Global SPAR network promotes food loss and waste reduction
SPAR International reported: "On the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW), the SPAR brand reaffirms its commitment to reducing food waste across its global operations. IDAFLW 2025 has been identified as an opportunity to emphasise the importance of waste reduction as a critical element of securing a sustainable food future for all".
Source: spar-international.com
Romania: PENNY opens a store in Afumați, Ilfov county and reaches 427 stores nationwide
Discount Retail Chain PENNY, owned by German REWE, expands in Ilfov County by opening a new store in Afumați, located on Bucharest-Urziceni Road no. 223A. The PENNY network in Romania reaches 427 stores opened nationwide. Customers find in the store an extensive area for fresh products and private labels.
Source: discountretailconsulting.com
Ecommerce in Europe grows 7%
Online consumer spending in Europe grew by 7% last year, reaching 819bln euros. For this year, industry associations Ecommerce Europe and EuroCommerce expect another 7% growth. Online spending is growing particularly strongly in Eastern Europe.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
UK: Aldi launches new gut friendly juice drinks for just £1.79
Aldi reported: "For a fruity treat with a nutritional kick, shoppers can pick up Aldi's NEW The Juice Company Dragon Fruit & Raspberry Juice Drink. For a blend that's delicious right down to the core, Aldi's NEW The Juice Company Apple & Elderflower Functional Juice Drink blends crisp apple with delicate elderflower for an irresistibly refreshing sip. The benefits also apply to the third flavour where exotic pineapple and zingy lime collide - The Juice Company Pineapple & Lime Functional Juice Drink".
Source: aldipresscentre.co.uk
Belgium: Comeos appoints new CEO
Trade federation Comeos has found a new CEO: on Wednesday, Pascal De Greef will take the reins as Dominique Michel's successor. De Greef (53) has built a career across retail, logistics and services.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Shopopop and Carrefour ramp up last mile crowdshipping partnership in stores around Europe
European co-delivery service Shopopop is expanding its Carrefour collaboration to include 1,000+ stores. In a LinkedIn post, Antonie Truong, Head of Expansion at Shopopop, said: "When we say innovation drives our clients' businesses, we mean it: we will soon have +1,000 Carrefour stores completing last mile deliveries with us throughout Europe".
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Australia: Major milestone reached as OzHarvest and Woolworths partnership hits 100mln meals for those in need
Woolworths Group reported: "OzHarvest and Woolworths have achieved a significant milestone, providing the equivalent of 100mln meals to Australians in need through their long-standing food rescue partnership. The partnership sees OzHarvest rescue quality edible surplus food from Woolworths supermarkets and distribution centres, helping to feed people across the country".
Source: woolworthsgroup.com.au
UK: Co-op grows 'on-the-go' micro-stores with latest launch
The Co-op has opened the second of its new micro-store concept, in Altrincham, Greater Manchester. Sited in the town's vibrant Stamford Quarter, Co-op's 'on the go' concept focuses on serving the growing consumer demand for 'food-on-the-go', offering breakfast, lunch and dinner in formats ranging from traditional meal deals to a hot food serve-over counter and deli-inspired selections.
Source: talkingretail.com
Italy: Discounters want city centers but Lidl accelerates
Discount retail chain Lidl Italy will open its first store closer to a city center between the end of October-the beginning of November in Via Solari, in Milan. Also in the Lombard capital, further openings are planned in similar areas throughout 2026 and a similar expansion will take place in Rome, where the discount brand is currently present in a central area such as via Lega Lombarda. At the same time, it will continue in the same direction in urban hubs of different sizes, compared to Milan and Rome, ranging from Genoa to Bari, from Naples to Turin.
Source: discountretailconsulting.com
China pledges to strengthen supervision of online food delivery sector
China's market regulator said it will strengthen regulatory supervision of the country's "booming" online food delivery industry and will promote a national management standard, according to a statement published on its website.
Source: reuters.com
Spain: Alcampo intensifies measures to combat food waste
Alcampo focuses on improving the handling and preservation of fresh produce through best practices, specific protocols, and extensive staff training, which includes more than 70% of its workforce.
Source: esmmagazine.com
South Africa: R268bln retail giant taking on Shoprite, Pick n Pay and SPAR
South Africa's formal independent retail and wholesale sector is a R268bln juggernaut, with it increasingly becoming an attractive shopping destination for households. "Independent wholesale is key to the economy because it is the supply chain that feeds the informal market, from tuckshops and spazas to schools and midi-wholesalers", Unitrade Management Services (UMS) CEO Jad Pereira said.
Source: discountretailconsulting.com
Casino Group Communication
Casino Group reported: "On 24 September 2025 Sendas Distribuidora S.A. ("Assaí") announced via a press release that it had submitted a request for a provisional measure requesting, among others, the unavailability of the shares of Companhia Brasileira de Distribuição - GPA ("GPA") held by Casino group. This precautionary measure would have been filed ahead of the initiation of an arbitration procedure against Casino Guichard Perrachon S.A. and Segisor (together, "Casino") and GPA. As of the date hereof, Casino has not been notified of the aforementioned proceedings and, therefore, does not have any information regarding the provisional measure requested by Assaí. In any case, Casino states that it will take all necessary measures to assert its interests".
Source: groupe-casino.fr
Costco opens 35 new locations after strong year
Costco accelerates its expansion with 35 new locations in fiscal year 2026 and simultaneously reports strong revenue growth in both the fourth quarter and for the entire past year.
Source: retaildetail.eu
US: Robért Fresh Market acquires Langenstein's in New Orleans
Langenstein's, which describes itself as the oldest family-run supermarket company in New Orleans, has a new owner. Robért Fresh Market, another local independent, has agreed to acquire the three-unit Langenstein's chain and plans to convert the stores to the Robért Fresh Market banner, the companies said.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Raley's moves to reduce food waste
The Raley's Companies has joined forces with circular-economy company Divert Inc. to address food insecurity and advance a circular food system in the grocery retailer's market area of California and Nevada by reducing wasted food in Raley's stores and boosting donations.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
US: Lidl to open trio of new stores in OctoberLidl US continues to make the growth of its store base a top priority as it gets ready to open three new stores along the East Coast. The three stores, which will all debut on October 22, are located at: 2904 Prince William Parkway, Woodbridge, Virginia; 2570 Central Park Avenue, Yonkers, New York; 1090 Northside Drive NW, Atlanta.
Source: progressivegrocer.com