New Zealand: Commerce Commission welcomes enhanced focus on competition
The Commerce Commission reported: "The Commerce Commission welcomed the government's announcement that it will update the Commerce Act with measures to enhance competition, including to deter creeping acquisitions and predatory pricing, and make changes to the Commission's governance structure to support its growing role".
Source: comcom.govt.nz
UK: Aldi warns food prices may rise if Budget lifts costs
The boss of Aldi has warned that any measures in the Budget that further increase costs on employers could lead to higher food prices. Aldi UK chief executive Giles Hurley said the impact of last year's National Insurance rise and the cost of new packaging rules had already "rippled through to prices on the shelf edge".
Source: bbc.com
France: Auchan restructures organisation around "living zones"
French supermarket group Auchan is redistributing its organisational structure into "living zones" instead of traditional geographical demarcations. This should create more autonomous and profitable areas.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Tesco win most share, Ocado fastest growing
Kantar reported: "Tesco won more market share than any other grocer in the 12 weeks to 7 September 2025, now accounting for 28.4% of all sales, up 0.8 percentage points compared to a year ago. Britain's largest grocer saw growth across all channels, with spending up 7.7% - its highest rate since December 2023. Ocado was once again the fastest growing retailer, with sales rising by 11.9%. It outpaced the wider online market which was up by 8.2% over the 12 weeks".
Source: kantar.com
New Zealand: Foodstuffs says harsh winter sent some veg prices higher, but olive oil continued to slide
The Foodstuffs grocery co-ops say winter's harsh weather had a flow-on effect for customers in August, with some vegetable prices well up on last year, as others saw double-digit price falls. Foodstuffs NZ Managing Director Chris Quin says there was added upward pressure domestically due to the effects of the colder, wetter June and July months compared to 2024's milder winter, with green cabbages and broccoli up +78% and +76%, respectively. "This winter has certainly knocked the leafy greens and brassicas around, with green cabbages the priciest they've been in years, even rivalling cauliflower at up to $8. Our produce specialists say they're all now growing more quickly as the soil warms up and light levels increase. August was a good month for orange kumara and green kiwifruit prices, down -15% and -12% respectively, while canned tuna fell -10%. It was also the third consecutive month of cheaper olive oil, down -22% on last year now that supply out of Europe has rebounded".
Source: foodstuffs.co.nz
Lidl France names new executive director of customer relations
Lidl France has appointed Jassine Ouali as its new executive director of customer relations. Ouali will also join the discounter's executive committee. Lidl, which has 1,600 supermarkets across France, is planning a significant expansion in 2025, with approximately 30 new-store openings and 20 store transfers.
Source: esmmagazine.com
SPAR Oman opens in Al Amerat
SPAR Oman has announced the grand opening of its supermarket, located in the vibrant community of Al Amerat. The new store is designed to deliver a Value Shopping Experience that combines freshness, convenience, variety, and affordability. From locally sourced fruits, vegetables, and seafood to fresh bakery delights, the store aims to make every visit rewarding.
Source: blackandwhiteoman.com
How the Belgian government wants to fight cross-border shoppingBelgian Finance Minister Jan Jambon wants to make the phenomenon of cross-border shopping less attractive. "By reducing excises, you can increase revenue", he says. "Along the French border there are a lot of people who go shopping just across the border, for example at Auchan. Our excises are so high that products are cheaper there", Jambon told Belgian broadcaster VRT.
Source: retaildetail.eu
ALDI direct to your door: ALDI celebrates roll-out of DoorDash partnership delivering groceries coast to coastALDI Australia reported: 'New South Wales became the final state to switch on, meaning shoppers can order from more than 1,800 products including award-winning fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, seafood, dairy, bread and household essentials direct to their doors. "Our partnership with DoorDash is a game changer, truly transforming the different ways people can shop with us. Through DoorDash, shoppers can get their hands on ALDI's exclusive range of top notch products at everyday low prices at the click of a button", said Simon Padovani-Ginies, Group Director at ALDI Australia'.
Source: aldiunpacked.com.au
Instaleap and Wolt agree tie up that aims to simplify marketplace fulfilment for supermarkets
Instaleap, an e-commerce and logistics specialist, has partnered with local commerce platform Wolt to enable direct-to-consumer sales and delivery for supermarkets through a single platform. "By partnering with Wolt, we're helping supermarkets turn complexity into efficiency", says Damia Villatoro, CEO of EMEA at Instaleap. "Our native integration ensures Wolt orders are prepared alongside direct orders, allowing retailers to deliver faster and operate smarter".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Brazil: Advent in talks to buy Sonda supermarket chain in R$3.5bln deal
Valor International reported: "Private equity firm Advent is in advanced talks to acquire the Sonda supermarket chain, Valor has learned. The transaction, if finalized, could be one of the largest food retail deals in Brazil in recent years and may serve as the foundation for an Advent-led platform in the grocery sector. People familiar with the matter said the deal could reach R$3.5bln, based on projected gross revenue of R$6.5bln in 2025".
Source: valorinternational.globo.com
US: Walmart embraces the future of retail
Evan Gaetano, senior manager of grocery e-commerce, told Progressive Grocer that the wider use of e-commerce isn't just about convenience, but it's actually also shaping the future of how Americans eat. "Most people still don't know what's for dinner by 4 p.m. - and that's not a problem; it's a chance to lead", he explained. "With Dinner Tonight, we're reimagining what grocery can be in a digital world: faster, smarter and centered around real-life customer moments".
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: ShopRite opens state-of-the-art store in Staten Island
ShopRite marked the opening of its newest state-of-the-art supermarket on Sunday, September 14, in Evergreen Plaza at 100 Greaves Lane in the New York City borough Staten Island, with a 9 a.m. ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by local officials and store associates. The store offers a Produce Department stocked with an assortment of organic and locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Target is ready to open 7 new stores this fall
Target announced it will be opening seven new stores this fall in Arizona, California, Florida, Nebraska, South Carolina, Texas and Virginia. The Minneapolis-based retailer said six of the new stores will lean into larger footprints at over 140,000 square feet.
Source: supermarketnews.com