Instacart’s Quarterly Revenue Tops $1 Billion for the First Time
Instacart posted first‑quarter 2026 revenue of $1.02 billion, a 14% year‑over‑year rise, while gross transaction value hit $10.29 billion. Net income climbed to $144 million and adjusted EBITDA reached $300 million, underscoring expanding profitability. Growth was fueled by AI‑enhanced shopping tools, a booming advertising segment, an exclusive fulfillment deal with Aldi, and the acquisition of Instaleap to accelerate international reach. The company generated $268 million of operating cash flow, repurchased $349 million of stock and ended the quarter with roughly $880 million in cash.
C&S Wholesale Grocers Releases Hispanic Private-Label Line
C&S Wholesale Grocers announced the launch of Sol Select, a new private‑label line aimed at Hispanic consumers. The portfolio features more than 250 items across frozen foods, dairy, grocery and household categories, all with bilingual English‑Spanish packaging. Sol Select joins the company’s...
Loblaw Steps Further Into AI
Loblaw Companies Limited has partnered with Canadian AI specialist Shakudo to build a centralized platform for developing and scaling in‑house artificial‑intelligence and machine‑learning applications. The new system will streamline data infrastructure, reduce duplicated effort across Loblaw’s digital teams, and support...
Wegmans’ First Store in Pittsburgh Area Looking More Real
Wegmans is moving ahead with its first Pennsylvania store, purchasing a 13‑acre parcel in Cranberry Township for just over $14 million. The planned 115,000‑square‑foot supermarket is slated to break ground later this year and open in 2027, promising 400‑500 new jobs....
Harris Teeter Carries More GLP-1 Med Weight
Harris Teeter announced that its pharmacies will now carry a broader selection of GLP‑1 weight‑loss medications and related treatments. The expansion includes pharmacist and registered dietitian counseling, as well as assistance with manufacturer savings programs such as Eli Lilly’s KwikPen card. In‑store...
Walmart Opens Third Milk Processing Plant in Texas
On April 29, 2026, Walmart opened its third milk‑processing plant in Robinson, Texas, a 300,000‑square‑foot facility representing a $350 million investment. The plant will create more than 400 jobs and process a full line of dairy products for Great Value and...
Instacart Connects with AI Platform Claude
Anthropic’s Claude AI platform has added a native Instacart integration, allowing users to browse live product inventory and build grocery carts directly within a chat. The feature syncs with users’ existing Instacart accounts and can suggest the app based on...
NYC Considers Regulating Self-Checkout
New York City councilmember Amanda Farias introduced legislation to curb self‑checkout abuse by limiting each transaction to 15 items and mandating at least one employee for every three self‑checkout lanes. Retailers that fail to comply would face fines of $100...
Blackberries Now Among Produce with Highest Traces of Pesticides
The Environmental Working Group added blackberries to its Dirty Dozen list, ranking them at No. 9 for pesticide residues. The annual USDA‑based analysis found that 75 % of non‑organic produce samples contain pesticide traces, with PFAS chemicals leading the detections. Fludioxonil, a...
Walmart Continues to Lose Grocery Market Share
Walmart’s grocery market share slipped to 19.9% in 2026, down from 20% a year earlier and 20.4% in 2024, according to Numerator data. The decline mirrors a modest drop in its consumer packaged goods (CPG) share, which fell to 20.4%...
Sobeys Invests $51M in Digital Price Tag Tech
Canadian grocery chain Sobeys is committing $51 million to install electronic shelf‑label (ESL) technology across roughly 300‑350 stores. The rollout, partnered with JRTech Solutions and Pricer AB, will feature multicolor labels and related infrastructure, with an 18‑month deployment slated to start in...
Target Announces May Store Openings
Target will open six new stores in May, adding to a goal of 30 locations for 2024. The openings span Arizona, North Carolina, Missouri and New Jersey, with five stores larger than the chain’s 125,000‑sq‑ft average. They are part of...
UNFI Workers Ratify First Contract at Florida Warehouse
More than 200 workers at UNFI's Pompano Beach, Florida warehouse have ratified their first contract with the Teamsters, securing a 31% wage increase over five years along with health‑care and pension benefits. The deal mirrors agreements reached at other UNFI...
Consumer Lawsuits Loom as Tariff Refund Portal Opens
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that tariffs imposed under the 1977 IEEPA were illegal, creating a $166 billion liability for the government to reimburse businesses. An online portal opened Monday for eligible companies, including Costco and FedEx, to apply for refunds...
Latest Workforce Transition Comes with a Ton of Speed
Retail and wholesale sectors face a dual workforce transition as the last Baby Boomers retire while AI accelerates operational speed. The article highlights how the rapid pace of technological change adds stress to systems and creates talent gaps, especially in...
Albertsons Is the New Walmart when It Comes to Tech Dominance
Albertsons is accelerating its tech agenda, deploying AI across merchandising, pricing, inventory and supply‑chain functions. The retailer reported that AI‑driven personalization is boosting conversion rates, basket sizes and loyalty, while generative‑AI scheduling and computer‑vision tools are sharpening demand forecasts and...
Costco Fights Back in Suit Against Rotisserie Chicken
Costco is seeking to dismiss a lawsuit alleging its rotisserie chicken poses a salmonella risk. The retailer’s attorneys argue the chicken is fully cooked, the plaintiff never bought raw chicken, and no illness was reported. The case relies on a...
Supermarket News, NexChapter Gear up for Another GroceryNEXT
Supermarket News and NexChapter announced the second edition of GroceryNEXT, scheduled for August 24‑26, 2026 at the Westin Chicago in Lombard. The event will convene grocery executives, technology partners, and CPG brands to discuss the future of retail. Central to the...
Does Maryland’s Measure on Surveillance Pricing Do Enough?
Maryland’s legislature passed the Protection from Predatory Pricing Act (H.B. 895), which would make the state the first to outlaw surveillance pricing—dynamic price changes based on shoppers’ personal data. The bill includes exemptions for loyalty programs and subscription‑based pricing, and...
The Fresh Market Revamps Loyalty Program, Redesigns App
The Fresh Market unveiled a revamped loyalty program, TFM Rewards, alongside a redesigned mobile app. The new rewards scheme adds 5% savings on curbside orders, personalized promotions, birthday bonuses and exclusive in‑store events. The app now serves as a hub for...
SN Top 10: BJ’s Wholesale Club Makes Move to Keep up with Competitors
BJ’s Wholesale Club announced extended store hours, now open until 10 p.m. Monday‑Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday. The change aligns BJ’s with recent schedule expansions by Costco and Sam’s Club, which have lengthened weekday and weekend hours to meet shopper demand. By...
Grocery Prices Drop for the First Time Since Government Shutdown
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that grocery prices fell 0.2% month‑over‑month in March, marking the first decline since the government shutdown. Four of six major grocery‑store food‑group indexes dropped, led by meats, poultry, fish and eggs, cereals and...
H-E-B, Sprouts Farmers Market Sold Cheese that May Be Behind E.coli Outbreak
U.S. grocers H‑E‑B and Sprouts Farmers Market have been tied to an FDA investigation of an E. coli outbreak linked to raw‑milk cheese from Raw Farm. The company issued a voluntary recall of several original‑flavor and jalapeño cheese blocks and shredded...
Kroger Sued for False Advertising
Animal Outlook sued Kroger and its Ralphs subsidiary in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging that signage labeling meat as “well raised” and “no antibiotics” misleads consumers. The complaint cites products from major brands such as Hormel, Tyson and Oscar...
O Positiv Health Lands at Meijer
O Positiv Health announced its debut in Meijer stores, rolling out nine women’s health supplements across the Midwest. The launch brings the brand’s four product lines—URO, FLO, MENO and PREGGO—into 85 Meijer locations, with plans to reach 270 stores by...
Consumers Are Having Trouble Following New Food Pyramid
Numerator’s latest report reveals that just 42 % of U.S. consumers correctly identify the newly released food pyramid as the current dietary guideline, while a sizable share still reference outdated models such as MyPyramid and MyPlate. Fresh‑food purchases have risen modestly,...
Is Target Taking a Specialized Approach to Grocery?
Target has rolled out a new grocery strategy that treats the aisle as a specialty destination, echoing Trader Joe’s curated model. The approach emphasizes healthier, trend‑forward assortments such as color‑free cereals and an upgraded in‑store experience. Early data from Placer.ai shows...
BJ’s Wholesale Club Expands Store Hours
BJ’s Wholesale Club announced extended store hours, now open until 10 p.m. Monday‑Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday, aligning its schedule with rivals Costco and Sam’s Club. The change follows a strong fourth‑quarter performance, with comparable club sales up 2.6% year‑over‑year and digitally...
SN Products to Watch: Harry Potter Butterbeer Flavored Peeps
Supermarket News highlights the launch of a limited‑edition Harry Potter Butterbeer‑flavored Peeps, slated for release this spring across major U.S. grocery chains. The novelty marshmallow treats are priced at $2.99 per 12‑oz bag and feature the iconic Butterbeer taste licensed...
Is Target’s New Strategy Already Working?
Target’s 2026 turnaround strategy is already showing measurable results, with weekly store visits rising 6.6% to 10.3% year‑over‑year according to location‑analytics firm Placer.ai. Traffic during the March Circle Days promotion outperformed comparable spring events in 2024 and 2025, indicating heightened...
DoorDash, Family Dollar Expand SNAP Payments for Online Grocery Orders
DoorDash and Family Dollar announced that SNAP recipients can now use EBT cards to pay for eligible groceries and household items through the DoorDash app at participating Family Dollar stores. The service is live in 48 states and Washington, D.C.,...
Private-Label Sales Reach $330B, but Growth Expected to Slow
Private-label sales in the United States topped $330 billion, capturing roughly 24% of total retail value. Club stores accounted for almost half of that growth as shoppers chase lower‑cost alternatives. Retailers are layering sustainability, wellness and premium positioning onto store brands,...
Gopuff Introduces New Private-Label Line
Gopuff unveiled Crave Shoppe, a new private‑label brand focused on baked goods and snack‑size treats, featuring unconventional flavors such as Dill Pickle Cotton Candy and S’mores Marshmallow‑Filled Donuts. The lineup includes frozen desserts, doughs, confections, donuts, and bakery items, tapping a...
Most Grocers Are Passing Tariff Costs to Customers
Tariffs are eroding grocery margins, with 76% of retailers passing at least part of the added cost onto shoppers. While 69% of respondents say tariffs slightly affected profitability, 17% report a significant hit, prompting supply‑chain tweaks and supplier diversification. Retailer...
Grocers Enhance Their Focus on Foodservice
Supermarket delis are rapidly evolving into primary meal destinations, with consumers choosing deli‑prepared foods over restaurant meals rising from 12% in 2017 to 28% in 2025. Retailers are expanding assortments and positioning delis as affordable, convenient alternatives, especially for hybrid...
California Wants Grocery Stores to Display Non-Ultraprocessed Food More Prominently
California is advancing a bill that requires grocery stores to prominently display foods that are not ultraprocessed, using a new “California Certified” seal. The seal, modeled after the USDA Organic label, will be available to applicants starting June 2028 and...
Giant Eagle’s myPerks Can Now Be Used at Ohio Circle Ks
Giant Eagle’s myPerks rewards program is now accepted at 285 Circle K fuel stations across Ohio, expanding the loyalty ecosystem after the June 2025 sale of GetGo to Alimentation Couche‑Tard for $1.57 billion. Shoppers can choose between Circle K Inner Circle points or myPerks...