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Discount: worldwide growth exceeds the grocery market


According to IGD's most recent analysis, the discount channel is confirmed as the physical food retail segment with the strongest growth globally by 2030, reinforcing a positioning that in recent years has progressively evolved from a simple price lever to a highly competitive and innovative retail model. In fact, the "Global discount trends 2026" report shows that discounters will register a compound annual growth rate of 4.8%, almost one percentage point higher than the 4.0% expected for the overall grocery market, a sign of a structural dynamic that continues to reward efficient formats, streamlined assortments and a strong value orientation. Underlying this expansion are several converging factors, including persistent consumer demand for convenience, expanding sales networks, and a growing capacity for innovation in both product and operating models. As Dan Butler, insight partner at IGD, points out, discounters are no longer perceived as... In this scenario, operators such as Aldi and Lidl will continue to play a dominant role, with combined sales estimated at $334 billion by the end of the decade, supported by private label investments, international expansion and advanced pricing and loyalty models. In parallel, the report points to even faster growth for so-called variety discounters, such as Action and Dollar Tree, which could reach a CAGR of 6.3% due to strong demand for low-priced non-food products and increased impulse buying... Source

AldiDiscountLidlPrivate Label
 

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Amazon to invest more than EUR 5 billion in Poland


...This is in addition to the EUR 10 billion the company has already invested in the market between 2012 and 2025. Part of this investment will go into a new distribution centre. Poland has risen to 20th place in the ranking of the world's largest economies. E-commerce in Poland has also grown rapidly. According to the Polish Chamber of Commerce, online sales in the country reached EUR 21.5 billion in 2025, an increase of 6.8 per cent. Online sales are also expected to increase by around 7.1% this year... Poland is already one of the 20 largest economies in the world and Amazon intends to play an active role in strengthening this position," says Mariangela Marseglia, Vice President of Amazon European Stores.. Source

AmazonE-Commerce
 

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Banana cultivation: a pesticide paradise


Banana plantations stretch across Ecuador, Costa Rica, Peru, the Philippines and Colombia: territories where the climate is perfect for growing the fruit... and pests. To protect the crops, pesticides and herbicides are used in quantities that a European farmer would not see in an entire career. All companies claim to follow 'sustainability' programmes, but the truth is that a banana at 1.49 €/kg cannot guarantee fair wages, cover ocean transports and ensure clean agriculture. Someone along the supply chain always pays the price: often the health of those who work... and those who consume Below: 1 some of the pesticides mentioned by 'Guess who's coming to dinner' (Rai3) were also found in organic bananas and are banned in the EU but enter it because there are no reciprocity clauses between South America and Europe. This problem could be changed by a proper implementation of the Mercosur treaty . 2 the label of the Esselunga Bio Ctm Altromercatobananas. Read also this article on Esselunga private label bananas and in the GD, in general. On pesticides you can read here. Compiled 10 December 2025, updated 19 March 2026

AgricultureEsselunga organicFruit and vegetablesMercosurPesticidesPrivate Label
 

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How to go from the current 24% incidence of Carrefour’s retailer brands to 50% of GS Mdd in three years? Mastrolia (GS, formerly Carrefour) answers


Question: How is it possible to go from the current 24% incidence of Carrefour's retailer brands to 50% of GS Mdds in three years? Answer : To do this I think it is sufficient to look at international experiences and the standards achieved by several Northern European retailers. Those who have reached these standards are even accelerating the development of Mdds. That is what we also want to do. Let's be clear: today there is no difference in value between the products of Idm, Brand Industry, and those of Mdd, our products. It all depends on how you communicate them and how you bring them to life on the shelves. Question: Sure. But how do you go from 24% to 50%? Answer: It is a question of will, strategic and operational. In Italy many consumers are still keen on brands, on industrial brands. But if they were to compare them with Mdd they would realise that they are essentially equal, especially in quality... Then certainly, as both Luigi Rubinelli for private label and Mario Gasbarrino for 'big brands' argue, a selection should be made, with a more focused assortment. This was discussed on 18 March 2026 in Parma. On private brand shares in Europe read here. Below is a question on LinkedIN and my response to it. Published on 18 March, updated on 19 March 2026

CarrefourPrivate Label
 

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Amazon launches one-hour delivery in US cities to challenge Walmart


The Seattle-based e-commerce giant said Tuesday that its 1-hour delivery option is available for more than 90,000 products, including essentials, toys and toilet paper, and will build on its existing same-day delivery network. The 60-minute delivery option was launched in major US metropolitan areas and smaller cities such as Boise, Idaho. The 3-hour delivery option has been launched in over 2,000 cities and towns. Perishable food products are available in selected areas, Amazon said. Reuters Amazon recently launched Amazon Now "in select areas" So there are three levels of delivery: 30 minutes, 1 hour and 3 hours

AmazonE-CommerceWalmart