US: Atlanta opens first city-run grocery store
Atlanta has opened its first city-run grocery store to help offset what it says is a food desert in the downtown area. The Atlanta supermarket, Azalea Fresh Market, is a collaboration among city officials, local organizations, the organic grocery chain Savi Provisions, and the Independent Grocers Alliance. The store is in the historic Olympia Building.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Walmart's latest AI innovations represent a shift for big retail
Retailers are working hard to keep consumer spending strong amid tariffs, inflation and other economic pressures. Walmart's new AI agent capabilities cater to shoppers no matter how they choose to do business with the nation's No. 1 retailer. The big-box giant has also leaned into physical and spatial AI, and specifically digital twins which are virtual copies of its stores and clubs.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Fareway ups store count
Fareway Stores continues to expand its footprint in the nation's heartland. The Iowa-based grocer recently completed the second conversion of a former Brother's Market location within the past month. Fareway welcomed shoppers to a Fareway in Denver, Iowa, north of Waterloo. The refreshed store features Fareway's signature full-service butcher counter, produce section stocked with an array of fruits and vegetables and center store aisles with pantry staples and everyday essentials.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Walmart recruits U.K. sellers to its online marketplace at U.K. Seller SummitWalmart invites U.K. and European businesses to sell to its customers in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Chile. Sellers will gain insights and hands-on support at the U.K. Seller Summit in London - with localized guidance for European sellers, deep dives into cross-border growth in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Chile, and breakout sessions featuring robust conversations, success stories and direct access to trusted solution providers.
Source: corporate.walmart.com
Irish shoppers take 37 minutes to do the "big shop" - new research reveals
New research has revealed that Irish shoppers spend an average of 37 minutes doing their "big shop" every week. The research, conducted by Bounce Insights on behalf of ALDI Ireland, surveyed more than 1,000 people; to find out how much time parents are spending on their shopping during the busy Back-to-School period. ALDI has shared its tips for shopping in store this Back-to-School season: "Watch out for special offers in store. Whether it's weekly special offers on meat, fresh fruit and vegetables, special seasonal promotions, ALDI's Too Good To Go €3 surprise bags, or marked-down prices on food approaching its best before date, shoppers can find great bargains and savings across stores".
Source: retailnews.ie
China: Alibaba Group announces June quarter 2025 results
Alibaba Group Holding Limited ("Alibaba" or "Alibaba Group") announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025: Revenue was RMB247,652mln (US$34,571mln), an increase of 2% year-over-year. Excluding revenue from the disposed businesses of Sun Art and Intime, revenue on a like-for-like basis would have grown by 10% year-over-year. Income from operations was RMB34,988mln (US$4,884mln), a decrease of 3% yearover-year, primarily due to the decrease in adjusted EBITA, partly offset by the decrease in amortization of intangible assets, non-cash share-based compensation expense, and a one-time provision in the same quarter last year.
Source: alibabagroup.com
UK: Waitrose taps Shopic tech as grocery retailer kicks off smart cart and frictionless payment trial
Waitrose & Partners has gone live with a pilot involving a Shopic AI and computer vision technology powered smart trolley. A trial is underway at the UK grocery retailer's Bracknell site. People must weigh loose produce at one of the store's in-aisle scales and scan the barcode.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Price cuts at Lidl Switzerland
Lidl Switzerland has permanently reduced the prices of more than 800 products since the beginning of the year, including those of popular items like coffee capsules and fresh produce. The prices of fruit and vegetables - like bananas, peppers, cucumbers and nectarines - have been reduced by up to 21%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
"Congratulations to Ocado Retail! Once again the fastest-growing UK grocer"
Ocado Group reported: "NielsenIQ notes that Ocado leads the pack, with growth continuing to outperform both stores and the wider online channel. Ocado has held the top spot for well over a year - a result of a continued focus on offering unbeatable choice, unrivalled service and reassuringly good value".
Source: linkedin.com
UK: Griffiths Forecourts signs new five-year agreement with Co-op Wholesale
Co-op Wholesale reported: "Family-run South Wales retailer Griffiths Forecourts has signed a new five-year supply agreement with Co-op Wholesale, reinforcing a long-term partnership built on trust, quality and shared values".
Source: coopwholesale.co.uk
UK: Social supermarket an alternative to food banks
A charity offering fresh fruit and vegetables at massively discounted prices have said their social supermarkets are a lifeline for struggling families. The Big Difference runs two shops in Southampton, with most of the goods donated by commercial supermarkets and food poverty charity Fareshare. Chief Executive Sanjay Mall said the charity worked with more than 26 schools and increasingly the parents they supported had been forced to go without meals themselves to feed their children. Unlike food banks, which often require a referral in the UK, Sanjay said the supermarket was "open to anyone who is struggling".
Source: bbc.com
Penny ends German delivery service
Penny, a subsidiary of REWE Group, is pulling the plug on its delivery service in Germany - a project launched during the 2021 coronavirus pandemic. Penny had initially partnered with Bringoo, and later with Wolt, focusing on large cities.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK competition watchdog begins initial probe into Greencore-Bakkavor deal
Britain's competition regulator launched an investigation into convenience food manufacturer Greencore's acquisition of peer Bakkavor, setting a deadline of October 27 for a decision. The Competition and Markets Authority had said in July that it was weighing a probe into whether the 1.2bln pound ($1.62bln) deal could affect competition in the country or in other markets.
Source: reuters.com