SPAR Gran Canaria enhances its presence with new supermarkets, while Sai Mart prepares to acquire Choppies in Zimbabwe, amidst shifts in the retail sector across the globe.
SPAR Gran Canaria is set to enhance its retail presence with the opening and renovation of supermarkets across the region. The expansion initiative is primarily focused on meeting the increasing demands of consumers while also striving towards sustainability targets. In November, SPAR Gran Canaria announced the investment in two new supermarkets located in the Caserones area and the tourist-centric region of Tarajalillo. This expansion reflects the chain’s ongoing strategy to improve service quality.
In Zimbabwe, a significant change in retail management is underway as Sai Mart, led by legislator Raj Modi, prepares to acquire Choppies Supermarkets. Starting from January 1, 2024, Sai Mart will assume control of the Choppies outlets across the country following Choppies Enterprises Limited’s decision to exit the Zimbabwean market. Modi confirmed that the transition would soon see the rebranding of these supermarkets to Sai Mart, enhancing the company’s visibility in Bulawayo, where it currently operates six branches.
Meanwhile, another grocery chain, SPAR Denmark, has announced festive plans for the upcoming holiday season. On December 21, 41 specially decorated buses will operate around the nation, offering free transportation for customers to and from SPAR locations. This initiative has evolved from 39 routes last year to 41 this year, aiming to facilitate shopping during the busy Christmas period.
In the UK, Marks & Spencer Food has partnered with various organisations, including 2SFG and Valeo Foods Group, to donate 240,000 portions of vegetables as part of its Christmas charity initiative. The portion includes seasonal staples such as Roast Potatoes, Roast Parsnips, and Cauliflower Cheese, produced at the Carlisle facility, ensuring families have access to nutritious offerings during the festive season.
Further, Indian company Farmery has launched a new range of fresh fruits and vegetables, prioritising a farm-to-fork approach that emphasises sustainability and quality. The D2C brand is dedicated to providing consumers with fresh, chemical-free produce delivered daily, revolutionising access to nutritious food items.
In a move to streamline operations, Yonghui Superstores has sold its entire stake in the struggling Zhongbai Holdings Group, incurring a loss of approximately USD6.3 million. Yonghui’s sale, which involved a 9.9% stake, highlights the pressures faced by retailers amid changing market dynamics.
Waitrose, a major UK supermarket chain, has launched a new initiative to encourage consumers to incorporate a wider variety of plants into their diets. The introduction of a ‘plant varieties’ logo aims to assist customers in achieving healthy eating goals. The retailer has set ambitious targets for increasing its sales of fruit and vegetables by 10% and boosting dietary fibre offerings by 25% by 2030.
In China, the recognised on-demand delivery platform Dada NOW has received the “Leading Restaurant Empowerment Platform” award at the 10th China Catering Innovation Conference. The platform has implemented comprehensive service standards to enhance the quality of food and delivery services.
As the food industry continues to evolve, various retailers and brands are implementing strategies to create robust produce supply chains. Abe Eshkenazi, CEO of the Association for Supply Chain Management, noted the complexities faced within the fresh produce supply network and the impact these challenges can have on efficiency and quality.
In unrelated corporate news, HF Foods Group Inc. has announced the appointment of Felix Lin as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective January 1, 2025. The company is notable for its food distribution efforts catering to Asian restaurants across the United States.
In legal matters, Grubhub is set to pay USD25 million to resolve allegations of deceptive practices, a settlement reached with the assistance of the Illinois attorney general and the Federal Trade Commission. Dollar Tree has also appointed Michael Creedon as its permanent CEO, as the chain addresses issues of weak customer demand and increasing competition.
Lastly, Döhler is expanding its reach in North America by launching Tastecraft, a new range of freeze-dried fruit products in collaboration with The Perfect Pureé, signalling a commitment to growth in the foodservice sector.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://maspalomas24h.uk/Article/5655/spar-gran-canaria-advances-with-the-modernization-of-8-stores-and-the-opening-of-3-new-points-of-sale – Corroborates the expansion and renovation of SPAR Gran Canaria supermarkets, focusing on sustainability and service quality.
- https://maspalomas24h.uk/Article/6075/spar-inaugurates-a-new-supermarket-in-maspalomas-creating-five-jobs – Supports the opening of new supermarkets by SPAR Gran Canaria, including the focus on sustainability and job creation.
- https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/spar-expands-presence-in-spain-with-four-new-stores-256262 – Provides details on SPAR’s expansion in Gran Canaria, including renovations and new store openings, aligning with sustainability goals.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Although not directly accessible, this link is mentioned as the source for the overall article, including the information about SPAR Gran Canaria’s expansion.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Serves as the source for the information about Sai Mart acquiring Choppies Supermarkets in Zimbabwe.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Supports the information about SPAR Denmark’s festive plans, including the operation of decorated buses for customer transportation.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Corroborates the partnership between Marks & Spencer Food and various organisations to donate vegetables as part of a Christmas charity initiative.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Provides the source for the launch of Farmery’s new range of fresh fruits and vegetables, emphasizing sustainability and quality.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Supports the information about Yonghui Superstores selling its stake in Zhongbai Holdings Group and the associated financial implications.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Corroborates Waitrose’s initiative to encourage consumers to incorporate more plant varieties into their diets and the retailer’s health-related targets.
- https://www.noahwire.com – Provides the source for Dada NOW receiving the ‘Leading Restaurant Empowerment Platform’ award and its service standards.