In the US, the Washington State attorney general plans to block Kroger's proposed $24.6bn acquisition of Albertsons. Texas-based grocer H-E-B has been named the top US Grocery Retailer by data analytics firm dunnhumby. Online grocery sales in the US dipped 1.2% to $95.8bn in 2023, driven by a decrease in the frequency of online orders. Walmart and Microsoft are partnering to upgrade the retailer's InHome Delivery program with automated replenishment.
Key takeaways:
- The French antitrust authority has approved Intermarché's acquisition of 61 Casino stores, on the condition that three stores are resold to address competition concerns.
- Casino shareholders and creditors have approved a bailout plan for the debt-ridden French retailer, led by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
- Portuguese retailer Jeronimo Martins reported a 21% increase in full-year sales, driven by a significant rise in its Polish chain Biedronka, reaching a record of over 30 billion euros.
- Washington State plans to file a lawsuit to block supermarket chain Kroger's proposed $24.6 billion acquisition of Albertsons, according to Bloomberg News.