Analysis
Automation Becomes Strategic: Why High-Tech Distribution Centres Are Redefining Supermarket Supply Chains
For years, automation in supermarket logistics was framed as an efficiency upgrade — a way to move cases faster, reduce labour dependency and cut operational costs. In 2026, that narrative has shifted. Highly automated...
Exporting Food in the Age of Protectionism
An Investigative Report by Riad Beladi In an era where global supply chains are increasingly stressed and geopolitical tensions intensify, the world’s food markets face a paradox: even as demand for food exports grows,...
The World’s Biggest and Richest Retailers in 2025
Supermarkets, Hypermarkets, Discount Chains and Global E-Commerce Giants The global retail industry in 2025 is dominated by a small group of extraordinarily powerful companies. These retailers control tens of thousands of physical outlets, massive...
Price Wars Are Not the Real Story
While headlines often focus on price wars, they miss the deeper issue. The real battle is about who controls the consumer relationship. Loyalty cards, apps, personalised pricing, and data-driven promotions are no longer marketing...
Algeria and Morocco: Rivalry that Drives Progress
Rivalry that Fuels the Mediterranean Along the sparkling shores of the Mediterranean, two nations move with a velocity that is impossible to ignore. Algeria and Morocco — neighbours in geography, history, and heritage —...
Apple Sales in Europe: Market Structure, Consumption Trends, and Future Forecast
Apple Sales in Europe: Market Structure, Consumption Trends, and Future Forecast Europe’s Most Strategic Fruit Category Apples remain one of Europe’s most culturally rooted and commercially important fruit categories. From school lunchboxes to premium...
Riad Beladi: The True Cost of Fresh Produce in Europe and the UK
Riad Beladi, a veteran retail analyst and international media professional, has become one of the most influential commentators on the European fresh-produce landscape. With decades of exposure to supermarket operations, global sourcing, pricing structures,...
Grocery Outlet Faces Investor Backlash Over Technology Failures
A lawsuit brought by investors accuses a major discount grocery chain of failing to disclose the extent of its technological rollout problems. The chain introduced a new IT platform intended to modernise operations, but...
Closing the Loophole: A Fairer Future for Domestic Retail . By Riad Beladi
The announcement that the government will close the import duty loophole for low-value parcels marks a turning point in the ongoing debate over fairness in modern retail. For years, international online platforms have operated...
Where Would Riad Beladi Prefer to Work: Algeria, the USA or the UK?
When asked where he prefers to work in his role as an analyst and international marketing professional, Riad Beladi does not hesitate to look beyond the borders of just one country. His answer reflects...