News

Retail and consumer goods industry news

04 August 2021
Lidl is reported to be launching a ‘scan as you shop’ service in Fulwell, South London, according to The Grocer. How will it work? Lidl filed a trademark application for ‘Lidl Go’ on July 23 rd , applicable to “self-scanning systems for customers”. The Lidl Go app was then launched on Google Play on August 3 rd and information was displayed on the Lidl website explaining the service woul...
04 August 2021
After a massive sales surge in 2020, leading retailers have been stepping up their refreshment efforts and testing new concepts this year. We look at the latest initiatives at FairPrice and Dairy Farm. FairPrice Finest Gourmet (Balmoral Plaza)   FairPrice Finest is the premium banner from the leading retailer. It has just launched a new format under Finest Gourmet this week. The store has a...
04 August 2021
With people spending more time at home because of the pandemic, Walmex (Walmart Mexico) responded by reprioritising its digital transformation, shifting its investment in to strengthening its omnichannel proposition. In early 2021 it announced its three strategic priorities for the year ahead, of which one was ‘leading in omnichannel’. Here we explore how this is progressing and how the launch ...
03 August 2021
HelloFresh announced it has launched HelloFresh Market in the US, an online store offering quick meals to everyday essentials. Fully integrated food solutions group HelloFresh said the launch of the Market is part of its mid-term growth strategy, with the aim of becoming the world’s leading fully integrated food solutions group. HelloFresh Market will launch to all US customers in the co...
02 August 2021
We review Albertsons’ first quarter performance and the three major changes it is leaning into as it plans for a post-pandemic trading environment. Q2 key numbers Sales and other revenue declined 6.5% to $21.3bn Identical store sales fell 10.0%, but were up 16.5% on a two-year stacked basis Digital sales were virtually flat, but increased 276% on a two-year stacked basis The ret...
02 August 2021
With a new leadership team in place, Loblaw has reassessed almost 20 strategic initiatives. Against a strong second quarter performance, we look at some of the areas the business will be focusing on through the second half. Loblaw Q2 key numbers Total revenue up 4.5% to $12.5bn Operating income up 86.1% to $752m Net earnings up 660% to $56m Food retail same-store sales declined ...
02 August 2021
Asda has revealed plans to expand its 'Deal Depot' instore concept to 10 additional stores after a trial bulk-buy section was launched at its Coryton site in Cardiff earlier this year. This instore concept is a significantly scaled-down version of the standalone Deal Depot format at Patchway, Bristol that was opened in December 2019. Five stores to get dedicated full Deal Depot aisle Like...
02 August 2021
As part of its plan to develop new revenue and profit pools, Walmart is to start offering several of its technologies and capabilities to other businesses. Enabling further investment in the customer value proposition Under this initiative, Walmart will aim to monetise the technologies it has developed over the last few years to support its digital transformation and moves towards creating ...
02 August 2021
In recent weeks there have been operational challenges due to increased number of employees being advised to self-isolate. However, there are sufficient food supplies within the system and the impact on availability has been limited to date. In the latest shopper research conducted for IGD over this last weekend 30 July-01 August 2021 Half (48%) of adults claim to have experienced shortages...
02 August 2021
It has been confirmed that JD.com has recently purchased Huaguan, a regional supermarket chain established in 1995 in Beijing. JD.com has full control of Huaguan Huaguan’s chairman, Carol Fung, is also the vice president of JD.com and the president of JD.com retail group’s omnichannel business group. Earlier this year, Fung has expressed that Huaguan is to undergo an omnichannel reform w...