Retail & E-Commerce

VFC launches in Carrefour Spain

@ VFC

VFC Launches its Veggie Popcorn Chick*n & Chick*n Fingers in Carrefour Spain

VFC, the UK-based producer of vegan fried chicken, recently launched its Crispy Popcorn Chick*n and Chick*n Tenders at Carrefour supermarkets throughout Spain. With this new listing in Carrefour Spain, VFC adds another distribution point to the list of supermarkets in the region including Spanish retail giant El Corte Inglés, and La Sirena, where the products are already available. Crispy Popcorn Chick*n (vegan chicken popcorn) contains high energy value and is made with texturised mixed vegetable protein, water, sunflower oil and wheat flour, among others. While the Chick*n Tenders (vegan chicken fingers) are made with water, vegetable protein, soy, wheat and corn. Both are sold frozen and in packs of 220 g in the case of the popcorn and 200 g in the case of the …

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Albert Heijn launches AH Terra, an own-label plant-based line with 200 products

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Albert Heijn Reveals 44.1% of Proteins Sold in 2023 Were Plant-Based

In a new sustainability report, Dutch supermarket chain Albert Heijn has revealed that 44.1% of the proteins it sold last year were plant-based. This figure is up from 42.6% in 2022. The increase is partially due to the launch of Albert Heijn’s own-brand plant-based range, AH Terra, which is claimed to be the largest offered by any Dutch supermarket. It features over 200 products, including meat and dairy alternatives, snacks, and appetisers. The retailer is now aiming for 50% of the proteins it sells to be plant-based by 2025, and 60% by 2030 — a goal which is claimed to be more ambitious than those set by the Paris Agreement and the Dutch government. To help achieve this, Albert Heijn will expand AH Terra with …

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Rewe opens vegan supermarket in Berlin

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REWE Inaugurates its First Fully Plant-Based Supermarket in Berlin

REWE opened its first purely plant-based supermarket in Berlin yesterday. The “REWE voll pflanzlich” supermarket on Warschauer Brücke in the Friedrichshain district offers more than 2,700 vegan products. In addition to more than 3,800 stores in which the food retailer offers everything from organic vegetables to cheese and meat, this marks the company’s first vegan store. Peter Maly, CEO of REWE Group, sees the plant-based supermarket as an important test: “With REWE voll pflanzlich, we are showing how varied and large the selection of vegan products is. In the past, we have been recognised several times as a vegan pioneer in the food trade, and we are also encouraged by the strong response from our customers.” In standard REWE stores, the range includes up to …

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Better Balance Better Dog arrives in Chicago retailers

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Award-Winning Better Dog Lands on Shelves at Chicago Grocery Stores Marking In-Store Retail Debut for Better Balance

Better Balance, a subsidiary of Sigma, headquartered in Spain and Mexico, announced recently that its Better Dog™ is now available at a number of Chicago grocery markets, including Cermak Fresh Market, Pete’s Market, and Tony’s Fresh Market. While the brand has previously focused on foodservice, with partnerships including Chicago’s Kale My Name restaurant and the Sushi Roll restaurant chain in Mexico, this launch marks the brand’s debut in traditional in-store retail. The favored plant dog in multiple regions The Better Dog, created with pea protein and free from gluten and soy, was first introduced in Spain in 2022. Five months later it became the number one selling product in the hot dog and sausage category, claims the brand. Additionally, upon its introduction at Kale My …

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Lidl Austria equalizes prices for over 30 vegan items from its own Vemondo brand.

Alessandro Wolf, CEO Lidl Austria © Lidl Austria

High-Growth Financial Year for Lidl Austria Since Expansion & Price Drop of Vegan Range

Lidl Austria has increased its market share in Austria by 0.6% to 5.9% since December 2022 and generated added value of over EUR 1.1 billion for domestic food companies in the 2023 financial year. The increase in the area of plant-based products is particularly emphasised, with a 24% increase in the number of plant-based substitute products sold and a 13% increase in sales in the vegan range. The vegan range currently comprises over 450 items. Lidl has also announced that it will continue to expand its range until 2025, focusing on regional ingredients and a low level of processing in order to offer healthy and environmentally friendly alternatives. “We are satisfied with the development in our anniversary year. Since December 2022, we have increased our …

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REWE to open fully vegan supermarket

© REWE

Germany: REWE to Open First Vegan Supermarket in Former Veganz Store

German retailer REWE is set to open its first fully vegan supermarket, called REWE voll pflanzlich, in Berlin. The store is on the site of the former Veganz supermarket at Warschauer Brücke in Berlin-Friedrichshain, which closed in December after the company decided to focus entirely on product manufacturing. REWE has declined to comment on the news, which was shared by Supermarktblog from an insider source. The publication notes that while a sign with the name of the store is visible on the building, this name has not yet been trademarked. However, Supermarktblog believes the store will open this spring. Notably, REWE Group owns the Austrian supermarket chain BILLA, which has opened two fully vegan stores in Vienna and Graz in recent years. The retailer has …

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Woman shopper influenced by nudging

Image courtesy of ProVeg International

Nudging Toward Sustainable Consumption – the Power of Choice Architecture

Within the ever-evolving world of consumer behaviour, nudging has surfaced as a powerful tool for guiding decisions towards sustainability. Nudges are capable of amplifying product allure, streamlining purchasing processes, and providing consumers with feedback regarding their purchase choices. Marketing professionals can make subtle use of factors that influence consumers’ purchase decisions, these include product design, pricing, labelling, product placement, promotions, and other persuasive marketing material. In its latest New Food Hub case study, ProVeg International explores key studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of nudging in encouraging consumers to make environmentally conscious and plant-based food choices. Key terms Nudging Nudging, as defined by Pelle Guldborg Hansen et al. (2016), is a strategic approach aimed at influencing decision-making processes by shaping the environment in which choices are …

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Aldi plant-based My Vay range

© Aldi Netherlands

ALDI Expands Plant-Based My Vay Brand to the Netherlands

ALDI has rolled out its plant-based My Vay brand in the Netherlands, coinciding with the country’s Week Without Meat and Dairy which took place from March 4-10. The range currently features several plant-based dairy alternatives, including soy, oat, and almond milks along with soy and coconut yogurts. In the coming months, it will be expanded to include a variety of meat and dairy alternatives, including plant-based cheeses. The coconut yogurt has already been recognised in the Netherlands’ 2024 Private Label Product of the Year awards. Dutch consumers voted for the product based on four factors — attractiveness, innovation, purchase intention, and product testing. ALDI previously launched My Vay in Germany during this year’s Veganuary campaign. ALDI Nord is offering more than 850 products under the …

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Shopping in a LIDL grocery discount supermarket in the meat aisle

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European Private Label Sales Reach €340Bn as Retailers Cater to Consumer Lifestyle Changes

European private label sales reached a record €340 billion in 2023, according to data from the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). Private label sales accounted for 54% of total market growth last year, and now make up 38.5% of the grocery market’s total value. The turnover of private label brands grew by 13% in 2023 — more than double the rate of manufacturers’ brand sales. Citing a a McKinsey report, vegan trademark V-Label argues that this is partially because supermarket brands are catering to consumer lifestyle changes. While the first wave of private label products mainly aimed to provide a budget option, the second wave involved launching product lines such as vegan, organic, and free from, along with premium ranges. By targeting health-conscious consumers, many …

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Juicy Marbles launches at Tesco

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Tesco Reports “Phase Two of Plant-Based Revolution” With Rising Demand for Meat-Free Ingredients

The UK’s largest supermarket chain Tesco reports that the plant-based revolution appears to be entering a second phase, driven by consumers cooking from scratch. The retailer noted that while plant-based is “the biggest food trend this century”, there was a slight dip in sales last year, attributed to the novelty wearing off for customers who were buying the products out of curiosity. However, sales of meat-free ingredients and whole cuts are now on the rise again. Over the last three months, sales of fish alternatives have risen by a huge 100% compared to the same period last year, while tofu and tempeh sales are up by about 20%. Plant-based steaks and chicken breasts have also seen a 20% sales boost, while meat-free burgers are up …

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Abbot's Butcher retail line

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Abbot’s Products Now Available in Over 1,300 Publix Stores in the Southeastern US

Abbot’s, formerly known as Abbot’s Butcher, a company specializing in plant-based proteins, has announced its retail expansion into Publix supermarkets, increasing the availability of its products in the American grocery sector. Over 1,300 Publix locations across eight states will now stock Abbot’s product lineup, including plant-rich “Chorizo”, Ground “Beef”, and Fajita Chick’n. These offerings will be located in the produce department at all Publix supermarkets across the Southeastern US, including Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Florida. Made from whole food ingredients such as pea protein, mushrooms, and extra virgin olive oil, Abbot’s is committed to crafting clean-label meat alternatives free from the top nine allergens, preservatives, seed oils, and artificial flavors. Furthermore, the offerings have earned Non-GMO Project Verification, Whole30 Approval, and Vegan Certification. Kerry Song, …

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© Alexandre Bompard

Carrefour Exceeds Target for Sales of Plant-Based Alternatives With €514M Turnover

French multinational supermarket chain Carrefour — one of the world’s largest retailers — has reported that it made €514 million in sales of plant-based alternatives last year, exceeding its target of €500 million by 2026. The plant-based alternatives category includes meat and dairy substitutes, as well as legumes. The latter were recently added to the scope following requests from stakeholders, and accounted for €142 million in sales in 2023. Carrefour has now increased its plant-based sales target to $650 million by 2026. The supermarket chain has also reported that 306 suppliers were part of its Food Transition Pact last year, up from 204 in 2022. The pact helps suppliers to become more sustainable through measures such as boosting biodiversity, offering healthier choices, and removing unnecessary …

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Image: REWE/Planet A Foods

REWE Group Launches Own-Label Products Made With ChoViva Cocoa-Free Chocolate

Germany’s REWE Group says it has become the first European retailer to use ChoViva cocoa-free chocolate in its own-label products. ChoViva is produced by German startup Planet A Foods, and is made from locally-grown ingredients such as oats and sunflower seeds. The concept originated when the founders realised that most of the flavour of chocolate comes from the fermentation and roasting process rather than the taste of cocoa beans. REWE launched its first products containing ChoViva this month, under the brands ja! and REWE Beste Wahl at REWE stores and the COVO, Granola, and Chocolà brands at PENNY. By using the cocoa alternative, REWE hopes to become more ecologically responsible, as ChoViva requires far fewer resources than conventional chocolate production and is not reliant on …

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Aldi fruit and veg

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Aldi UK Continues Success Trajectory, Drops Fruit & Veg Prices to Encourage Healthy Eating, Creates 5,500 Jobs

Aldi, currently the UK’s fourth-largest supermarket, operates more than 1,000 stores and employs more than 45,000 employees. Yesterday the discounter revealed it is to create 5,500 jobs as it “continues growing at speed throughout 2024”. Furthermore, this week Aldi decided to drop prices for fresh fruit and vegetables to encourage healthy eating in the UK. Prices for berries, grapes, tomatoes, apples and ready-to-eat salads will be lowered in its biggest price cut so far this year, affecting around a quarter of its range, with prices on more than 50 items falling by an average of 7%. Just last month the chain expanded its Plant Menu range with plant-based smoked salmon slices, which have become extremely popular and are selling out around the country, as well …

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MyForest Foods MyBacon

© MyForest Foods

MyForest Foods’ MyBacon Now Available in Whole Foods Markets Across the Eastern US

MyForest Foods Co., a producer of mycelium-based protein alternatives, has announced a retail expansion of its flagship product, MyBacon, into Whole Foods Markets across the northeastern United States. This new partnership increases the product’s availability to 57 Whole Foods locations across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. Additionally, the company has announced the introduction of MyBacon in MOM’s Organic Market, enhancing its distribution across Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. This significant milestone for MyForest Foods extends its commercial retail footprint to over 350 locations across eight states throughout the United States. MyBacon is a mycelium-based bacon alternative made with only five ingredients: organic mycelium, organic coconut oil, organic sugar, salt, and natural flavor. Last year, the company cited plans to launch its second product, …

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mother with daughter in supermarket

Image courtesy ProVeg International

At Six Out of Seven Dutch Supermarkets Plant-Based Alternatives Are Cheaper Than Animal Products, Study Finds

Recent research by think tank Questionmark on behalf of ProVeg International has revealed that some plant-based products are now more affordable than their animal counterparts in six supermarkets out of the seven major Dutch retailers. The research compared prices of 12 standard products, including vegetarian meatballs, plant-based cheese, and yogurt, at supermarkets Albert Heijn, Aldi, Dirk, Jumbo, Lidl, Plus, and Ekoplaza. The results show that in nearly every case, the cheapest plant-based option was even more affordable than the most economical animal-based counterpart.  Up to 20% less At supermarket Ekoplaza, the savings on a shopping basket including vegetarian meatballs, plant-based butter, and vegetarian shawarma can be as high as €9.66, amounting to a 20% discount.  Jumbo and Lidl also offer attractive prices, with plant-based options being €3.89 and …

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Not Co unsweetened vanilla

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NotCo Announces Launch of New Unsweetened Vanilla, Expands Availability of Barista Line

Foodtech leader NotCo has announced an expansion in the distribution of its latest products, NotMilk Unsweetened Vanilla and NotMilk Barista, at retailers in the United States. Starting in February 2024, NotMilk Unsweetened Vanilla will be available nationwide in Whole Foods Market stores. This product is an extension of NotCo’s NotMilk line and is designed with no added sugar, offering a creamy, vanilla-infused alternative to traditional milk. With health being a considerable driver in consumer behavior, NotCo’s sugar-free options aim to give customers more control over their sugar intake. NotMilk Barista, the coffee-optimized version of NotMilk, has seen increased expansion in its distribution across the US since its introduction last year. Beginning with a foodservice launch in August, this product is now available in major grocers, …

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Lidl Austria equalizes prices for over 30 vegan items from its own Vemondo brand.

Alessandro Wolf, CEO Lidl Austria © Lidl Austria

Lidl Austria Joins Price-Parity Movement, Slashes Prices for Over 30 Vemondo Products

Starting today, Lidl Austria is undercutting prices by up to 52% for over 30 Vemondo products (its private-label brand), including alternatives to milk, minced meat, sausages, and other plant-based products. This radical price reduction aims to match the prices of vegan products with similar animal-based items to ensure what the retailer calls “equality on the plate.”  With this initiative, Lidl Austria joins the price-parity trend that started with Lidl Germany, followed by Kaufland, Aldi Süd, Penny, BILLA, Jumbo, Lidl Hungary, Lidl Denmark, and Salling Group to make plant-based alternatives more attractive and affordable for vegans, vegetarians, and flexitarians.  “We have abolished the price barrier for vegan products. The animal-based comparison items are not expensive branded products, but our affordable own brands. This means we are foregoing margins and investing a …

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© REWE / BILLA

Reduction in Prices of Plant-Based Products at BILLA Results in 33% Increase in Sales

Recent figures revealed that Austria is leading the way in Europe in terms of veganism, with the vegan population rising from 3% to 5% since 2021. Whether for regional, animal welfare, organic, or purely plant-based products – a sustainable and conscious diet is becoming increasingly important in the lives of people in Austria. Rewe Group’s BILLA chain has been consistently reacting to this shift in recent months and would like to set new industry standards, with plant-based foods in particular playing a key role. The Vegavita own-brand has been an integral part of the world of plant products for more than 20 years. As a pioneer, BILLA set a milestone with PFLANZILLA, the first store in Europe by a classic food retailer with a purely …

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Betty Bossi new line from Coop Switzerland

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Coop Switzerland Launches Betty Bossi Plant Kitchen Range, States it Has Largest Plant-Based Selection in Swiss Retail

Coop Switzerland states that it currently offers more than 2,200 vegetarian or vegan-labelled food products in its range, of which over 1,900 are vegan, claiming that this represents the largest plant-based selection in the Swiss retail trade. Coop’s offering includes over 100 vegan meat and fish alternatives, more than 50 milk alternatives, 40 vegan yogurt alternatives, and around 30 vegan cheese alternatives, many of which under its own-brand label Betty Bossi. Betty Bossi and Coop are now combining their vegetarian and vegan alternatives under one product line called “Betty Bossi Plant Kitchen” which replaces Coop’s own brands Délicorn and Yolo. The line will include spaghetti bolognese, nuggets, and sliced vegan deli meats which will gradually roll out from this month onwards. Independent alternatives, not animal …

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