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Lidl’s Arrival Marks New Front In US Price War

News by Bloomberg • June 17, 2018

The front line of the new war for the American supermarket runs through the aisles of Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It’s a battle over a few pennies on the price of milk, mustard, detergent, and barbecue sauce – and perhaps the future of groceries.

Winston-Salem is home to one of ten new supermarkets opened last month in the Carolinas and Virginia by German discount chain Lidl, known for its low prices on private-label items.

Competition

The new store is a short drive from a Whole Foods Market, the upscale grocery chain in the middle of a proposed $13.7 billion takeover by Amazon.com, Inc. with the potential to upend the way Americans shop for food.

The city of about a quarter-million people is also home to Kroger-owned Harris Teeter and Walmart, well-established national competitors that survive on razor-thin profit margins, as well as a host of independent grocers. There's even another German discount grocer. Aldi Süd, which operates 1,600 US stores under the name Aldi, has an outpost just down the road from the new Lidl.

A recent visit to three of the new Lidl stores made it clear that a price war had already started. Melinda Rahymer, a 52-year-old pet-sitter from Winston-Salem who lives on a tight budget, is accustomed to searching for deals at Publix Super Markets, Harris Teeter, Aldi, Walmart, and others. When Lidl opened across the street from a Walmart Supercenter – within a couple of miles from at least five other grocery stores – Rahymer decided to stop by and check it out. She grabbed some pasta and paid $2.19 for a gallon of milk.

“I think Aldi can beat them,” Rahymer said.

She was right. Aldi was selling milk for $2.18 a gallon. At the nearby Walmart, the price was $2.20. Food Lion, down the block? It matched Lidl, at $2.19.

Major Announcement

Lidl’s US expansion, which began with store openings on 15 June, would have been the biggest event of the summer for American groceries had Amazon not announced a deal to acquire Whole Foods the following day. That merger, if it closes in the coming months, promises to challenge grocers with a fierce competitor known to slash prices and use technology to lower costs.

For now, however, the grocery industry is watching the Carolinas and Virginia to see how shoppers and established supermarkets will respond to a little-known German giant.

Lidl plans to have at least 100 locations here by next summer, and it could expand to more than 500 locations over the next five years, according to analyst estimates. Its initial stores are opening in competitive grocery markets, right on top of rivals' locations. Aldi recently announced plans to add an additional 900 stores over the next five years, and it's spending $1.6 billion to remodel 1,300 of its existing ones.

The German discounters have battled across Europe for years, stealing sales from traditional grocers as consumers get accustomed to their private-label products. (The German grocery giant Aldi Nord also runs Trader Joe's.) The rivalry reaches the US at a time of rampant food deflation, with falling prices already ravaging grocers’ earnings.

Analysts predict a rough road ahead, particularly for small chains, which will struggle to match prices.

No-Frills

Lidl and Aldi operate with roughly the same business model: small, no-frills stores, low overheads, low prices, and a limited assortment of private-label items. A Lidl store might carry two types of mustard, while the nearby Walmart has a dozen. Only about 10% of the products at the stores are recognisable national brands.

Lidl has 10,000 stores across Europe, and Aldi Süd operates another 3,500. Growth can be slow. It took about a decade after entering the UK for Aldi Süd and Lidl to control about 5% of sales by the early noughties, but the discounters have proven to be a threat to rivals’ profits, even with a small market share. Walmart and Kroger, the two largest grocers in the US, have the scale to fight the price war, but other chains could be in trouble.

For the complete article: https://www.esmmagazine.com/lidls-arrival-marks-new-front-us-price-war/45379?mc_cid=6a92e31925&m...

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All about extra virgin olive oil...

EGREGIO organic extra virgin olive oil is recognized for its high quality in LONDON

June 22, 2021

This recognition corroborates the one recently received as the best #EVOO of the 2020-21 Harvest in the Estepa Denomination of Origin contest, which was organized by its Regulatory Council. To this award is added the recognition of its high quality achieved in competitions in NEW YORK, CANADA and JAPAN. This excellent EVOO was cold extracted in our mills from Lora de Estepa in November, using only early-harvest organic Hojiblanca olives. The result is a very fruity EVOO, with aromas reminiscent of green olives and hits of ripe olives, freshly grass and artichoke. Spiciness and bitterness are mild and balanced, and there is a hint of sweetness. EGREGIO is available in gourmet stores and in the online store: https://www.egregioextravirgin.com/store

Egregio demonstrates once again our strict commitment to quality

May 27, 2021

This recognition corroborates the one recently received as the best #EVOO of the 2020-21 Harvest in the Estepa Denomination of Origin contest, which was organized by its Regulatory Council. This excellent EVOO was cold extracted in our mills from Lora de Estepa in November, using only early-harvest organic Hojiblanca olives. The result is a very fruity EVOO, with aromas reminiscent of green olives and hits of ripe olives, freshly grass and artichoke. Spiciness and bitterness are mild and balanced, and there is a hint of sweetness. EGREGIO is available in gourmet stores and in the online store: https://www.egregioextravirgin.com/store

EGREGIO Organic EVOO by Oleoestepa gets the award for the best EVOO of the Estepa Designation of Origin

By websitebuilder • March 23, 2021

The Estepa Protected Designation of Origin has celebrated the first edition of the award for the quality of extra virgin olive oil produced in its territory. The award for the best EVOO of the Estepa PDO for the 2020/21 harvest campaign has gone to one of the associated oil mills of Oleoestepa SCA, named San José de Lora de Estepa oil mill. Oleoestepa bottle the awarded EVOO under the brand of organic extra virgin olive oil EGREGIO , a Premium reference available in gourmet stores and its online store by clicking here . EGREGIO EVOO comes from organic farming, early harvest and cold extraction. It presents a complex and balanced profile, very fruity, with a diversity of aromas reminiscent of green olives, with hints of ripe olives, fresh grass, green leaf, artichoke and green branch wood. In the mouth, the spiciness and bitterness stand out, harmonious and very balanced, complemented with a touch of sweetness. The contest organized by the Estepa Denomination of Origin is based on two unique milestones that are not presented in any other contest in the world. First of all, participants must have a deposit of at least 40,000 kg of extra virgin olive oil, which forces participants to have a high level of generalized demand in its production. Secondly, all the oils presented must comply with the specifications of the Estepa Designation of Origin, the most demanding in the world on certifying the high quality of an extra virgin olive oil. This award recognizes the great work of the associated oil mills located in the territory protected by the Estepa Designation of Origin in the development of a sustainable olive grove and an extra virgin olive oil of the highest quality.

Why organic olive oil?

By Borja Fernández • February 3, 2021

It´s important that we know the definition of organic extra virgin olive oil, which is: “oil that comes from organic farming, a production system that uses agricultural methods that respect nature and the environment, with very strict rules on the use of herbicides, pesticides and synthetic chemical fertilizers” Egregio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced in Estepa, a small town in the south of Spain where each olive is harvested in a sustainable way while protecting nature and the environment as much as possible. For us, the most important thing about extra virgin olive oil is not only the quality but also how the oil has been harvested and produced. Here you have just a few reasons to consume Egregio Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil: - Avoid chemicals. ... - Benefit from more nutrients. ... - Enjoy better taste. ... - Avoid GMOs. ... - Preserve our ecosystems. ... - Reduce pollution and protect the quality of the water and soil. ... - Preserve agricultural diversity. From Egregio we encourage you to consume organic extra virgin olive oil and enjoy its benefits!

The importance of recently harvested: fresh olive oil

By Borja Valdecasas • January 25, 2021

Did you know that great olive oil is the opposite of great wine? While some quality wine gets better over time, all great extra virgin olive oil gets worse. The fresher the better. Consuming fresh extra virgin olive oil will allow you to experience the most all of the amazing flavors and aromas, adding more flavor to each dish. Consuming fresh harvest oil also ensures low levels of oxidation, high content of polyphenols and oleic acid, which have a direct impacts on your health. Our November 2020 harvest Fresh Egregio Extra Virgin Olive Oil has just arrived! Egregio Intense for hearty plates such as meats or veggies, Egregio Delicate for fish or poultry, and Egregio Organic for your everyday needs. All Egregio Extra Virgin Olive Oil is farmed sustainably from our family of farmers.

Thanksgiving turkey recipe

By Borja Fernández • November 26, 2020

Preparation: For the stuffing: 1. Cut the bread into small cubes, dice the onion and celery and chop the parsley. 2. Bake the bread in the oven for several minutes until golden. 3. Heat the Egregio delicate fruit olive oil in a pan and sauté the onion and celery until soft. 4. Mix the onion and celery with the remaining ingredients in a large bowl. For the turkey: 1. Preheat the oven to 325ºF (165ºC). 2. Mix the Egregio delicate fruit olive oil with the garlic, rosemary, basil, oregano, parsley, onion powder, thyme, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt in a bowl. Set aside. 3. Wash the turkey inside and out. Leave it to dry. 4. Remove any large fat deposits and gently loosen the skin from the breast without tearing it, working your fingers into the area between the breast and skin. 5. Place the stuffing inside the turkey cavity. 6. Spread the Egregio delicate fruit olive oil and herb mixture over the outside of the turkey and between the breast and skin. 7. Place the turkey in a roasting pan with a rack and put it in the oven. Add about half a cup of water to the bottom of the pan and leave the turkey to roast for three to four hours. Ingredients For the turkey: • 1 whole turkey (about 4kg) • 250ml Egregio delicate fruit extra virgin olive oil • 3 tablespoons minced garlic • A pinch of chopped fresh rosemary • A pinch of chopped fresh basil • A pinch of dried oregano • A pinch of dried parsley • A pinch of onion powder • A pinch of dried thyme • A pinch of red pepper flakes • 1 teaspoon ground black pepper • Salt to taste For the stuffing: • 450g crusty bread • 2 onions • Two celery stalks • 50g fresh parsley • 1 teaspoon dried sage • 1 teaspoon dried thyme • Salt to taste • Pepper to taste • 2 eggs • 50ml chicken broth

Zucchini, Ricotta and Egregio Intense Fruit Frittata recipe

By websitebuilder • July 9, 2020

Portions: 4 Time of preparation: 30 minutes Ingredients: 6 large eggs ½ cup ricotta cheese ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese ¼ teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper to taste ¼ cup chopped spring onion ¼ cup of EGREGIO Extra Virgin Olive Oil Intense Fruit 2 small zucchini, or one larger one, washed and sliced into thin rounds (about 3/4 pound) Preparation: In a large bowl beat the eggs until frothy. Add the Ricotta and Parmesan and beat to combine. Add the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside. Heat the EVOO in a 10-inch oven-proof stick-free skillet on medium high. When the oil is hot and begins to shimmer, add the chopped spring onions, sauté for a minute. Then add the zucchini slices. Stir so that the zucchini slices are all coated with some of the oil. Cook, stirring only occasionally (if you stir too much the zucchini won't brown), until the zucchini slices are lightly browned, about 5-6 minutes. Remove from heat. Remove zucchini slices from the pan with tongs or a slotted spoon to a bowl. Let cool for 30 seconds or so, and then stir the zucchini slices to the egg mixture. Reheat the skillet. There should be a couple of tablespoons of oil left in the pan, if not, add some. When the oil is hot, pour the egg mixture into the pan. Do not stir it. Reduce the heat to medium. Let the egg mixture cook. Run a spatula along the edge of the frittata, separating the cooked edges from the pan. Let the egg mixture cook until the bottom is golden brown and the top is beginning to set, about 5-6 minutes. Set the top rack 5 inches from the heating element in the oven. Preheat the oven broiler. Once the top of the frittata has started to set in the pan on the stove top, remove the pan from the stove and place it in the oven. With the broiler on, the door of the oven needs to be open. You can let the pan's handle stick out from the oven through the open door. Cook under the broiler until the top starts to become lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Alternatively, instead of using the broiler, you can place a plate face-down on top of the skillet. Flip the skillet over to release the frittata on to the plate. Then slide the frittata from the plate back on to the skillet. Let cook for a couple of minutes more until the bottom side gets browned. Slide the frittata out of the skillet onto a serving plate. Let cool for a minute or two and serve. Serves 2 to 3. For more details about Egregio Intense Fruit -click here-

How To Make Homemade Ricotta Cheese

By Emma Christensen • July 9, 2020

Milk, lemon juice, and about a half-hour of your time — that’s all you need to make a batch of fresh, creamy homemade ricotta.

Carrot and walnuts cornbread recipe

By Olivia Green • April 9, 2020

This is a delicious and easy to prepare variation of the classic cornbread recipe with carrot, walnuts and the exquisite aroma of Extra Virgin Olive Oil.

Keep fit for life

By Olivia Green • March 18, 2020

In the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic our planet is going through, it is very important to highlight what the nutritional and food-based dietary guidelines are, specially to maintain and to strength the immunological system of our older adults, and in general, of all the population.