Spanish retailer DIA has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality in the workplace with the signing of II Plan de Igualdad (II Equality Plan) with the FETICO, CCOO and UGT unions. The plan will be valid for four years, and includes new measures linked to guaranteeing equality and work-life balance, reports ESMmagazine.com. These include more flexible working hours, as well as a specific plan to promote and identify female talent. DIA noted that it already has close to 70% women in its workforce in Spain, and more than 50% of them holding managerial positions. César Vázquez, human resources director of DIA Spain said, "For DIA, fostering an inclusive environment and advancing equality issues are priority lines of action. "With this signature we renew our firm commitment to real and effective equality within DIA, which guarantees that our actions are free of gender discrimination and takes us one more step towards a society in which equality is real and effective."
SPAR has announced an expansion of its partnership with Dutch multinational online food ordering and delivery company Thuisbezorgd.nl after a successful pilot with various stores. From July 2023, more than 50 SPAR branches in the Netherlands will offer a range of around 900 items through the Thuisbezorgd.nl app and website. This will include fresh sandwiches, salads, wraps, chilled drinks, smoothies, bread, milk and toiletries and other last minute essentials, reports ESMmagazine.com. Thuisbezorgd.nl and SPAR have been working together since April 2022. The groceries are delivered to the customers' doorsteps by e-bike and bicycle. The Thuisbezorgd.nl couriers are insured, receive training and are provided with the distinctive orange delivery bag and clothing. The products are delivered from the store of the relevant independent SPAR entrepreneur.
Casino shares rose by over 9% on Wednesday, lifted by the prospect that rival bidders would raise their offers to rescue the cash-strapped French retailer, reports Reuters. Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky is vying against a consortium led by telecoms entrepreneur Xavier Niel, investment banker Matthieu Pigasse and businessman Moez-Alexandre Zouari to take control of Casino, which is saddled with net debt of €6.4 billion and teetering on the brink of default. Pigasse told French daily les Echos on Tuesday that 3F's offer would be raised, without giving further details. Les Echos added that Kretinsky would also raise his offer. Kretinsky's representatives could not be immediately reached for comment while Casino declined to comment. So far Kretinsky is leading a 1.35 billion-euro investment plan to rescue Casino, dwarfing a 900 million euros proposal put forward by 3F Holding. However, the proposed cash injections are only the first step in Casino's wide-ranging restructuring plan, which it has said will require a deal with debt holders within a court-led process. The deadline for an agreement in principle on the terms of the financial restructuring has been set for July 27. By 0902 GMT Casino shares gained 9.6% at 3.28 euros, having fallen 69% so far this year. "I expect both parties to try to upgrade their offer on the cash injection front while strongly reiterating their industrial and jobs commitments to satisfy the French government", said Bryan Garnier analyst Clément Genelot.
Read More: Weekly Round-Up ... 4 July 2023
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