COVID-19 latest news from around the world

As it reported like-for-like sales growth of 13.3% in its first quarter, Reckitt Benckiser underlined the challenges the business faces in terms of demand planning and understanding whether the buying habits it has seen will continue in the short term. Unclear whether buying will be maintained in rest of 2020 Although the company was able to report strong sales growth across most geographie...

We review Kraft Heinz’s first quarter performance and the plans it’s making in response to the coronavirus pandemic. 1. At-home growth offset foodservice reductions Organic net sales increased 6.2% (excluding the impact of currency and divestments), driven by increased spending related to COVID-19. Growth in at-home consumption more than offset an unfavourable impact from retail inventory r...

Tesco Ireland confirmed the expansion of its Click and Collect service to 10 locations across different counties, amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Five new locations + expanded slots at five existing locations The brand new collection points are Bailieborough in Cavan, Ballincollig in Cork, Galway Shopping Centre, Headford Road and Ballinasloe in Galway, Clonmel and Nenagh in Tippe...

Sainsbury's has announced that profits could be hit by £500m in the year ahead as it takes on costs from the COVID-19 crisis. However the group's ability to weather the storm is strengthened by encouraging full year results for 2019, including seen steady improvements in grocery sales since last year's strategy update.   COVID-19 impact update Sainsbury's base case modelling assumes loc...

We look at how retailers in Portugal are implementing measures to ensure everyone has access to products, as they respond to the coronavirus pandemic. Continente Sonae MC-owned Continente has announced it continues to support shoppers by improving its contingency plan. The group has improved its response capacity in all grocery stores and is increasing communication between all stakeholders...

We review Loblaw’s Q1 performance as it adjusts to the new trading conditions and assess its long-term strategies against the key emerging trends. 1. Sales gain of over $750m due to the pandemic Loblaw’s first quarter retail revenue increased by 10.8% to $11.6bn, with the retailer estimating that excluding the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, revenue would have increased 3.5%....

We look at the actions Mondelez International is taking to emerge stronger from the pandemic. China bounce-back - the speed of the recovery of its business in China has provided the company with a blueprint that it wants to replicate in other emerging markets. The business delivered growth in the quarter and gained share, based on the strength of its local team, fast-decision making and s...

The coronavirus outbreak has changed Asian consumers’ habits, especially in Hong Kong and China. A trend that can be seen across markets Survey research shows a high share of consumers claimed they prefer to eat at home more often now than they did in the pre-COVID period. The trend can be seen in several Asian markets, but is much more pronounced in China and Hong Kong: China : 86% ...

Two more leading UK food-to-go chains have announced plans to reopen stores, following recent openings by Pret, KFC, Burger King and Costa Coffee.  Find out why it’s so good to see food-to-go operators reopening stores here Greggs: a phased approach The UK food-to-go and bakery chain has announced plans for a phased reopening with all 2,050 stores aiming to be serving customers by 1 J...

In this article we round up the latest initiatives from Aldi and Lidl UK to address the challenges created by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Aldi Aldi has introduced a voucher scheme to make it easier for volunteers to buy food on behalf of the vulnerable and those self-isolating. The vouchers are available to buy on a new Aldi voucher website  vouchers.aldi.co.uk . Once purchased,...

FamilyMart in Thailand has introduced two new models in order to expand its channels with an aim to improve accessibility. FamilyMart Corner is a colourful food and drinks container mart while automatic vending machines installed outside selected stores will offer convenience to consumers on the go.  Container style vending machines Source: Central Food Retail Gro...

We look at how PepsiCo is responding to the current trading environment, its four identified phases of the pandemic and how it’s moving forward. 1. Strong and accelerating momentum in first quarter The company’s net revenue grew 7.7% in the first quarter as it benefited from shoppers stocking up. However, its internal analysis highlighted underlying strong growth (ex-COVID-19), with organic...

Grocery market growth slowed from the exceptional rate of 20.6% in March to 5.5% over the last four weeks, according to new Kantar data. In this article, we explore the performance of key retailers as life under lockdown becomes the new normal for British shoppers. Out of home consumption reverts to the home Take home grocery sales grew 9.1% in the 12 weeks to April 19th. There was a lack o...

M&S is launching a six-week campaign to support British farmers. Committing to British farmers The campaign includes documenting and interviewing farmers by ‘farmer cam’ to shed light on what goes behind the scenes and further showcase British products across its stores. This is part of a wider push to reassert its commitment to sourcing from nearly 10,000 British farmers. Stuart Ma...

Ecommerce specialist, Jumia, has implemented several initiatives to help the community during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Nigeria: donating masks Jumia will donate certified face masks to Health Ministries in Kenya, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Nigeria, and Uganda. Using its access to a supply network outside of Africa, the retailer is coordinating and distributing face masks across healt...

We look at how retailers across the Middle East are dealing with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, implementing social distancing measures, launching contactless payment and more. United Arab Emirates: ensuring social distancing in-store To manage COVID-19, the UAE has implemented the following measures: Closed all commercial centres and shopping malls along with fish, meat and veg...

In response to COVID-19, Rappi has partnered with Colombian technology business KiwiBot to trial using robots for last mile food deliveries. The aim is to fulfil safe food deliveries, which reduce face-to-face contact and, therefore, prevent spreading the virus further. To protect customers’ safety, the robots are thoroughly disinfected before and after each delivery. “We believe that by pa...

France-based Casino said first quarter sales rose 7.9% in organic terms, while it enjoyed same-store sales growth of 6.4% across its three divisions: France Retail, Cdiscount and Latam Retail. Total net sales fell by 0.8%, to €8.3 bn, due to the store disposals and closures it undertook in 2019. The retailer, as part of its Q4 results announcement, had already removed guidance for its 2020 full f...

We look at how three different food businesses have developed new income streams in response to the coronavirus(COVID-19) pandemic. The wholesaler: Sysco Sysco, one of the leading wholesale suppliers to foodservice operators and restaurants in Canada, has launched a new direct-to-consumer business, Sysco@Home. Customers using the service can order bulk groceries for home delivery or pick-up...

In this article we look at what UK variety discounters are doing to address the challenges created by the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Temporary store closures B&M will be closing 49 stores as a response to the current trading conditions. The retailer has not announced what stores these will be, but has said it is likely they will be small format stores Poundland will be closing 1...