US: 7-Eleven launches mobile checkout
7-Eleven has launched mobile checkout at its stores in New York City, U.S. After testing mobile self-checkout with employees at its Store Support Center store, 7-Eleven launched the service in several Dallas locations in 2018 to get customer feedback for further refinement. Now, customers at 7-Eleven in New York City can skip the checkout line and pay for their purchases using the 7-Eleven app. This is integrated into the 7Rewards loyalty program, allowing customers to automatically earn and redeem any available 7Rewards points or coupons as well as in-store promotions. For a limited time, shoppers will also enjoy an exclusive introductory offer for using the new service, receiving up to US$5 off their first mobile checkout transaction.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
US: Shoppers are moving toward plastic packaging, but many still strongly avoid plastic
With increasing concerns about both food safety and the environment, there are pros and cons to using plastic packaging for fresh foods. Add to that, consumer demand for convenience, and the question becomes even more complicated. This variety of consumer expectations begs the question: “What do consumers want when it comes to packaging?” And does that vary by department? A recent study by Category Partners (CP) revealed that about one-third of shoppers prefer to buy their fresh foods in plastics containers, whether in bags, clamshells or overwrap. That number varies somewhat by department, with 39% of respondents saying they prefer to buy fresh meat in plastic packaging, compared to a somewhat lower 29% of respondents, who prefer to buy produce in plastic packaging. (Based on the number of respondents who rated each a 6 or 7, on a 7-point scale, where 1 is “I avoid buying my fresh food in plastic packaging whenever possible” and 7 is “I prefer to buy my fresh food packaged in plastic”)
Source: anuk.s3.amazonaws.com
US: Target and Disney partner on unique store experience
Target will open up to 65 in-store Disney stores over the next two years as part of a new partnership between the two companies. The first 25 of the shop-in-shop concepts will launch in October, with a further 40 planned by October 2020. The two companies have co-developed and designed the store experience which features music, interactive displays and photo opportunities. A seating area, showcasing Disney movies, is available for families. The Disney stores will offer more than 450 products, including toys, games, clothing and accessories, ranging from $2-$200. More than 100 of the products were only previously available at Disney retail locations.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
US: BJ’s Wholesale expands on the East Coast
BJ’s Wholesale Club will continue its expansion through the opening of two new stores next year. The East Coast warehouse operation brings approximately 140 jobs to each location’s neighborhood, along with a slew of savings for shoppers. One store will open in Chesterfield, Michigan, following another two stores opening in the state this fall. The other will open in Pensacola, Florida, marking the company’s 33rd store in the state. “We see great potential in these markets and look forward to delivering outstanding value and savings to hardworking families in both communities”, Christopher J. Baldwin, Chairman and CEO, said in a press release. “Millions of members love us for the value, convenience, and exciting assortment we offer our members every day and we’re excited to bring our fresh approach to both Pensacola and Chesterfield.”
Source: delimarketnews.com
US: Walmart announces design dream team
Walmart shared a project update on its new home office, including the team of experts enlisted to design it. “We want our new campus to create an environment that helps associates move the company forward, is in line with our sustainability goals (to be powered by 100% renewable energy and create zero waste) and stays true to our roots in northwest Arkansas”, wrote Dan Bartlett, EVP of corporate affairs for the Bentonville, Arkansas-based retailer, on its corporate website. The goal is to create a “modern, connected campus that is uniquely Walmart”, Bartlett said, adding that the design team represents a combination of talent based in Arkansas and around the world.
Source: winsightgrocerybusiness.com
Canada: Retailers face pressure to change chemical-coated receipt paper
Some of Canada’s biggest retailers started testing alternatives to receipt paper that’s coated in potentially dangerous chemicals, as pressure mounts for them to phase it out by the end of this year. “We urge you to take immediate steps to stop using thermal paper containing bisphenols for receipts and other paper products in Canada”, reads a letter from a conglomerate of health, labour and environmental groups sent to 13 retailers, including major grocers and fast-food chains. “BPA is a hormone-disrupting chemical that can interfere with the critical function of hormones in the human body and has been found to damage fertility, harm the fetus, and cause adverse health outcomes including cancers of the breast and prostate, diabetes, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children.”
Source: canadiangrocer.com
US: Sendik’s Food Market caps off $5mln expansion project
Sendik’s Food Market is joining the influx of retailers going under the hammer to renovate, remodel, and refresh their store concepts to keep up with the new age of high-quality convenience. According to the journal sentinel, Sendik’s is wrapping up the last of its $5mln expansion project, which included upgrading its store format with trendy new perks. “As The Corners [of Brookfield] continues to innovate and enhance the customer experience, we’re thrilled to be taking part and elevating the shopping experience to one that has never been done before in Southeastern Wisconsin”, said Ted Balistreri, Co-Owner of Sendik’s, in a statement.
Source: delimarketnews.com
US: Target has opened 100 mini stores and remodeled 500 bigger ones. And it’s paying offTarget is surpassing major milestones on its store investments, days after the retailer reported earnings that blew past analysts’ estimates and sent its shares surging to new highs. Target announced it has opened its 100th small-format location and finished remodeling its 500th location since it unveiled a $7bln investment plan in 2017. Under the plan, it has been pouring money into planting pint-sized locations in major metros like New York and around college campuses like the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and refreshing its larger-format shops with new lighting, fresh flooring and a redesigned grocery space. As it accomplishes these key milestones, Target is proving how the rollouts and revamps are paying off.
Source: cnbc.com
Carrefour’s Brazil unit investigated for corruption: filing
The Brazilian unit of retailer Carrefour SA said it is the target of a corruption probe into alleged payments related to the headquarters of its Brazilian brand Atacadao and a Sao Paulo store, which were operating without a license. In a securities filing, the Brazil unit of the French retailer said it was being investigated by “relevant authorities” and that it will cooperate as well as conduct its own internal probe.
Source: reuters.com
Netherlands: Spar announces new organisational structure
Spar Netherlands has announced that it will implement a CEO management model in its organisational structure, effective 1 October. As part of the new structure, general manager John van der Ent will take over as the chairman of the management team. Human resources manager, Marie-José Rutten, has been named the retailer’s HR and organisation development director. Edith Appels, the current finance and operations director, has stepped down from the role and is set to leave the company soon, Spar Netherlands said. Under the new structure, the portfolio has been split into two roles – finance and IT director, and operations director. Pim Dirckx, the manager of Spar operations in southern Netherlands, has been appointed the operations director, while the role of finance and IT director is yet to be filled.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Colruyt speeds up in France
Belgian supermarket chain Colruyt has announced it wants to open five to seven French stores per year, in order to reach a scale that would make its French activities profitable. Colruyt confirms its French ambitions, after a Morgan Stanley analysis questioned the chain’s expansion strategy. Analyst Maria-Laura Adurno called France a big risk for the Belgian discounter: margins are under pressure in France as a long price war continues. “At the moment they are not realising an operational profit in France, and we believe it will be difficult to begin generating margins in that market due to the difficult market circumstances and a lack of scale,” Adurno told Belgian business newspaper De Tijd.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Romania: Mega Image brings fresh street food to the supermarket
Mega Image continues to explore new territories in retail with the launch of a concept that brings tasty street food dishes, prepared on the spot with fresh ingredients, to customers in an unexpected place: a supermarket. The brand’s Barbu Văcărescu store has been transformed to integrate the new #MegaStreetFood concept, which brings together four international cuisine restaurants and famous street food recipes. The new #MegaStreetFood concept has its origin in international retail trends, with stores offering customers new experiences and becoming places where they can not only shop but also enjoy a tasty meal. The popularity of street food restaurants in the cities and at festivals in Romania has also influenced the development of the concept.
Source: aholddelhaize.com
Aeon stores Hong Kong: H1 sales fall 2%
Aeon Stores Hong Kong, which operates stores in Hong Kong and on mainland China has posted a 2% fall in sales revenue to HKD4.8bln (US$614.6mln) for the six months ended June 30, 2019. The capital expenditure for the period was HKD81.6mln (US$10.4mln), mainly used to open new stores and shop renovations, as well as upgrade IT systems. Gross profit decreased slightly to 29.5% from 30.7% compared to the same period last year. The Group’s total capital expenditure in the second half of 2019 is expected to reach approx. HKD155.7mln (US$19.8mln), continuing investment in the same areas as the first half. Revenue from Hong Kong operations in the first half declined by 5.0% to HKD2,091.6mln YoY. Macroeconomic factors affecting shopper sentiment and the Kowloon Bay store undergoing refurbishment (in phases from the beginning of the period) contributed to a more challenging set of results. The retailer continues to look for ways to drive operational efficiencies at its existing stores. As of June 30, 2019, Aeon operated a total of 65 stores compared to 63 in December 31, 2018.
Source: retailanalysis.igd.com
Holland: Albert Heijn’s online map makes its supply chain more transparent
Albert Heijn is taking the next step in supply chain transparency with a new, interactive world map published on ah.nl. The map shows the more than 1,200 locations where its own-brand products reach the final step in the production process. The aim is to give customers more insight into the origins of Albert Heijn’s products so they can shop with confidence. Albert Heijn’s assortment consists of around 11,000 own-brand products and more than 46,000 products in total. Many are produced in the Netherlands, but others originate in different places around the world, according to their principle of sourcing products “as close as possible and as far as necessary.” Albert Heijn knows the composition and origin of all its own-brand products and wants to pass on this information to customers.
Source: aholddelhaize.com