Inhouse team develops SA's first recyclable 7kg potato bags for Shoprite Group
The Shoprite Group reported: "The Shoprite Group is the first South African retailer to launch a fully recyclable 7kg potato pocket - solving a complex packaging problem that has challenged the industry for years".
Source: shopriteholdings.co.za
Belgium: Renovated Okay Assenede reopens on 21 May as a sustainable neighbourhood supermarket
On Wednesday 21 May, Okay Assenede, located in Trieststraat, will reopen its doors after a thorough renovation. "In the refreshed freshmart, it's easy to choose from our wide selection of fruit and vegetables, dairy, meat, charcuterie, fish and ready-made meals - fresh every day, just like you expect from Okay", says store manager Charléne Hebberecht.
Source: press.colruytgroup.com
Ireland: Tesco launches Stronger Starts Cooks programme
Tesco Ireland has launched Stronger Starts Cooks, a brand-new, free six-week programme aimed at supporting children's health and wellbeing. Stronger Starts Cooks builds on the success of the Stronger Starts Food programme, launched in 2021, which provides free weekly packs of fruit and veg to children in DEIS schools during school term.
Source: tescoireland.ie
UK: Poundland 'to be sold' for just £1 as hundreds of stores and jobs at risk
Thousands of jobs are feared to be at risk as troubled Poundland could be sold, somewhat ironically, for as low as £1 to investors amid an "increasingly difficult" landscape. Pepco said former Poundland managing director Barry Williams, who took over as managing director of Pepco in September 2023, will also return to his former role at Poundland ahead of a possible sale, the Times reported.
Source: mirror.co.uk
Four major supermarkets launch joint campaign to help fight hunger in the UK
Tesco reported: "On May 19th, the Let's make a meal of it campaign launches across four major supermarkets - one of the most ambitious retailer collaborations to date, to help fight hunger in the UK. It will also be supported by suppliers. Despite the supermarket sector being highly competitive, 4 retailers will partner up to launch a single campaign. It will go live at Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Tesco and Waitrose for 7-14 days. By partnering up, vegetable misfits are put into curries and distributed. Sweet potato 'rubble' produced in the dicing process are being rescued for soups or stews".
Source: tescoplc.com
Greenfood expands partnership with Lidl Sweden - launches 8 new seasonal products under the Greendeli brand
Greenfood continues to strengthen its collaboration with Lidl Sweden by expanding its ready meal assortment. Eight new summer-inspired products are now being launched under Greenfood's own brand, Greendeli. These products will be available in all Lidl stores across Sweden throughout the summer. The new products being launched are: Greendeli Pasta Pesto Salad in bowl (3x300g) Greendeli BBQ Chicken Salad in bowl (3x310g) Greendeli Wrap Caesar/Sweet Chili (4+4x275g) Greendeli Baguette Skagen/Chicken Curry (3+3x250g) Greendeli Mini Salad in cup: Greek Salad/Bean Salad (4+4x130g).
Source: greenfood.se
Power of collaboration on display at Sodexo's annual 'Partners with Purpose' supplier conference
Sodexo UK & Ireland welcomed 40 strategic supply partners to Brighton & Hove Albion's American Express Stadium for its third annual 'Partners with Purpose' conference. Service Excellence Supplier of the Year - Dole: Dole has consistently met high expectations around local sourcing and sustainability, providing rich provenance data and visual assets. Their standout support for a high-profile vegan event in Liverpool, sourcing produce within 10-15 miles enabled Sodexo to deliver exceptional food experiences under tight constraints.
Source: uk.sodexo.com
Lidl Ireland announces Ireland's First Net Zero Energy supermarket
Lidl Ireland has announced the investment of more than €10mln in the construction of Ireland's first Net Zero Energy supermarket, situated in Maynooth Co. Kildare. This first-of-its-kind Lidl store is set to make history as it aims to become the first BREEAM-accredited Net Zero Energy supermarket in Ireland, targeting an Outstanding rating, as recognised by the Irish Green Building Council.
Source: retailnews.ie
Fruit and veg consumption in England continues to stagnate
New data from the Office of Health Improvements and Disparities (OHID) shows that fruit and veg consumption in England remains stubbornly low, and deeply unequal. In 2023/24, just 31.3% of adults (16+) reported eating the recommended five portions of fruit and veg a day, a marginal improvement from 31% in 2022/23. Jonathan Pauling, CEO of Alexandra Rose Charity, commented: "For yet another year, the Government's own data shows little progress in people eating more fruit and veg. For families on low incomes, eating '5-a-day' now costs an extra 46p per person per day, a price many simply cannot afford. Improving access and affordability of fruit and veg for those on the lowest incomes must be a key focus of the Government's Food Strategy".
Source: alexandrarose.org.uk
UK: Summer price spike threat to key menu items, warns Lynx Purchasing
Hospitality operators face further pressure on profits this summer, with inflation expected to drive up prices on a range of core menu products, warns purchasing specialist Lynx Purchasing. Areas flagged up for concern in the Summer 2025 Lynx Purchasing Market Forecast include: Potatoes - potato prices have continued to increase, in the aftermath of extreme weather impacting both availability and quality of last year's crop. Operators who can use a broader range of varieties, without worrying too much about size and appearance, will be in the best position to make the most of available supplies.
Source: lynxpurchasing.co.uk
US: SpartanNash names Matt Plumb Vice President, Marketing, Retail Banners
Food solutions company SpartanNash® (the "Company") announced Matt Plumb has been named Vice President, Marketing, Retail Banners, effective immediately. "As we continue to build shopper loyalty and enhance the in-store and online experience for Family Fare®, D&W® Fresh Market, Martin's Super Markets and beyond, we want to showcase what our banners offer to fit each family's preferences", said SpartanNash Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Erin Storm.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Sales gains disguise a volatile produce market
Keeping the produce fresh, reducing shrink, and consistently providing value to customers are the top retail merchandising challenges, said Jeff Cady, vice present of produce & floral for Schenectady, New York-based Northeast Shared Services, operator of Price Chopper, Market 32, and Tops Friendly Markets banner stores. Tops is strengthening its produce merchandising by leveraging alluring product displays, selling fresh local produce when in season, staging fun promotions and contests, marketing high quality selections, providing online recipes and product data, and educating staffers on ways to keep produce looking attractive, Cady said. "We work hard to build trust with customers and being a promotional retailer is an advantage", he said, noting that Tops lowers the price on many fruits and vegetables throughout a season "so customers can afford to try different items without hurting their finances too badly".
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Grocery industry fights for SNAP as program faces massive cuts
The top trade organizations representing supermarkets are urgently calling attention to the importance of SNAP as a proposal that would slash the government assistance program's funding moves forward in Congress as part of a tax-cut megabill. As of February, more than 42mln people participate in SNAP, up 2% from the same time last year, according to the USDA.
Source: grocerydive.com