Discount Retail Chain Lidl Belgium (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has recently started using a new, more sustainable receipt in its stores. The aim of the retail chain is to “make groceries more ecologically together.” After the primary and secondary packaging that received a sustainability certificate, it is up to Lidl's till tickets to become (more) ecologically responsible. The aim of the retail chain is to make groceries more ecological. The new cash register, which has been introduced gradually since April, is blue and made of ecological material certified by FSC, meaning it comes from sustainably managed forests. The receipt ink is resistant to light, oil and water, which optimizes long-term visibility. The ticket is also recyclable, so it can be placed with paper and cardboard without any worries. Finally, contact between the receipt and food is no problem at all: the material is not harmful to health. See here for more: https://www.gondola.be/nl/news/lidl-kiest-voor-ecologische-kassatickets

Discount Retail Chain Lidl (owned by the German Schwarz Group) reported impressive growth in France in the period from 12 July to 8 August (P8), new data from Kantar has shown, with the discounter seeing its market share rise 0.4 percentage points in the period. The discounter welcomed an additional 210,000 more shoppers during the P8 period, while its customer based is also becoming more loyal, according to Kantar. Lidl also holds the highest share of TV advertising, with 27.2% of the market. Strong Performers Other strong performers in the period included Le Groupement Les Mousquetaires, which also gained 0.4 percentage points to sit on a market share of 15.8%. The group's dynamism is fuelled by the Intermarché banner, which increased its market share by 0.4 percentage points, and has succeeded in building customer loyalty both through its stores and on its website. Le Groupement U also saw a 0.4 percentage point increase in market share, to 11.6%, boosted by both its store performance and online, Kantar said. Other positive performers included market leader E.Leclerc, which reported a 0.3 percentage point increase, to sit on 22.7%, while Carrefour continued its positive trend for the sixth consecutive period, reporting a 0.2 percentage point share gain, to put it on 20% of the market. Discounter Aldi, meanwhile, reported a 0.2 percentage point gain, to move it to 2.4%, boosted by increased shopper numbers thanks to its enlarged store base. Macro Trends In terms of general trends, French consumers reduced their spending by 3% in the P8 period, reflective of tough comparatives with last year, but the market is still 2.6% ahead of where it was in P8 2019. Shopping habits developed during the pandemic have remained to a certain extent customers are still shopping less regularly, and buying more when they do so. The online channel gained 0.4 percentage points during the period, putting it on 8.0% of the market, or 2.4 points higher than in the same period two years ago. See here for more: https://www.esmmagazine.com/retail/lidl-sees-impressive-growth-france-july-kantar-144297

Discount Retail Chain Tiendas D1 (owned by KOBA) is consolidating corporate social responsibility projects that benefit labor inclusion for people with intellectual disabilities and social incentives. to achieve greater sustainability of ecosystems in the department of Chocó. Through strategic alliances with entities and foundations, such as Sena and the Best Buddies Colombia Foundation, César Benavides Sánchez, Vice President of Operations for Tiendas D1, told the columbian newspaper El Espectador that “the company in Colombia cannot be left alone in supply processes or limiting itself to the services they provide. There must be the intention to see beyond the corporate objectives to think of a country that has complex and specific needs, which are always hand in hand with a natural environment that must be cared for in the logic of production and industrialization”. Key to this, Tiendas D1 has managed for more than five years a set of strategic alliances to promote the company in terms of social and labor inclusion of different people from vulnerable populations, for the sake of their individual and collective well-being, in the one that their contributions to the country are the most valuable input. At the sustainability level, there is the "Chocó Labor Link" project, which arose from an agreement of wills with the National Learning Service (Sena) in the Quibdó region and with the support of the 15th brigade of the National Army, in which they have provided opportunities to more than 90 students to successfully complete their academic stage, increasing their quality of life and that of their families, keeping them away from criminal groups and offering them opportunities for direct employability, guaranteeing sustainable life projects in favor of themselves and the ecosystems in danger of extinction that surround them. And on the social side, with the inclusion at different levels of the population with intellectual disabilities, in connection with the Best Buddies Colombia Foundation and its “Amigos del alma” program, with which they seek to provide inclusive, dignified and stable employment opportunities to people. with different living conditions due to a disability. Today more than 50 friends of the soul are part of the D1 Stores team. Labor bonding in Chocó: a respite for nature Víctor Enrique Córdoba is an ecological agricultural technologist from the Seine. His concern for the environmental situation in his native Quibdó prompted him to dedicate himself to the profession of caring for ecosystems and generating actions that would impact his community so that from daily acts they would do the same. It is one of the dozens of young people who are part of the project "Labor Link Chocó", in which Tiendas D1 and the National Army have intervened in their education so that their practices as a technologist use them in favor of endangered trees in the Chocoana capital and its surroundings. “Within the framework of this alliance, we have developed offices for the conservation of native tree species in the region, which are in the process of extinction. Trees such as guayacán or mahogany are in environments or areas degraded by mining, and with the rapid passage of that sector, your hopes are low. Added to that is their indiscriminate logging, a matter for which we act and appropriate our resources… because if we don't do it, who will? ”Said Córdoba. The technologist has also been concerned about why for so many generations his department has been marginalized from so many social and economic projects headed by the Colombian State. In fact, he commented to this newspaper that the access roads in precarious conditions that connect Quibdó with the nearby municipalities in which they intervene have not allowed a full development of their capacities. However, he added that “despite the difficulties we have been able to promote environmental care within our communities, and with the possibilities that D1 and Koba have given us we have been able to adapt to a way of life in which the fundamental be the care of our environment. It would be good if more private companies consolidate these support initiatives to train more and more people around something that concerns us all: the future and the health of the planet”. In the same battalion facilities, according to the testimony of Víctor Córdoba, they have had the option of generating alternative agricultural activities that allow self-sustainability and local development. There they started a home garden, in which they grow bananas, yucca and tomatoes, foods that they later consume or distribute within their neighborhoods. “Thanks to this agreement, everything has been articulated. When we preserve trees we have the peace of mind that we also encourage responsible crops that benefit us all. And although some days we do not realize it, with these actions, sometimes small and sometimes not so much, we are changing environments and the face of Chocó ”, concluded Córdoba. Friends who work with the soul Best Buddies Colombia and Tiendas D1 joined their paths in 2016. Since that year, the possibility of labor inclusion of the "Friends of the soul", people with intellectual diversity who are part of this foundation, in the establishments of the chain became real and more and more they build better realities for their processes. Alejandra Arenas, director of Best Buddies Colombia, took stock of said alliance, in which she highlighted that “Koba is one of the largest employers of people with an intellectual disability. They have helped in all stages and the results in quality are seen in abundance. With this strategy we go from raising a profile of the position, we adjust it to the disability, we sensitize before its entry and later we leave all the conditions so that the friend of the soul enters the company”. In addition to promoting this experience with Tiendas D1, Best Buddies Colombia also has a close relationship with the Sena, through which more than 750 young people with an intellectual disability have been trained there as packing assistants, in areas related to logistics and service. in supply chains. This knowledge has been put into practice in the D1 and their trainings have taken place in the main cities of the country. “Tiendas D1 has also provided us since 2017 with the financing of our foundation's own calendars, whose funds are used to continue promoting friends of the soul. They are on all fronts of action and with these actions they have set great precedents for dignified treatment, as it cannot be otherwise, towards this population, ”said Alejandra Arenas. Although the alliance between D1 and Best Buddies is advancing by giant steps, for Arenas this is not enough and he invited government decisions to promote and respect more this type of action in favor of people who want to make invisible in policy matters. “Although the interdiction of people with disabilities was abolished, the State has not been the guarantor of many other situations in front of them. They are made invisible by Law 361 of 1997 and we still regret to see that there are unfortunate barriers to labor inclusion. We see incentives that are far from the reality of the companies and without clues of actions that can be landed so that people with intellectual disabilities in Colombia dignify themselves and we understand that diversity is something in which we must all get involved”, he stated. See here for more: https://www-elespectador-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.elespectador.com/ambiente/bibo/tiendas-d1-en-armonia-con-la-sostenibilidad-y-el-desarrollo-social/?outputType=amp

Discount Retail Chain Aldi Australia (German family owned) is testing automated recognition of products placed in shopping trolleys using technology from Israeli start-up Shopic. The solution, which eliminates the need for scanning at the checkout, is so exciting, that the company had also installed it for a short period of time in its innovations store near its headquarters in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. In July 2020, Aldi Süd had invited technology start-ups from around the world to present their solutions for goods recognition without barcode scanning to the discounter. The Retail Optimiser reported. Since then, the company has purposefully evaluated many innovations for the retail sector that are based on image recognition with artificial intelligence and do not require the reading of a barcode or RFID to identify products. Now the discounter is testing the innovative solution from Israeli start-up Shopic in selected shops in Australia. The system is so exciting, that the discounter also installed it for a short period of time in its innovation store at Mannesmannallee 32 in Mülheim an der Ruhr, not far from the company’s headquarters, probably to be able to show it in real use to other decision-makers in its company. On Saturday 14 August, however, it was already dismantled there again, the press office of Aldi Süd informed the Retail Optimiser on request. The test in Germany was presumably limited in time to avoid creating too much publicity for the exciting technology, the use of which could mean considerable staff savings. Solution for existing shopping trolleys Shopic’s solution can be easily mounted on existing shopping trolleys. Through multiple cameras, it automatically detects goods placed in the trolley without barcode scanning and adds them to the virtual receipt shown on the display. Items that the customer removes again are also automatically removed from the list. Only fruit and vegetables had to be weighed by customers using the system in Mülheim an der Ruhr at an additional self-service scale, a label generated and its barcode scanned at the Shopic unit. In Mülheim an der Ruhr, customers using the system could pay at a conventional checkout. With its solution, Shopic aims not only to make scanning completely obsolete, but also to offer a form of product registration that is particularly secure against theft by customers compared to self-scanning with mobile devices. Aldi Süd is one of the first companies to test the Shopic solution in real stores. Another retail company has previously equipped a store in the Chilean capital Santiago with it. Direct competition to Walkout Shopic is not the only vendor capable of automated shopping cart entry. As Retail Optimiser reported, Dutch retailer Jumbo is testing a very similar solution Walkout. Walkout, another Israeli start-up, has already finished integrating its solution with GK Software’s standard POS software. Behind the integration could be tests with Walkout in the laboratories of Aldi Süd’s most important competitor Lidl. However, Lidl did not want to confirm such tests when asked. See here for more: https://retail-optimiser.de/en/aldi-sued-trials-automated-product-recognition-with-shopic/

Discount variety retail chain Flying Tiger Copenhagen (owned by Zebra A/S) and Azadea Group have entered into an International Franchise Agreement regarding Azadea Group's exclusive rights to develop and operate the Flying Tiger Copenhagen franchise concept in the United Arab Emirates. The Flying Tiger Copenhagen discounter currently consists of more than 900 stores in 28 countries in Europe and Asia, and the franchise expansion into the United Arab Emirates is part of a global expansion of the Flying Tiger Copenhagen franchise concept. The Azadea Group is a premier lifestyle retail company that owns and operates more than 40 leading international franchise concepts in fashion and accessories, food and beverage, home furnishings, sporting goods, multimedia and beauty and cosmetics across the Middle East and Africa, spread across 13 countries overseeing more than 550 stores. See here for more:

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Polska (owned by the German Schwarz Group) wants to draw attention to the most important values ​​that distinguish the network as an employer: employment stability, non-wage benefits not only for employees, but also for their families, as well as competitive wages and equal pay. Currently, over 500 jobs are waiting for candidates in Lidl stores and warehouses. The campaign under the slogan "I have a contract for a secure future" The latest edition of the employer branding campaign "Work for years" will start on August 23. This time, the recruitment and image-building activities will be conducted under the new slogan "I have a contract for a secure future". With its actions, Lidl wants to emphasize the values ​​that are to encourage potential candidates to apply. During the campaign, Lidl Polska plans to hire 500 employees for its stores and warehouses. 'For me, Lidl means stability and financial security. I have a family, a wife and three children, a flat on credit, so I cannot afford to "experiment" with the payment of salaries that I will not have money for my children and "to live". It is very important to me that the company will not disappear overnight. Stabilization and safety are the most important things for my family', says Dariusz Powązka, Section Manager in the BS Będzin warehouse. What does Lidl Polska offer to candidates? From March 2021, store employees who start their careers earn from PLN 3,550 gross (US$ 3,550) to PLN 4,350 gross (US$1,1114). However, after one year of work, the employer guarantees a salary increase to the level from PLN 3,650 gross (US$934) to PLN 4,550 (US$1,166) gross, and after two years of internship, the salary increases to the level from PLN 3,900 gross (US$999) to PLN 4,800 gross (US$1,230). From September, all Lidl Polska employees and their relatives will have the opportunity to expand their competences thanks to free access to eTutor, a platform for self-learning foreign languages ​​online. The application allows you to study anywhere, anytime. This online language self-learning platform focuses on daily knowledge, mobility and linguistic fun. See here for more: https://www.dlahandlu.pl/wiadomosci/,101223.htm

Discount Retail Chain Lidl Sweden's (owned by the German Schwarz Group) country manager Johan Augustsson said it was an extreme year, when the chain blew up the 200-store wall, sales increased by 12.8 percent and for the fourth year in a row took market shares. In the future, I think we will be at about 6 - 8 new stores per year, but this year there will be slightly fewer, he says to Fri Köpenskap. Lidl Sweden increased sales by SEK 1.5 billion (US$ 170 million, during the 2020/21 financial year. This means increased sales by 12.8 percent to SEK 13.3 Billion (US$1.5bn) vs last year SEK 11.8 Bn (US$1.3Bn). Lidl thus increased its market share, as the entire industry grew by 7.1 percent at the same time according to the Grocery Index, DVI. This is the fourth year in a row that Lidl is gaining market share. Most of the increase was driven by organic growth, more customers shopped for more in existing stores, according to the company. The loss for the financial year, which spans from March to February, increased to SEK -145 million (US$ -16.5 million), last year SEK -68 million (US$ -7.7 million). The loss, which according to the company is planned, is explained by large investments in, among other things, the new head office in Barkarby, the opening of new 14 stores and the new central warehouse in Örebro. Now we are refurbishing our existing stores at the same time as we open new ones. We have a strong platform that enables continued strong growth. Combined with our flexible and fast-paced approach, we have every opportunity to continue to take market shares from the market dominants, comments Johan Augustsson. During the year, Lidl launched its new customer club the Lidl APP European wide. It has exceeded expectations, we have gained a lot of members, says Johan Augustsson. During the financial year, Lidl also opened a fast track for almost 50 small, local food producers. During the year, Lidl sold approximately 2.5 million goods from them. It is clear proof that we are on the right track when more and more consumers appreciate and discover our improved offer, where fresh, Swedish food is in focus. We are the challenger in the Swedish food market. The need for a strong challenger increases as the dominants consolidate their positions in the market and acquire competitors. There is a great risk that customers and suppliers will have to pay the price when competition deteriorates and it is our task to counteract this. We want to ensure that more Swedish households have access to food of the highest quality at the best price and fair conditions for suppliers, Johan Augustsson concludes. See here for more: https://www.fri-kopenskap.se/article/view/804671/sa_ska_lidl_fortsatta_expandera_efter_rekordaret?token=63is26vkl238nvlzgyn08xoxdi8npun9

Discount Retail Chain ŞOK Marketler (listed TYR: SOKM) continued to grow in the first half of the year, it offered job opportunities to 2,700 more people. According to the statement made by ŞOK Marketler, the company announced its financial results for the first half of 2021 on the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP). Accordingly, ŞOK Marketler increased its net sales revenues by 33.3% to 13.2 billion TL (US$1.55 billion) in the first six months of 2021, compared to the same period of the previous year. Opening 596 new stores in this period, ŞOK Marketler's total number of stores reached 8,741 and the total number of employees reached 38,410. On the other hand, the rate of orders placed through the Cepte ŞOK application, which was implemented last year, increased by 80 percent in the second quarter of the year compared to the same period of the previous year. "TO PROVIDE QUALITY AND AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS IS OUR BIGGEST AIM" Stating that the results in the first half of 2021, as ŞOK Marketler, are an indication of their commitment to "delivering quality products at the most affordable prices" to their customers, ŞOK Markets CEO Uğur Demirel said: "With the 'From the Field to the Table' project, which we started in 2020, we deliver the products that we inspect and follow from the seed selection to the shelves, and that we are sure of the quality, to the table of our customers at the most advantageous prices, and we support thousands of farmers and producers from all over Turkey by giving their full and timely reward for their efforts. As ŞOK Marketler, we continue to develop projects with the aim of contributing to the equal participation of women in the economy, which is one of our important priorities. See here for more: https://mbigpara-hurriyet-com-tr.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/mbigpara.hurriyet.com.tr/amp/haberler/sok-marketler-2-bin-700-kisiye-ek-istihdam-sagladi/1471133/

Discount Retail Chain Lidl (owned by the German Schwarz Group) has announced they are launching a vegan range to help more shoppers create an affordable plant-based feast at home. The vegan diet is very popular at the moment, with more and more supermarkets opting for animal free food choices, so it's no surprise the huge supermarket chain has added a special range. They have included alternatives to fish, chicken, pork and cream and have even brought out some vegan sides to go with classics like tofu. Shoppers should be on the lookout for gnocchi, medaglioni, pizzas, spreads, oat ice creams and tortilla wraps. On the menu are Lidl’s tasty, breadcrumb-coated Vemondo Vegan Fish Fingers, that cost only £1.99 (US$2.71) for 300g. These are said to be as appetising as fish fingers, both delicious inside a wholemeal wrap or a side salad and green peas. The store recommends we pair them with their Harvest Basket Carrot & Parsnip Fries (£1.49 for 500g) that are made from root vegetables coated in a light batter for a crisp fry. Carrot and parsnip add a touch of sweetness to the traditional burger accompaniment and also complement the frozen Vemondo Vegan Chicken Style Patties (£1.49 for 300g), another addition to the vegan range. The Vemondo Vegan Juicy Burger is described as a tender and flavourful meat-free alternative, available for just £1.99 (US$2.71) for two 80g patties that Lidl say is perfect for sandwiching between a soft burger bun alongside fresh leaves and tomatoes. For deserts, the store has tackled soemthing famous for being non-vegan. Shoppers can enjoy Lidl’s Vemondo Vegan Ice Creams, which are available in a variety of flavours. Choose from Coconut & Caramel with Chocolate; Caramel with Chocolate; or Coconut Sandwich with Coconut Cream, all for only £1.99 (US$2.71). Lidl’s Vemondo range will be available in stores nationwide from Thursday 5th August to pick up as part of the weekly shop. See here for more: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/lifestyle/money/lidl-launches-new-vegan-range-24679312

Discount Retail Chain Aldi UK (German family owned) has announced that it will save the equivalent of over 2,000 tonnes of carbon emissions a year by installing fridge doors as standard in its new and newly refurbished stores. The change will enable each of the supermarket’s shops to reduce their energy consumption by approximately 20%, equivalent to a carbon emissions saving of up to 20 tonnes per store each year. Mary Dunn, managing director of corporate responsibility at Aldi UK, said: “We are always looking for new ways to minimise our carbon footprint, which is why all our stores already use 100% renewable electricity, and our new stores also utilise natural refrigerants and feature efficient LED lighting. “Introducing fridge doors is another step on that journey to reduce our energy consumption and we hope that customers enjoy the new, more sustainable shopping experience.” Carbon neutral since January 2019, Aldi has already reduced its carbon footprint by more than 55% since 2012 through a range of sustainability initiatives, including the use of solar panels, switching to 100% green electricity and investing in a greener fleet. See here for more: https://www.theretailbulletin.com/food-and-drink/aldi-adds-doors-to-fridges-to-reduce-energy-consumption-18-08-2021/

Discount Retail Chain Aldi Denmark (German family owned) continues to struggle with prejudice and a worn-out image at home. A new advertising universe must change consumers' perception of the discount chain For just the second time in Aldi's 44 years in Denmark, the chain today launches a completely new advertising universe with accompanying branding film under the slogan: "Come home with more". The new universe will help to increase the shopping frequency and basket size and provide the customer base for Aldi's ongoing expansion from 185 to 250 stores in search of a larger market share in Denmark, which is approx. 3 per cent, according to Retail lnstitute Scandinavia. Karina Marott, Marketing and Communications Director for Aldi Denmark, is looking forward to launching the universe, which has been developed by the advertising agency & Co. based on a major strategic positioning work prepared by Noa Consulting. It is no secret that after 44 years, Aldi is still experienced as a bit foreign, and for many, Aldi is not on the light board at all when it comes to shopping. Therefore, they do not come in and experience the change in "the new Aldi". We need to capture consumers outside and invite them in by creating an emotional response that corresponds to the functional characteristics that Aldi stands for; that you can find everything for everyday life and save both time and money, because we have made it easy to choose, says Karina Marott in a press release. She joined Aldi at the end of 2019 and has since worked on the challenging task of transforming Aldi's brand side by side with Aldi's store network also undergoing extensive revitalization. Aldi's new universe is based on a radical adaptation of Aldi's range, which gives consumers many Danish and fresh products as well as a sharply cut selection of well-known brands and private label products. At the same time, the discount chain focuses on making it easy to act with consideration for the environment, animal welfare and climate. With the new universe, we want to show that we understand the Danes' everyday life, and with a twinkle in the eye and well-known hits get the parades down with Mr. and Mrs. Denmark. We have worked very purposefully and have developed and tested for a long time. The universe is humorous, musical and based on strong everyday insights that consumers can nod in recognition of, says Karina Marott. Strong agency partners Based on Noa Consulting's positioning work, the task at the advertising agency & Co. been creating a creative platform that can transport Aldi on from still being something alien to being known and loved. Christian Grosen, Client Director and Partner at & Co., says: 'There must be really targeted work here, because what other retailers have spent 15 years on, Aldi must reach less than a handful. Insight and understanding are important. But the trick is to get people to listen. People listen when they can recognize themselves, feel that Aldi knows the language and is part of the herd. The parades are lowered, and then the Danes begin to be able to listen to Aldi being good quality at low prices. For them to come home with more, which is Aldi's new payoff.' Aldi has chosen Dentsu X as the agency partner to define the media strategy across all platforms. In addition, the chain has chosen the communications agency Essencius to assist with PR, CSR communication and internal communication in close collaboration with Aldi's own communication team. Aldi is undergoing a remarkable transformation, digitally, organizationally and communicatively. Aldi invented discount, and the Danes love discount, but not Aldi, yet. Our task is to give consumers and employees more to take home than they expect when they experience or read about Aldi, and when they come to work at Aldi, says Christina Schärfe Lambach, Managing Partner at Essencius. Aldi's first commercial has a Danish rewrite of Tom Jones' huge hit "Sex Bomb" as its focal point. See here for more: https://dagligvarehandlen.dk/aldi/aldi-danmark-lancerer-nyt-reklameunivers-i-jagten-paa-stoerre-omsaetning

Discount Retail Chain Aldi Portugal (German family owned) has commenced the sale of Bread Beer, a beer produced from unsold bread sourced from the retailer’s stores. Beer Bread has been developed exclusively as Aldi own private label brand by brewer Aldeana by replacing part of the usual malt used in beer production with bread. The result is an amber beer described as 'distinctive but uncomplicated', marked by notes of cereal, caramel and toast. Bread Beer is now on sale in Aldi stores across Portugal, with limited stocks available. The launch is part of the Aldi Portugal’s food waste initiative and comes after the retailer joined the United Against Waste movement earlier this year. Aldi Portugal’s Corporate Responsibility Director, Elke Muranyi, said that the launch of Bread Beer aims to “raise consumer awareness” and “challenge customers to be creative about reusing surplus food”. Alternative Beers However, this is not the first beer for Portugal, as Sonae MC-owned hypermarket and supermarket banner Continente has for some time been selling the Vadia artisan beer, also made with bread leftovers. Meanwhile, another novelty for Portuguese beer lovers is Sovina 500 Cherry Sour, a beer made from surplus cherries. Launched earlier this month, the cherry-based beer is the result of a partnership between artisan brewery Sovina and the Too Good To Go app, an app that allows partner brands and establishments to combat food waste by selling their surplus food. The new Sovina 500 Cherry Sour beer is available through Sovina's online shop and select specialty bars. See here for more: https://www-esmmagazine-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.esmmagazine.com/amp/drinks/aldi-portugal-launches-beer-made-leftover-bread-143056