Global roundup: redefining for the future and private label developments

Europe: retailers preparing for the future

Loop reaches commercial scale with Carrefour across France

The reuse initiative first piloted in 2018 is now available in almost 350 locations nationwide. Over 370 branded products, and 50 of Carrefour’s own label, are part of the initiative that allows French shoppers to return containers to store. Other retailers, such as Monoprix and Coopérative U, have also joined the scheme.

Michela Pearson, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Carrefour’s efforts in making sustainability easier and more accessible for shoppers over the last few years have been impressive, and the partnership with TerraCycle’s Loop is proving successful. One of the key issues we see with sustainability initiatives introduced by retailers is that they are not scalable; Loop proves that this does not have to be the case, and scalable solutions already exist. Legislation plays an important role in achieving targets, and the French government has ambitious goals which we are also seeing other countries emulate. For more global sustainability initiatives, read our Q3 update.

Metro Group closes four locations in Poland

The wholesale operator has ceased trading from four locations in Rybnik, Słupsk, Toruń, and Zabrze, which were operating under the Makro Cash & Carry banner. It will still operate from 25 wholesale locations in the market and has its online delivery service for customers to use.

Dan Butler, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

The closures come on the back of poor financial results and Metro looking to reorganise to focus on HoReCa and digital solutions for traditional trade. Other wholesalers in the Polish market are also reporting declining sales as organised franchise models, such as Zabka, are expanding and attracting traditional cash & carry customers.

Jumbo changes relationship with retail alliances

At the end of the year, the Dutch retailer will end its collaboration with Everest and Epic Partners for the purchase of branded products. It will continue its collaboration with Edeka for the international purchasing of private label products and will continue with Everest Fresh for the purchasing of fruit and vegetables.

Dan Butler, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

The decision from Jumbo appears to be on the back of recent delisting of branded products following failed negotiations through the retail alliances. Its move away from the alliances will enable it to build back relationships with suppliers and prevent future product availability challenges. To learn more about the retail alliance landscape in Europe, see our exclusive report.

NorgesGruppen works to secure food preparedness with emergency stores

The retailer announced it will establish at least 100 emergency stores to supply customers with food in times of crisis. It is collaborating with the Norwegian Food Emergency Preparedness Council to define a critical selection of products that will be available in emergency food stores in serious and prolonged national crisis situations. To ensure power supply, emergency stores must also have alternative energy sources, such as solar cells and emergency generators. NorgesGruppen is now

Rachel Sibson, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

NorgesGruppen aims to increase it's resilience with this new plan, preparing for disruption such as floods, epidemics and cybercrime. It is currently defining which stores will be emergency stores through several criteria such as good parking facilities and maximum driving distance for customers. With increased uncertainty in the global trading landscape, we will see more of these initiatives as retailers look to minimise the effects of disruptions on their operations and ability to serve the needs of shoppers.

Asia-Pacific: Spinneys partnership in the Philippines, AI implementation and shopper rewards

Spinneys expands into the Philippines with Ayala

The UAE-based supermarket chain has signed a joint venture with Ayala Corporation to roll out stores in the Philippines, marking its first expansion into the Southeast Asia region. Sunil Kumar, Spinneys CEO, said:

The Philippines offers long-term growth potential with strong economic fundamentals

and claimed that the growing affluent population will drive the demand for premium food retail.

Sabrina Wong, IGD Insight Analyst’s view:

Spinneys is famous for its premium food retail proposition in the Middle East. However, the market dynamics are significantly different between that region and Southeast Asia when it comes to societal structure, consumer preferences and shopping habits. To succeed in the market, Spinneys must adapt and explore how to shape and tailor its premium food retail to suit Filipino shoppers.

Aldi introduces AI-fuelled recipe website in Australia

The new ALDIfy platform by Aldi includes 11 recipes for viral food trends, which will be kept up to date using AI, by monitoring social media platforms and feeding this through to the website. The aim is to make shopping for, and creating, viral recipes easier and more affordable. Shoppers can also order the ingredients directly from DoorDash, which was recently rolled out nationwide.

Michela Pearson, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Aldi benefits from being the only discounter operating in Australia, competing with other major retailers on price. Tapping into the digital landscape with trendy recipes and offering an ecommerce service via the DoorDash partnership will likely resonate with younger shoppers and help boost sales.

FairPrice Group launches first Cheers mini-App

FairPrice Group (FPG) announced a strategic partnership with Ant International, a leading global financial technology provider, to expand international payment acceptance via the new Cheers Mini App on Alipay. From discovery to checkout, the app provides an end-to-end experience tailored for Chinese travellers. Recommendations are provided by category, popularity and availability, so tourists can plan pre-arrival, and location-based recommendations will be provided throughout their stay and pre-departure. A curated catalogue is available to purchase and pick up before their journey home.

Tan Soo Eng, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

This is an innovative approach to enhance the shopping experience of Chinese travellers to Singapore. Cheers operates around 180 convenience stores in Singapore, far behind 7-Eleven which operates around 500 stores. Having an end-to-end app catered to Chinese tourists can give Cheers an edge over its key competitor, especially if shoppers start planning their purchases before they arrive.

7-Eleven Thailand partners with Air Asia for airline ticket redemption

7-Eleven Thailand and AirAsia have teamed up for a limited time “Flying Stamps” campaign that lets customers redeem loyalty stamps for one-way fares on domestic routes. The redemption window will last between 10 Oct to 15 Dec 2025, while booking runs to 31 Dec 2025. Travel must take place between 26 Oct 2025 and 31 Mar 2026.

Tan Soo Eng, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

This promotion incentivises increased purchase activity at 7-Eleven, while giving customers a tangible, aspirational reward in the form of an airline ticket. For AirAsia, it’s a creative way to acquire engaged customers from 7-Eleven's universe.

North America: private label, ecommerce and discount format developments

Walmart announces one of its largest private brand reformulations

The retailer is removing artificial dyes in addition to 30 other additives commonly found in ultra-processed foods. Walmart said 90% of its private labels are already free from synthetic dyes. However, it plans to roll out reformulated products across all its private labels over the coming months, with “longer lead time changes planned to wrap up [by] January 2027 at the latest.”

Oliver Butterworth, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

The Trump administration has put pressure on companies to reformulate products and eliminate artificial colours by the end of 2026. While this development represents a response to this legislation, the move will also be popular with the growing number of shoppers focused on health and wellness. While most of USA’s largest grocers are already in the process of transitioning to natural dyes, Walmart is part of a smaller group removing numerous other unwanted ingredients commonly found in ultra processed foods.

Amazon consolidates its private label brands

Amazon’s Happy Belly and Amazon Fresh brands are being consolidated into its private label brand Amazon Grocery. Jason Buechel, Vice President of Amazon Worldwide Grocery Stores, said:

Amazon Grocery delivers more than 1,000 quality grocery items across all categories that don't compromise on quality or taste.

In a press release, Amazon claimed customers purchased 15% more private-label products in 2024 compared 2023 across Amazon.com.

Michaela Jay, IGD Insight Manager’s view:

Most items will be priced under US$5, a tactical move to position Amazon as a value-oriented player in the US, and one which resulted in share drops across competitors like Walmart, Kroger and Albertsons. The news around Amazon Grocery has focused more on the ‘new’ range, and less so on the consolidation, but this is yet another cut-back in its grocery strategy which follows the announcement of the closure of all Amazon Fresh stores in the UK.

Aldi partners with Uber Eats for grocery delivery

The offer will be available from over 2,500 across the US and covers a curated assortment of Aldi products. To celebrate the launch, special offers such as discounts and free delivery are being applied. There will also be pop-up shops in Miami, New York, and Chicago throughout October for shoppers to sample products. Aldi is the first retailer that accepts SNAP-EBT payments nationwide at launch, further helping shoppers in the US access affordable groceries.

Michela Pearson, IGD Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

E-commerce continues to grow around the world, and the US will see the channel grow to $250 bn to 2029, with a share of almost 8%. Aldi Süd has been investing in its online offering in markets where there is strong shopper demand, leveraging third-party partnerships. In the US, it already has partnerships with Instacart and DoorDash. Often, these types of partnerships result in online sales spiking for retailers – it will be interesting to see if this is the case for Aldi as well.

Amazon introduces new ‘Add to Delivery’ feature

The new feature has been added across its app and website and is available to Prime members. After shoppers have placed their order, this feature enables them to automatically add additional items to an upcoming delivery through an ‘Add to Delivery’ button, so long as the item is still able to arrive in the initial delivery slot.

Michaela Jay, IGD Insight Manager’s view:

This new feature removes the need to start a new order if a shopper has forgotten an item, significantly cutting down the steps and time required. Given how frequently and spontaneously orders are placed with Amazon thanks to same-day or next-day delivery, this new feature could reduce transportation costs and packaging if items are combined into one delivery. It also re-emphasises how Amazon continues to find new ways to drive convenience, helping encourage shoppers to purchase ‘one more’ item.

Loblaw has closed two of its three pilot ultra-discount stores

The ‘No Name’ locations, launched in Ontario last year, sold 1,300 basic products without chilled or frozen items, offering savings up to 20%. The stores were based on the retailer’s successful No Frills discount format.

Stewart Samuel, IGD Director of Retail Futures’ view:

The launch of the No Name stores was always designed as a test to explore how far value could be stretched.  It has continued to invest heavily in the channel, opening 50 new stores this year under its No Frills and Maxi discount banners, including smaller urban formats. The real advantage for Loblaw may be in deploying proven discount models in more space-efficient ways, rather than developing a new concept.