US: Vallarta Supermarkets expanding fresh food innovation
Vallarta Supermarkets has implemented Logile Inc.'s Fresh Item Management suite across the Hispanic grocery store chain, bringing intelligent automation and streamlined execution to its locations. As one of the first retailers to adopt Logile's fresh production technology, Vallarta played a key role in developing and honing these solutions to meet the needs of a high-volume grocery environment in a single centralized platform.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Kroger laying off 1,000 corporate employees
The Kroger Co. is laying off nearly 1,000 corporate administrative employees, a company spokesperson confirmed to Progressive Grocer. The move comes as Kroger makes structural changes to its administrative teams across the United States in a bid to set the organization up for continued success.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Grupo Mateus outperforms Brazilian retail market in second quarter
Brazil's Grupo Mateus reported a net profit of R$343.5mln (€54.8mln) in the second quarter of its financial year 2025, reflecting a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. The wholesaler and retailer reported 15% second-quarter revenue growth of R$8.8bln (€1.4bln), primarily driven by a 6.1% rise in same-store sales, outpacing the broader retail sector in Brazil and the Northeast. Cash-and-carry contributed R$5.5bln (€872mln), up 16.3% year-on-year, to overall revenue, while supermarkets accounted for R$2.1bln (€333mln), a growth of 4.3%.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Kimelo joins forces with Pepper
Pepper reported: "Pepper, the AI-powered revenue platform for distributors, has acquired Kimelo, a vertical distribution toolset for distributors. Together, the companies will deliver greater value to customers, expand opportunities for employees, and efficiently scale in the foodservice distribution industry".
Source: businesswire.com
Walmart unveils new seller capabilities and tools, growth initiatives and next-level omnichannel opportunities at Marketplace Seller Summit
Walmart reported: "At this year's Let's Grow! Marketplace Seller Summit, Walmart introduced new AI-powered tools and seller incentives to help sellers grow faster, operate more efficiently and reach more customers. They also announced expanded Next-Day Delivery in major metros and enhanced omnichannel opportunities - including showcasing Marketplace items in-store".
Source: corporate.walmart.com
Albertsons® Companies appoints Sunil Gopinath as CEO of Albertsons Companies India
Albertsons® Companies, Inc. announced the appointment of Sunil Gopinath as Chief Executive Officer of Albertsons Companies India, the company's new global technology and innovation center located in Bengaluru.
Source: businesswire.com
EU-US trade agreement: A welcome pause, but strategic action is urgent
Christel Delberghe, Director General of EuroCommerce reported: "The EU-US trade agreement reached on 28 July offers a much-needed pause in escalating tensions. The replacement of threatened 30% tariffs with a 15% levy on most goods provides European retailers and wholesalers with short-term predictability. However, this is not a resolution - it is damage control. The new tariffs primarily target intermediate goods, inevitably driving up final product prices. Retailers and wholesalers, already operating on tight margins and bound by long-term contracts, face mounting pressure to absorb these costs without passing them on to consumers".
Source: eurocommerce.eu
New Zealand: Express lane for new supermarkets
The Government will remove barriers preventing competitor supermarkets from launching or expanding in New Zealand with a series of urgent legislative and policy changes Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis says. "We're creating an express lane for new supermarkets to boost competition and deliver better deals for Kiwi shoppers".
Source: beehive.govt.nz
UK: Last-minute deal sees Poundland saved but online store to close
Poundland has narrowly avoided administration after the High Court approved a major restructuring plan, but the discount chain has confirmed several stores across the country - as well as its online store and customer loyalty app - will be shut down as part of the shake-up. The rescue package will inject up to £60mln into the retailer, alongside a new £30mln overdraft facility and extended loan repayment deadlines.
Source: businesscloud.co.uk
Australia: Woolworths profits slump 19% on a tough trading period
Retail giant Woolworths Group has announced profits have fallen on the back of weak performance out of its supermarket and Big W brands. The nation's largest retailer posted a 1.7% lift in full-year revenue to $69.08bln, but normalised profits dragged 17.1% to $1.39bln. Underlying profits posted were down 19% on the back of slower than expected sales through its food division. Its supermarket division showed Australians spent $51.45bln at the supermarket, up 3.1%, but profits also dropped double digits.
Source: news.com.au
Carrefour enters DR Congo as part of African push
Carrefour is accelerating its African expansion with the opening of a first store in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in its capital Kinshasa. Additional openings will follow this year - including in Lubumbashi, the country's second city. A second store in the capital should open in October, Carrefour told LSA.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Belgium: Revamped Okay City Elsene/Ixelles reopens on 29 August as sustainable city supermarket
On Friday 29 August, the Okay City at Hogeschoollaan in Elsene / Avenue de l'Université Ixelles will reopen its doors following a major refurbishment. "Our freshmart has been moved to the front of the store and now looks very fresh and modern", explains City manager Aurélien Nys. "For example, it is now even easier to choose from our wide range of fruits and vegetables, dairy, meat, charcuterie (deli meats) fish and ready-to-eat meals".
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
From AI to cybersecurity, engineering and analytics, many roles in UK food and drink industry are going unnoticed
Sarah Bradbury, CEO, IGD, comments: "The food and drink industry is one of the UK's most dynamic and largest private sector employers, offering incredible careers which are professional, varied, high tech, and well paid. Through our cross-industry Mmmake Your Mark campaign, we want to bridge this knowledge gap and showcase to parents, career advisors and young people the rewarding careers available in our industry."
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Serbia to cap retail revenues at 20%
Serbia will limit retail and wholesale trade margins to a maximum of 20% and reduce commercial rebates to 10% on approximately 3,000 products across 23 product groups. In the food category it will encompass legumes, rice, salty confectionery, soft drinks, vegetables, fruits, frozen products, vinegar, pasta, frozen fish, semolina, all types of flour, dairy products, eggs, sweet confectionery, all types of oils, bread and pastries, meat and meat products, processed fruits and vegetables (jams, etc.), spices.
Source: esmmagazine.com
China: Aldi's rival Lidl has Chinese apprentices
Discount retail chain Lidl has not opened a physical store in China, but has welcomed its first Chinese apprentice. Beijing-based retailer Wumart Group recently unveiled its new hard discount supermarket format. Wumart X Super Value, with six stores opening simultaneously across the capital, aiming to attract consumers seeking low prices and high-frequency essentials amid a broader shift toward value-driven retail. The total number of products is controlled within 1,300, 60% of which are private-label products, focusing on six categories: fruits and vegetables, fresh meat and fish, baking, in-out, fresh food, and groceries.
Source: discountretailconsulting.com