Aldi Belgium is phasing out paper price tags in all of its stores, in favour of digital price displays, to streamline operations and respond swiftly to changing prices and promotions.
The transition, starting in East and West Flanders and expected to be rolled out across all 445 Belgian stores by the end of the year, will enable Aldi to adjust prices instantly, with the push of a button.
According to Céline Rotthier, sales manager at Aldi Belgium, customers will also benefit from quicker updates on price reductions and promotions.
The digital labels will feature the same dimensions and structure as the paper labels, ensuring clear and concise information.
The screens will primarily use four colours: red for promotions, white for regular prices, black for new products, and yellow for products offering bonus points in Aldi’s new loyalty programme.
Co-op Partners With Holland & Barrett
The UK’s Co-op and Holland & Barrett have teamed up to make health and wellness products more accessible by introducing a selection of vitamins, supplements, and other wellness items into 125 Co-op convenience stores.
Customers will find dedicated health-and-wellness sections in participating stores. These sections will feature 52 different products, including popular gut health and family well-being items from Holland & Barrett, as well as products from brands like Symprove and Zooki.
The focus is on convenience, with smaller pack sizes available for those who need to quickly restock their essentials. This new offering will be in addition to the sports nutrition products that Co-op started selling last year.
The partnership aims to meet the growing demand for preventative health products, with over 70% of UK adults regularly taking vitamins or supplements.
Both companies believe that this collaboration will make it easier for people to integrate these products into their daily routines, ultimately helping them improve their long-term health.
Price Cuts At Lidl Switzerland
Lidl Switzerland has permanently reduced the prices of more than 800 products since the beginning of the year, including those of popular items like coffee capsules and fresh produce.
Nespresso-compatible coffee capsules have been selling for CHF 0.09 (€0.096) since June, sparking a price war.
Lidl has also permanently reduced the cost of its fish selection, including salmon fillets and sea bream.
The prices of fruit and vegetables – like bananas, peppers, cucumbers and nectarines – have been reduced by up to 21%.
According to Lidl Switzerland CEO Nicholas Pennanen, the price for bananas is CHF 1.19 (€1.27) per kilogram – the lowest since the company’s market launch.
Pennanen added that Lidl Switzerland has invested millions to offer lower prices, intending to set a benchmark for quality at the best price.
Penny Ends German Delivery Service
Penny, a subsidiary of REWE Group, is pulling the plug on its delivery service in Germany – a project launched during the 2021 coronavirus pandemic.
The decision comes as interest in delivery services among customers of the discount chain has declined, with more returning to traditional in-store shopping.
Penny had initially partnered with Bringoo, and later with Wolt, focusing on large cities.
The retailer attributed the move to its extensive store network in Germany, with long opening hours, as well as added delivery charges becoming too expensive for many customers.
Both pickup stations and deliveries via Bringoo and Wolt have been discontinued.
Germany is currently the only country where Penny is ending its delivery service. It continues to be offered in Czechia and Austria, and is even expanding.
Carrefour Returns To DRC
A hypermarket in Kinshasa has reopened as Carrefour Hyper Psaro, marking the return of French retailer Carrefour to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The original Hyper Psaro supermarket – a popular spot for those working in Kinshasa’s business district – was renovated as part of a strategic partnership between local company Hyper Psaro Group and Carrefour.
The new store offers Carrefour products exclusively in the DRC, in addition to local Congolese products.
Carrefour has additional expansion plans for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Kolwezi, according to media reports.