Global round-up: retailer results, supply chain challenges and sustainability

Europe: retailer results, cognitive robotics and supply challenges

Carrefour announces H1 results

A positive Q2 2025 has helped drive like-for-like growth of 3.7% across the Carrefour group in the first half of the year. France and Europe in particular saw better performance vs Q1, at +2.1% and +2.2% respectively. Expansion helped achieve this result, with 400 new convenience stores added to the network. The successful integration of Cora hypermarkets and Match supermarkets has also been cited as a reason for the growth. In Latin America, Q2 saw slightly less momentum (9.7% vs 12.2% in Q1), but helped drive the group’s overall performance, with growth of 10.9% in H1.

Michela Pearson, Insight Analyst’s view:

Through Alexander Bompard’s renewed leadership, Carrefour has been undergoing a significant strategic reorganisation in 2025. It has sold its operations in Italy and is currently seeking a buyer for Argentinian operations as well. It recently appointed a new CEO for Brazil and has formed a new buying alliance with Coopérative U in Europe. The decision to offload operations that have been negatively impacting its bottom line will help it solidify its position as one of Europe’s leading retailers in 2029.

Auchan’s H1 performance driven by acquisitions

Revenue rose 4.2% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, driven by acquisitions Auchan made in 2024, including Casino stores in France and DIA stores in Portugal. In France, revenue grew 4.9% to €8 bn, supported by the integration of 94 Casino stores. However, like-for-like revenue decreased by 3.1% due to price-repositioning initiatives and modernising and downsizing work in 15 hypermarkets. Spain saw a 1.4% drop in sales as shoppers shifted to smaller formats. Auchan’s Portugal operations saw a 17.9% increase in revenue, supported by the acquired DIA stores. In Poland, like-for-like revenue declined 3% amid discount channel expansion. Romania saw a 6.1% increase in revenue due to higher volumes and attractive pricing. Operations in Ukraine and Russia remain heavily disrupted by the ongoing war.

Rachel Sibson, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

In France, Auchan has seen a steady decline in store footfall, leading to declining comparable sales. In November, it 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. The retailer’s latest results continue to prove the need for this recovery plan. Store size also is decreasing across all its markets of operation and the retailer is increasing its focus on operating a franchise model with supermarkets and convenience stores.

Action reports H1 sales growth of 18% to €7.3 bn

During the first half of 2025, Action opened 125 new stores, breaking the 3,000 store count barrier. Other key milestones included the launch of its 600^th store in Germany and its 400^th store in Poland. Meanwhile, it entered Switzerland earlier this year and will launch in Romania in September. Action’s rate of store openings in the second half of this year will increase, with 245 stores scheduled to launch.

Harriet Cohen, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

Of the top 40 European grocery retailers, Action will be the fastest growing to 2029, with a CAGR of 8.9%. It wins through a consistent operating model, strong value perceptions and limited-time ranges. Network expansion and market entries will fuel its future growth ambitions. Its imminent market entry to Romania will be a key revenue driver in the medium term, with this being one of Europe’s fastest growing grocery markets.

dm increases capacity with a focus on cognitive robotics

The retailer is expanding its network capabilities in Germany and has recently been leasing 40,000 sq. m of additional space in Saxony-Anhalt in preparation for double-digit volume growth. Cognitive robotics are also expected to be introduced into dm’s network by 2028 with a view on storing, handling and preparing small cosmetics and make-up products. The end goal is to have the new technology handling 80% of the picking in the site, with the remaining 20% being managed by a goods-to-picker system.

Head of Supply Chain Insights, James Rothwell’s view:

Wulf Bauer, Managing Director for Logistics, joined the management team in April 2025 and appears to be laying foundations for a more automated and strategically placed network across the German market. dm’s network is under pressure from its own success, both online and in-store, and is overdue a re-design focussed on efficiency and automation. The new technology is a key profitability driver owing to rising costs of human labour and lower adoption costs coming through on the new robotics.

Cocoa supply at risk as Ivory Coast producers face bankruptcy

New European Union (EU) regulations will soon tackle an estimated 10% of global deforestation that’s driven out of the EU’s overall demand for Cocoa. The new regulation requires producers to prove they do not contribute to deforestation in the process. In the Ivory Coast, a digital verification and payment system has been selected, which involves mobile payment operators facilitating direct payments from EU customers to the farmers, therefore cutting out unverified agents. Many farmers flagged that the costs of complying may drive them out of business, adding uncertainty to the global supply of the commodity.

Head of Supply Chain Insights, James Rothwell’s view:

Cocoa remains an important commodity to produce many daily essentials and treats in the European and UK markets. This news may come as unsettling to manufacturers given the impact to commodity prices and availability is largely unknown. This law is expected to launch from December 2025, however positive assurance has been given from the Coffee and Cocoa Council, the industry regulator in Ivory Coast, and around 90% of producers have already signed up to the new verification process.

Asia-Pacific: new revenue stream and a reverse vending initiative

Lawson Japan turns overnight parking lots into new revenue stream

Lawson has started renting out parking lots at some of its stores in Japan to visitors wanting to use them as overnight campsites. Visitors will be charged JPY2,500 – JPY3,000 (US$17 - US$20) per night. This service is targeted at rural areas where Lawson stores already have the carparks, and it comes off the back of increasing tourist arrivals in Japan, and a shortage of hotels and accommodation in rural areas. The service began in six stores in the Chiba area in mid-July and will be rolled out to more stores over time if successful.

Jarred Neubronner, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

This new service by Lawson is an innovative way to drive revenue, especially in a mature market already saturated by the convenience channel. However, with the limited number of stores eligible to provide such a service due to the lack of parking lots in most stores, any additional boost to overall Lawson revenue is likely to be minimal.

Foodstuffs’ New World launches its first reverse vending machine for recycling containers

The machine is being trialled in Foodstuffs' New World Birkenhead supermarket. It accepts empty glasses, plastic bottles and aluminium cans, and every container returned through the machine contributes NZ$0.10 to one of four local schools of the shopper’s choice.

Tan Soo Eng, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

New World Birkenhead was chosen for the trial because locals are already keen recyclers, and the lids and caps collection at the store have been significant. Reverse cycling has been around for a while, but I like how New World is encouraging users to donate the money collected, which encourages a wider base of shoppers recycle and give back to the community.

North America: new Walmart leadership and Loblaw’s results

Walmart creates two new leadership roles to accelerate digital innovation

Daniel Danker, former CPO at Instacart, has been appointed Walmart’s EVP of AI Acceleration, Product and Design.

According to Doug McMillon, Walmart’s CEO, the position aims to

accelerate [Walmart’s] AI transformation and lead all product management and design across the enterprise.

In addition, Walmart has created a role for EVP of AI platforms, although this position remains vacant while it finds the right candidate.  

Oliver Butterworth, Senior Insight Analyst’s view:

This move exemplifies Walmart’s future-focus, particularly its commitment to serving customers better and looking for further opportunities to enhance their experience. In the first half of 2025, it has launched a Gen-AI tool for customers (Sparky), as well as an AI tool for merchants (Wally). These new roles will further solidify its AI strategy and help it to embed agentic systems. Daniel Danker brings a wealth of experience from his leadership roles at technology/grocery business, Instacart. 

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Loblaw leaning into value

Loblaw’s Q2 revenue increased by 5.2% to $14.7 bn. Food same-store sales rose 3.5%, with volume and basket growth driving market share gains. Hard discount banners led the performance, supported by new store openings and strong customer demand.

Stewart Samuel, Director of Retail Futures’ view:

Loblaw is building for a long-term structural shift to value. Hard discount formats like Maxi and No Frills are outperforming, with more stores opening in new communities. Conventional banners are also gaining share, showing that value is cutting across segments. Loblaw’s pricing focus, tariff transparency, and personalised rewards are resonating with shoppers as part of a blended approach to delivering value.