Global retail update

Nestlé invests in Vietnam

The Swiss food major has announced that it has opened a new factory in Hung Yen, creating 200 jobs. Developing products closer to its target market will ‘save on carbon emissions’. The plant will produce the ready-to-drink Milo beverage in cartons.

Lidl expands eastwards

Only days after Premier Xi Jinping announced his party’s US$ 900 billion ‘Belt and Road’ policy, Lidl has opened an online shop in the People’s Republic. The unstoppable German giant also continues to register trademarks in Australia, despite insisting it has no plans to set up here.

Facelift for Kaufland

Europe’s top retailer, Schwarz Group, has abandoned plans for an e-food concept for Lidl in Germany and wants to step up efforts to modernise its hypermarket chain Kaufland, which will also continue its grocery delivery trial.

Coop Danmark thinks smart

The Danish retailer is to introduce its combined mobile scanning and payment app, Bip & Betal, to all its Fakta discount stores in 2018. The service will be a boost for the company’s convenience image according to LZ Retailytics.

Securing growth

Leading Russian retailer X5 Retail Group expands its logistics infrastructure in the Ural region with the opening of a distribution centre in Perm. Over in Portugal, Sonae has completed the integration of supermarket chain Brio and posted a 6% turnover increase in Q1 to EUR 1.3 billion.

Amazon Go eyes Britain

The US online giant is preparing to bring its checkout-free concept to Europe and has been granted trademarks in the UK. LZ Retailytics predicts that London would be the most suitable location, with perhaps a German city such as Berlin following closely behind.

Alipay lands in Malaysia

Alibaba’s Ant Financial has entered a partnership with 7-Eleven Malaysia by officially launching the Alipay cashless payment service in over 2,100 stores in the country. The payment service facilitated by a local payment platform targets tourists from the Chinese mainland.

Fresh look for Walmart

The US big-box retailer will invest millions to remodel 400-640 stores at 12 Michigan locations. There will be a lounge-like area for in-store pickup, more organics offerings, wider aisles and changed sightlines as well as three markets with online grocery ordering.