UK: Waitrose announces multi-million pound investment in a south west distribution centre
Waitrose has announced a multi-million pound investment in a 360,000sq ft distribution centre at Mountpark's Bristol 360 to better serve customers in the south west of England. The site will open towards the end of 2026, making deliveries to around 50 of the supermarket's existing shops, with the capacity to support new shops.
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
NFUS Soft Fruit Series to spotlight supermarkets supporting Scottish horticulture
NFU Scotland reported: "In a development of ShelfWatch, NFU Scotland's survey of Scottish produce available in supermarkets, the Union is launching a 2025 Soft Fruit Series. During the peak harvest period for strawberries, raspberries and blackberries, we want to know how soft fruits are marketed and sold in Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M&S Food, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco".
Source: nfus.org.uk
Holland: Jumbo sees turnover, market share growth in H1 as new strategy pays off
Dutch retailer Jumbo has reported an increase in turnover and market share in the first half of its financial year, driven by an increase in customer numbers and rising customer satisfaction. Jumbo attributed this performance to its new commercial strategy that was launched at the beginning of the second quarter of 2025. Group turnover amounted to €5.8bln in the first half, reflecting an increase of 3.7% compared to the same period last year. Its market share in the Netherlands reached 20.1%, with NPS (Net Promoter Score) increasing by 7%. Jumbo expects the pressure on purchasing prices will remain a challenge for the entire sector, including A-brands and fresh fruit and vegetables.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR UK partner AF Blakemore unveils a new era of retail support
SPAR UK license partner A.F. Blakemore unveiled a new £4.5mln investment package and a rebate scheme to earn up to 8%, heralding a new era and commercial proposition for convenience store retailers.
Source: spar-international.com
UK: M&S Food launches new summer marketing campaign showing customers the provenance of their food
M&S reported: "M&S Food has revealed the latest advert from its Farm to Foodhall campaign, spotlighting King Cherries. The ad features M&S chef ambassador and Michelin Starred Chef Tom Kerridge as he visits M&S Select Farmers Sarah and Bryan Neaves at Little Sharsted Farm in Kent. The campaign celebrates the very best of British produce, with stories spanning the length and breadth of the country, while also spotlighting the provenance of carefully sourced ingredients from trusted M&S suppliers in Italy and Spain. Creatively, the series showcases Tom meeting the people behind the products, with upcoming stories on Iberico Ham, Parmesan Cheese, Butter and British Tree-Ripened Plums".
Source: corporate.marksandspencer.com
"mio by migrolino" stores to open at Swiss train stations for the first time
Migros reported: "With the opening of the first mio store at Baden train station on July 3, migrolino is laying the groundwork for the future. The "mio by migrolino" minimum-space format stores could previously only be found at gas stations. They enable commuters and travelers to shop quickly. Additional locations at transport hubs are set to be introduced by the end of 2026".
Source: corporate.migros.ch
Spain: Mercadona consolidates its position as the company with the best reputation in its industry for yet another year
Mercadona reported: "In its latest edition of the 2025 General Ranking of Companies, Merco has ranked Mercadona as the company with the best valuation in the general retail industry. The company has also reached the second position in the general list of companies with the best reputation in the country".
Source: info.mercadona.es
Growing fragmentation is reshaping European retail, says new dunnhumby study
Evolving shopper behaviours are driving the gradual fragmentation of Europe's grocery retail sector according to the latest edition of dunnhumby's Consumer Pulse. Covering ten European markets for the first time - including new additions Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark - dunnhumby's biannual study of grocery shoppers offers a snapshot of a market in flux.
Source: dunnhumby.com
Unions at Kroger and Albertsons owned stores reach tentative labor agreement
Several United Food and Commercial Workers local organizations in Southern California said they have reached a tentative labor agreement covering more than 45,000 workers at Kroger- and Albertsons-owned stores in the region.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Market of Choice CEO Rick Wright dies at age 62
Rick Wright, the CEO of the 12-unit Market of Choice chain in Oregon, died of natural causes on June 29 at his home in Eugene, Oregon, the retailer said in a post on its website. He was 62. He also was active in the food retailing industry at the national level and was elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of FMI - The Food Industry Association in 2022.
Source: supermarketnews.com
Lidl US opening a fresh new store on Manhattan's Lower East Side
Lidl US reported: "We're opening a new Lidl US location at 408 Grand Street, New York, New York, 07601 on Friday, August 1. If you miss our grand opening celebration, don't worry - our Manhattan store will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily".
Source: mediacenter.lidl.com
Brazil: GPA invests in 'Premium' Pão de Açúcar stores
Brazilian retail group GPA is investing in renovating select Pão de Açúcar stores into a premium format aimed at affluent shoppers, according to media reports. This initiative, dubbed 'Pão Premium', will involve upgrading 11 existing stores in São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro by the end of July with a focus on high-end products, like imported goods and fresh perishables, along with specialised staff like wine and cheese consultants.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Canada: The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct welcomes the registration of the first supplier and retailer members
OGSCC reported: "The Office of the Grocery Sector Code of Conduct (OGSCC) is pleased to announce the registration of its first members, Lactalis Canada as the first Supplier member, and Empire Company Limited as the first Retailer member. This marks a significant step forward in the implementation of the Canada Grocery Code".
Source: newswire.ca