Lidl uses PAW Patrol to champion healthier choices across 30 markets

Lidl is launching an international partnership with PAW Patrol across 30 European markets, using the popular children's characters exclusively on selected private label products that meet both WHO nutritional standards and Lidl's additional nutrition criteria. The campaign covers 13 Lidl private label food products plus selected fruit and vegetables, with the aim of encouraging healthier choices among children and making it easier for families to identify nutritious options. The initiative also formalises Lidl's commitment that from July 2026, child-focused packaging will only be used for products meeting these nutritional requirements. 

Insight Partner, Dan Butler’s view:

This initiative harnesses the power of one of the world's most popular children's brands to drive healthier eating behaviours, aligning commercial marketing with public health objectives rather than relying on traditional indulgence-led character licensing. This will strengthen Lidl’s health, sustainability and family credentials while differentiating the discounter from competitors.

Conad launches new store format 

The Italian market leader has launched a new dedicated health and beauty format called Benessity Conad. The store, which opened in Florence last week, is focused on a holistic approach to wellness, and stocks a wide range of products across food and non-food, including several private label lines. The store also includes technology to help shoppers find the right products, such as skin analysis and a self-diagnosis “cabin” designed to determine fitness level. 

Senior Insight Analyst, Michela Pearson’s view:

This is a great move from Conad, who is already active in the healthcare space through a network of 180 parapharmacies. The new store format touches on several trends, including shoppers’ focus on health and desire for a holistic, preventative approach to it. The integration of technology for a personalised approach makes it especially attractive, and we will likely see the format rolled out further.

Confidence is faltering amongst grocery retailers in Sweden

Swedish grocery retailers are becoming more cautious despite signs of economic recovery, according to Svensk Handel’s latest Handelsbarometern survey. In July, the grocery retail future indicator fell 1.0 point to 103.1, driven by weaker expectations for both employment (98.2, down 1.8 points) and sales (112.8, down 1.2 points). Profitability expectations remained unchanged at 98.3, below the neutral 100 level, highlighting continued pressure on margins.

The survey paints a contrasting picture across retail sectors. While grocery and non-durable goods retail weakened with the latter dropping 2.1 points to 94.4, wholesale trade strengthened significantly and moved further above the neutral 100 benchmark, signalling growing optimism among wholesalers. Commenting on the findings, Svensk Handel CEO Sofia Larsen said the recovery is continuing, but at different speeds across retail sectors, with consumer-facing businesses still constrained by cautious household spending and subdued confidence. 

Insight Analyst, Linda Haden’s view:

Despite easing inflation, Sweden’s grocery retailers remain under pressure as rising energy, transport and supply chain costs continue to squeeze thinning margins. At the same time, cash-strapped consumers are trading down to private label products and discount chains, limiting retailers’ ability to rebuild profitability. Wholesalers, however, are proving more resilient, supported by stable demand volumes and a greater ability to pass rising costs through the supply chain, resulting in a noticeably more optimistic outlook. With consumer confidence still fragile and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East pushing oil prices higher, Sweden’s grocery market faces a challenging second half of the year, with profitability and investment likely to remain under pressure. 

Dunkirk Port and Rungis Market partner to develop agri-logistics hub

French commercial port and logistics hub Dunkirk and fresh produce wholesaler Rungis International Market have signed a partnership agreement to create the Rungis-Dunkirk agri-logistics hub, aimed at strengthening the French and European agri-food supply chain. Located within the 350,000 square- metre Dunkirk International Logistics Zone, the hub will support logistics and agri-food operations while benefiting from direct access to container and cross-Channel terminals. The partners aim to improve operational efficiency and traceability, accelerate transport decarbonisation and strengthen international connectivity. Both organisations say the initiative will help build a more resilient, sustainable and competitive supply chain while supporting France's food sovereignty. 

Supply Chain Insights Analyst, Soline Duriez's view:

This partnership highlights how supply chain resilience is increasingly being built through network design rather than solely relying on additional capacity. By strengthening a strategic logistics corridor between a major port and fresh produce market, Dunkirk and Rungis are seeking greater control over critical supply routes while supporting food sovereignty and security.