The Latest

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  Dollar General promotes multiple executives

  The discounter has elevated Chad Fox to the role of senior vice president and chief marketing officer as well as given him responsibility for its digital operations.

  Corporate Operations

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  On Special: Town & Country Markets rolls out private label sushi brand

  The Seattle-area grocer has brought the staple supermarket food offering in-house, selling items like traditional rolls, hot rice bowls and fresh seafood under its new Maka store line.

  Center store

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  Aldi says its latest price cuts will save shoppers more than $60M

  The summer promotion reduces the cost of more than 250 items as grocers continue to find ways to support shoppers impacted by inflation.

  Finances and Deals

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  Larger fresh assortments take center stage at remodeled stores

  A Raley’s store in Reno, Nevada, has an expanded made-to-order salad bar among its new options, while a soon-to-open Natural Grocers store in Amarillo, Texas, boasts a bigger produce section.

  Alternative formats

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  Wood vs. plastic: Which pallets are more sustainable?

  More pallet companies are marketing their products’ sustainability amid growing attention to ESG practices, fueling an ongoing debate over whether one substrate is superior.

  Corporate Operations

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  Column

  The Friday Checkout: After the pandemic and inflation, could a price war be next for grocers?

  Food retailers have shouldered much of the blame for the gaping holes inflation has eaten into shoppers’ budgets. What will the fight to change that perception cost them?

  E-commerce

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  NGA says proposed WIC online ordering rule can be more accessible to independents

  The trade group said it supports the USDA’s efforts to make e-commerce capabilities available to smaller grocers that participate in the nutrition program, but feels the concept needs further clarification.

  E-commerce

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  What does ‘value’ mean for grocery shoppers? The definition is changing.

  The term no longer refers strictly to a price-to-quantity ratio and now incorporates quality, relevance, experience and convenience, according to experts and FMI - The Food Industry Association.

  Corporate Operations

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  Grocery chains lose luster in reputation rankings as Costco surges

  Trader Joe’s gave up the top spot in the 2023 Axios Harris Poll 100, which ranks the nation’s most visible brands based on consumer opinions. Wegmans, Publix and H-E-B all dropped off the list this year.

  Corporate Operations

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  KeHe to purchase DPI Specialty Foods

  The acquisition will bolster the distributor’s fresh market capabilities as well as broaden its customer base across North America.

  Corporate Operations

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  Dollar General creates new role focused on emerging markets

  Steve Deckard, who joined the retailer in 2006, will oversee the company’s Mi Súper Dollar General in Mexico, Popshelf and DG Well Being initiatives.

  Alternative formats

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  Kroger brings digital smart screens to 500 locations

  The grocer is adding units from Cooler Screens on the heels of a three-year pilot, with the goal of strengthening its retail media offerings. 

  Technology

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  BJ’s turns in a strong Q1 but expects results to moderate as 2023 progresses

  The membership retailer recorded a 5.7% increase in comparable-store sales excluding gasoline during its latest quarter, with grocery playing a key role, executives said Tuesday.

  Corporate Operations

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  Column

  Pardon the Disruption: Natural and organic grocers are finding new ways to differentiate

  Companies like Sprouts and Whole Foods have refined their strategies to stay ahead of conventional competitors. But will consumers notice amid ongoing inflation?

  Fresh food

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  Walmart opens store-based fulfillment center in Arkansas

  The facility will help the retailer boost order throughput via a proprietary storage and retrieval system.

  E-commerce

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  Shipt refreshes membership program with new digital dashboard and perks

  As online platforms jockey for loyal users, the Target-owned provider said its revamp enhances personalization and offers more value for members.

  E-commerce

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  Save Mart adds a retail media network as it looks to go toe to toe in tech with larger grocers

  The retailer is also considering adding smart carts and more video screens to its stores, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Tamara Pattison said in an interview.

  E-commerce

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  Save A Lot, Food 4 Less are the best-positioned grocers to serve SNAP shoppers, report finds

  Dollar General, Winco and Grocery Outlet rounded out the top five grocers Dunnhumby concluded are most likely to serve financially stressed shoppers while also having reputations for offering low prices.

  Fresh food

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  BJ’s CIO to depart after 6 years

  Scott Kessler, who will leave on Friday, oversaw a major technology push during his time with the club retailer.

  Technology

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  Albertsons names leader for SpinCo operation to pave way for merger clearance

  Former Acme president Jim Perkins now leads planning for an entity that could oversee hundreds of stores that the grocer and Kroger agree to divest.

  Corporate Operations

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  Publix ends its GreenWise Market banner

  The Florida-based grocer is transitioning the specialty format’s eight locations over to its traditional supermarket brand.

  Alternative formats

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  Sam’s Club expands self-service recycling units

  The rollout to stores in Northwest Arkansas follows a successful pilot of the units in El Paso, Texas, where the retailer diverted an estimated 200,000 pieces of loose packaging. 

  Technology

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  Walmart captures nearly 26% of SNAP grocery dollars

  Kroger, which has the second highest share, accounts for 8.4% of yearly SNAP spending, while Albertsons sees 5.9%, according to data from Numerator.

  Finances and Deals

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  Column

  The Friday Checkout: Walmart and Target tell a troubling story about US consumers

  The retailers painted an unsettling portrait this week of the difficult circumstances many consumers are facing as they make daily decisions about how to keep their households running.

  E-commerce

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  Albertsons names new executive vice president and general counsel

  Tom Moriarty brings over 30 years of experience to the role and most recently was CVS Health’s executive vice president, chief policy and external affairs officer, and general counsel.

  Corporate Operations

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