New Classic Coleslaw Dressing".
Source: prnewswire.com