UK: New Morrisons Daily arrives in Castleford in partnership with Avon Retail
Morrisons reported: "Morrisons has opened a new Morrisons Daily store in Castleford, West Yorkshire to provide a fresh and affordable shopping experience to the local area. Avon Retail are taking on their largest franchise site yet, with their first Morrisons Daily store".
Source: morrisons-corporate.com
Ukraine: Varus.ua's turnover through Nova Poshta in H1 of 2025 up 1.61 times
Varus.ua's turnover through Nova Poshta delivery in the first half of 2025 grew 1.61 times compared to the same period in 2024, the supermarket chain's revenue increased by 18.1%, the chain's press service reported. According to the company, the turnover of the Varus supermarket chain increased by 18.1% compared to the first half of 2024. According to a press release, in July Varus received the first tranche of a loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development - almost UAH 630mln out of the total loan amount of over UAH 1bln. The remaining funds will be received by the end of the year as part of a project to improve food security worth UAH 2.2bln.
Source: interfax.com.ua
JD.com completes acquisition of Hong Kong's Kai Bo Food Supermarket, driving omnichannel retail growth
JD.com reported: "We at JD.com are excited to announce that we have completed the acquisition of KAI BO Food Supermarket, a cherished and trusted grocery chain in Hong Kong. This milestone marks a significant step in our journey to strengthen our presence in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area and expand into Hong Kong's vibrant retail scene. Known for its value-oriented commitment to consumers, KAI BO offers a wide variety of products, including frozen meats, fresh produce, and pantry staples".
Source: jdcorporateblog.com
Belgium: New Spar Colruyt Group store in Lanklaar opens on 11 September
On Thursday 11 September, a brand-new Spar Colruyt Group store will open its doors in the heart of Lanklaar. Spar Lanklaar will be a welcoming neighbourhood supermarket with three clear strengths: fresh, local and family-driven.
Source: colruytgroup.com
South Korea: Watermelon is the fruit most frequented by domestic consumers at large supermarkets this summer
Watermelon is the fruit most frequented by domestic consumers at large supermarkets this summer, a report showed. Watermelon, which has always been the "King of Summer Fruits", gave way to peaches for a while last year due to a lack of supply and returned. According to E-Mart's ranking of fruit sales sold at stores nationwide from last month to the 10th of this month, watermelon ranked first, peach ranked second, domestic grape ranked third, apple ranked fourth, and cherry ranked fifth.
Source: mk.co.kr
South Africa: How a woman-led garden turned into a lifeline for 200 people for Orange Farm community
The Shoprite Group reported: "What began as a determined response to unemployment and food insecurity in Orange Farm in Gauteng has grown into a thriving community-led farming initiative - thanks to the vision and leadership of Zama Ndlovu, the woman behind the Vukasechaba Massive Fresh Produce Co-op".
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
Eataly to inject €75mln for global expansion
Italian food marketplace Eataly has received the green light from its shareholders for a capital increase of up to €75mln to fuel its growth strategy. Half of the funds will be disbursed by 30 November 2025, and the remainder by 30 June 2026, according to media reports. The company plans to open new stores soon, with a focus on North America, including three new locations in Philadelphia, Toronto, and West Palm Beach by the end of the year.
Source: esmmagazine.com
US: Publix celebrates Cumming employee who shares birth year with the company
Publix in Cumming is honoring employee Ralph DeSimone, who was born in 1930, the same year the company was founded. DeSimone joined the store in 2016 after careers in technology and boat chartering. He enjoys connecting with younger co-workers and credits good food and exercise for his longevity.
Source: fox5atlanta.com
US: Stop & Shop to shutter seven delivery warerooms
Stop & Shop plans to close seven ecommerce delivery facilities this fall, a spokesperson for the retailer told Supermarket News. The retailer, a division of Ahold Delhaize, will continue to offer ecommerce services to local customers in those areas, and in fact it is planning to offer more options for same-day pickup and delivery, the spokesperson said. The warerooms include locations in Norwalk and Windsor, Connecticut; East Northport and Riverhead, New York; Revere and Whitman, Massachusetts; and North Providence, Rhode Island.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Grocery Outlet expands on both coasts
Independent owner/operators AdriAnna and Amarys Foley welcomed customers to their Grocery Outlet in Medford, New Jersey, on August 14. On other side of the country, another Grocery Outlet has reopened in Chico, California. Co-owner/operator Chris Hostettler, who has run a store since 2009, relocated the business to a space across the street at 2160 Pillsbury Road that previously housed a CVS Pharmacy.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Canada: La Bouffe Additionnelle faces fruit and vegetable shortage 
For the past three weeks, the regular food deliveries to La Bouffe Additionelle from the Moisson Sud-Ouest have included very few fruits and vegetables. The food pantry relies heavily on the regional food bank for fresh produce, explains La Bouffe Additionnelle director Marine Mailloux. "Right now, it's very sparse", she says, noting their shelves are empty. Mailloux says that she and her staff have resorted to buying fruit and vegetables at grocery stores to ensure their food baskets include a minimum of fresh produce.
Source: the-gleaner.com
US: Publix continues to put its stamp on KentuckyPublix plans to open three new supermarkets in Kentucky as the Florida-based grocery chain continues its ongoing expansion in the Bluegrass State. The stores, in the cities of Georgetown, Louisville and Owensboro, will all span approximately 50,000 square feet, and the Georgetown and Owensboro locations will each sit next to a Publix Liquors location. The Georgetown store, set for Elkhorn Village Center, will be the first Publix location in that city, WKYT reported, while the location Publix plans to open at Yellow Banks Square in Owensboro will be the chain's second location in that city, Publix spokesperson Jared Glover said in a statement. The Publix in Louisville's Blankenbaker Plaza is slated to be Publix's fourth location in Kentucky's largest municipality.
Source: grocerydive.com
US: Veggie-flation strikes, with a warning for grocery prices
Axios reported: "The U.S. economy has a vegetable problem, and it's not just "broccoli refusal" either - wholesale prices for fresh veggies soared by a record amount last month, foreshadowing a possible spike at the grocery store soon".
Source: axios.com
Canada: Whole Foods to close two Toronto stores, open a new location next year
Whole Foods Market will close its Yonge & Sheppard and Leaside stores in Toronto by August 22, but the grocer remains committed to expanding its footprint in Canada. A Whole Foods Market spokesperson: "We are actively exploring new sites to expand our footprint in Canada and look forward to opening more stores, including a new Toronto location on King Street West, which is expected to open next year".
Source: canadiangrocer.com