Delivery platform DoorDash has secured a new partnership with Costco, which allows Australians to purchase goods without requiring a membership to the bulk-goods company. Customers simply need to search for Costco on DoorDash, where they will find a range of groceries including fruit, vegetables, meat, and other household essentials such as toilet paper. Same-day delivery is available in metropolitan areas in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, and Brisbane. “We are thrilled to partner with Costco to expand DoorDash’s affordable options for Australian families,” says DoorDash Vice President APAC Simon Rossi. “Through this partnership, we’re making it easier for families and small businesses to get what they need at Costco’s low prices, delivered directly to their doorstep.” “This partnership allows members improved access to the range of quality and value Costco offers, because we know that many people live busy lives and are always looking for ways to make the weekly shop…

A market research and analytics firm released new data featuring grocery stores those living in the U.S. love most. Here’s what it found. We’ve covered it here a few times, but groceries are quite the hot topic these days. Be it for increasing grocery store prices, helping you find the best deals on groceries across the United States, or for the recalls that have made headlines in the last few months. But there is a little bit of fun news in here, too, that you can debate about with your friends: Which grocery store, exactly, is America’s favorite? You don’t need to wonder too hard, as YouGov, a market research and analytics firm, recently released new data showcasing which grocery store those living in the U.S. love most. To come to its conclusion, the researchers interviewed 1,220 people in the U.S. over the months of October, November, and December of 2024…

Here’s a rundown of what should be top of mind for convenience store operators this year. NATIONAL REPORT — Many of the consumer trends that have been going strong over the past couple of years are expected to continue through 2025, with some new ones added into the mix. Freshly made, high-quality food is important to consumers today and with many convenience store operators stepping up their foodservice offerings, c-stores are becoming more on par with quick-service restaurants (QSRs), according to Sarah Becket, director of marketing at Intouch Insight, a provider of customer experience solutions for multilocation businesses. In a third-party delivery survey that compared 300 made-to-order food orders from restaurants and 300 made-to-order food orders from c-stores, Intouch Insight found that convenience stores are very much equal to their restaurant counterparts — but there is still work to be done.  “C-stores are still playing catchup with delivery because they have…

Retailers face long-term costs when it comes to employee morale and engagement. According to a recently released report from Perceptyx, 53% of all workers who deal directly with the public have encountered customers who are verbally abusive, threatening or unruly in the past six months. The consulting firm surveyed 21,000 frontline employees about their experiences at work, including employees in healthcare, foodservice, education, retail, transportation and more. The results showed that of the customer-facing workforce, retail workers “are the most likely to encounter unruly customers, with 61% of them having dealt with a recent incident, followed by those in information and then finance and insurance. More than a third have been required to stay in a situation with a customer where they felt physically unsafe. As a result, 81% feel burned out and 40% say their manager rarely or never checks in on their stress or emotional health,” said Perceptyx. The study…

Patties Food Group has completed the acquisition of National Pies. National Pies, or Tasmanian Bakeries as it is also known, is a leading third-generation Tasmanian, chilled savoury food business that has created delicious pies and rolls that Tasmanians have loved since Alfred Gough launched the company in 1942. Tasmanian Bakeries will remain a stand-alone business within the Patties Food Group. The Tasmanian Bakeries’ management team and existing staff members will remain in their roles. There are no plans to move operations from Tasmania, with Patties Food Group signing a long-term lease agreement for the site in Hobart. The Patties Food Group look forward to investing in the National Pies brand and markets to continue the business’s incredible growth.

Asahi Beverages has announced the appointment of Nigel Parsons as Chief Commercial Officer, commencing on 1 April 2025. This is a new role at Asahi Beverages, with the chief commercial officer to have responsibility for the Group’s commercial and sales functions across Australia and New Zealand, covering alcohol and non-alcohol. Nigel will continue to report to Group CEO Amanda Sellers. Nigel has been CEO of the Asahi Lifestyle Beverages (ALB) business division since joining the business in March 2021. “I’m delighted that Nigel has accepted the new role of chief commercial officer,” said Sellers. “Nigel has achieved considerable success as CEO of ALB, increasing our market share and sales across our non-alcohol beverages portfolio. Nigel has built exceptional relationships with our customers, which has resulted in significant new partnership deals and an expanded customer base. “The consolidation of the Group’s Australian commercial and sales functions and the NZ business under…