HOUSTON, Oct. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sysco Corporation (NYSE:SYY) will host a conference call and webcast to discuss its first quarter fiscal year 2026 financial results at 10 a.m. EDT on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. All interested parties are invited to listen online at investors.sysco.com. Prior to the conference call and webcast, the company will also issue a news release and post a slide presentation in the investor relations section of its website. A replay of the webcast will be available online s ...

This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter. LAS VEGAS — When Jack Sinclair started as Sprouts Farmers Market’s CEO in 2019, he had no intention of bringing e-commerce sales above 2% of total sales. Then the COVID-19 pandemic unfolded, and the specialty grocer saw online sales jump to 15%. Five years later, that percentage has managed to hold steady, Sinclair said during a keynote session at Groceryshop on Tues ...

Core Insights - Kroger Co. reported an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.04, exceeding the estimated EPS of $0.994, indicating strong financial performance [1][6] - The company's revenue for the second quarter of 2025 was $33.94 billion, slightly below the estimated $34.10 billion, but e-commerce sales surged, contributing to expanded profit margins [2][6] - Kroger raised its fiscal year 2025 earnings outlook due to strong grocery demand and significant sales growth in its pharmacy and fresh produce segments [3][6] Financial Metrics - Kroger's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio is approximately 17.37, reflecting favorable market valuation of its earnings [4][6] - The price-to-sales ratio is about 0.31, and the enterprise value to sales ratio is around 0.45, suggesting a relatively low market valuation compared to its revenue [4] - The debt-to-equity ratio stands at approximately 2.83, indicating a significant reliance on debt financing [4][6] - The current ratio is around 0.95, suggesting that the company has slightly less than enough current assets to cover its current liabilities [5] - Kroger's earnings yield is about 5.76%, reflecting the company's ability to generate profits for its shareholders [5]

Sales growth was led by Kroger's pharmacy and fresh produce segments, as well as its e-commerce channel. ...

Economic Performance - In the first half of 2025, Guangzhou's economic performance improved compared to 2024, with positive trends in exports and retail sales [2] - From January to May 2025, Guangzhou's total retail sales reached 469.994 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 5.1% [3] Retail Innovation - Guangzhou has been recognized as a pilot city for retail innovation, supported by its strong commercial heritage and a large young population, with 1.68 million university students in 2024 [3] - The city is seeing significant investment in new commercial projects from leading operators like Swire, China Resources, and K11, enhancing the retail landscape [3] Shopping Center Upgrades - In 2026, Guangzhou will mark the fifth year of its initiative to build an international consumption center, with major shopping centers undergoing significant renovations to enhance competitiveness [4] - The focus of these upgrades is shifting from product-centered to consumer-centered experiences, emphasizing emotional value and spatial experience [4] Market Supply and Demand - In the second quarter, Guangzhou saw the addition of two community commercial projects, totaling 213,000 square meters, marking an 8.1% increase compared to the total supply in 2024 [5] - Retail property leasing activity is increasing, particularly in supermarkets and department stores, with notable changes in store formats and offerings [5] Rental Trends - In the first half of 2025, new retail brand leases accounted for 43% of total transactions, followed by dining (41%) and experiential formats (15%) [6] - Retail property rents in Guangzhou continued to decline, with a quarterly drop of 2.5% and a cumulative decrease of 3.6% in the first half of 2025, averaging 21.9 yuan per square meter per day [6] Future Developments - Four new retail projects, totaling approximately 300,000 square meters, are expected to enter the market in the second half of 2025, with a trend towards light asset operations [6]

Core Viewpoint - Village Farms International, Inc. is undergoing a transformative transaction to privatize certain assets of its Fresh Produce division while focusing on expanding its global cannabis business, which is expected to unlock long-term value for both segments [2][4]. Financial Performance - For Q1 2025, consolidated sales were $77.1 million, a slight decrease from $78.1 million in Q1 2024 [11]. - The consolidated net loss was $6.7 million, compared to a loss of $2.9 million in the previous year [11]. - Adjusted EBITDA was $0.1 million, down from $3.6 million in Q1 2024 [11]. - Cash flow from operations was negative at $6.4 million, compared to a near break-even of $50,000 in Q1 2024 [11]. Cannabis Segment Highlights - Canadian cannabis net income and adjusted EBITDA increased by 258% and 64% year-over-year, respectively [6]. - International medical export cannabis sales surged by 285% year-over-year [6]. - The company commenced cannabis sales in the Netherlands, marking its entry into the European recreational market [6]. Fresh Produce Segment - The company is expected to receive $40 million in cash proceeds and a 37.9% equity ownership interest in Vanguard Food LP upon closing the privatization transaction [3][4]. - The privatization aims to allow the fresh produce business to operate independently with new strategic capital partners [2][4]. Strategic Developments - The completion of a Phase II facility in Groningen, Netherlands, is expected in Q1 2026, which will quintuple annual production capacity for cannabis [4]. - The company has maintained a top market share position in Canada despite a reduction in lower-margin branded sales [4][11]. - A refinancing of Canadian cannabis term loans has been completed, consolidating three loans into one with improved terms [12]. Market Position - Village Farms retains ownership of its Canadian greenhouse assets and Texas-based greenhouse assets for potential future cannabis market opportunities [18]. - The company continues to hold leading cultivars in the German market through third-party distributors [17].

Company Overview - Village Farms International, Inc. is a vertically integrated supplier focused on high-value, high-growth plant-based Consumer Packaged Goods, leveraging decades of experience in Controlled Environment Agriculture [4] - The company is a leading fresh produce supplier in the US and Canada and is expanding into high-growth opportunities in the cannabis and CBD markets [4] Cannabis Operations - In Canada, the company's subsidiary Pure Sunfarms is one of the largest cannabis operations globally and a top-selling brand [5] - Village Farms owns 80% of Rose LifeScience, a leading cannabis products commercialization expert in Québec [5] - The company exports medical cannabis from its EU GMP certified facility in Canada to various international markets, including Germany, the UK, Israel, and Australia [6] US Market Strategy - Village Farms plans to enter the US high-THC cannabis market, leveraging its extensive greenhouse operations in West Texas and expertise from Pure Sunfarms [7] Clean Energy Initiatives - Village Farms Clean Energy, in partnership with Terreva Renewables, generates clean energy from landfill gas, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver [8]

Company Overview - Village Farms International, Inc. is a vertically integrated supplier specializing in high-value, high-growth plant-based Consumer Packaged Goods, leveraging decades of experience in Controlled Environment Agriculture [3] - The company is a leading fresh produce supplier in the US and Canada and is expanding into high-growth opportunities in the cannabis and CBD sectors [3] Recent Developments - Village Farms has refinanced its syndicated Canadian Cannabis Term Loans, consolidating three previous loans into one facility with a variable interest rate below 8.0 percent, reflecting a 50 basis point improvement [1] - The new credit facility has improved financial covenants and a maturity date extended to February 7, 2028, replacing the previous loans maturing on February 7, 2026 [1] Strategic Positioning - The company's subsidiary, Pure Sunfarms, is one of the largest cannabis operations globally and a leading brand in Canada, recognized for being the lowest-cost greenhouse producer [4] - Village Farms holds an 80% stake in Rose LifeScience, a prominent third-party cannabis products commercialization expert in Québec [4] International Expansion - Village Farms is targeting emerging legal cannabis and CBD markets internationally, exporting medical cannabis to countries like Germany, the UK, Israel, and Australia [5] - The company is expanding its international footprint with new export contracts and strategic investments in the Asia-Pacific and European regions [5] US Market Strategy - In the US, Village Farms plans to enter the high-THC cannabis market, leveraging its extensive greenhouse operations in West Texas and the expertise gained from Pure Sunfarms [6] Clean Energy Initiatives - Village Farms Clean Energy, in partnership with Terreva Renewables, generates clean energy from landfill gas, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions in Vancouver [7]