In the tech sector, artificial intelligence, robotics, and blockchain are transforming the grocery industry. United Natural Foods, Inc. in the US is deploying two battery-electric semi-trucks and five regenerative electric refrigerated trailer systems. Schnucks Markets Inc. is set to unveil a second “fresh” store in Oak Grove Village, Missouri. Canadian retail sales fell by 0.1% in August from July. Hy-Vee in the US is working with Takeoff Technologies to develop micro-fulfillment centers, while Smart & Final is opening a new Extra! store in Lancaster, California. Lastly, Walmart has become America's largest grocer, taking in more than one in four grocery dollars in the U.S.
Key takeaways:
- Over a quarter of 'buy one get one free' and multi-buy deals in the UK are on unhealthy food, with less than 5% of deals on fruit and vegetables.
- German meal box company, HelloFresh, is no longer allowed to claim to be the world’s first climate-neutral meal box following a court ruling.
- Food insecurity has reached almost 4 million Australian homes this year, according to Foodbank Australia's 2023 Hunger Report.
- Alibaba Group is offering major discounts for its annual Singles Day shopping event, with over 80 million products at their lowest prices this year.