Walmart expands Express Delivery to 10 pm

The retailer’s Live Shopper feature lets customers make last-minute changes while their order is being fulfilled.

Sprouts plans to open 40 stores, roll out loyalty program in 2024

The new store count, which executives detailed Tuesday at Goldman Sachs’ Global Retailing Conference, is a marked increase from the 30 stores the grocer is on track to add in 2023.

Walmart CEO talks consumer spending, inflation predictions

Inflation is on course to continue declining, but food prices are unlikely to return to their levels from two years ago, Doug McMillon said at an investor conference Tuesday.

Mapping Kroger and Albertson’s store divestiture deal with C&S

Three maps help outline the proposed $1.9 billion divestiture plan and show how the wholesaler could more than triple its footprint of retail locations.

Grocery e-commerce sales jump 9% in August

Sales totaled $9.3 billion for the month, with pickup orders accounting for three-quarters of the year-over-year gain, per the latest report from Brick Meets Click and Mercatus.

Kroger taps the brakes on automated fulfillment center rollout

The grocery chain plans to hold off on building new e-commerce sites with Ocado “until we make sure that we have a clear path on the ones we have,” Chairman and CEO Rodney McMullen said Friday during an earnings call.

Sprouts appoints first-ever chief technology officer

Jim Bahrenburg, formerly chief information officer of Good Food Holdings, assumed the role on Monday. 

Instacart seeks up to $9.3B valuation in IPO

The grocery tech company plans to offer 22 million shares within an estimated price range of $26 to $28 per share, which would raise between $572 million and $616 million, per an SEC filing. 

BJ’s names CIO as it targets digital convenience

Anjana Harve succeeds Scott Kessler, who joined Northeast Grocery earlier this year.

Dollar General braces for $95M profit hit as it clears inventory

While it works to reduce stock levels, the discounter is also investing in new planning tools to help manage flows at stores and distribution centers.

UFCW local unions raise concerns about Kroger-Albertsons’ divestiture plan with C&S

Seven UFCW Locals likened the deal to Haggen's purchase of Safeway stores in 2015, while UFCW International’s president said the organization will continue to closely monitor its impact.

Dom’s Kitchen & Market appoints sole CEO

Don Fitzgerald, who served co-CEO since 2021, has fully stepped into the Chicago grocery company’s top role.

Kroger sees Q2 earnings slip with $1.4B opioid settlement charge

The grocer brought in $33.9 billion in sales, 2% less than during the same period last year, and said its settlement will cover most nationwide opioid claims.

Kroger and Albertsons announce $1.9B divestiture plan with C&S

The deal includes 413 stores, eight distribution centers and three store banners. It also carves out a path for C&S to acquire an additional 237 stores to secure regulatory approval.

Updated Sept. 8, 2023

The Friday Checkout: C&S would catapult to major retailer status with Kroger-Albertsons deal

The company is suiting up for a starring role after enduring key setbacks to its distribution business. Can it overcome the ghosts of grocery M&A history?

Walmart lowers starting wage for some store workers

Newly hired employees who stock shelves or fulfill online orders are no longer being offered an extra dollar per hour.

UNFI names CPG tech veteran as CIO

Mario Maffie will join the grocery retailer and wholesaler in October following a 24-year tech-focused career at Mars.

H-E-B debuts largest e-commerce fulfillment center to date

Located in Katy, Texas, the 100,000-square-foot center is the grocer’s seventh online fulfillment facility and the first standalone one in its growing digital network.

Instacart unveils AI upgrades to retailer solutions

The grocery technology company has added AI-powered conversational search and an in-store mode to its omnichannel digital commerce platform in addition to updating the AI models for its smart carts.

Save Mart taps AI tech to deepen shopper insights and boost CPG relationships

The grocer expects its tie-up with SymphonyAI to help it “think differently from a strategic standpoint” as it works with suppliers, Senior Vice President of Merchandising and Marketing Mark Van Buskirk said in an interview.

Dollar General makes 5 top executive promotions

The latest appointments include a new executive vice president of global supply chain as well as a new senior vice president of inventory and demand management.

Kroger, Albertsons may sell stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers: reports

The wholesale grocery supply company is in talks to buy locations that the supermarket operators are looking to offload to win regulatory approval for their merger, according to Bloomberg and Reuters.

Giant Food to start receipt checks at DC store as it battles ‘unsustainable levels of product theft’

The grocer also plans to stop selling certain national brand health and beauty care items “in the coming weeks,” a spokesperson said.

How Food Lion’s walk-in produce coolers help differentiate the chain

While the company has touted the ability to keep produce fresher for longer, experts say the real value is in the unique shopping experience the coolers offer.

SpartanNash expanding use of AI tool to streamline inventory, reduce waste

The company is using technology from Upshop for inventory and replenishment optimization as well as to provide real-time data to employees.