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The retail sector is changing its skin: unfaithful customers, agent AI, autonomous stores and promotions that are no longer enough. And then there is localism


...The local product is no longer a simple reference, but an identity tool. Some brands support small producers in the development of recipes, packaging and quality processes, transforming the large-scale retail trade into an ecosystem that enhances local supply chains. The private label is evolving: no longer just a convenience lever, but a system of values capable of dialoguing with communities, digital creators and new targets. In some brands it already represents more than half of the turnover ( Below: Esselunga 'produced in Tuscany' labels introduced more than 30 years ago for fresh products and still used today: in 2003, 70% of our suppliers invoiced less than 100K)... From intelligent trolleysto agent AI, from autonomous stores to the rediscovery of the territory, a rapidly evolving large-scale retail sector emerges: technological, data-driven, automated, but at the same time more human, local and relational. A sector that interprets increasingly fragmented and fluid needs, building a new balance between innovation and proximity. I hope with all my heart that these changes will take place, especially the technological ones, but I wonder: when it comes to technology on social (AI, e-commerce, customised promotions, etc.) how come there seems to be no interest on the part of Italian users? Drafted 9 May, updated 10 May 2026

AIE-CommerceEsselungaLocalismPrivate Label
 

n.771

Lidl pasta, EU Court: tricolour on labels can mislead consumers


At the centre of the dispute are the Italiamo (with the depiction of the tricolour shield and the words 'Italian Passion' on the packaging) and Combino (with images of Italian landscapes and the words 'Italian speciality') lines. In both cases, the Antitrust Authority ruled that the emphasis on Italianity misled the consumer, as the wheat used was largely foreign (EU and non-EU) and this information appeared only on the side or on the back, with very small and hardly legible graphic characters... The Court of Justice of the European Union has put an end to the long legal battle over Lidl brand pasta, confirming that the use of patriotic symbols to disguise the foreign origin of wheat is an unfair commercial practice. In ruling C-301/25 filed on 30 April 2026, the Luxembourg judges agreed with the Italian antitrust authority (Agcm), reaffirming that the €1 million fine imposed on the supermarket chain is legitimate: transparency on the packaging must be immediate and cannot be hidden among the small print on the back of the package. This slip tarnishes the image of Lidl, which would like - and has the potential - to be 'branded'. The image below is by Paolo Caruso (LinkedIN).

AntitrustLidlPasta
 

n.770

Bf Organic, Bonifiche Ferraresi towards the conversion to organic of 100% of production


Today already 3,000 organic hectares out of the 11,000 managed in Italy. After the 660 million euro tender offer to take over the majority of the group with Dompé,President Vecchioni confirms the project that will also involve the hectares not in Italy: an excellent signal for the organic sector that the Italian government is putting in difficulty. Below: advertising page on BF pasta, which also owns Naturasì.

OrganicPasta
 

n.768

Canada: beef farmers against Mercosur. Why it concerns us


Brazil is the world's largest exporter of beef, with 3.5 million tonnes of exports last year worth USD 18 billion. According to a trade association, its exports in the first quarter of 2026 increased by 18% in volume and by more than a third in terms of turnover... (n.b.: the Brazilian JBS group, also present in Italy, is the third largest food producer in the world). In April, Ontario cattle ranchers wrote to Carney opposing Mercosur access, 'as it would introduce low-cost, lower quality imports that would end up harming consumers, the environment, rural communities, and farming families'(the sector in Canada has a turnover of $34.2 billion). Two major dangers could result from Mercosur implementation: imports of cheap products and pesticides.

AgricultureJBSMeatMercosurPesticides
 

n.766

Realco increasingly in crisis, no buyer. Moving towards a break-up?


No offer has yet been received by the Court of Bologna for the entire company perimeter, made up of around 130 supermarkets under the Sigma, Ecu and Economy signs, present in Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany and Lombardy, of which around thirty closed a few weeks ago, and the headquarters, warehouse and offices, in Via Pertini 15 in Reggio Emilia. In recent months, there had been talk of interest from Migross, Crai and NewPrinces, which recently acquired Carrefour Italia, but apparently the reviews were negative: a block sale seems increasingly unlikely. For the workers, the situation is increasingly uncertain. Source

Carrefour
 

n.765

Inflation up, Coop: ‘Defence of purchasing power cannot only weigh on the large-scale retail trade’


In April, the grip of inflation returned and rekindled concerns in an increasingly unstable international context. In fact, geopolitical tensions are beginning to translate into concrete effects on prices: the first signs are coming from energy goods, while the shopping trolley is affected by the acceleration of unprocessed foodstuffs. The data released by Istat returns a worsening picture, with 1 .2% on a monthly basis and 2 .8% on an annual basis, in clear acceleration compared to the previous month. Source

CoopInflation
 

n.763

NewPrinces, liquidity of 1.4 billion. Purchase of own shares for new acquisitions


The shareholders' meeting of NewPrinces approves the 2025 budget and gives the green light to the use and purchase of treasury shares for new acquisitions. The buy-back of up to 20% of the capital will also serve to lift the stock price, which has slipped by 16% since the end of February, not only due to the conflict in the Persian Gulf but also to the short positions of some US hedge funds. The consolidated revenues of the NewPrinces food group amount to EUR 2.96 billion, up 80.4 per cent from 2024. Pro-forma revenues (assuming a full financial year) are 6.5 billion. In fact, NewPrinces' just-closed balance sheet includes only the month of December of Carrefour Italia (merged into Princes Retail) to coincide with the 1 December 2025 deal.

Carrefour
 

n.762

The debunked myth of ancient grains. Here’s why spelt and quinoa are no better than modern grains


The British Bbc dedicated a long report to a fashion that has been in vogue in Italy for years. And it underlined the surprising properties of these products. But in reality - say the experts - there is no scientific evidence that they are better than newer varieties. The real difference is not between ancient and modern grains, rather between wholemeal and non-wholemeal flours: a wholemeal product contains four to five times more minerals, vitamins and antioxidant substances than the corresponding white flour. So rather than eating ancient grains, one should eat products made from wholemeal flours P.S.: And kamut is a brand, not a type of cereal. And it has no special characteristics. Compiled 19 April, updated 4 May 2026

 

n.761

Walmart reports 5.4 per cent profit growth in its annual report, driven by e-commerce.


Walmart reported revenue growth of 5.1 per cent in constant currency and earnings growth of 5.4 per cent on an adjusted basis, driven by 24 per cent global growth in e-commerce, the company reported in its corporate results for fiscal year 2026. The retailer released its Annual Report 2026 on 23 April, ahead of its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders in June. According to the report, Walmart posted a 4.7 per cent increase in revenue in fiscal year 2026, while membership fee revenue grew by 15.5 per cent. The retailer achieved online sales of $150.4 billion during the year.. Progressive Grocer

E-CommerceWalmart