Top 7 grocery retail stories from around the world
ShelfLife’s pick of the week’s top global industry stories from around the world, focusing on grocery retail
Print6 July 2026
From retail tech moves to brand shake-ups, supply chain shifts, and in-store innovation, this week’s round-up spotlights the key developments reshaping the grocery industry worldwide.
Whether it’s a strategic pivot by a major retailer or a breakthrough in how food gets from shelf to shopper, these are the stories you can’t afford to miss.
1) Nestlé blends coffee and confectionery favourites
Nestlé has launched two new confectionery-inspired Nescafé drinks across the UK and Ireland to meet growing demand for indulgent at-home coffee, backed by a £28 million investment in its Dalston factory in Cumbria.
The new Nescafé KitKat White Flavour Latte and Nescafé Lion Flavour Mocha are designed to drive category growth by combining iconic confectionery brands with frothy coffee formats while expanding manufacturing capacity.
2) Kroger appoints new chief people officer
The Kroger Co. has appointed Emilee De Martino as executive vice president and chief people officer, succeeding Tim Massa, who will retire in September.
De Martino joins from McDonald’s, where she led people strategy across 19 countries, and will oversee Kroger’s workforce strategy as the US grocery retailer continues to focus on talent development and employee experience.
3) Magnum invests in European ice cream growth
The Magnum Ice Cream Company (TMICC) has invested €10 million in its Veszprém facility in western Hungary to strengthen European ice cream production and support category innovation.
The upgrade adds a new production line for Magnum Bonbons, enhancing manufacturing capacity and enabling the company to respond more quickly to growing demand for premium, bite-sized ice cream formats across Europe.
4) Cumberland Farms files for public listing
Cumberland Farms has filed a registration statement with the US Securities and Exchange Commission outlining plans for a Nasdaq listing, according to C-Store Dive.
The convenience retailer, formerly known as EG Group, said the number of shares and pricing have yet to be determined, with the proposed IPO marking the latest step in its strategy to strengthen its focus on the US market.
5) Lidl agrees 15% pay rise
Lidl has agreed a new collective labour agreement in Spain that will increase minimum salaries by 15% by 2030, alongside other improvements to working conditions for its workforce, according to Demócrata.
The agreement, which covers thousands of employees across Lidl Spain’s stores, warehouses and offices, reflects the retailer’s continued investment in its workforce as competition for retail talent remains strong.
6) ABF maintains outlook despite sugar pressure
Associated British Foods has maintained its full-year outlook for most of its business despite increasing pressure on its sugar division, with the group citing higher gas prices linked to the Middle East conflict as a key challenge.
The company said trading at Primark remained resilient, while grocery and ingredients delivered solid performances, although it now expects its sugar business to record an operating loss of between £25 million and £60 million for 2026.
7) Europastry expands US bakery footprint
Spanish frozen bakery specialist Europastry has agreed to acquire US-based Highland Baking Company to strengthen its North American presence, according to Food Business News.
The acquisition will expand Europastry’s foodservice bakery operations, lift annual group revenue above $2.3 billion and support a major investment programme to increase US production capacity and introduce new bakery products following completion of the deal.
Related Articles
The ups and downs of the deposit return scheme →
Kerrygold launches new premium cheese range in Ireland →
Holland & Barrett partners with Barretstown →
Followers 0
Fans 0
Followers