BMC’s survey of 12,000 online shoppers in US metropolitan areas found that sales leakage poses the real threat. Retailers like Amazon as well as club retailers, rack up 84% of online grocery trips. Even with the limited rollout of Amazon Fresh, Amazon is the dominant online seller of groceries, and the percentage of shoppers who have bought groceries from the retailer in the past 30 days has gone up by 25% since 2013. (fruitworldmedia.com) US: Supervalu takes another step in possible Save-A-Lot spin-off
Supervalu has renegotiated a $1.5bn term loan agreement — another necessary step if the grocery retailer spins off discount chain Save-A-Lot. The Eden Prairie-based Supervalu announced Monday that it completed the amendment of its loan agreement, which will allow the company to undertake transactions necessary for Save-A-Lot to become a separate company. (startribune.com)Lidl 'preparing various scenarios' to tackle possible Brexit
Lidl has revealed it is drawing up plans to protect itself from a potential Brexit scenario, just days after a trio of former supermarket bosses warned that leaving the EU would hit shoppers hard. But the firm - which announced in November that it would plough £1.5bn into opening and refurbishing stores over the next three years - said its "ongoing operations" would not be impacted, regardless of the final referendum result. "We are preparing various scenarios that will allow us to adapt to any potential consequences for our business. We will make sure that our ongoing operations remain unaffected, whatever the final outcome may be." (expressandstar.com) AU: Coles doubles ready meal range
Coles has reportedly significantly expanded its ready meal range, improved the quality of products and reduced prices, as it looks to expand the category and capitalise on the growth opportunity. (igd.com)South Korea: Emart Q1 sales rise and reveals expansion plans
South Korean’s leading retailer Emart has seen a 4.7% YoY increase in its Q1 sales to KRW3,361bn (US$ 2.8bn). The company has also outlined its strategic focus on smaller format stores, its online business and private label products in overseas markets. Emart has revealed plans to expand its private label range in overseas branches in China and Vietnam. It will also focus on increasing export of its private label products to retailers in the US, Europe and Oceania. (igd.com)Amazon Fresh rolls into burgeoning UK market
Amazon’s ‘virtual supermarket’ delivery brand Amazon Fresh is expected to roll out in the UK in May. According to business-to-business media reports in Britain’s retail grocery sector, the service, which has been active in the USA for seven years already, is undergoing a trial in East London. Asked to confirm the reports Amazon told journalists that they ‘did not respond to rumour and speculation.’ (techexec.com.au) Philippines: Robinsons posts robust Q1
Robinsons Retail in the Philippines has reported a strong Q1 with its sales increasing by 15%. Robinsons’ consolidated net sales for the first quarter has grown by 15.1% to PHP22.7bn (US$486m) from PHP19.7bn (US$420m), driven by a 9% increase in like-for-like sales across all formats, as well as the sales contribution of new stores. The company has also announced a partnership with HappyFresh to provide an online grocery delivery service. (igd.com)
Aldi cheapest in the Netherlands Aldi is the cheapest supermarket in the Netherlands, a survey carried out by KASSA shows. It's the fourth time in a row that Aldi tops the list of the cheapest supermarket.
US: ShopRite Supermarkets provided with lettuce from Terra Tech
Terra Tech Corp subsidiary Edible Garden has shipped its first nutritionally-enhanced lettuce to ShopRite Supermarkets. The lettuce was developed in partnership with Nutrasorb under the name SUPERLEAF, in conjunction with Rutgers University. (proactiveinvestors.com)Qatar: Safari Group launches Mango Festival 2016
Safari Hypermarket Group yesterday launched Mango Festival 2016 at its outlets across Qatar. The festival features over 60 varieties of the fruit from India, Pakistan, Brazil, Thailand, Ivory Coast, Sri Lanka, Yemen, Sudan and Bangladesh as well as mango-based products which are bakery and hot food items available at Safari Mall in Abu Hamour and Safari Hypermarket on Salwa Road. (thepeninsulaqatar.com)Taiwans biggest grocer to expand
Taiwan’s largest supermarket chain Pxmart has revealed an expansion plan by growing its store network from 855 to 1,000 stores by the end of next year. (igd.com)Candando opening 10 hypermarkets in Angola, focusing on domestic produce
The first Candando hypermarket, owned by Angolan group Contidis, has opened in the Avennida Shopping Mall in Luanda, Angola. The group has signed contracts with 15 domestic producers, which will provide 90% of vegetables and over 40% of fruit (totalling some 300 tons per month) to the store. (esmmagazine.com)
Malaysia: Aeon allocates RM650m for capexPlease, click here to read the article.
Auchan's growth strategy in China
Auchan is transferring some of its stores to RT-Mart and exploring the premium supermarket segment while further developing e-commerce business in China. Please, click here to read more.