Poundland has placed sixty 99p Stores into administration less than two years after the acquisition of its competitor discount chain. After acquiring its rival in September 2015, Poundland had initially planned to convert all 252 stores to the Poundland fascia. However, according to the Financial Times, 60 unprofitable stores remained in a separate holding company and this was put into administration after all the stores were closed.
The two Latvian medium-sized retailer cooperatives Aibe and Elvi have formed a buying alliance. The registered entity called Latvijas iepirkumu apvienība is 50% owned by each of the retailers.
Tesco has announced the appointment of Matt Simister to the position of CEO Central Europe. At the same time Tony Hoggett was announced as CEO Asia.
Dansk Supermarked’s discounter Netto is to introduce a new fresh-focussed store concept in Sweden. Swedish retail magazine Market reported that the Danish retailer is to offer 100 additional fruit & vegetable items; a wider meat selection; and increased chilled and frozen departments – all at the expense of a reduced promotional area.
Lidl Poland has a new face. In addition to celebrity chef Karol Okrasa; nutrition coach Daria Ładocha will also promote the German discounter's modern and healthy eating image. The young mother of two is well-known for her health-oriented and child-friendly cooking blog.
Organic specialist Biocoop emerges as a player to be reckoned with in the French retail scene. Against a backdrop of a relatively sluggish food retail environment, the retailer has outperformed its peers through double-digit year-on-year growth.
Amazon has reportedly signed DHL as a delivery partner for its Amazon Fresh full-range grocery home delivery service in Germany, which is expected to launch in Berlin next month.
Auchan has announced a worldwide promotional campaign across all 14 countries simultaneously, with items sold at the same price.
Colruyt Group has launched a new loyalty programme. ‘Xtra Kaart’ will not only replace the previous scheme, 'Extra', which was available at the retailer's Colruyt supermarkets – but it will also supersede the loyalty cards that were provided at other Colruyt banners in Belgium. In addition, shoppers will be able to use it at other banners in the group which did not previously offer a loyalty card scheme.
At its supplier conference, dm revealed that it is looking to introduce exclusive products. According to Lebensmittel Zeitung, the German drugstore leader is wooing suppliers for new products, brands and formats, which can be offered exclusively in dm stores.
Auchan has unveiled a major investment plan for the next three years, centred on its home market of France. The strategy will include resetting the commercial proposition, brand convergence, digital and reorganisation.
The UK’s leading retailer has announced plans to grow its same-day click & collect capability, offering shoppers additional flexibility for the expanding service.
Sainsbury’s has reported fourth quarter like-for-like sales up 0.3% for its combined Sainsbury’s grocery and Argos non-food businesses, as general merchandise revenues offset continued declines in food. Argos, which was acquired by the retailer in September, saw total sales up 3.8% during the three months to 11 March 2017 and like-for-like sales rose by 4.3%. Sainsbury’s already has 41 Argos concessions in its larger supermarkets.
Following the dismissal of Lidl CEO Sven Seidel, Schwarz Group boss Klaus Gehrig is implementing spending cuts on the discounter's ambitious store refurbishment scheme. Likewise, click & collect initiatives have been halted.
Italy’s fifth largest discounter Tuodi, owned by Gruppo Tuo, is rumoured to be up for sale. According to the newspaper Milano Finanza, financial intelligence agency Debtwire claims the company’s high debt has forced it to task financial advisory firm Rothschild with finding a buyer.
Rewe Group has decided to discontinue its XXL Mega Discount banner, which has been unique to Romania. Most of the eight stores will be integrated in the Penny discount banner.
Carrefour’s Greek franchisee Marinopoulos Gruppe filed for bankruptcy, owing debts of some EUR 1.32 billion, local newspaper Kathimerini reports. This renews concerns over the faltering Greek economy, given the retailer’s position as one of the country’s largest private employers and raises anxiety over subsequent repercussions on suppliers.
After entering a partnership with Budnikowsky, Edeka has now announced that it plans to establish a new health & beauty chain in cooperation with the Hamburg-based drugstore operator, according to Lebensmittel Zeitung. Firstly Edeka will support Budnikowsky with procurement.
Swedish grocery retailer Axfood has decided to expand the grocery e-commerce trial for its Willys budget superstore chain. In addition to Stockholm, Gothenburg, Uppsala and Norrköping the retailer is now expanding both click & collect and home delivery to the third largest city Malmö, northern outpost Luleå, Köping and Bro.
Local supermarket operator Tegut has begun co-operating with Amazon in Germany. Lebensmittel Zeitung reports that the Migros-owned chain, which is known for its strong focus on organic items, has begun to sell thousands of ambient products on Amazon. The range includes 800 price-entry private label goods as well as organic Alnatura products.
One year looks much like the next for Spanish market leader Mercadona, with sales up nearly 4% last year. The retailer has one obsession, continually strengthening its model, even if this means a drop in net profits of more than 60% in 2017.
Biedronka continued to increase its market share with double-digit growth in 2016. With favourable development in consumer spending, the retailer has committed to boost its investment budget by 50% and drive expansion at its Polish discount chain by more than 100 stores per year.
