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Articles by Dayeeta Das
Ahold Delhaize Agrees To Acquire Tesco Czechia And Slovakia
Ahold Delhaize has announced that it has agreed to acquire Tesco's Czech and Slovak businesses from Tesco for approximately €1.2 billion. The deal, subject to regulatory approval, is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2027, the company noted. The acquisition will consolidate Ahold Delhaize's position in the Central and Southeastern European region and expand into the Slovak market.
Żabka Reports Growth In Profit And Revenue In First Nine Months
Polish retail group Żabka has delivered continued growth in the first nine months of its financial year as it expanded its network to more than 13,000 stores in the country. Like-for-like sales at Żabka Group increased by 3.6% year-on-year for the nine month period and 3.5% in the third quarter. The company attributed this growth to continued market share gains and strong performance in strategic categories, particularly QMS (quick meal service) and beverages.
Pick n Pay Narrows First-Half Headline Loss By Nearly A Third
Retailer Pick n Pay has narrowed headline loss by 31.9% in the first half with positive volume growth in company-owned South African supermarkets. Group trading profit increased by R180 million (€9.67 million) to R490 million (€26.3 million), while the group headline loss narrowed to R299 million (€16.1 million), the company noted. Turnover for the period increased by 2.4% year on year, boosted by 6.3% growth at Boxer.
CMA Designates Aldi, Lidl GB And Lidl NI As ‘Large Grocery Retailers’
The UK competition authority has confirmed that discounters Aldi and Lidl will be covered by the same land agreement rules as other large supermarkets in the country. Since 2010, this order has been applied to Asda, Co‑op, Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose. It is designed to stop LGRs from using land agreements to make it harder for rival supermarkets to open nearby, particularly through the use of restrictive covenants and exclusivity arrangements, the CMA added.
Aryzta To Nominate Heiner Kamps As New Chair
Bakery giant Aryzta plans to propose Heiner Kamps for election as chair of its board at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in May 2027. Kamps has been as a member of Aryzta's board since 2020, and presently serves as a lead independent director. He brings extensive experience in the bakery industry and a profound understanding of Aryzta and its business. Kamps commented, “Aryzta has a strong position in the international bake-off market, and I see considerable potential for the business.
French Retailer Groupe Casino Rebrands As Plesio
Groupe Casino has announced that it is rebranding under a new name 'Plesio' - a Greek word meaning 'proximity'. The retail chain aims to reinforce its positioning within the local retail sector with its new identity. Since 2024, the grocery retail chain has focused on proximity as part of its business model and strategy with the ambition of building a retail approach rooted in human connection and tailored to each local area.
French Retailers Count The Cost Of Weekend Riots
Violence on the sidelines of mass protests in France against rising cost of living on Saturday left around 1,500 stores impacted, according to initial estimates shared by Alexandre Bompard, Carrefour CEO and president of the French Federation of Commerce and Distribution, French publication Le Parisien reported. Bompard said in a LinkedIn post that 50 Carrefour stores had been affected across France, including in Paris, Rennes, Lille and Bordeaux, among others.
Irish Shoppers Remained Cautious In The Run-Up To Budget - Worldpanel
Irish shoppers exercised caution ahead of budget in the four weeks to 4 October, according to latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator. Shoppers made more frequent but smaller trips over the month, with store visits up 2.9% but the number of items purchased per trip down 5.7%, data showed. Take-home grocery sales in increased by 4.3% year on year in this period. Like-for-like grocery price inflation rose to 4.69%, up from 4.28% 12 weeks ago.
Potatoes And Tomatoes Lead French Fresh Produce Purchases - Worldpanel
Bananas, potatoes and tomatoes dominate French fruit and vegetable purchases, according to a new study by Worldpanel by Numerator. Ninety-one percent of households purchased bananas in the 12 months to 6 September, while 93% bought potatoes and 97% bought tomatoes. Shoppers purchased 5.5 million tonnes of fruit and vegetables during the year, representing an increase of 1.3% year on year.
Albert Heijn Online Orders Halted As Parent Company Investigates Cybersecurity Incident
Albert Heijn has temporarily suspended some online services following a cybersecurity incident. Parent company Ahold Delhaize added that its teams are taking steps to assess and mitigate the issue, including taking some systems offline to help protect them. The affected subsidiaries include Albert Heijn, Etos, and Gall & Gall, and their websites, apps, and customer service are temporarily unavailable.
Canada's Weston Family Agrees $8.9bn Boots Deal, Marking Return To Ireland
Wittington Investments, Limited, the holding company of the Weston family based in Canada, has agreed to acquire Boots and its associated businesses for $8.9 billion (€7.96 billion), including assumed debt. As part of the deal Wittington will acquire Boots' retail operations in the UK and Ireland; Boots Opticians; and No7 Beauty Company; and its Thailand and franchised businesses.
EIT Food-Backed Startup Raises €15m To Scale Microalgae Protein
EIT Food-backed French startup Edonia has raised €15 million to scale the production of a whole-food protein ingredient derived from microalgae. The funding round was led by SWEN Blue Ocean 2, Asterion Ventures and EIT Food to enable Edonia to scale up production of its flagship ingredient Edo for food manufacturers and the foodservice market. The round also includes non-dilutive funding from Bpifrance under the France 2030 plan and bank financing.
EuroCommerce Welcomes EU Lawmakers' Move To Ease Some EPR Rules Under PPWR
EU lawmakers have taken a step towards easing some Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) requirements for smaller businesses as retailers push for wider reform of rules under the Packaging and Packaging Waste Reduction (PPWR) requirements. The European Parliament’s Committee on the Environment, Climate and Food Safety has backed changes to authorised representative requirements for EU-based micro- and small-enterprises - a move welcomed by EuroCommerce as a first step towards these reforms.
Tesco Among Potential Buyers For Majestic Wine - Reports
UK retailer Tesco is reportedly among the bidders considering an acquisition of Majestic Wine, according to media reports. Majestic Wine is a UK-based specialist wine retailer, operating over 200 stores across the country. The business has been put up for sale by its owner Fortress Investment Group, Sky News reported. Why It Matters To Tesco Analysts at Bernstein believe that the deal could be interesting for Tesco for various reasons.
Salling Group To Acquire Online Retailer Proshop
Denmark's Salling Group plans to acquire Scandinavian online retailer Proshop as it seeks to boost its e-commerce presence. Proshop offers electronics, gaming, household goods and other consumer products. The acquisition will strengthen Salling Group's capabilities in e-commerce, technology and logistics and make online shopping easier and more attractive for customers.
Co-op Retail Appoints Alex Dower As Managing Director
Dower brings more than two decades of senior leadership experience in food retail, convenience, hospitality and FMCG to the role.
Family Who Helped Shape Irish Retail Closes In On €8bn Boots Deal – Reports
The Weston family’s Canadian branch is reportedly nearing a $9 billion (€8 billion) acquisition of Boots – a move that could eventually see the illustrious family’s return to Ireland’s high streets. Sycamore Partners, the owner of Walgreens, is close to an agreement to sell the British pharmacy chain to the family, Reuters reported, citing The Wall Street Journal. The report also noted that the deal is expected to close in the coming weeks, provided that negotiations remain on track.
Boots Deal Could Bring Canada’s Westons Back To Irish Retail
Sycamore Partners, the owner of Walgreens, is nearing an agreement involving the sale of British pharmacy chain Boots to the Weston family for about $9 billion, according to a Reuters report citing the Wall Street Journal. The potential deal involving the acquisition of Boots by the Canadian branch of the Weston family could mark the return of the Weston family to the Irish high streets. The report noted that the deal is expected to close in the coming weeks, provided negotiations remain on track.
UK Grocers Among Lower-Ranked Brands For Use Of Sound
Most UK grocery chains ranked in the lower half in a new global study assessing how effectively grocery brands use sound. The study by amp, a global sound-branding specialist and part of WPP’s brand and design collective, analysed 100 supermarket and grocery brands across six continents. The 11th edition of amp’s flagship publication, amplify: The Sound of Grocery Shopping examined how effectively retailers use sound to build recognition, trust, belonging and engagement.
Hormel Foods Targets Protein Growth With Brakebush Acquisition
Hormel Foods has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Brakebush Brothers, LLC, a value-added chicken company, from the Brakebush family. The deal, valued at approximately $1.1 billion, is expected to close during the first quarter of Hormel Foods' 2027 financial year. The acquisition will help Hormel Foods drive its strategy of investing in growing protein categories, expand its position in the value-added chicken segment.
EU Households Accounted For Over Half Of Food Waste In 2024 - Eurostat
Households accounted for more than half of all food waste (53%) in the EU in 2024, according to new data released by Eurostat. This amounts to 69 kilograms per person, while the restaurants and food service sector accounted for 12% of food waste, or 15 kilograms per person. Overall, around 129 kilograms of food waste was generated per person in the EU during the year. In total, the EU generated 57.9 million tonnes of food waste, including both edible and inedible parts.
CMA Considers Remedies Package For Southern Co-op Deal
Britain's competition regulator has announced that it is considering the remedies offered by Co-op for its proposed merger with Southern Co-op. Co-op has proposed to sell of 15 convenience stores and two funeral homes to address the competition concerns raised by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) during the first phase of its investigation.
Aldi Süd Invests In Philippine Discounter Dali
Dali will continue to operate as an independently managed business, with the local team carrying on operational responsibilities. 'The Philippines is a market with real #momentum. We look forward to sharing our knowledge to support Dali’s continued h#growth so Filipino customers can benefit from high-quality items at low prices,' Aldi Süd finance chief, Marcus Almeling, said via a LinkedIn Post announcing the investment.
Hilton Foods Raises 2026 Outlook As Core Meat And Fresh Food Operations Grow
Hilton Food Group has increased its 2026 outlook after reporting growth in volumes and core meat and fresh prepared foods. However, seafood and plant-based operations continued to weigh on the company's first-half performance. Hilton Foods raised its adjusted profit-before-tax guidance to a range of £66–£71 million (€76.8–€82.6 million) from its previous forecast of £60–£65 million (€69.8–€75.6 million).
Nestlé To Invest €329m In Brazil To Boost Nutrition And Health Portfolio
Food giant Nestlé has announced plans to invest CHF 310 million (€329.9 million) in Brazil as it seeks to supporting the development of its nutrition and health portfolio. Nestlé will invest approximately CHF 94 million in a new manufacturing facility in Ituiutaba, Minas Gerais, for the production of infant formula, serving both the Brazilian market and export opportunities. The new facility is expected to create around 100 new jobs, the company added.
Uzbek Retailer Korzinka Appoints Eurocash Executive As New Top Boss
Uzbekistan-based retailer Korzinka has announced the appointment of former Eurocash executive Pedro Martinho as its new chief executive officer, effective 2 September. With this appointment, the retailer aims to combine international grocery retail expertise and local market knowledge to usher in the next phase of Korzinka's growth. Most recently, Martinho served as the chief executive of Eurocash subsidiary and polish online grocery retailer Frisco.pl.
Nestlé To Offload Mainstream Vitamin Brands For $1bn
Nestlé will sell its mainstream vitamin brands to private equity firm Yellow Wood Partners for $1 billion (€860 million), it said, as CEO Philipp Navratil tightens the company's strategic focus. Navratil, who took the top job at Nestlé exactly a year ago, has reduced Nestlé's exposure to ice cream and water brands through joint ventures, slimming the Swiss conglomerate's portfolio in search of growth, a tactic similar to rival consumer goods firms Unilever and Reckitt.
Valeo Foods Reportedly Finds Buyer For Irish Division
Jacob's Biscuits and Odlums maker Valeo Foods is reportedly planning to exit the Irish market. The Irish Times has reported that Valeo Foods has agreed to sell its Ireland business unit to a consortium led by investor Hilliard Lombard. Formerly, Lombard served as managing director of Valeo Foods' Irish business. The report also highlighted that Bain Capital and Valeo Foods declined to comment, while Lombard did not respond to the publication’s request for comment.
McBride Secures Partnership With Company Behind Air Wick, Calgon
Household and professional cleaning products maker McBride has announced that it has secured two long-term contract manufacturing agreements with Vestacy - the company behind brands such as Air Wick, Calgon, Cillit Bang and Mortein. The deal also includes a share purchase agreement to acquire two dedicated manufacturing facilities located in Spain and Portugal for a nominal consideration.
Local Shops, Online Most Dynamic Retail Channels In France - Worldpanel
Local shops and online shopping have emerged as the most dynamic retail channels in France, with both gaining 0.4 percentage points each in value market share in the latest four weeks, according to Worldpanel by Numerator. In contrast, supermarkets, hypermarkets and discount stores saw declines of 0.4, 0.3 and 0.1 percentage points, respectively, in this period.
Lidl Belgium Launches Scan&Go Service
Lidl Belgium has launched Scan&Go, a new digital service that allows customers to scan their groceries while shopping and pay directly at self-checkouts for a quicker experience. Scan&Go is integrated directly into the Lidl Plus app, allows customers to pack their groceries as they pick them up and avoid traditional checkout hassles. To support the launch, Lidl Belgium is offering a one-time 5% discount on customers’ first Scan&Go purchase.
Lidl Fastest-Growing Irish Retailer As Grocery Sales Rise 5.8% - Worldpanel
Lidl emerged as Ireland's fastest growing retailer in the latest 12 weeks, with 10.3% growth compared to the same period last year, according to latest data from Worldpanel by Numerator. The discounter saw existing shoppers returning to its store more often, while an influx of new shoppers contributed an additional €46.3 million to its overall performance. However, its market share stood at 14.8%, behind Dunnes Stores, Tesco and SuperValu.
Europeans More Open To Food Innovation Than In The Past, Study Finds
European consumers are more open to food innovation than in the past, but acceptance still depends on trust, transparency and cultural relevance, new research from EIT Food Consumer Observatory showed. The findings of the study, titled Trust in innovation: Between familiarity and fear, is based on responses from around 20,000 European consumers across 18 European countries on what shapes the willingness to accept new food products and technologies.
Dino Polska Reports Double-Digit Revenue Growth In First Half
Dino Polska has reported revenue of PLN 18.0 billion (€4.17 billion) in the first half of its financial year, reflecting a 12.5% year-on-year increase. The Polish retailer attributed this growth to the sales of fresh products, which generated 41.3% of its total revenue. Fruit and vegetables, bread and the fresh meat produced by the Agro-Rydzyna meat processing plants contributed to its performance. Like-for-like sales growth for the period was 2.2%, impacted by significant food price deflation.
Ocado Unveils New European Grocery Partner
Ocado Group has confirmed Danish online grocer nemlig as its latest European partner, following an initial announcement in July. Nemlig is a pure-play online supermarket in Denmark and has established itself as one of the most price-competitive grocers in the country. It generated annual sales of DKK 3.3 billion (€440 million) in 2025/26 and the partnership aims to support the growth of nemlig.com in Denmark. Currently, the company relies on manual fulfilment for its customers across Denmark.
Poundland Could Face Another Ownership Change A Year After Takeover
Poundland could be heading for a second round of ownership change within a year as investment firm Gordon Brothers is reportedly considering a sale of the UK discount chain. Gordon Brothers is discussing the possibility of launching an auction process with advisers for Poundland, which employs around 12,000 people across the UK, according to Sky News. The report also highlighted that no final decision has been taken yet about the potential sale.
Estée Lauder Forecasts Strong Annual Profit On Resilient Fragrance Demand
Estée Lauder has forecast annual profit above many Wall Street estimates, betting on sustained demand for premium fragrances and strong performance in key market China, as gains from its CEO's turnaround strategy continue to build. Shares of the Clinique and M.A.C owner, whose merger talks with Jean Paul Gaultier-owner Puig collapsed in May, rose nearly 8% in premarket trading after it also topped quarterly sales expectations.
Carrefour Returns To India After 12 Years
French retailer Carrefour has re-entered the Indian market with the opening of a new store in Greater Noida, near New Delhi. The new store spans more than 50,000 square feet and has been designed to cater to the needs of local consumers. Product assortment comprises around 15,000 SKUs, including international products and a wide range of locally sourced offerings across fresh produce, grocery, bakery, household essentials and personal care, the company announced via a LinkedIn post.
M&S Enters Pet Food Category With New Own-Brand Range
The latest launch aims to give customers another reason to choose M&S for a greater share of their weekly essentials. The new Paws & Pals range features 13 SKUs comprising kibble, treats and toppers for cats and dogs. M&S added that the range aims to offer quality, trust and innovation to customers as it seeks to become a true shopping list retailer.
UK University Marks Centenary With 100% British Chocolate Bar
The University of Reading has created a chocolate bar made entirely from British Ingredients, which it claims is a first since 1932. The Reading 100 Chocolate Bar is made with British ingredients, with cocoa from Berkshire, according to the University. The bar was made by Maha Khan, a food security master’s student at the University of Reading, to mark its 100th anniversary.
Euro Area Reports €8.6bn Trade Surplus In June 2026 - Eurostat
The euro area recorded an €8.6 billion surplus in goods trade with the rest of the world in June 2026, up from €4.8 billion in June 2025, according to first estimates from Eurostat. Exports also increased by 14.4% to €272.5 billion, while imports reached €264.0 billion, up 13.1%, data showed. The surplus follows a deficit of €9.0 billion in May 2026.
Lactalis To Acquire Saputo's UK Dairy Operations
Canadian dairy producer Saputo has agreed to sell its UK operations to French dairy firm Lactalis in a deal worth around £988 million (€1.2 billion). The transaction, subject to customary conditions and regulatory approvals, is expected to close by the end of the first quarter of 2027. Saputo's Dairy Division (UK) has generated revenue of around $1.2 billion over the last four quarters, accounting for 7% of the group's consolidated revenue.
UK Food Inflation Looks Calm, But Drought Could Build Pressure Beneath The Surface
UK supermarket prices have increased more slowly than expected, but severe summer drought is building pressure elsewhere in the supply chain. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose by 1.7% in the year to June 2026, down from 2.2% in May, according to latest data from the Office of National Statistics (ONS). This was lower than Bank of England's forecast in April, estimating food price inflation to reach nearly 3.6% for June.
Why Aldi And Lidl Could Face The Same Land Rules As Major UK Supermarkets
Last week, the UK competition authority proposed that Aldi and Lidl should be covered by the same land agreement rules as the UK’s largest supermarkets. The Groceries Market Investigation (Controlled Land) Order 2010 prevents Large Grocery Retailers (LGRs) from using land agreements to make it harder for rival supermarkets to open nearby. Currently, the order is applicable to seven retailers – Asda, Co‑op, Marks and Spencer, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose.
Aryzta To Review Options For Germany As H1 Growth Slows
Swiss-Irish bakery firm Aryzta has announced that it is reviewing its options for Germany as the division weighed on its overall first-half performance. The Cuisine de France maker reported organic revenue decline of 2.7%, to €1.1 billion, while EBITDA for the period fell 7% to €139.9 million. Aryzta added that Germany was the 'most challenged' market due to price sensitivity, which reflects fragile consumer spending, among other factors.
Edeka-tegut Merger - German Regulator Flags Competition Concerns
Preliminary assessment from Germany's competition regulator has identified significant competition concerns regarding the merger of Edeka and tegut. The commitments offered so far by Edeka are, in the preliminary assessment, insufficient to completely eliminate these concerns, the Federal Cartel Office (Bundeskartellamt) noted.
Private Label Growth Outpaces Brands In Europe, IGD Study Finds
Private label continued to outperform brands in Europe with sales growth of 4.1% in value during 2025 compared with 2.7% growth for manufacturer brands, new research from IGD showed. European shoppers are increasingly choosing retailer-owned products for quality rather than price, according to the study. Close to half of shoppers (47%) said price is no longer the primary reason to opt for private-label products, while 52% believe private-label quality is as good as brands.
Nichols Names Laura Padfield As Independent Non-Executive Director
Soft drinks maker Nichols has appointed Laura Padfield as an independent non-executive director of the company, effective 1 September 2026. She will replace Helen Keays, who will be stepping down from the board after nine years of service on 31 August 2026. Padfield will also step in as chair of the remuneration committee and a member of the audit and nominations committees from the date of her appointment.
Intermarché Drive Customer Data Affected By Cyber Incident - Reports
French retailer Intermarché has reportedly suffered a cybersecurity breach affecting the personal data of almost 300,000 customers who use its Drive online grocery service. The retailer told the AFP that the cyber incident resulted in 'unauthorised access' to certain customer data, such as surname, first name, telephone number, postal address, date of birth, loyalty card number, and certain information relating to their online orders, according to a report in Huffington Post France.
Bonduelle Delivers Stable Sales In FY2025-26 Supported By Europe And Eurasia
Prepared-vegetable firm Bonduelle has reported a 0.4% like-for-like increase in sales to 2.2 billion in its financial year 2025-26. The company added that its businesses in Europe and Eurasia boosted its performance amid a challenging consumer environment in the United States and foreign-exchange impacts. The Europe zone, which accounted for 62.8% of the group’s activity during the fiscal year, posted sales growth of 1.3% on both reported figures and a like-for-like basis.
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