SECTOR MUST PROMOTE HEALTH BENEFITS

Despite the fact that fresh fruit and vegetables offer the general public many potential benefits, particularly when it comes to nutrition, health and the environment, consumers continue to take them for granted, according to European industry association Freshfel Europe.
What's more, other sectors in the meantime are increasingly abusing the positive image of fresh produce for their own marketing purposes, the organisation has claimed.
For that reason, it has called on the fresh produce sector at large to put even more effort into highlighting such benefits.
"Besides a robust, pro-active advocacy of these positive benefits, the sector needs to simultaneously promote even more the inherent properties of fresh produce, namely taste, texture, quality and the sheer pleasure of enjoying a fresh fruit or vegetable," the group said in a statement.
"A truly holistic approach from the industry is needed to raise consumption levels all across Europe."
Despite falling consumption levels over the past five years, European consumers are reportedly becoming increasingly aware of the specific benefits that fresh fruit and vegetables can offer, with new figures from a recent Eurobarometer survey suggesting that 58 per cent of people in Europe believe a healthy diet means eating more fruit and vegetables.

"Fresh produce has a critical role to play in the prevention of chronic diseases such as obesity, cardiovascular disease, cancer and diabetes," Freshfel continued.

"The majority of European citizens – 83 per cent according to Eurobarometer – also considers the impact of a product on the environment when deciding which product to buy.

"Various recent studies have shown that consuming fruits and vegetables represents an environmentally friendly way of feeding the world’s rising population."

The group added: "Furthermore, the fresh produce sector is rightly recognised as having been pro-active in developing sustainable agricultural practices to meet the evolving requirement for refinements and improvements across the supply chain."

Source: Fruitnet

CARREFOUR SPAIN PILOTS CARREFOUR EXPRESS STORES IN BP STATIONS

Grocery retailer Carrefour has announced that it is testing Carrefour Express convenience stores in BP petrol stations in Spain. The retailer has opened an outlet in the town of San Fernando de Henares in Madrid.

The partnership comes after Carrefour and BP signed an agreement last July, part of which the retailer's Club Carrefour and Pass cardholders can accumulate the equivalent of 3% savings at BP service stations. BP operates more than 660 locations in the country.

Source: Planet Retail

WALMART LOOKING AT EUROPEAN EXPANSION

US-based Walmart is considering expanding into Europe with mergers and acquisitions a likely growth strategy, according to the Independent.

Founder Sam Walton’s grandson Steuart Walton is thought to have taken an interest in the problems at the French retailer Carrefour.

A source close to Walmart said Walton would consider taking over Carrefour stores if the French retailer decides to close outlets. In the face of a stagnating US market and fierce competition for Asda in the UK, Walmart sees Europe as a growth driver. A spokesman said: “Steuart is currently on secondment in the UK as part of his induction into the Walmart business.”

Source: Planet Retail