CEO Andy Jassy says Amazon's partnership with independent sellers is the most 'substantial collaboration in the history of retail'
Amazon reported: 'Amazon CEO Andy Jassy said consumers and independent sellers are "at the very top" of the list of customers whose lives Amazon tries to make better and easier every day, as he opened the annual Accelerate conference in Seattle. "I think our collaboration is probably the most compelling and substantial collaboration in the history of retail", Jassy said'.
Source: aboutamazon.com
US: UNFI workers in South Carolina are now Teamsters
The union movement at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) continues to gain momentum, as more than 50 drivers in Richburg, South Carolina, voted to join Teamsters Local 509. "UNFI offers competitive pay and benefits and safe working conditions to all associates", UNFI said in an emailed statement to Supermarket News.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: IGA & Flashfood partner to help independents reduce shrink & feed their communities
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) reported: "Through the partnership, IGA retailers can integrate Flashfood's digital platform into their stores, enabling them to sell fresh items including meat, produce, dairy, bakery, and center-store goods at significant discounts to shoppers via the Flashfood app. Customers browse and pay for these items on their phones, then pick them up in-store".
Source: corporate.iga.com
US: Wegmans to break ground on Charlotte location
Wegmans Food Markets Inc., is quietly preparing for a significant milestone. The regional grocer will mark its entry into the Charlotte, North Carolina, market area with a groundbreaking ceremony on September 24. Located on the mixed-use Ballantyne campus, this is an invitation-only event and not open to the general public.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
How baby wipes, toilet roll, eggs, and cucumbers became some of Amazon's most frequently purchased items in the UKAmazon reported: "Groceries - from household essentials and kitchen cupboard staples to fresh produce, dairy, and meat - are among the items most frequently purchased on Amazon's online stores in the UK. Amazon offers a broad selection of over 2mln grocery and household essentials in the UK, from everyday essentials like household and beauty items and non-perishable foods, to fresh produce, dairy, and meat, all with consistently low prices. In the first quarter of 2025, groceries and household essentials grew more than twice as fast as all other categories on Amazon in the UK and represented more than one out every three units sold".
Source: aboutamazon.co.uk
Lidl Belgium doesn't get out of the red
Lidl's sales in Belgium rose 3% last fiscal year to 3.24bln euros. That growth was not enough to make a profit: the loss amounted to 31.1mln euros, compared to 29.1mln a year earlier. Per 100 euros of revenue, Lidl loses 0.94 euros, calculated De Standaard, which was able to get its hands on internal figures. The operating loss was almost 12mln euros, an improvement of 1.5mln euros.
Source: retaildetail.eu
ALDI Australia recognised as the BEST supermarket for fresh and affordable fruit and vegetables for the FIFTH consecutive year
ALDI Australia reported: "Fresh produce is a staple in every Australian's diet (and grocery basket), and for another year consumers have voted ALDI as their favourite supermarket to buy, and enjoy, fresh fruit and vegetables from. Aussie shoppers gave ALDI pear-fect five-star scores for its fresh produce across four out of five categories, including beet-ing out rival retailers to the only five-star rating for freshness and value for money. Canstar Blue started the Most Satisfied Supermarket Fruits & Vegetables Award in 2021, and ALDI has been the clear favourite ever since. For the fifth year in a row, shoppers are choosing ALDI as the best place to buy their fresh fruit and vegetables".
Source: aldiunpacked.com.au
UK: Morrisons posts 11th straight quarter of growth despite 'significant cost headwinds'
Morrisons has reported a 3% rise in like-for-like sales for its third quarter, marking the grocer's 11th consecutive period of growth despite what it called "significant cost headwinds". The supermarket chain's total sales for the 13 weeks to 27 July were up 3.5% to £4bln, supported by double-digit growth in its online arm, which the retailer said made it the fastest growing online grocer in the market during the quarter.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Slovenia: SPAR reports growth in revenue in FY 2024
SPAR Slovenia has reported a 6.1% increase increase in revenue, to €1.174bln, in its financial year 2024 with a net profit of €18.7mln. Customer visits also grew by 1.8% and totalled 59.6mln purchases, averaging nearly 200,000 daily shoppers, according to the company. The company also invested in infrastructure, including a new fresh produce warehouse to enhance product availability and freshness. The retailer's new and renovated stores feature modern concepts, including specialised departments for butcher, delicatessen, fish, and a prominent fruit and vegetable section with local Slovenian products.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Amazon's cashless technology debuts in French lunch barFor the first time, Amazon's cashier-less "Just Walk Out" technology is making its way to France: the technology is premiering at Flunch's new lunch concept Faim in the heart of Lille.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Leading forecourt retailer Ascona Group extends partnership with Co-op Wholesale in new five-year deal
Co-op Wholesale reported: "Leading independent forecourt retailer Ascona Group has signed a new five-year contract with Co-op Wholesale, cementing a partnership that has grown significantly since it began in 2020. The agreement will see Co-op Wholesale continue to supply all 62 Ascona forecourts across the UK with grocery products, including access to Co-op's award-winning own-label range".
Source: coopwholesale.co.uk
UK: Supermarket sales up, but warnings that Christmas could be slower than in previous years
Latest data from NielsenIQ shows that Total Till sales at supermarkets in the UK grew 4.1% during the four weeks to 6th September, an improvement on the 3.7% uplift recorded the previous month.
Source: kamcity.com
Seven new store openings added to DESPAR Italia's retail network
Across August, DESPAR Italia saw seven new stores open across DESPAR and DESPAR Express formats, further growing the brand presence nationwide. With a new DESPAR supermarket in Trieste, there are now 30 DESPAR Italia branded stores in the province. The supermarket has over 3,500 products available instore as well as specialised departments such as fruit and vegetables, bakery, delicatessen, butcher, and pizzeria.
Source: spar-international.com
China: Founder Jack Ma returns to revive Alibaba
Jack Ma is making a comeback at Alibaba. The founder's return coincides with an acceleration in artificial intelligence and cloud technology as competitive pressures mount in China. The co-founder is again actively meddling in the e-commerce giant' s strategy, albeit without an official title, Bloomberg reports.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Lidl rule gives shoppers free crisps and vegetables but 'people aren't aware'Lidl is giving away free veg and multi-pack crisps with a hack anyone can do. Lidl is handing free vegetables and multi-pack crisps with a simple trick for shoppers at the bargain supermarket giant.
Source: birminghammail.co.uk