Greek consumer prices stable in May despite inflation
Food retail inflation in Greece increased by 2.47% year-on-year in May 2025, according to the Consumer Goods Retail Research Institute (IELKA). The largest increases were in the categories of biscuits, chocolates and confectionery (+8.83%), fresh fruits and vegetables (+7.78%); fresh meats (+6.41%); fresh and frozen pastries (+5.48%), and alcoholic beverages (+5.46%).
Source: esmmagazine.com
"Carrefour seeks buyer for Italian branch"
Carrefour is looking for interested parties for its operations in Italy. The retailer is holding discreet talks with several European retailers, including Lidl, Esselunga and Conad. Insiders report this to German trade magazine Lebensmittel Zeitung.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: £10mln makeover planned for Asda cafés
Asda reported: "Asda announced there will be a £10mln refresh program in over 180 of its popular instore cafes. The new menu will include some of the old favourites such as full English breakfast, fish and chips, lasagne, jacket potatoes, Burger and Chips, and customers can look forward to the arrival of some new dishes including smashed avocado on toast, katsu chicken curry, topped salad bowls, wraps and a new sharing range that includes nachos and loaded fries. Asda's hugely popular 'Kids Eat for £1' café meal deals will remain available. The kid's menu has a variety of offers including dishes such as Penne Pasta with Meatballs and a vegan Hidden Veg pasta meal, alongside firm favourites fish fingers, chicken nuggets and the all-day breakfast, there is also the option of swapping out chips for salad or peas".
In other news: Asda invests £1.3mln to expand electric home delivery fleet.
Source: corporate.asda.com
Italy: Conad Adriatico plans to invest €258mln by 2027
Conad Adriatico plans to invest €258mln by 2027 following a successful financial year 2024 as the Italian cooperative reported a 4.98% turnover growth to €2.2bln and a 17.6% market share. The company attributed its success to its emphasis on private-label products (33% of sales in supermarkets and 22% in hypermarkets), fresh and convenient offerings, strategic network initiatives, and a commitment to sustainability.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Chancellor's Spending Review receives mixed response from the retail industry
The Fed's national president Mo Razzaq said: "Although plans for an extra £2bln for the police and increasing the number of neighbourhood officers by 13,000 were announced, it is disappointing that our repeated calls for grants to help retailers improve their security systems have been unsuccessful so far".
Source: talkingretail.com
Żabka opens 100th Froo store in Romania
Poland's Żabka Group has opened its 100th Froo convenience store just 12 months after entering the Romanian market. The format's popularity is evident in the strong consumer response, with over 1mln hot dogs and 600,000 cups of coffee sold in its first year alone, the company noted. Logistics and supply chain services are ensured by DRIM Daniel Distributie, a subsidiary of the Żabka Group.
Source: esmmagazine.com
AliExpress launches fulfillment in Europe
Chinese online marketplace AliExpress is launching Local+, a fulfillment solution that allows retailers to outsource shipping. The platform has acquired several warehouses in Europe. As a result, shipping will be quicker.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
India: Rapido pilots food delivery in Bengaluru; analysts see limited impact
As mobility platform Rapido begins piloting a food delivery service in Bengaluru, analysts expect limited disruption to India's entrenched food delivery giants. "We don't anticipate material market share impact from Rapido's entry", said Rahul Malhotra, an analyst at Bernstein, noting that the service remains in its early pilot phase.
Source: business-standard.com
Giraf Macadamia Milk joins the UK's booming alt-milk market
Giraf Macadamia, the South African brand renowned for its premium macadamia-based beverages, proudly announces its official launch in the UK market. Crafted from ethically sourced macadamia nuts grown in the lush Mpumalanga region of South Africa, Giraf Macadamia Milk offers a rich, creamy, and nutritious dairy-free alternative that stands out in the plant-based milk category.
Source: foodanddrinknetwork.co.uk
US: AWG cultivates future business leaders through University partnership
Associated Wholesale Grocers recently completed two data research projects with students at the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign that provided the company with analytics, strategy recommendations and an AI dashboard.
Source: storebrands.com
Lidl US opening a fresh new store in Bear, Delaware
Lidl US reported: "We're opening a new Lidl US location at 1616 Pulaski Highway, Newark, Delaware, 19702 on Friday, July 11. If you miss our grand opening celebration, don't worry - our Bear store will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. Break out your best fruit and veggie salad recipes; we dare you to find sweeter berries or juicier tomatoes!".
Source: mediacenter.lidl.com
US: UNFI's break with Key Food costs 700 jobs, one DC, and billions in potential sales
United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) will shutter a warehouse near Allentown, Pennsylvania and eliminate hundreds of jobs as the result of the loss of a key client, the Matawan, New Jersey - based Key Food. UNFI first partnered with Key Food in 2020 and built the distribution facility specifically to meet the customer's needs. The facility opened in late 2021, but it is now scheduled to close. More than 700 jobs will be lost. The agreement will officially terminate on September 20.
In other news: Sen. Bernie Sanders weighs in on UNFI Cub Foods union negotiations
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: Target announces voting results from 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
Target Corporation announced voting results from its 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on June 11, 2025 ("Annual Meeting"). Shareholders elected all 12 nominees for the board of directors, ratified the appointment of Target's independent registered public accounting firm, approved the advisory "Say on Pay" management proposal, and rejected one shareholder proposal.
Source: prnewswire.com
Harbor Links enlists Kiwibot as it introduces USA's first ever autonomous food and drinks service for golfers
Brooke Management Group, Robot.com (formerly Kiwibot), and Harbor Links Golf Course have announced the launch of the first autonomous food and beverage delivery robots on a US golf course. These have been operational at Harbor Links Golf Course in Port Washington, USA since a debut on 24th April.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com