UK: Snappy Shopper hits major milestone in its partnership with Foodhub
More than 1,000 retailers are now connected to the Foodhub marketplace via Snappy Shopper, with more retailers said to be opting in every week. Following a successful pilot, Snappy Shopper has scaled up its roll-out, with coverage expanding across the UK.
Source: talkingretail.com
Australia: Woolworths to close MyDeal customer website to cut losses
Australia's largest supermarket chain Woolworths announced plans to close its majority-owned customer website MyDeal by the end of September, in an effort to reduce operating losses in its marketplace business.
Source: reuters.com
Schwarz Group acquiring Romania's La Cocos retail chain
German retailer Schwarz Group, which operates in Romania through its Lidl and Kaufland brands, said that it plans to acquire a majority stake in Romanian retail chain La Cocos for an undisclosed amount. "The acquisition will take place once the customary regulatory approvals are met, including that of the Romanian Competition Council", company representatives told SeeNews in an emailed response.
Source: seenews.com
UK: New research uncovers major knowledge gap in female sports nutrition ahead of UEFA Women's EURO 2025
Lidl GB reported: "Lidl hosted a high-profile panel event at the Emirates Stadium, celebrating its role as Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Partner of UEFA Women's EURO 2025™. Nutritionist Dr Hazel Wallace: A light snack of fresh fruit before training (like a banana or a few dates) helps protect your muscles and support your menstrual cycle".
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Australia: Woolworths and KNAPP redefine online grocery
KNAPP reported: "Woolworths and KNAPP have reached a major milestone in their long-standing partnership with the launch of Woolworths' first fully automated Central Fulfillment Centre (CFC) in Western Sydney. The site uses KNAPP's innovative E-Grocer solution and marks a significant shift in how groceries are delivered to customers".
Source: knapp.com
Finland: Wolt releases Local Commerce Report, flagging over €5bln in merchant sales during 2024
Finnish food and merchandise on-demand delivery platform Wolt has released a Local Commerce Report, which explores how digital platforms are supporting local businesses across Europe and draws on survey data from over 7,000 respondents in more than 20 markets, as well as global Wolt data. Key highlights: Over €5bln in merchant sales generated via Wolt in 2024. 83% of merchants surveyed said platforms are important to their business. 80% said their in-store sales were stable or grew with delivery platforms. Nearly one-third would have no online store without them.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Consum opens 1,000th store in Spain
Spanish grocery cooperative Consum has reached a milestone of 1,000 stores with the opening of two new supermarkets in Aldaia and Xàtiva. This achievement, which includes 506 Consum-owned stores and 494 Charter franchises, coincides with the Cooperative's 50th anniversary. Both stores offer a wide assortment of fresh products with personalised service at the fishmonger, delicatessen, and butcher shops, as well as bulk fruit and vegetable sections, bakery, perfumery, and pet sections, as well as exclusive Consum brands.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Holland: Rival Foods raises $11.6mln Series B to scale shear cell tech for plant-based whole cuts
Dutch startup Rival Foods has raised €10mln ($11.6mln) in a Series B round to expand its shear cell technology, a novel approach to texturizing plant-based proteins that can create whole cuts at scale. The round was led by pension investor APG, on behalf of ABP, with participation from Pymwymic and ROM Utrecht Region, and follow-on investment from existing shareholder PeakBridge. A spinoff from Wageningen University founded by Dr. Birgit Dekkers and Ernst Breel in 2019, Rival Foods supplies alt-chicken and beef whole cuts to restaurants in The Netherlands and Germany.
Source: agfundernews.com
How The Fresh Market and Lidl are striving to stay relevant with shoppers
The Fresh Market and Lidl occupy distinctly different segments of the grocery market: One is a specialty retailer that strives to stand out with a high-touch in-store experience and broad assortment of unique products, while the other is a discounter that prioritizes value and efficiency. But while the chains might take different approaches to selling groceries, they share a belief that looking outside the U.S. for inspiration can help them shine, executives said during an online panel session hosted by retail data analytics firm Dunnhumby.
Source: grocerydive.com
Canada: Metro celebrates the MVPs of Summer: Ontario farmers and producers
Metro reported: "This summer, Metro is celebrating the heart of Ontario's food scene by shining a spotlight on the true MVPs of the season - local farmers and producers who bring fresh, flavourful ingredients to tables across the province. This year's Summer MVPs program features stories from local producers, including: GoodLeaf Farms - Southwestern Ontario; Mastronardi Produce - Southwestern Ontario".
Source: globenewswire.com
US: DoorDash and Flytrex follow pilot programme with launch of drone delivery service in Dallas-Fort Worth
DoorDash and Flytrex have announced the launch of a drone delivery service in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, expanding upon a pilot programme. Customers in parts of Little Elm and Frisco can now order food from dozens of local and national restaurants, including from Papa Johns King Road location and The Brass Tap, between 8:00am and 9:30pm, with delivery via Flytrex's autonomous drone fleet.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
US: FMI endorses bipartisan legislation to permanently prohibit additional SNAP transaction fees on retailers
FMI reported: "FMI - The Food Industry Association issued its endorsement of the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions (EBT) Act introduced by Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH), Vice Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI), House Agriculture Committee Member and former small business owner and retailer. The legislation protects grocers and customers by permanently prohibiting additional fees from being imposed on retailers for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) transactions".
Source: fmi.org
Alimentation Couche-Tard must divest 35 gas stations to advance Giant Eagle deal, FTC says
Canadian retailer Alimentation Couche-Tard will be required to divest 35 gas stations in order to move forward with its proposed $1.57bln acquisition of 270 retail fuel outlets from grocery store chain Giant Eagle, the Federal Trade Commission said.
Source: reuters.com