Ocado Retail CEO, Hannah Gibson, reassured stakeholders that the relationship with shareholder Marks & Spencer remains strong, emphasizing their continued collaboration over the past year. This statement came after the joint venture provided an update on Christmas trading, indicating positive growth. The partnership between Ocado Retail and M&S continues to flourish, driving success in the competitive UK online supermarket sector.
In a bid to promote healthy eating habits, UK-based retailer One Stop has launched a charitable initiative called ‘Fruities & Veggies’. This campaign aims to raise awareness among families and younger customers about the benefits of consuming a variety of fruits and vegetables. Partnering with food redistribution charity FareShare, One Stop seeks to educate and inspire customers to make healthier choices while supporting a good cause.
Meanwhile, in Belgium, concerns have arisen among Cora employees following the sale of Delfood by the louis delhaize group. The uncertainty surrounding the future of the remaining Cora hypermarkets and their staff has raised questions within the trade union SetCa. With rumors of potential divestment circulating, the union seeks clarity and transparency from louis delhaize management to address the concerns of affected employees.
The Groceries Code Adjudicator (GCA) in the UK has launched its annual survey, inviting feedback from suppliers who have dealt with the 14 designated retailers. This survey, conducted by independent polling company YouGov, provides suppliers with a confidential platform to share their experiences and concerns with the GCA. The feedback gathered from this survey will contribute to improving the relationship between suppliers and large retailers in the groceries sector.
On a positive note, Booths, known as the ‘Waitrose of the North’, celebrated record Christmas sales with significant growth in various departments. The upmarket chain reported a surge in retail sales during the festive period, highlighting the success of their strategic approach. Booths’ commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has solidified its position as a leading supermarket in the Northern region.
In Spain, Carrefour and Just Eat have expanded their partnership to offer rapid delivery services, providing customers with access to a wide range of products within 30 minutes. This collaboration aims to enhance the shopping experience for consumers by delivering convenience and efficiency in the grocery retail sector.
Looking ahead to 2025, a report from IGD outlines six key trends that are expected to shape the future of the grocery sector in the UK and Europe. These trends include optimizing retail fundamentals, exploring new revenue streams, enhancing store formats, embracing connected commerce, prioritizing health and wellness products, and accelerating sustainability commitments. Retailers are urged to adapt and innovate in response to these evolving trends to stay competitive in the dynamic market landscape.
Furthermore, Oddbox, a wonky veg box service, has launched a campaign highlighting the sustainability issues in the food system and the impact of supermarkets’ aesthetic standards. By challenging the notion of ‘odd produce’, Oddbox aims to shed light on the need for a more sustainable and inclusive approach to food production and consumption.
In the US, online grocery sales experienced a significant growth spurt in December, with a 19% year-over-year increase in monthly sales. This surge in online shopping reflects changing consumer preferences and the increasing demand for convenient and flexible grocery shopping options.
Walmart unveiled a new logo, marking the first redesign in nearly 20 years, as a nod to the company’s heritage and founder’s legacy. The updated brand identity reflects Walmart’s commitment to innovation and customer-centric values in the evolving retail landscape.
With a focus on fresh ingredients and healthy meal solutions, Kroger shared a guide on building the perfect bowl recipe, offering customers a convenient and nutritious dining option. This initiative underscores Kroger’s dedication to providing quality products and promoting healthy eating habits among consumers.
In Finland, SPAR International signed a license agreement with Tokmanni Oy, aiming to enhance the SPAR concept in the Finnish market and offer customers a wide range of quality products. This collaboration will strengthen Tokmanni’s fresh food business under the SPAR brand, aligning with the company’s commitment to providing superior products and services to customers.
In Mexico, Amazon Web Services (AWS) announced the launch of the AWS Mexico (Central) Region, signaling a long-term investment of over $5 billion in the country. This infrastructure expansion will enhance AWS’s services and support the growing demand for cloud computing solutions in Mexico.
ReposiTrak and Upshop formed a strategic partnership to enable traceability in grocery retail by integrating their technology platforms. This collaboration will streamline traceability data from the supply chain to the retail store, offering a comprehensive solution for end-to-end traceability in the grocery sector.
Overall, these developments reflect the dynamic and evolving landscape of the global grocery retail industry, with companies adapting to changing consumer preferences, technological advancements, and sustainability initiatives to stay competitive and meet the evolving needs of customers.
