Oct 23, 2024

Germany: Lidl trials Scan&Go function through app Shopping quickly at your own pace, without having to unload and repack your groceries at the checkout: Lidl is looking to make that possible. In a branch near its Neckarsulm headquarters, the discounter is testing a new self-scanning function in its app, Lebensmittel Zeitung reports. JD Logistics expands international express delivery to seven Southeast Asian countries JD Logistics (also known as JINGDONG Logistics), the logistics arm of Chinese e-commerce giant JD.com, announced the launch of express delivery service from China to seven Southeast Asia countries: Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Brunei. Belgium: Renewed Spar Zammel reopens on 31 October On Thursday, 31 October, Spar Zammel will reopen its doors. Products from the fresh products counter are prepared at Spar Tongerlo and delivered to Zammel, packaged in a protective atmosphere to keep them fresher for longer without losing flavour. Aldi to open 20 new stores in Spain in fourth quarter Aldi plans to open around 20 new stores in Spain in the fourth quarter of 2024, boosting its presence in Catalonia, the Valencian Community, Andalusia, in the north and the Canary Islands. UK: Kids Eat Free scheme returns to Tesco cafés for October half term Tesco has announced it will be bringing back its Kids Eat Free scheme to its 310 cafés across the UK over the October half term. Popular menu items include beans or avocado on toast, fish fingers, baked chicken goujons or a sandwich. Hot main meals include a vegetable side dish, and the sandwich pick n mix includes a piece of fresh fruit and two snacks, so there's something healthy and satisfying to feed hungry children from breakfast until dinner. UK supermarkets urged to target 60% plant protein sales for food system decarbonisation Leading environmental NGOs, WWF, ProVeg International, and the Green Protein Alliance, are calling on the UK's largest supermarket chains to take decisive action towards decarbonising the food system. They are urging retailers to set bold targets, with the aim of having plant-based products account for 60% of all protein sales. Sweden: Vegetables are the most expensive - "it's about thousands" Households can save thousands of kronor by buying fruit and vegetables in the cheap store instead of the expensive one. This is revealed in a new survey from Matpriskollen. "We don't usually see such large price differences in our surveys", says CEO Ulf Mazur. UK: Snappy Shopper announced as One Stop's nationwide delivery partner Snappy Shopper has announced a collaboration with One Stop which will see over 250 One Stop locations across England and Wales now available on its platform. Carrefour expands and rebrands across France: Strengthening its market position Carrefour, one of Europe's largest retailers, is making substantial strides in expanding its footprint in France through two major moves: the rebranding of 60 Cora supermarkets and the acquisition of 31 Intermarché stores. This aggressive growth strategy is part of Carrefour's broader ambition to solidify its presence in the competitive French supermarket landscape. Amazon expands Same-Day Delivery to over 80 towns and cities in the UK Amazon reported: "In the UK, Same-Day Delivery is available for millions of products in 81 towns and cities, with Aberdeen, Middlesbrough, and Plymouth the most recent additions. Prime members across the UK can enjoy free Same-Day deliveries on a wide selection of products, including items from Amazon brands and independent local businesses, with the number of items delivered Same-Day doubling since 2023". US: GrubMarket introduces the GrubAssist AI Cash Flow Analyst to revolutionize financial operations for food wholesalers and distributors GrubMarket, the AI-powered technology enabler and digital transformer of the American food supply chain industry, as well as one of the largest private food eCommerce companies globally, announced the launch of the GrubAssist AI Cash Flow Analyst. As part of GrubMarket's groundbreaking GrubAssist AI suite, this new module provides food wholesalers and distributors with a comprehensive solution for managing their cash flow operations, delivering real-time, actionable insights that enable businesses to strategically manage their accounts receivable (AR), accounts payable (AP), collections and payments operations. Jüsto secures USD $70mln in equity and debt financing from General Atlantic, HSBC, and others to accelerate growth Jüsto (the "Company"), a leading online grocer in Latin America with operations in Mexico, Brazil, and Peru, announced it has raised USD $70mln in equity and debt financing. US: Walmart sets the table early with a Thanksgiving meal for less than $7 per person Walmart reported: "This year's meal features 29 items and serves eight people for less than $7 per person. You can shop the basket at Walmart.com/thanksgiving . Fresh Whole Russet Potatoes (1 unit - 5lbs), Fresh Whole Sweet Potatoes (3 units), Fresh Yellow Onions (1 unit - 3lbs), Fresh Celery Stalks (1 unit)." US: Fresh Thyme adopts Afresh Store Ordering for Food Service Fresh Thyme Market is rolling out Afresh Store Ordering for Food Service, which will give the food retailer the ability to tap into artificial intelligence (AI) specifically adapted to the nuances of fresh food to deliver high-quality ordering and inventory management for deli and prepared foods. Fresh Thyme is currently on track to use Afresh to order across its core fresh departments - produce, meat, seafood and foodservice - for its entire chain of 70 stores by the end of the year. Amazon expands in Phoenix with plans for drone delivery With the recent opening of a Whole Foods Market, plans for drone delivery, and a pilot program by parent company Amazon that enables shoppers to make online purchases from Amazon Fresh, Whole Foods, and Amazon.com, Phoenix is turning into a test ground for the Seattle-based retail giant. Brazil's Carrefour sells off 15 Atacadao sites for $127mln Food retailer Carrefour Brasil has agreed to sell 15 properties to a real estate fund for 725mln reais ($127.4mln), it said. The Brazilian unit of French retailer Carrefour will then lease back the properties from the fund, Guardian Real Estate, for at least 13 years so they remain as stores from its primary brand Atacadao, it said in a securities filing. US: Target will reduce prices on more than 2,000 items to help consumers save this holiday season Target Corporation announced it will reduce regular prices on more than 2,000 items across owned and national brands this holiday season. The move will help consumers save on items for holiday preparations and gifting, like toys, board games, beauty products, bath towels, snacks, beverages, frozen vegetables, cookies, ice cream, toilet paper, cough and cold medicine and more.