Jan 22, 2025

Rohlik Group's Vineta Bajaj talks global expansion, automation, Amazon tie ups and fund raising This January marks two years since Vineta Bajaj joined European e-grocery retailer Rohlik Group as Chief Financial Officer. Her appointment followed a ten-year stint at Ocado Group. Within a week of Knuspr.de going live in its Berlin site Amazon announced it was closing its Amazon Fresh offer in Germany from mid-December leaving Knuspr.de as the supplier. By early December, Knuspr had also gone live on Amazon in Munich and Frankfurt in addition to Berlin. Carrefour the best performer in France in December 2024 Carrefour outperformed the rest of the French grocery market in December, new data from Kantar has revealed. Carrefour saw its value market share rise by 2.4 percentage points, to 22%, in the so-called P13 period, driven by a strong performance across its hypermarkets, online and proximity channels. Asda appoints new Chief Supply Chain Officer Asda has announced that David Lepley will join its Executive team as Chief Supply Chain Officer, to lead its food and general merchandise supply operations. David joins from Morrison's where he was the Executive Group Operations Director. Expansion earns Albert Heijn market share growth despite tobacco ban Albert Heijn saw its market share grow in both the Netherlands and Belgium. The negative impact of the tobacco ban was more than offset by the acquisition of Jan Linders. Albert Heijn's Dutch market share rose from 36.8% in 2023 to 37.7% in 2024, NielsenIQ data point out. Organic fruit and vegetable sales were up 16%. UK: New Riverford research uncovers potential cost of consumers sticking to familiar veg New research from organic veg box company Riverford reveals that nearly half (47%) of Brits admit they rarely try new fruit and vegetables. 45% try to eat a variety but end up sticking to familiar favourites, with carrots, potatoes, and broccoli dominating British plates. Top 10 Veg for Families: 1. Carrots; 2. Potatoes; 3. Broccoli; 4. Mushrooms; 5. Onions; 6. Cauliflower; 7. Brussels sprouts; 8. Peas; 9. Leafy greens; 10. Cabbage. Aldi remains Britain's best paying supermarket Aldi reported: "Aldi Store Assistants are set to receive a pay rise with hourly rates increasing to at least £12.71, maintaining Aldi's position as Britain's best paying supermarket. The new minimum rate, which increases to £14.00 within the M25, exceeds the Real Living Wage set by the Living Wage Foundation in October last year and will take effect from Saturday 1st March". Price rises hit meat, vegetables and fish in Cyprus markets Cyprus saw inflation accelerate to 2.6% in December from 1.5% in November, driven largely by rising food prices and hospitality costs, the Consumer Protection Service reported in its latest price observatory. Vegetables saw the steepest increase, rising 30.7% from November and 38.8% year-on-year. Belgium: Lunch Garden officially bankrupt, closes 20 restaurants Belgian restaurant chain Lunch Garden has officially been declared bankrupt by a commercial court in Brussels. Its new owner, investment fund CIM Capital, will take over 42 of the 62 restaurants. About half of the 600 jobs would be saved. Israel: Noy Hadas opens a new agricultural outlet in Kfar Saba After an investment of NIS 3mln, Noy Hasadeh offers Israeli produce at wholesale prices, supporting local farmers and preserving Israeli agricultural heritage. UK: Share the love with GOOD food at Waitrose Waitrose reported: "Share the love with award-winning GOOD food this Valentine's Day at Waitrose. It's the highly anticipated return of the £20 dine-in deal, running from 7th-16th Feb, which includes a delicious No.1 starter, main, side, dessert and drink option. Options to choose from: Starters - No.1 Vegetable Antipasti Arancini with Basil Pesto, £4.50. Sides - No.1 Green Vegetable Medley , £3.50". Lukas Wiesmüller appointed Head of SPAR Austria expanded sustainability division Lukas Wiesmüller's appointment as SPAR Austria's Head of Sustainability reflects the retailer's commitment to addressing the growing importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues and societal expectations for sustainable business practices. UK: Dorset shoppers prioritising healthy eating, says Tesco Dorset shoppers are prioritising healthy eating, according to Tesco's latest data. The supermarket chain disclosed the top 20 items bought by customers in the county, with a strong emphasis on fruit, vegetables and milk. Broccoli, peppers, grapes and cucumbers were among the top ten items purchased by Dorset residents. REWE Group's Christoph Eltze talks NRF 2025 as event serves as hotspot for innovations and future strategies Christoph Eltze, Member of the Management Board REWE Group (Chief Digital and Technology Officer), has taken to social media to give his take on NRF 2025, which took place in New York earlier this month. In a LinkedIn post, he said: " REWE Group are active in 21 European countries - nevertheless, it is important to think outside the box and keep our finger on the pulse, especially when it comes to tech, digitalisation, AI or retail media. That's why I was at NRF 2025 last week - the world's largest trade conference for the retail sector and an absolute hotspot for innovations and future strategies." US: The Revl Fruits™ Brand celebrates one year with national distribution at Whole Foods Market The Revl Fruits™ brand celebrates a major milestone: securing national distribution at Whole Foods Market. This expansion, which will see Revl Fruits juices available in over 500 Whole Foods Market locations across the country, marks the latest step in the premium juice brand's rapid growth. US: BJ's prepares to enter its 21st state BJ's Wholesale Club is ready to celebrate the opening of a new store - its first in the state of Kentucky and its 250th overall club. Located at 4807 Outer Loop in the bustling grocery hotspot of Louisville , the new BJ's will officially open on January 31. The location will feature an on-site BJ's Gas location, as well as all the usual departments, including fresh foods, produce, full-service deli items, fresh bakery goods, household essentials, home décor, pet supplies, toys, technology and more. Venessa Yates appointed as President and CEO of Walmart Canada to continue its growth plans Walmart Canada announced Venessa Yates would become its new President and Chief Executive Officer, in the coming weeks and pending authorizations. "Venessa is a tremendous retail leader with experience in multiple countries and functions", said Guilherme Loureiro, Regional CEO, Walmart Canada, Chile, Mexico and Central America. "She is the right person to continue to drive Walmart Canada's growth trajectory and its transformation to become the country's leading omnichannel retailer."