Asda

Walmart is making big moves to ensure that it can serve Chinese shoppers efficiently during a crucial timeframe.    The discounter is further integrating its platform, supply chain and customer resources in China with partner JD.com — efforts that will prepare the companies to serve shoppers during the launch of the first JD-Walmart 8.8 omnichannel shopping festival on Aug. 8. The event will offer savings across all the different JD and Walmart channels, and reward customers for shopping multiple touchpoints. 

Lidl makes its long-awaited U.S. debut on June 15, opening the first three of 20 stores it plans to open this summer across Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Mike Paglia, retail director of Kantan Retail, offers the following insights on the grocer's prospects in the United States:   

The 300,000-sq.-ft. mixed-use center being erected by International Speedway Corporation across from Daytona Speedway is filling up fast.   Three new tenants have signed on to One Daytona. Sister brands Clair de Lune, a home fragrance store, and Kasa Living, a home décor shop are Canadian brands making their first appearance in the region. Joining the development’s food and beverage roster is Built Custom Burgers, a build-your-own burger concept offering up a long list of toppings at no additional charge.  

Although Walmart is an old-school retailer, it is not afraid to learn new tricks and to shift its thinking. This youthful and innovative approach has helped it deliver another solid set of results in a highly competitive market.  

Executives at Walmart are planning their next move in anticipation of its newest rival — and asking suppliers to support their cause.   The European grocer Lidl, which has a track record for disruption, is preparing to open its first 20 United States-based stores this summer. The first locations are set to open their doors in the next few weeks. As a result, Walmart is asking suppliers to keep their prices low, according to the Consumerist.   

With its profits taking a hit in 2016, Prada Group is placing a stronger focus on digital.   The luxury goods retailer’s net revenue for the year ended January 31, 2017, while revenue across its retail channel plunged13%.    Based on these results, the company plans to focus on more digital initiatives to better respond to an evolving marketplace, according to Prada’s CEO, Patrizio Bertelli.  

Asda is making its workforce an enticing offer.   The British supermarket owned by Walmart is offering staff in its stores a 14% increase in their hourly pay if they sign a contract requiring more flexible working, according to Reuters.   The deal requires Asda staff to work in different parts of stores and dif-ferent days or hours, including public holidays. All breaks will be un-paid.  

Whole Foods Market is saving money and time — and benefiting the environment—by taking an innovative approach to going solar.

That’s according to an analysis by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and The Solar Foundation that found Whole Foods’ strategy of taking a standardized approach to rapid rollout of solar rooftop installations across multiple locations could be a valuable model for other retailers to consider.

A new report makes the case for taking a standardized approach to rapidly rollout of solar rooftop installations may    An analysis by the Retail Industry Leaders Association and The Solar Foundation found that Whole Foods Market’s approach to rooftop solar installations in multiple facilities could be a valuable model for other retailers to consider.  

Wal-Mart Stores is undertaking a series of executive changes at its international divisions, starting with a new head for its struggling United Kingdom business, Asda.
 
Andy Clarke, president and CEO of Asda, will step down on July 11, after having worked at the British company for more than 20 years. Asda has been under heavy competitive pressure and has reported seven straight quarterly sales declines.