Kroger Highlights Benefit of Ecommerce Leading Into Online Deal Days
Kroger announced its Online Deal Days promotion, running from April 22 through May 5, offering discounts tied to pickup and delivery orders. The retailer highlighted that delivery customers save an average of 47 minutes per order, while pickup shoppers save about 29 minutes. Kroger’s express delivery can reach customers in as little as 30 minutes, and the company can fulfill orders from most of its 2,700 U.S. stores within two hours. The promotion also promotes the Boost by Kroger Plus subscription, which members say delivers annual fuel and grocery savings.
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Walmart Makes the Next Move to Match Delivery with Amazon
Walmart is piloting a back‑room shelf‑staging system in Dallas stores to accelerate same‑day, third‑party deliveries. The retailer’s e‑commerce unit posted its first profit in April 2025, crediting store‑based logistics and customers’ willingness to pay for speed. Walmart now reaches 95% of...
Produce Shoppers Experience Wanderlust
The FMI "Power of Produce 2026" report reveals fresh‑produce dollars are moving from grocery aisles to mass‑merchandise supercenters, club stores and online channels. Grocery‑channel share fell from 50 % in 2021 to 43.9 % in 2025, while mass‑merchandise stores rose to 24.8 %...
A Social Media Solution for Sparking Produce Sales
Social media is emerging as a powerful driver of produce sales, especially among Gen Z and millennial shoppers who spend over two hours daily on platforms. TikTok, YouTube and Instagram dominate meal‑inspiration sources for these younger consumers. Influencer‑led campaigns, such...
Walmart CFO Hints when Grocery Costs Could Go up Due to Rising Fuel Prices
Walmart CFO John David Rainey told the JP Morgan Retail Round‑Up that, even though diesel prices have surged 50% to roughly $5 per gallon, the retailer does not anticipate passing those costs to grocery shoppers in the near term. He emphasized...
GLP-1 Drugs Reshape Consumer Spending, Eating and Wellness Habits: Report
A new Acosta Group study of 2,117 U.S. adults, including 213 GLP‑1 users, finds the weight‑loss drugs are reshaping shopping, eating and wellness habits. Users are buying more fresh produce, protein foods and supplements while cutting sweets and sugary drinks....
Blue Apron Introduces ‘Family Style’ Meal Option for Larger Households
Blue Apron unveiled a new "Family Style" meal kit that caters to households of three to six people. The offering lets customers mix and match main dishes and sides, with pre‑portioned ingredients designed for preparation in under an hour. A...
Dairy Thrives in Wellness Age
The dairy category is repositioning itself as a wellness staple, emphasizing its natural protein, probiotics and vitamin content. High‑protein milks, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese and kefir are seeing double‑digit sales growth as shoppers seek low‑sugar, functional options. Retailers such as...
Step Change Innovations Partners with AWG to Launch Wellness Product Platform
Step Change Innovations LLC has teamed with retailer‑owned cooperative Associated Wholesale Grocers to debut a new wellness product platform branded as Wellwerks and Nüwerks. The launch features more than 60 functional foods, beverages and nutraceuticals packaged as a single in‑store...
Frosted Flakes Costs Almost $2 More for About 2 Ounces Less
Shrinkflation is hitting everyday staples as manufacturers raise prices and reduce package sizes. A 24‑ounce box of Frosted Flakes now costs $5.48 for only 21.7 ounces, a $1.50 increase for 2.3 ounces less. InvestorsObserver estimates the practice could add roughly...
Publix Intensifies Its Battle with Kroger in Kentucky
Publix announced three new 55,000‑sq‑ft stores in Richmond, Versailles and Bowling Green, bringing its Kentucky footprint to about a dozen locations by year‑end. The expansion deepens its incursion into Kroger‑dominated territory. Publix reported fiscal‑year sales of $62.7 billion, up 5 % YoY, and...
DoorDash Report Shows Where You Can Find the Lowest Price for Breakfast Basics
DoorDash released its first quarterly local‑commerce report, showing that price pressures are easing for breakfast items as the Breakfast Basics Index dropped 22.3% year‑over‑year, driven largely by lower egg prices. Household‑goods prices were essentially flat, slipping just 0.3% YoY. Regional...
Prices for Everyday Household Goods Drop in March
Numerator’s March 2026 Consumer Goods Price Index shows a modest 0.02% decline in everyday household goods prices after a 0.19% rise in February, leaving the year‑over‑year index 2% higher than a year ago. The data, which cover roughly 20% of...
The 2026 SN Power List
The 2026 Supermarket News Power List spotlights nine grocery leaders shaping the industry, from Atty McGrath’s promotion to CEO of Aldi to Liz Roche’s push for transparent retail‑media measurement at Albertsons. It also highlights CEOs driving growth and innovation, such as Sprouts’...
States Seek $10.35M From Kroger, Albertsons for Merger Costs
Eight states and the District of Columbia have sued Kroger and Albertsons, demanding roughly $10.35 million to reimburse attorney fees and litigation expenses incurred during the antitrust review of their proposed $24.6 billion merger. The merger, which would have created the largest...
UNFI Warehouse Workers in Florida Vote to Strike
More than 200 warehouse employees at UNFI’s Pompano Beach, Florida facility have voted unanimously to authorize a strike unless a fair contract is reached. The workers, represented by Teamsters Local 769, are demanding wages, benefits and safety standards that match contracts...
The Straight Dope on Seafood
Retailers targeting seafood shoppers must leverage eye‑catching displays and clear messaging to capture a demographic with higher household incomes and a willingness to spend on premium protein. Highlighting wellness benefits, affordability, easy‑prep recipes, and the relevance of seafood in GLP‑1...
School Is in Session for Produce Department Staffers
Retailers aiming to become produce destinations must invest in staff education to navigate climate‑driven quality swings, rising input costs, and fragile cold‑chain logistics. Shipra Pareek of NSF warns that extreme weather, longer transit times, and labor shortages amplify spoilage and...
Kroger Gives Shoppers Ways to Save on Gas in the Spring
Kroger announced two spring Fuel Points promotions, running March 27‑29 and April 3‑5, that award shoppers four times the usual points on qualifying grocery and select purchases. Kroger Plus members receive double points every day and five‑times points during the weekend events,...
Aldi Makes Debut in 40th State
Aldi opened its first store in Portland, Maine, making the state the 40th in the U.S. to host the discount grocer. The new location is part of a broader plan to launch 180 stores in 2026, pushing the chain toward...
Albertsons Files Subpoena for McMullen’s Testimony
Albertsons has issued a subpoena compelling former Kroger chief Rodney McMullen to testify in its antitrust lawsuit over the aborted $24.6 billion merger. A Delaware Chancery Court deposition is slated for April 8‑9 to assess whether Kroger exercised the required “best efforts” to...
Loyalty without Over-Discounting
Everyday low‑price (EDLP) retailers traditionally avoid loyalty programs because discounts clash with their price promise. The article argues that AI‑driven personalization can replace price reductions, delivering targeted nudges, non‑monetary rewards, and cross‑category suggestions that grow visit frequency and basket size...
Kroger Store in Michigan Now Has a Dunkin’ Kiosk, and More Are on the Way
Kroger is rolling out Dunkin’ coffee kiosks, starting with a flagship store in Southfield, Michigan and expanding to two Houston-area locations later this spring. Each kiosk’s build‑out costs about $160,000 and is slated for completion by late May. The partnership...
Winn Dixie, Amazon Now Offer Grocery Delivery to More Areas in Florida
Amazon and Winn Dixie have broadened their grocery‑delivery partnership to six additional Florida counties, adding Tampa Bay and surrounding cities to the service footprint. Customers can now order more than 15,000 Winn Dixie products through Amazon’s website or app, alongside the retailer’s...
Publix Whips up a Batch of Its Own Cookies
Publix announced its entry into the cookie market with a spring launch of four private‑label flavors. The lineup includes Double Cookies & Cream, Vanilla Celebration, Double Chocolate, and Raspberry Cream Cheese, with more varieties slated for summer. The rollout follows...
UNFI Will Close Racine, Wis., Plant, Laying Off 443 Workers
United Natural Foods (UNFI) announced the closure of its 425,000‑square‑foot Racine, Wisconsin distribution center, eliminating 443 positions. Operations will shift to a newer facility in Joliet, Illinois, where the company is installing modern technology to boost capacity. The move coincides...
Afresh AI Platform Now Covers All Grocery Departments
Afresh announced its AI platform now supports all grocery departments, adding center store, frozen foods, general merchandise, and health & beauty to its fresh‑food focus. The single AI engine uses separate data models and workflows per department to manage replenishment,...
Kroger CEO Focused on Bananas, Among Other Things
Greg Foran, Kroger’s new CEO, is already targeting the banana supply chain, labor staffing, and the company’s partnership with Ocado. He plans to shift banana purchases from brokers to direct grower contracts, aiming to tighten margins on the top‑selling fruit....
Walmart Tests ‘Rapid Remodels’ of Neighborhood Markets
Walmart is piloting a rapid remodel program for its Neighborhood Market stores, temporarily shutting the main shopping floors for four weeks while keeping pharmacies and fuel stations operational. The test, covering locations in Florida, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, South Carolina and...
Big Y Invests $130M in Home State Expansion
Regional supermarket chain Big Y announced a $130 million expansion to add six new stores in Massachusetts and two in Connecticut. The investment moves the retailer toward its goal of 100 locations by its 100th anniversary in 2036. The plan includes...
AWG Brands Adds 63 Products in Early 2026 Expansion of Private-Label Lineup
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is rolling out 63 new private‑label products in Q1 2026, expanding its AWG Brands portfolio across Best Choice, Superior Selections, Tippy Toes, TopCare and Simply Done. The additions span grocery, household and infant categories, emphasizing both...
Weis Markets Rebounds with Strong Q4 Driven by Ecommerce and Pharmacy Growth
Weis Markets posted a robust fourth quarter, with revenue climbing 5% to $1.3 billion driven by a 21% surge in ecommerce sales and higher pharmacy volumes. Comparable sales excluding fuel rose 2.5%, and full‑year revenue reached $4.96 billion, up 3.5% YoY. Despite...
Judge Dismisses Pricing Suit Against Publix
A federal judge in Florida dismissed a class‑action lawsuit alleging Publix overcharged shoppers at self‑checkout. Plaintiff Wendy Koutouzis claimed weight‑based pricing errors on 18 items, but the court found she had received refunds for many disputed purchases and was charged...
Instacart’s Partnership with Uber Eats Has Helped with Grocery
Instacart’s 2024 partnership with Uber Eats is delivering a measurable “flywheel” effect, driving more frequent grocery orders. By lowering the minimum basket to $10 and promoting its Instacart+ membership, the company is shifting users from quarterly to weekly activity. The...
Instacart Partners with Fareway to Expand Online Grocery Pickup Options
Instacart announced a partnership with Midwest grocer Fareway to roll out online ordering and curbside pickup across the chain’s more than 140 locations. The collaboration leverages Instacart’s Storefront Pro platform, allowing customers to shop via Fareway’s website or the Instacart...
More Americans Open to Switching Grocery Brands as Price Awareness Rises
According to Reach3 Insights, 81% of Americans are willing to try new grocery brands, while 92% say they notice prices more than before. The study shows brand loyalty weakening as shoppers compare price, benefits, and reputation. Grocery trips are taking...
Publix Will Pull Payment Option on App
Publix announced it will retire the Publix Pay feature in its mobile app effective March 19. Shoppers can still use Apple Pay, Google Pay, and stored gift cards at checkout. The move comes as the Florida‑based grocer posted solid Q4 results,...
UNFI Moving in the Right Direction Despite a Down Q2
United Natural Foods (UNFI) is accelerating its RELEX AI‑powered supply‑chain platform, with 12 distribution centers slated to go live next week and full rollout expected by year‑end. Operational metrics improved, showing over 6% productivity gains, an 11% reduction in shrink,...
Kroger Will Hold Customer Appreciation Week
Kroger’s annual Customer Appreciation Week runs March 11‑17, offering a mix of in‑store and online discounts, including 99‑cent soft drinks, buy‑one‑get‑one salads and 10% off private‑label brands. Each day the retailer releases new digital “Daily Deal Drops” that shoppers can clip...
Walmart Closes Stores in February
Walmart trimmed its footprint in February, shuttering three stores, including two Sam’s Club locations. The most dramatic contraction came from Family Dollar, which closed 100 stores, largely concentrated in the South and Southeast. Dollar Tree and Walgreens also reduced locations,...
5 Things: Aldi Sass Is What We Live For
Aldi’s cheeky Instagram reply to McDonald’s recent product flop highlighted the grocer’s aggressive digital tone. Meanwhile, Oregon City launched the nation’s first 600‑sq‑ft micro‑grocery, echoing New York bodegas’ compact model. H‑E‑B swiftly corrected a false closure rumor, Iceland settled a...
Walgreens Workers at some Stores in NYC Will Wear Body Cameras
Walgreens announced a pilot program that equips employees in select New York City stores with body‑worn cameras. The initiative aims to de‑escalate conflicts and improve safety for customers and staff while maintaining privacy safeguards. The move follows similar pilots by...
Readers React: NYC Mayor’s $70M Request for City-Run Grocery Stores Is a Wasted Effort
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has asked New York City for $70 million to launch five city‑run grocery stores, one in each borough, despite a $5.4 billion budget gap. The proposal offers no detailed operating plan and relies on subsidies to private businesses, eliminating...
An Impulsive Plan for Greater Produce Sales
The FMI "Power of Produce 2026" report finds that 90 % of shoppers buy fruits or vegetables they hadn’t planned to purchase, with 48 % doing so frequently. Store‑provided recipes, cross‑merchandising and social‑media inspiration are identified as the strongest drivers of these impulse...
Circana Launches Complete Why Analytics Platform for CPG Sales Performance
Circana unveiled Complete Why, an AI‑driven analytics platform for the consumer packaged goods sector, embedded in its Unify+ visualization suite. The tool models sales performance at store‑ and week‑level, evaluating up to 60 drivers such as price, promotions, distribution, competition,...
Amazon Begins Grocery Delivery for Cub
Amazon has launched a grocery delivery partnership with Minnesota‑based Cub, enabling Twin Cities shoppers to order Cub’s fresh produce, meat, private‑label brands and household items via Amazon’s website and app. The service offers same‑day delivery, two‑hour windows and free shipping...
Kroger Expands Private-Label Brand with More than 20 New Meals
Kroger is adding more than 20 new items to its Private Selection private‑label line, covering frozen entrees, refrigerated deli meals and whole roasted chicken. The assortment features globally inspired dishes such as Korean‑style beef bulgogi, chicken parmesan, Italian gnocchi and...
Anheuser-Busch Completes Its $490M BeatBox Acquisition
Anheuser‑Busch completed a $490 million acquisition of 85% of Austin‑based RTD brand BeatBox, finalizing a deal announced in December. BeatBox, which posted over $340 million in retail sales and a 50% revenue jump last year, joins AB InBev’s expanding Beyond Beer portfolio...
Walmart, Kroger and Others Use Dynamic Pricing: Report
A Decodo analysis of over one million price points shows that Amazon, Walmart, Kroger and other major retailers regularly employ dynamic pricing, with price cuts outpacing hikes. Amazon leads with 116,509 adjustments and a 35.3% average drop, while Walmart and...
SN Top 10: Will This Unique Whole Foods Pilot Work?
Whole Foods is piloting a system in its Philadelphia store that lets shoppers scan QR codes or use the Amazon app to order national‑brand items not stocked on the shelves. Employees pull these Amazon‑fulfilled products within minutes and stage them...