UK: Asda opens landmark 100th Asda on the Move supermarket
Asda has opened its 100th Asda On the Move store in partnership with EG Group and confirms plans to open 100 more stores in the UK this year as part of its strategy to offer customers more convenient ways to shop. The 100th store, located on Cargo Fleet Lane in Middlesbrough, is one of 35 stores already opened this year at EG Group’s existing forecourt.
Source: corporate.asda.com
France: Supeco helps improve student purchasing power with special products at very low prices 
Supeco, the Carrefour Group’s discount brand, continues its efforts to improve the purchasing power of its customers by offering products at more affordable prices to students. The range includes fruits and vegetables, preserves, yogurt and meat and additionally, pastries.
Source: carrefour.com
Spanish DIA considers selling Portuguese operations 
Spanish supermarket group DIA has instructed investment bank Societé Générale to investigate a possible sale of its operations in Portugal, local goods report. According to reports, DIA is considering divesting its Portuguese retail business Minipreço due to the division’s weak financial performance.
Source: esmmagazine.com
UK: Bread a Manger scraps smoothies, frappes and milkshakes 
In another blow to its UK customers and drink subscribers, Brit A Manger has said it will stop making smoothies, frappes and milkshakes. An employee told the BBC: “Smoothies – juice, fruit – are very expensive for the company to offer and take time to prepare.”
Source: BBC.com
Italy: Conat Nord West, fully automated new production facility 
At its logistics site in Montopoli Val d’Arno, Conad Nord Ovest has inaugurated the first fully automated cutting kitchen in Italy for cutting fruit and vegetables. The facility uses state-of-the-art robots to prepare and pack fruits and vegetables into standard cartons, improving process and transportation efficiency, expediting and reducing food waste.
Source: Internationalsupermarketnews.com
SANJE: Erosky launches private label for vegetarian products 
Supermarket chain Eroski has launched a new range of own-brand vegan products as the retailer aims to promote healthy and sustainable eating. The Eroski Veggie organic food line carries the V-Vegan seal of approval, an internationally recognized indicator for vegetarian and vegan products and services.
Source: esmmagazine.com
Intermarche increases turnover 
French retail group Les Mousquetaires, which owns supermarket chains Intermarché and Netto and several DIY chains, grew its turnover by 2.3% last year. There was a significant increase in revenue in Belgium, even before the group doubled its store network in January.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Full list of Iceland stores closing permanently 
What Iceland shops close when? Birmingham Road Retail Park, Bromsgrove (February 25). Sineham Shopping Centre, Basingstoke (February 25). White Rose Centre, Rhyl (March 14). South Street, Newport, Isle of Wight (March). St Catherine’s Place, Bedminster, Bristol (to be confirmed).
Source: timeout.com
Belgium: Change at the top of the Louis Delhaise Group 
After three and a half years, general manager Ludovic Hollinier left the Belgian Louis Delhaise team. So the retailer is reorganizing its management: Pierre Boris succeeds Hollinier as chairman of the board and CEO of hypermarket chain Kora.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Tesco Ireland offers reusable bags for fruit and vegetables 
Tesco Ireland has launched a new reusable mesh bag for loose fruit and vegetables. The new bag, reusable, replaces the traditional shrink-and-pull bag and offers customers a sustainable option for packaging loose items.
Source: tescoireland.ie
