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JD.com has raised US$2.5bn for its logistics subsidiary, in order to invest in new automation technologies. Investing in new technologies The online retailer has entered into definitive agreements for the financing of its logistics subsidiary, JD Logistics. The total amount raised is expected to be around $2.5bn. JD.com will remain the majority shareholder of JD Logistics with an 81.4% stak...

IGD’s Chief Economist James Walton explores how artificial intelligence (AI) may impact supply chain logistics. From brute force to deep learning AI has a long history – the foundations of current technologies developed in the 1950s and 60s - machines capable of learning appeared in 1954 1 and pattern recognition in 1956 2 . Since then AI has split into specialisms and important advances h...

Carrefour has announced that it is trialling a number of urban agricultural projects. Trial sees fresh produce grown on roof of its HQ Carrefour said that it is growing fruit and vegetables on the roof of its office in Massy, in the southern suburbs of Paris. The retailer said that it is using 200 sq. m of its roof space to grow produce using an aeroponics system in conjunction with start-u...

2 Sisters Food Group has invested £10m in technology and innovation at one of its facilities. £10m investment Leading UK food manufacturer, 2 Sisters Food Group has invested £10m in its prepared meals facility in South Wales. The investment was used for new technology and innovation in the production of Oriental foods at the manufacturer’s Rogerstone site, the largest prepared meals facilit...

IGD's Chief Economist, James Walton, offers his take on how a productive supply chain can help businesses to create material value for shareholders.   IGD's Chief Economist, James Walton, offers his take on how a productive supply chain can help businesses to create material value for shareholders.   The scale option In February 2017, the US-based grocery company Kraft Heinz offere...

Thought of the week: Alex looks at the new food for later trend in the UK In the last week, we’ve heard the news that Hello Fresh has opened its first physical store in London. The pop-up store will be in place for four weeks, selling meal boxes for two, priced at £10 each. This is an interesting development for the previously online-only pure player, and the opening represents a significant ...

Following its 2016 results, Kroger remains focused on its long term strategy of investing in its people, the business and technology to deliver for its customers. Sales driven by acquisitions Despite the operating environment being more challenging than expected, Kroger achieved sales of $115.3bn for 2016, up 5% on 2015 or 1% on a like-for-like basis.The deflationary conditions have driven lo...

Hungry for the latest facts about reusable merchandising solutions? This infographic details the benefits of use and highlights some of the key opportunities. DOWNLOAD INFOGRAPHIC DOWNLOAD INFOGRAPHIC

Carrefour has signed a distribution contract with Supergroup and announced new initiatives to support farmers in France. Carrefour signs supply contract with Supergroup According to reports in LSA, Carrefour France’s central buying office has reached a negotiation and supply deal with Supergroup. Supergroup is a subsidiary of distributor Logista and is involved in wholesaling to proximity ret...

Thought of the week: Suzannah thinks about the possibilities of food waste power Waitrose has unveiled trucks that run on biomethane. This renewable fuel is made from food waste, and can cover 500 miles before needing refuelling – over one and a half times their previous distance of 300 miles. I’ve seen buses that can go short distances on recycled chip fat, but this sort of thing has always ...