Global round-up: loyalty programmes, partnerships and technology

The retail round-up follows trends globally across the industry and brings you highlights for the week commencing 21 July. Here's what you need to know about developments from Europe, Asia-Pacific, North America and South America.

Europe: Loyalty scheme, retail alliances and supplier partnerships

Aldi Nord expands loyalty scheme to all Belgian stores

Aldi had initially been testing a loyalty scheme in around 70 stores across the country, offering discounted prices, opportunities to earn points, and weekly promotions. Shoppers can redeem accumulated points for general discount vouchers or free products. This will be progressively rolled out to all 440 stores in the estate, starting at the end of July.  

Michela Pearson, Insight Analyst’s view:

Earlier this year, Lidl introduced a similar system with weekly discounts and points. Both discount chains are late to the game, as supermarkets like Delhaize and Carrefour have offered point collection for years. These loyalty cards provide companies with valuable customer data, however building loyalty is more than just personalised offers. Learn more about how to build a loyalty programme that truly resonates with shoppers in our Next level loyalty report.

Auchan to sell stores to Lidl

The retailer is considering selling 19 of its stores in France to Lidl. This includes ten stores from its own existing portfolio and nine that Auchan purchased from Casino Group in 2024. If approved, the purchase is predicted to be completed by the end of 2025. This follows Auchan closing 25 of its supermarkets in Spain as well as cutting more than 700 jobs as part of a restructuring plan. The retailer also said in November it would cut more than 2,000 roles in France.

Rachel Sibson, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Auchan has seen a steady decline in store footfall leading to declining comparable sales. While the retailer reported 2.8% revenue growth in 2024, like-for-like sales declined 2.8%, particularly in France. It recently launched a recovery plan to return to growth in the market, focusing on three areas: improving the customer experience, return to a more attractive price positioning, and inventing new store models. Auchan’s annual results prove the need, and urgency, for this recovery plan. With the sale of these stores to Lidl, Auchan is looking to improve its financial position in the market and avoid more layoffs. For more on acquisitions in the region, see Europe’s ongoing consolidation article.

EMD attracts Polish members to its alliance

A Polish retail group consisting of Grupa Eurocash, Grupa Chorten, and Netto (Salling Group) is set to join the EMD Retail Group in 2026. The retail alliance is focussed on developing and procuring highly efficient and sustainably produced private label concepts and supports global partnerships with the largest brand manufacturers.

Dan Butler, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

The significance of retail alliances in European grocery retail continues to grow, with many retailers seeking to benefit from improved trading and sourcing conditions. Competition is fierce in the Polish market and retail alliance membership will support Grupa Eurocash, Grupa Chorten, and Netto in gaining a competitive advantage. For more on this topic, see our European grocery retail alliances: an overview report.

Albert Heijn collaborates with brands in B Corp promotion

Having become B Corp accredited, Albert Heijn has launched the “Ieder B'tje Hulp" (Every Little B Helps) campaign. Participating B Corp accredited products are highlighted in-store with a QR code, inviting shoppers to learn more about how the brand ‘is committed to people, the environment and society’. For instance, Tony’s Chocolonely helps people earn a living wage, while Clipper tea supports biodiversity net gain. Meanwhile, there was a dedicated four-day pop-up promotion at Albert Heijn Gelderlandplein where shoppers could learn more about participating brands.

Harriet Cohen, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Albert Heijn continues to push the boundaries in sustainability, becoming a pioneering grocery retailer to achieve B Corp status in 2024. In our research on, ‘How brands compete as private label grows globally’, we highlighted the importance of purpose, promotion and partnerships to differentiate and drive success. This new activation from Albert Heijn demonstrates this in practice.

Asia-Pacific: a failed takeover, smart trolleys and loyalty

Couche-Tard ends its pursuit of Seven & i Holdings takeover

The Canadian retailer, known for its Circle K forecourt stores, has withdrawn its US$47 bn offer to buy the Japanese retail giant famed for its 7-Eleven convenience store banner. Couche-Tard cited a lack of engagement from Seven & i for its decision to withdraw.

Jarred Neubronner, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

The collapse of the deal is unsurprising as Seven & i Holdings seemed reluctant from the start. After having built up 7-Eleven to become the world’s largest convenience brand, management would want to avoid a takeover so they can retain control over the growth of the 7-Eleven banner globally, and avoid any change in ways of working due to large cultural differences between Japan-based Seven & i and Canada-based Couche-Tard.

Woolworths trials smart trolleys in even more supermarkets

They have been on trial New South Wales supermarkets since last year and it will now be extended to 25 more stores in NSW, and into Victoria and Queensland for the first time. Rob McCartney, Woolworths360 Managing Director, said:

Customers have told us using the Scan&Go trolley has resulted in a faster and more convenient shopping experience.

The technology is developed in-house, building on the Scan & Go app the retailer introduced in 2018. A device is attached to one of the high-tech trolleys, which enables shoppers to scan and pack items as they shop. Once finished, they head to a self-service checkout to pay for the groceries.

Tan Soo Eng, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Woolworths has built a smart trolley in-house instead of working with a third-party supplier. The most important benefit is being in control of shoppers’ data, which enables the retailer to monetise opportunities and drive personalised offers in the long run. In addition, the retailer has modified existing trolleys by adding a customised tablet and scanning device, removing the need to buy new smart trolleys and therefore reducing waste. Coles has also been testing smart trolleys with Instacart. Read more about how tech is used to enhance customer experiences in our Best of the store Australia report.

New World New Zealand launches new suite of offers on loyalty programme

New World has added new ways to reward shoppers that are tailored to their shopping habits. There are category-specific offers, consecutive spend challenges and trip-based bonuses. Shoppers will receive challenges that are personalised and relevant to them, and achievable based on how they shop.

Tan Soo Eng, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

This is a great example of how shoppers can be rewarded based on personalised offers. This programme really focuses on providing value in a meaningful way that interests shoppers to drive engagement. We track promotions and value offers through our quarterly value report, so you can find more global case studies in our Q2 value report.

North America: Albertsons’ Q1 results and Loblaw’s response to tariffs

Albertsons’ Q1 performance fuelled by double-digit growth in pharmacy and ecommerce

It reported net sales of US$24.9 bn for the quarter (up 2.5%), with identical sales up 2.8%. Digital sales grew 25%, which was mostly attributed to the award-winning capabilities of its app, which now leverages AI and interactive features, such as its shop assist tool, product location and personalised meal planning, to enhance “ease and convenience”. While pharmacy operators are struggling and closing hundreds of stores, Albertsons’ pharmacy saw 20% growth, led by strong prescription sales, immunisation growth and increased sales of GLP-1 drugs.

Oliver Butterworth, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Albertsons’ focus on growing its digital and pharmacy sales is paying off. However, while it is “getting close” to breaking even, it is not yet reaching ecommerce profitability, and its digital grocery penetration (9%) lags behind competitors. Susan Morris, Albertsons’ CEO, made an interesting comment that even though the increased use of GLP-1 drugs could lead to decreased basket sizes, users of those medications typically switch their spend to profitable categories like supplements and lean proteins. Our new weight loss medication report explores how GLP-1 medication could impact shopper behaviour, and implications for the food and grocery industry.

Canadian consumers shift as tariffs hit shelves

In a recent LinkedIn post, Per Bank, Loblaw’s president and CEO, addressed the ongoing uncertainty around the impact of retaliatory tariffs and their inflationary impact on grocery prices. While June’s inflation data showed a slowdown, tariffs still account for almost 30% of the cost increases Loblaw is seeing this year.

Stewart Samuel, Director of Retail Futures’ view:

Loblaw has taken a proactive stance to shield Canadian shoppers from the full impact of rising costs. Its decision to label nearly 7,500 tariff-affected products with a “T” symbol reflects a strong commitment to transparency and customer trust. The data is telling: sales of “T”-labelled products have declined by 15–20% on average, and up to 50% where compelling Canadian alternatives exist. At the same time, volumes of Canadian-prepared products are rising, highlighting a consumer shift towards local sourcing. This presents a significant opportunity for domestic manufacturers that can credibly leverage their Canadian credentials in a value-conscious market.

South America: Carrefour looks for potential buyers

Carrefour to sell Argentinian business

The French retailer is reportedly looking for potential buyers for its operations in the Argentinian market. It currently operates 685 stores in the market, across the hypermarket, supermarket, convenience and wholesale channels.

Dan Butler, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

It seems Carrefour is seeking to take further complexity out of its business, following reports of it also looking to exit the Italian market. It has been steadily growing market share in Argentina, but further divestment will enable it to invest in its core markets of France, Spain and Brazil.