Part of Sainsbury's evolving IT strategy has been the implementation of an Integrated Transport Management System (ITMS), which is a revolutionary system that uses 'real-time' data to optimise transport routes as events happen throughout the day.

Norbert Dentressangle has released its results for the first half of 2010, revealing revenue of €1. 4bn, up 3. 2% compared to the first half of 2009.

Woolworths Australia expands distribution centre network

Woolworths in Australia is planning to add two new distribution centres to its network in New South Wales, Australia, according to press reports.

Marks & Spencer is further enhancing its RFID use with a trial of a second generation of RFID tags, according to Packaging News.

The new version of RFID tags, which include a smaller data chip, will be trialled by the retailer in the first quarter of 2011.

Morrisons has acquired Simply Fresh Foods, a fresh food manufacturer based near Manchester, in the north of England, according to press reports.

Waitrose has announced that David Jones has been appointed as Supply Chain Director and will take up the position on 31st August.

Commenting on the appointment, Mark Price, Managing Director of Waitrose, said: "David’s deep understanding of our business and wide experience at senior level makes him ideally suited to this role.

South Africa-based Pick n Pay is to invest the funds generated from its sale of Franklins, the discount supermarket in Australia, in developing its supply chain network, according to press reports.

German supermarket Rewe Group, will implement route planning software from IT company COS, according to press reports.

The fleet management system will be used to enhance the efficiency of its logistics operation in Germany.

The Stobart Group has submitted plans to Peterborough City Council for the construction of a temperature controlled distribution centre next to Tesco's site in Saltersgate, in the east of Peterborough.

Walmart Canada has announced that its Bridgewater store is the first to achieve zero waste generation, meaning that it is diverting more than 95% of its waste away from landfill.

Chris Tyas, Head of Supply Chain at Nestlé UK, has announced his decision to stand down from his IGD role as Co Chair for ECR UK. He will also relinquish his role as Vice Chairman of Industry Standards Organisation GS1 UK.

IGD has announced an impressive speaker line-up for its annual Supply Chain Summit, to be held on Thursday 18th November at the QE2 in Westminster, London.

Rising volumes in all business divisions at Kuehne + Nagel has boosted results in the first half of 2010. Compared to the first half of 2009, turnover is up15.

Penny, the German discount division of the Rewe group, has started operations at its new distribution centre in Lahr in the Baden-Wurttemberg state of south-west Germany, according to press reports.

Waitrose has announced plans to grow the outlets selling Waitrose products over six times by 2015 as it expands both its own stores and the ranges of products it sells in partner shops.

Marks & Spencer has opened the largest distribution centre in its supply chain network in Bradford, in the north of England. The 102,200 m. sq (1.

Norbert Dentressangle successfully won a logistics contract to provide frozen storage and distribution to Ultra Ice in the UK.

Ultra Ice is a major supplier of ice to the food, retail and airline industries in the UK.

IGD has announced the short-listed companies for the auspicious Tesco Ian Maclaurin Award for Supply Chain Excellence and the ECR UK Award for Sustainable Distribution.

Kraft Foods has renewed its UK logistics contract for national distribution and warehousing with Culina Logistics.

Duncan Campbell, Northern Distribution Manager for Kraft Foods Europe, commented on the contract award: “With so many brands and products, it’s important these are delivered to retailers without compromising their quality and shelf life.

Netto, the discount operation of Dansk Supermarked, is nearly at 100% utilisation at its distribution centre in Køge, which is close to Copenhagen, Denmark.

IGD recently supported the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) with insight into five key supply chain trends that are affecting the food and grocery industry.

Netherlands based logistics provider, Partner Logistics has opened a 220,660 sq ft (20,500 sq. m) temperature controlled distribution centre in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, according to press reports.

CHEP has won a three-year contract with Intersnack, a European supplier of snacks and nuts.

Stephen Daly, Production Control Manager at Intersnack, said: “CHEP’s pallet quality and availability and the excellent working relationship we have with their account management team were key factors in its appointment.

Sainsbury's has revealed its progress on many of its supply chain sustainability goals in its latest corporate responsibility report.

Projects that involve reducing energy across the logistics network and initiatives to reduce waste and packaging across the supply chain have helped the retailer achieve sustainable operations.

Waitrose has invested £373,000 to upgrade its temperature controlled distribution centre in Bracknell, Berkshire in the south of the UK.

Stertil Stokvis has installed equipment that has improved the loading bay facilities at the depot.

Spanish retailer, El Corte Inglés has implemented RFID technology at its distribution centre in Valdemoro, just south of Madrid, according to press reports.

Tesco. com is renewing its home delivery vehicle fleet with 795 Iveco light commercial vehicles.

As part of this order, the online division of Tesco, has ordered 25 natural gas-powered EcoDailys that run on exclusively on compressed biomethane (CBM).

Norbert Dentressangle has won several new pieces of business at its chilled airfreight distribution centre in Heathrow, in the UK.

Mark Price, General Manager of Norbert Dentressangle’s Heathrow operations commented: “At Heathrow, we are able to combine tailored solutions to meet individual customer requirements with cost savings based on economies of scale and logistical efficiencies – this is proving an attractive proposition for companies seeking to improve their existing operations or to establish a first foothold in the UK.

In the last two weeks, Amazon in the UK and in Germany have announced the addition of grocery products to its ranges. Both these announcements make Amazon's expansion plans clear in Europe, with the US being the only other market where the online retailer currently sells grocery products.

Elin Jones, Wales' Rural Affairs Minister, has launched a new project to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the dairy supply chain.