US: H-E-B names COO Roxanne Orsak its first female president
H-E-B Chief Operating Officer Roxanne Orsak will become the grocer's president and COO in 2026, the company announced. Orsak, the first female president in the grocer's 120-year history, succeeds Craig Boyan, who had previously announced his plans to retire after 20 years in leadership at the Texas grocery chain.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: How Thrive Market uses tech to make online ordering easy and fast
The U.S. is embracing a health food trend, but how are grocers helping shoppers make healthier choices? Nick Green, CEO and co-founder of Thrive Market, discussed the company's journey - begun a decade ago - during Groceryshop 2025 at the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Jennifer Garner's baby food company Once Upon a Farm files for IPO on NYSE
Once Upon a Farm, the baby food company co-founded by actor Jennifer Garner, filed for IPO under the ticker "OFRM" on the NYSE. Goldman Sachs and J.P. Morgan are acting as joint lead underwriters.
Source: cnbc.com
DoorDash unveils DashMart Fulfillment Services: A new model for retail growth
DoorDash reported: "DoorDash announced DashMart Fulfillment Services, a new way for retailers to strengthen the reach of their products and gain visibility with potential new customers. The model uses DoorDash's network of DashMart locations to handle the entire process, from inventory management, picking, packing, and delivery by Dashers".
In other news: DoorDash unveils Dot, the delivery robot powered by its autonomous delivery platform to accelerate local commerce.
Source: about.doordash.com
Lidl U.S.'s journey included being stripped down and built back up
Bringing a grocery retailer over from Europe and making it work in the U.S. isn't easy, but Joel Rampoldt, CEO of Lidl U.S., has managed to develop a go-forward strategy since his arrival in 2023. Rampoldt spoke at Groceryshop 2025 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas about that journey.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Simbe for Merchants suite offers retailers chain-wide visibility
Simbe Robotics Inc. introduced Simbe for Merchants, a suite including "realograms" - automatically generated, to-scale diagrams of what's actually on shelves - along with real-time planogram dashboards and chain-wide visibility into product placement and availability.
Source: therobotreport.com
UK: His Majesty The King meets charities who have benefited from landmark £50mln raised through the sales of Waitrose Duchy Organic
Waitrose reported: "His Majesty The King met representatives and beneficiaries from a range of charities to mark a significant landmark in the partnership between the King Charles III Charitable Fund and Waitrose Duchy Organic. In the gardens of Clarence House, His Majesty joined a reception to celebrate the £50mln contribution to good causes raised from global sales of Waitrose Duchy Organic products since 2009".
Source: johnlewispartnership.media
Holland: Retail turnover up by almost 4% in August
Statistics Netherlands (CBS) reports that retail turnover was 3.6% higher in August 2025 than in August 2024. Turnover in shops selling food, beverages and tobacco was up by 3.9% in August, year on year. Sales volume was 0.3% higher. Turnover in supermarkets was up by 4.6%, while turnover in specialty shops was down by 0.6%.
Source: cbs.nl
Ayala Group to bring UAE's Spinneys to the Philippines
The Ayala Group announced a partnership agreement with Spinneys 1961 Holdings PLC. to open premium grocery stores in the Philippines, marking the retailer's first expansion outside of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Source: gmanetwork.com
SPAR Slovenia expands and modernises its store network
SPAR Slovenia continues to invest in modern retail experiences and sustainable practices. The retailer has modernised the INTERSPAR hypermarket in Ljubljana's Citypark shopping centre and the SPAR Magdalena Supermarket in Maribor, while also opening new franchise stores in Šentjur and Kozje. In Maribor, the fruit and vegetable section is placed at the front of the supermarket and also features products from Slovenian producers.
Source: spar-international.com
Fruitful lessons: Lidl gives over 200,000 pupils a 'vegucation' in how to eat healthierLidl GB reported: "Lidl GB launches second year of flagship healthy eating programme after more than 60% of teachers said pupils are eating more fruit and veg as a result of discounter's lesson plans. Lidl encouraging even more schools to join Year Two of Lidl Foodies and benefit from free lesson plans, interactive resources and funding to bring fresh fruit and veg into the classroom with the first 750 schools to register receiving a £100 Lidl gift card".
Source: corporate.lidl.co.uk
Picadeli expands with more salad bars along French motorways
Greenfood Group reported: "Demand for healthy food on the go continues to rise. Picadeli is now taking the next step in France by winning a new three-year contract with TotalEnergies, one of and Europe's largest operators of service and fuel stations along motorways".
Source: greenfood.se
M&S enlists TMX Transform for one of the UK's largest automated food distribution centres
TMX Transform has partnered with Marks & Spencer on the development of one of the UK's largest automated national distribution centre's (NDC), a 1.3mln sq ft facility at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT).
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
UK: Iceland and Stuart claim industry first as they launch scheduled same day delivery service
Last mile solutions specialist Stuart has announced a new partnership with UK supermarket chain Iceland. The pair are laying claim to a first of its kind same-day scheduled delivery offering in the UK grocery market.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Swiss Retail Federation demands urgent deregulation
The Swiss retail industry is facing significant challenges from geopolitical instability, declining consumer confidence, a surge in cross-border shopping, and an excessive regulatory burden, the Swiss Retail Federation has said.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Greece: First supermarket without staff opens in Nea Smyrni
The first supermarket store that operates without staff has arrived in Greece. This first autonomous organized food retail store under the Smartshop brand does not belong to any of the domestic supermarket chains, but to Core Innovations, a subsidiary of the Motor Oil group.
Source: ekathimerini.com
Lidl unveils largest logistics hub in SpainLidl has officially opened its new logistics platform in Martorell, Barcelona, its largest logistics investment to date in Spain. The €140mln facility significantly bolsters Lidl's operational capacity in northeastern Spain, supporting its ongoing expansion plan to open more stores and enhance customer proximity.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: One Stop launches improved fresh range
One Stop has launched a major reset of its chilled food range to meet changing customer needs. Prepared vegetables such as sliced leeks and cauliflower & broccoli florets have also been added, alongside seasonal lines including Brussels sprouts and parsnips.
Source: slrmag.co.uk
Belgium: Spar Colruyt Group Heverlee reopens on Thursday 9 October after major refurbishment
Colruyt Group reported: "Spar Heverlee is fully committed to fresh and quality. The main highlights include: A wide and fresh selection of fruit and vegetables. Freshly risen and baked bread rolls, baguettes and other breads daily. A diverse assortment of groceries".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com