Swiss ecommerce grows 3.5%
Online consumer spending in Switzerland increased by 3.5% last year, while brick-and-mortar retail saw a slight decline of 0.2%. As in many other countries, the share of online sales within total retail continues to rise. According to Carpathia, an ecommerce management consultancy, Swiss consumers spent a record 15.9bln euros (14.9bln Swiss francs) online in the past year. The real volume growth was 2.4%, with inflation at 1.1%.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
UK: Eric French departs Deliveroo and Chief Operating Officer position to explore next chapter in his career
Eric French is leaving Deliveroo where he has spent almost five years, most recently holding the position of Chief Operating Officer. He joined the food and grocery delivery firm, which recently agreed a £2.9bln takeover by its US rival DoorDash, from Amazon where, over the course of almost 16 years, he held such positions as Vice President – US Consumables.
Source: retailtechinnovationhub.com
Ecommerce market concentration highest in Italy and Spain
An updated report by German ECDB, a publisher of ecommerce statistics, provides insight into the market dominance of the top players in Europe’s five largest markets. According to the study, market concentration is highest in Italy. The top five players – Amazon, Shein, Apple, Zalando, and MediaWorld/MediaMarkt – account for 46% of the top 250’s sales. In Spain, the top five – Amazon, Shein, El Corte Inglés, Mercadona, and Carrefour – represent 41%.
Source: ecommercenews.eu
UK: Asda supermarket chain faces legal complaint over facial recognition
Asda is facing a legal complaint over its use of live facial recognition (LFR) cameras in its supermarkets. The legal filing comes from privacy rights group Big Brother Watch, which argues that Asda’s use of LFR cameras is “unlawful.” Filed with the Information Commissioner, the legal complaint claims Asda is “infringing the data rights” of shoppers and exhorts the end of the use of the biometric technology by the supermarket chain.
The biometric surveillance technology was acquired from UK start-up FaiceTech, with Asda installing the cameras and LFR in five shops in the Greater Manchester area as part of a trial. Asda is the first national supermarket chain to install LFR.
Source: Biometric Update
US: Vallarta Supermarkets’ new Colton location marks 60 stores across California
Vallarta Supermarkets reported: “Vallarta Supermarkets is turning up the flavor on 40 years of community, culture, and quality with the grand opening of its newest store in Colton, California. Located at 1250 Washington St, Colton, CA 92324, the store will officially open with a Grand Opening Ceremony on June 4th, 2025, at 8:15 AM, welcoming the community to celebrate this milestone together. The new store will feature: Fresh Produce – The freshest produce from local U.S. growers and premium farms worldwide, offering a wide selection of certified organic and ethically farmed options at the best prices. From every necessity, seasonal Latino favorites, exotic fruits from around the world, along with all of the latest and newest items on the market today, we have it all”.
Source: prnewswire.com
Axios Harris Poll names Kroger one of America’s most visible and trusted companies
The Kroger Co. announced its inclusion among the 2025 Axios Harris Poll 100, an annual ranking of the reputations of the most visible companies in the U.S. “As America’s grocer, we understand our responsibility to provide fresh, affordable food so families can make the meals they love”, said Ron Sargent, Chairman and CEO of Kroger.
Source: prnewswire.com
Canada: Hasty Market expands new ‘The Market On’ concept
Just over a year after launching The Market On James in downtown Hamilton, Hasty Market is set to open its second location under the banner in Ingersoll, bringing the curated fresh-focused convenience model to a small but growing city. Called The Market On Culloden, it’s slated to start welcoming customers in the first week of June.
Source: ccentral.ca
US: Welch’s® Fruit Snacks adds power duo, Mango-Peach, to its portfolio
Welch’s® Fruit Snacks introduces Mango-Peach as the latest flavor addition to its line of fruit snacks. Tropical sweetness with a signature Welch’s juicy tang, the new Mango-Peach Fruit Snacks are made with real, whole fruit as the main ingredient.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Walmart cuts 1,500 jobs in US retail, global tech teams
Walmart is streamlining its global tech and Walmart U.S. operations, according to an internal memo Wednesday from Global CTO and Chief Development Officer Suresh Kumar and Walmart U.S. President and CEO John Furner, which the retailer shared with Retail Dive.
A source familiar with the effort said the restructuring affects around 1,500 employees. In the memo, Kumar and Furner said they are “working closely with affected associates on their next steps, including other opportunities within Walmart where applicable.”
Cuts to U.S. retail are mostly in the end-to-end operations teams as well as the Walmart Connect marketing organization.
Source: Grocery Dive