Retail and consumer goods industry news

7-Eleven has decided to not renew its supply contract with Metcash when it runs out in in August 2020. Second major contract loss this financial year Metcash's annual sales from the contract with 7-Eleven amount to approximately AU$800m, mainly in lower margin categories such as tobacco. This latest development follows on from Metcash losing its contract to supply Drakes Supermarkets in So...

Alimentation Couche-Tard has submitted a AU$8.6bn (US$5.8bn) bid to purchase Caltex Australia. Caltex battling profit downturn The Alimentation Couche-Tard offer is subject to board approval and follows another offer that was made in early October and rejected. Caltex has been repurposing its business in Australia due to a significant downturn in profit margins and already plans to look to ...

Countdown is set to open New Zealand's first darkstore in Auckland in April 2020. Increased capacity for Auckland shoppers The retailer will open its first online dedicated fulfillment centre in response to growing demand for the service. Countdown has been rapidly growing its online sales in recent years, announcing that it now accounts for 7.7% of sales in recent results. The facility wil...

Carrefour has announced it is looking to deepen its partnership with Fnac Darty, which could lead the latter to establish around 30 Darty standalone stores in its hypermarkets in France under exclusive operating agreements. The companies said the deal would require prior approval by the Competition Authority. Repurposing space key to 2022 Transformation Plan Carrefour made reallocating more...

One of the pioneers of the London healthy food-to-go revolution, Tossed has announced that it is seeking to file for a company voluntary agreement (CVA) in order to rebase its finances and secure the future of the brand. While sales continue to grow, profitability remains elusive, with the high cost of city-centre rents a major challenge for the company. Vital Ingredient acquisition underpe...

The variety discount retailer Home Bargains has opened its largest ever store, in Liverpool. £800k investment The new store was an investment of £800k from the retailer, according to Liverpool Echo. At 25,000 sqf it is the largest Home Bargains store. The site was previously occupied by Toys R Us. It is opposite Costco, on a retail park 7 miles outside Liverpool city centre. It is the 29...

A new law is currently under review in Argentina, which, if passed, will regulate the grocery retail market, with the aim of better promoting competition. The ‘Law of Gondolas’ has been approved by Argentina’s Chamber of Deputies and has now been passed to the Senate for final approval. The law consists of several conditions aimed at making promotional space on gondola’s more equal. This wil...

Morrisons has launched an initiative to market discounted boxes of fresh food that has reached its 'best before' date. Using technology to reduce waste From November 26th customers will be able to use the Too Good to Go app to purchase boxes of unsold fresh food. The boxes, containing fruit and vegetables, bakery and deli items worth at least £10, will be sold for as little as £3.09 acros...

We round up the latest news from retailers in Belgium, the Netherlands and Sweden. Netherlands: Albert Heijn launches automated store at Schiphol Airport After successfully piloting its new ‘plug-and-play’ store concept in Zaandam in September 2019, Albert Heijn has expanded the trial to Schiphol Airport. This will see the retailer launch its second fully automated store, on the Jan D...

We look at the latest news from Waitrose as it announces it is exporting private label products to Jordan, sourcing 100% of its lamb from Britain and integrating John Lewis products into Waitrose stores. Growing the Waitrose brand outside the UK Waitrose is exporting to Jordan for the first time, through its partnership with Cozmo, the leading retailer in Jordan's capital Ammam. The retaile...