Source: Australian Beverages Australia’s largest beverage companies are committed to reducing sugar in their drinks. In 2018, Asahi Beverages, Coca-Cola South Pacific, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, and Pepsi Co Australia and New Zealand, committed to reducing sugar across their non-alcohol beverage portfolios by 20% from 2015-2025. With more than 16% of sugar removed from their portfolios since January 2015, today, through the Australian Beverages Council Limited (ABCL), they have upgraded their target to a 25% reduction in sugar across their non-alcohol beverage portfolios from 2015-2025. This makes it even easier for Australians to manage their sugar intake. ABCL Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Parker said: “Our Sugar Reduction Pledge signatories are accelerating their sugar reduction target not only because it’s the right thing to do, but also because they’re ahead on their current sugar reduction targets.“Sugar reduction is being driven by a range of initiatives, including reformulation, smaller pack sizes, and pledgees…

08/09/22; The Verge Uber Eats customers in California and Texas may soon have their takeout delivered by a driverless delivery pod after the company signed a 10-year deal with autonomous driving startup Nuro. Today’s announcement is the culmination of over four years of start-and-stop negotiations between the two companies. Uber wanted to use Nuro’s vehicles to make deliveries in Houston back in 2019, but those plans never panned out. Now, the two companies have struck a decade-long deal to expand robot deliveries to more customers than ever. Starting this fall, Uber and Nuro will deploy autonomous delivery vehicles in two cities: Mountain View, California, and Houston, Texas. Neither company would disclose the number of vehicles nor the expected number of customers who will participate in these early tests, but they did say they eventually hope to expand the service area to the greater Bay Area in California. Available in Mountain View, California,…

21/09/22; Inside Retail Shell Philippines plans to open retail stores and eateries in more than one-third of its gas stations nationwide by 2025. The plan is part of the oil company’s strategy to increase revenue beyond gasoline, and it plans to host a variety of brands at its gas stations, including Starbucks, Adidas, McDonald’s and Jollibee. In an interview with Bloomberg, CEO Lorelie Quiambao Osial said the company wants non-fuel retail revenues to drive growth by at least 15 per cent annually and create an income stream that eventually accounts for 25 per cent of sales. The business intends to open shops and dining establishments inside 550 of its 1400 stations across the country by 2025. “We are transforming what you’d normally call petro retail stations into mobility destinations,” Osial told Bloomberg.  “Before it was motorist-driven. Now, it’s something for the passengers to enjoy as well.” According to a McKinsey…

26/09/22; Grocerant Guru The race is on to order you 7-Eleven X Crocs.  That’s right shoes / clogs branded for 7-Eleven enthusiast. Yes, it is where style meets the snack aisle with the all-new 7-Eleven X Crocs collaboration. The exclusive collection introduces three limited-edition styles, including Crocs’ newest icon: the height-forward Mega Crush Clog. How is your brand edifying it relationship with consumers? One thing is true you will not miss the 7-Eleven X Crocs collab reimagines Crocs’ as they are the most recognizable clog and sandal silhouettes, new style statements that celebrate the world’s largest convenience retailer, including: ·         7-Eleven X Crocs Mega Crush Clog ($110): This creative pair showcases 7-Eleven’s vibrant colors, an elevated heel and unique Jibbitz charms. (LAUNCHING TODAY)  ·         7-Eleven X Crocs Classic Clog ($70): Featuring a collection of crave-worthy 7-Eleven Jibbitz charms, customers will always feel stylish in these boldly striped icons.​(LAUCHING 11/7) ·         7-Eleven X Crocs Classic Sandal ($50): A unique take on the Classic Sandal, this pair…

26/09/22; CNBC KEY POINTS Walmart is entering the metaverse with two experiences, Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play, in gaming platform Roblox. The retailer is experimenting with other ways to reach shoppers, including shoppable recipes, livestreaming events and an augmented reality feature for furniture. Walmart’s marketing chief, William White, said the company will use Roblox as a testing ground, as it considers other moves in the metaverse and beyond. Walmart is entering the metaverse with two experiences premiering Monday on online gaming platform Roblox. The retail giant’s first foray into the virtual world will feature a blimp that drops toys, a music festival with hot artists, a bunch of different games, and a store of virtual merchandise, or “verch,” which matches what customers may find in Walmart’s stores and on its website. The two experiences are called Walmart Land and Walmart’s Universe of Play. Walmart is experimenting with new ways to…

27/09/22; BP Media Release Hertz and bp pulse plan to install a national network of EV charging solutions for Hertz and its customers, powered by bp pulse Companies to build upon and customize bp pulse’s existing ‘Omega’ fleet charging and energy management software for Hertz’s EV fleet  Hertz and bp announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for the development of a national network of EV charging stations powered by bp pulse, bp’s global electrification and charging solution brand. The MOU sets the foundation for Hertz and bp to drive the future of mobility and accelerate EV consumer adoption. The agreement also involves the management of Hertz’s charging infrastructure by bp pulse and the customization of its Omega software to ensure Hertz’s growing fleet of electric rental cars are recharged quickly and efficiently between rentals. Omega supports fleet operations by automating charging when the power price is…