Dollar General agrees to settle OSHA safety violations for $12M

The agreement with federal regulators requires the retailer to reduce its inventory and improve stocking efficiency to avoid safety hazards like blocked emergency exits and access to fire extinguishers.

The Raley’s Companies promotes 2 veteran executives

Mike Gabbert will serve as the grocer’s new senior vice president and chief of human resources and Donna Mendes will step into the role of executive director of logistics.

Safeway dominates Kroger and Albertsons’ divestiture plan

Albertsons banners account for more than 80% of the nearly 600 stores the grocers plan to sell in conjunction with their proposed merger, according to details released this week.

The Friday Checkout: Divestiture plan highlights Kroger’s heft in deal with Albertsons

Kroger banners would account for well over half of the stores the grocers would be left with if their drive to join forces reaches the finish line.

Costco to raise membership fee for the first time since 2017

The increase, which will start Sept. 1, is likely to generate $350 million in incremental sales and profit over the next two years, according to one analyst’s estimate.

Walmart beefs up automated grocery distribution network

The retail giant is opening five new high-tech perishable sorting and packaging centers, while upgrading four others and retrofitting another.

Hy-Vee adopts electronic shelf labels

The regional grocer has linked with VusionGroup to add the digital tags to more than 230 stores.

First Meijer Grocery store in Indiana opens

The new location debuted Thursday, marking the second state of operation for the Midwestern retailer's supermarket format.

Gelson’s parts ways with top supply chain exec, 3 senior VPs

The grocer said these departures are part of a “strategic realignment of its leadership team.”

Kroger, Albertsons disclose list of assets set for divestment

The grocers are publicly sharing the exact locations of the supermarkets and distribution centers they want to offload to C&S Wholesale Grocers in a bid to assuage antitrust concerns.

Updated July 10, 2024

Private brands hit record highs in unit and dollar share in first half of 2024

Store brands’ year-over-year growth for both measurements outperformed that of national brands, according to Circana data shared by PLMA.

On Special: How grocers are scooping up summer ice cream sales

New private brand options are among the ways retailers are looking to sweeten the deal for consumers craving the frozen treat.

Kroger steps up drive to promote value

The retailer will offer shoppers extra savings opportunities, free items and cut-rate access to its Boost membership program for a two-week stretch.

Updated July 9, 2024

How 7 grocers are upgrading their stores as 2024 progresses

Retailers are devoting attention and resources to brick-and-mortar locations as they look to resonate with shoppers.

Self checkout boasts ‘record’ year: report

The U.S. is the world’s largest self-checkout market, driven in part by supermarket chains and c-stores, even as some retailers pull back on the tech. 

Homeland introduces new in-store retail media network through latest partnership

The Oklahoma-based regional grocer has tapped Quad to pilot in-store screens and retail media capabilities at 15 locations.

Updated July 11, 2024

New York City grocer to pay $400K for violating refrigerant management regulations

The penalty resolves a civil lawsuit claiming Gristedes’ stores improperly emitted more than 42,000 pounds of refrigerant during a three-year period.

Meijer doubles milk discount for SNAP participants

Customers who use SNAP can now receive 40% off any brand or size of 1% or fat free milk purchased in-store or online, building on the grocer’s efforts to expand access to healthy foods. 

Grocer pays $40K to settle claims it asked applicant to cut his dreads

The case dates back to before the U.S. Supreme Court changed how employers must show undue hardship when considering religious accommodation requests.

Federal lawmaker intervenes in Smart & Final labor dispute

The California grocer’s actions also call into question the effectiveness of a trade deal between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, Rep. Jimmy Gomez said in a Monday letter to the Biden administration.

Grocery industry profit margins fall to pre-pandemic levels: FMI

Same-store sales growth has also declined after spiking during the COVID-19 pandemic, the trade group noted in its latest report.

Grocers look to turn down inflation heat this July Fourth

Kroger and Walmart are among the retailers dishing out savings to help shoppers enjoy the holiday while staying on budget.

Balls Food Stores transfers company ownership to workers

The Midwest chain said the move builds on its legacy of “creating a teammate-centric culture.”

Grocers can do more to connect with their workers, NGA research shows

Many employees in the study were unaware of internal opportunities to move ahead, industry analyst Michael Sansolo said during a recent webinar.

Natural Grocers CFO to retire

The specialty grocer’s stock price has more than quadrupled since Todd Dissinger took over as finance chief in 2018.