Retail and consumer goods industry news

While Sobeys’ discount stores saw double-digit growth in the first quarter, total sales only increased by 1.7% to $8,075.5m. Is the retailer’s limited discount presence holding back its performance in the current climate? Smaller discount business than its competitors Although inflation has been falling in Canada, food price inflation remains persistently high, up 8.5% in June. With Sobeys’...

Morrisons has reportedly started discussions to sell its petrol forecourt business to the Motor Fuel Group (MFG). As reported by Sky News, the sale could be completed during the autumn for an enterprise value of £2.5 bn. Morrisons owns around 340 forecourts, whilst MFG owns around 900 sites. The talks between the two companies will likely see all or most Morrisons sites being sold. Morri...

UK pub company Stonegate announced this week that they are introducing a flexible pricing model, where prices will be higher in peak times. A pint of beer for example will cost drinkers between 20p and £1.50 more on Friday nights and Saturdays under the new pricing model. Its justification is that, like all retail businesses it needs to manage its costs, and increased demand brings incremental co...

A US-based private equity firm that specialises in franchise and multi-site businesses, Roark Capital, has acquired Subway, the global sandwich chain. Roark already owns various restaurant chains, including Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, Arby’s and Baskin-Robbins, which are part of US restaurant giant Inspire Brands, FOCUS Brands (the owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, Cinnabon, Jamba and Schlotzsky’s amon...

Based on data from its 30,000-strong shopper panel, the latest release from Kantar indicates in the 12 weeks to 3 rd September 2023, total till roll consumer spend in Great Britain increased by 7.4%, the second lowest level of growth since November 2022. Aldi and Lidl continue to enjoy double-digit year-on-year growth, although this is starting to slow as tough annual comparisons come into pl...

The John Lewis Partnership released its first half results covering the 26 weeks to 29 th July 2023. They revealed an encouraging start to the year for Waitrose, with sales increasing 4% to £3.7 bn. This helped Waitrose's trading operating profit increase from £431.7m to £504.4m. Waitrose ‘New Lower Prices’ campaign a boost to sales and volumes Waitrose credited its ‘New Lower Prices’ c...

Our global analysts share some of the latest headlines across the globe. Here's what you need to know. Don’t miss our key insights Hypermarkets and supermarkets channel 2023   – We explore where hypermarket and supermarket growth will come from at both regional and country levels, utilising our extensive global research to present examples from the retailers leading the way N...

Canada’s leading dollar store chain, Dollarama, saw second quarter sales increase 19.6%, with comparable store sales up 15.5%. This is the third quarter of growth of 20% or higher as the business continues to see a flight to value. We review the outlook for the business. Improved outlook for the full year The sales and profit performance, with net earnings up 27%, was ahead of the company’s...

Kroger and Albertsons announced they have entered into a definitive agreement with wholesale company C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC for the sale of 413 stores, which should help to drive forward the completion of their planned merger. In addition to stores this will also include the sale of banners, eight distribution centres (DC’s), two regional offices and five private label brands “We are very...

Kroger’s Q2 results were driven by strong digital sales growth, the performance of its own brands and increased profit generated through alternative revenue streams. Here we explore those results in closer detail. Q2 key numbers Total sales decreased by 2.2% (year-on-year) to $33,853m Identical (ID) sales (ex-fuel) increased 1% Digital sales increased 12% Solid digital perform...