by Walther Ploos van Amstel
The stock markets reacted negatively to the AholdDelhaize financial report for 2020. At the start of the AEX-trading day, the stock opened 5 percent lower. Boom, a billion stock market value gone. Despite strong growth figures, investors were disappointed with the lower net profit due to setbacks in the US; including investments in local distribution centers …
British company Magway plans a Hyperloop-inspired network of tunnels that will transport parcels around London in magnetic carriages traveling at 40mph by 2022. Magway is set to install a network of underground tunnels that could deliver over 600 million packages a year in London alone.
Uber Technologies said it’s in discussions with European supermarkets to roll out a grocery delivery service. Uber has spoken with the UK’s second-biggest grocer J Sainsbury. The supermarket operator earlier announced it was partnering with Deliveroo to bring hot pizza to homes in four British cities.
The Kroger Co. has a long history in retail grocery operations. Today, Kroger is a $115 billion company operating in 35 states in the US. Kroger owns 38 manufacturing facilities that produce about 40 percent of the private-label brands sold in Kroger stores.
UK-based company Ocado has been credited with revolutionising the UK’s e-grocery arena. An online player with cutting-edge technology, a centralised hub-based delivery system and lucrative partnerships with high-end retailers, and Ocado is profitable. Sales in 2017 are expected to grow towards 1,5 bln Euro. Net margin was 1%.
A trial of a fully autonomous electric-powered vehicle (Cargopod) conducting last-mile deliveries for Ocado in Greenwich (UK) ended this month. The vehicle has delivered groceries to more than 100 customers so far. Read more at Freight in the City.