UK: EasyGroup opens discount grocery store
EasyGroup, the firm behind the EasyJet airline company, has announced the opening of a pilot discount grocery store in London, UK, according to a report in Talking Retail. Opening in London Park Royal, EasyFoodstore will offer a “limited and basic range of items at rock-bottom prices” according to a company spokesperson, with the aim of […]
USA: Wal-Mart stores to close more than 250 stores globally
Wal-Mart, the world’s leading grocery retail chain, has announced that it is to end its smaller format operations and will look to close 269 stores globally, including 154 in the USA. According to Business News Network, the confirmation of store closures comes three months after Chief Executive Officer Doug McMillon revealed proposals to review Wal-Mart’s […]
UK: Aldi launches e-commerce venture with online wine store
German discount retailer Aldi has made its first foray into e-commerce in the UK with an online store selling wines by the case, according to a report in the Independent. The firm is said to be investing £35 million ($49 million) in the venture, which will allow consumers to pick from a choice of 90 wines, […]
Belgium: Ahold and Delhaize file joint merger proposal
Dutch retailer Ahold and the Belgian retail chain Delhaize have announced their intention to combine into a single company with the filing of joint merger proposal on the 15th January 2016. The two companies originally announced their merger plans in June 2015, stating that their intention was that of “creating an international retailer with a […]
China: Nestle agrees partnership with Alibaba
The Chinese arm of FMCG multinational Nestle has signed an e-commerce partnership with web portal Alibaba that will see Nestle products made available online for a Chinese audience, according to a report in New Food Magazine. The purpose of the partnership is to expand Nestle’s online sales through the introduction of new products to internet […]
Russia: Auchan to make €195 million investment
Supermarket chain Auchan is set to make an investment of €195 million ($210 million) in 2016 to develop its presence in Russia, according to a report in International Supermarket News. According to the news agency report, the bulk of the investment is set to be focused on the development of a distribution network, which would […]
France: Casino to leave Vietnam in debt reduction programme
In a bid to improve its share price and reassure investors, French retail group Casino has embarked on a debt reduction plan of over €2 billion ($2.18 billion), according to reports in Retail Detail and Lineaires. The plan will predominantly be achieved through international real estate and disposing of the company’s stores in Vietnam, sources […]
Belgium: Carrefour opens new style hypermarket
French retail chain Carrefour is looking to modernise its hypermarket concept in Belgium with a new-look store that aims to offer a ‘shop within a shop’ experience. According to a report in Gondola, the new store at Mons Les Grands Pres offers a range of products organized in individually-styled ‘bakeries’, ‘wine cellars’ and similar ‘mini […]
US: Walmart launches Walmart Pay
Walmart, the USA’s leading grocery retailer, has unveiled its own mobile payment called Walmart Pay in a bid to compete with tech players such as Apple and Google. Walmart Pay is a payment system adapted to Walmart’s iOS and Android mobile apps and is promoted as “a fast, easy and secure way for customers to […]
Germany: Rossmann could open up to 500 new stores
Health & beauty retailer Rossmann could be set to open up to 500 new locations in Germany, according to an article in Die Welt, taking the number of stores in the company’s network to as many as 2,000. The new openings would reportedly be mostly in southern Germany, where the retailer does not currently have […]