**Frankfurt**: Ahold Delhaize has been honoured at the 2025 Leading Employers event, ranking among the top 1% of employers worldwide due to its commitment to a positive workplace, with the award received by key executives from the group.
At the recent 2025 Leading Employers event held in Frankfurt, Ahold Delhaize was recognised for its exceptional qualities as an employer, placing it among the top 1% of employers globally. The award was presented to Gez Asafu-Agyei, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Ahold Delhaize Group, and Eline van der Hulst, a NextCo member and Manager of Area Delivery e-Commerce at Albert Heijn. This accolade highlights Ahold Delhaize’s commitment to fostering a positive workplace environment.
In financial news, Alibaba Group has disclosed its results for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. The company reported revenues of RMB280,154 million (approximately US$38.4 billion), which represents an 8% year-over-year increase. Additionally, Alibaba’s income from operations saw a significant rise, recorded at RMB41,205 million (about US$5.6 billion), marking an 83% increase year-over-year, driven by reduced impairment of intangible assets and heightened adjusted EBITA. The net income attributable to ordinary shareholders stood at RMB48,945 million (around US$6.7 billion).
Lidl Ireland has made strides in its investment in local suppliers, revealing that it procured over €1.67 billion worth of goods and services from Irish businesses in 2024. This figure indicates an increase of €41 million (or 2.5%) from the previous year. Notably, Lidl sourced €1.2 billion from the Irish agrifood sector, showing a growth of €89 million (or 7%) compared to 2023.
In the UK, the reopening of the SPAR Barrowford was celebrated by the community, which now features a revamped selection that includes a broader array of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as an enhanced range of freshly baked bread, catering to customer needs.
Cora, a retailer in Belgium, has expanded its collaboration with Too Good To Go, following a successful trial. This initiative, now rolled out to six hypermarkets, aims to efficiently manage shelf life data and combat food waste.
Online shopping continues its upward trajectory across the European Union. The latest survey indicated that Ireland led the way in online purchases, with 96% of internet users engaging in online shopping in 2024, while Bulgaria reported the lowest at 57%.
Subway® has announced a trial of a new offering of freshly made jacket potatoes, available in over 170 UK stores from February 19 until April 15, 2024, or until stocks last. The jacket potatoes can be included in a meal deal with a drink and crisps or a cookie.
Sainsbury’s is embarking on an innovative project to convert food waste into fuel for its trucks at the Emerald Park distribution centre in Bristol, with plans to power 30 HGV trucks using biofuel derived from food waste starting in March.
Meanwhile, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has raised concerns regarding GXO’s proposed £762 million acquisition of logistics rival Wincanton, suggesting that the deal might lead to increased costs for supermarkets by reducing competition in the provision of dedicated warehousing services.
In Sweden, ICA Gruppen has published its Annual Report for 2024, available for download on its website, which includes a comprehensive overview of the company’s operations and sustainability efforts.
Mercadona in Spain has received accolades for its innovative rice and vegetables tray meal, developed in collaboration with its supplier Platos Tradicionales. Additionally, the company’s adoption of a new QR code system for product labelling has been acknowledged as a significant advancement in operational efficiency.
In the United States, workers at Stop & Shop have threatened to strike in solidarity with union counterparts at a nearby warehouse. This move adds to ongoing discussions around labour relations within the grocery industry.
In Canada, Loblaw Companies Limited is facing downward pressure on profits as caution among consumers and sustained price inflation affects its performance, although Q4 revenues saw a modest increase.
In another development, a new grocery store called Obodo Greengrocer is set to open in Las Vegas’ Historic Westside on February 22. The store aims to enhance access to fresh produce for families experiencing food insecurity.
Lastly, H-E-B has opened a 100,000-square-foot e-commerce fulfilment centre in Houston, designed to support the company’s Curbside and Home Delivery services, contributing to its omnichannel growth strategy. Walmart Inc. has reportedly gained market share, revealing an impressive quarterly revenue of $180.6 billion, reflecting a 4.1% rise compared to the previous year.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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