April 15 – UK’s Morrisons Launches Telesales to Help Elderly and Vulnerable
Morrisons announced a new, dedicated telesales shopping service aimed specifically at helping to ensure vulnerable and elderly people can get the groceries they need during the COVID-19 pandemic.  This one of a number of measures that are being introduced to help with customers who may otherwise struggle to use online services.  From Morissons

April 15 – eBay Korea Launches New Services
eBay Korea has announced that Smile Pay has recently launched its payment service for MakeShop, a content management service provider for entrepreneurs seeking to open their own online shopping malls.  Services offered by MakeShop include a website building and management, delivery and marketing services. From Retail in Asia

April 15 – Indian Retailers Step Up Online Efforts 
Many Indian retailers, including Future Group, Spencer’s Retail, Metro Cash and Carry and Walmart’s Best Price, have increased efforts to service customers online during the COVID-19 pandemic amid an expanded lockdown order that will last until May 3.  Retailers are building omnichannel models to deliver goods and groceries throughout India.  From ET Retail

April 15 – Walmart China to Invest Heavily in Wuhan
Walmart China plans to invest USD 425 million over the next five years to expand its presence in Wuhan, China.  The retail giant will open at least four Sam’s Club membership stores as well as 15 new malls in the territory. It will also set up additional community stores to add to its existing 34 outlets and two distribution centers within Wuhan. From Inside Retail

April 14 – Germany’s Rewe Group to Open New Logistics Center
With a plan to open in August 2022, Germany’s Rewe Group’s new logistics center in Northern Germany will supply products to more than 350 stores.  The new facility of 86,500 square meters will warehouse more than 12,000 dry and fresh food items. From European Supermarket Magazine

April 14 – SPAR Northern Ireland Increases In-Store Efficiency Through Technology
SPAR has introduced a new “Scan, Pay, Go!” app to be used in three SPAR and EUROSPAR stores in Northern Ireland. This technology will improve the efficiency of the shopping experience for customers. The App allows customers to build shopping lists ahead of planned store visits to see what is in stock, be guided around the store and scan products as they shop. From SPAR

April 14 – India’s Flipcart and Amazon Plan May Sales Event
India’s two largest ecommerce marketplaces, Amazon and Walmart-owned Flipkart and Amazon are planning sales events in May and have asked brands to stock up, expecting a large demand for some non-essential categories once restrictions in India are lifted. ET Retail

April 14 – Carrefour Brasil Sees Surge in E-Commerce
Carrefour Brasil has seen its e-commerce sales more than triple in the past month as Brazilian consumer have stocked up on food and other suppliers.  The cost of new hiring and other measures to adjust to drastic shifts in the market may have offset the e-commerce gains.
From European Supermarket Magazine

April 12 – Carrefour Spain’s Online Sales Rise 
Carrefour Spain has seen a major increase in online orders by as much as 15% of orders prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to streamline orders and facilitate the needs of its customers, the retailer has begun offering an a basic needs kit which can be ordered based on number of people in a household that the kit will need to serve. Article in Spanish. From Invertia

April 9 – Costco to Open New Store in Suzhou
After the August opening of Costco’s first store in mainland China in Shanghai’s Minhang district, the retailer plans its newest store in the eastern city of Suzhou. Costco’s subsidiary in Suzhou was established in January, with a total investment of CNY 1.27 billion. The store in Suzhou will be the company’s third in China, and the first out of Shanghai. From Reuters

April 9 – UK’s Debenhams Enters into Administration Again
For the second time in the last year, Debenhams has confirmed begun the legal proceedings to enter into administration.  The retailer confirmed that it will liquidate its Irish business, closing its 11 stores in the Republic of Ireland. From Essential Retail

April 8 – Walmart Mexico Hires Additional Employees to Manage In-Store Demand
Walmart Mexico has hired more than 7700 employees to mange a higher volume of in-store demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. From Reuters

April 7 – Alibaba Launches Initiative to Support SMEs 
Alibaba has launched “2020 Spring Thunder Initiative” to help small and medium businesses through the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative will aim to create new supply chains, stimulate new demand, and promote new trade through measures to help export-focused SMEs expand into new markets through AliExpress, Lazada and Tmall World. Resource support, fee reductions and fast-track processing will be availed to help companies transform and develop their business in China. From Inside Retail

April 4 – Tesco Profits Expected to Surge

The UK’s Tesco is anticipated to post a surge in pre-tax profits to GBP 1.85 billion for the year ending February.  This figure marks  up from £1.56 billion last year – an almost £300 million year-on-year increase.

From Retail Gazette

April 3 – Amazon Plan to Postpone Prime Day

For the first time since Amazon’s inception of its Prime Day shopping event, the online retailer has postposed the shopping day from July 15 until August, at the earliest.  The postponement speaks to the pressure on Amazon’s supply chain due to the Covid-19 pandemic. From Pymnts.com