Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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Organized retail crime is growing. Here’s what grocers are doing about it.
Retailers have seen a recent increase in these incidents, and grocers are particularly at risk because of the wide variety of sought-after items they sell.
Peyton Bigora • March 27, 2023 -
What grocers can learn from Whole Foods’ controversial exit from a Chicago neighborhood
The chain’s tenancy in the Englewood community highlights the opportunities and pitfalls grocers can face in areas with limited access to affordable and healthy foods.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 2, 2023 -
Grocers weigh the pros and cons of scan-and-go
Despite Wegmans’ decision to abandon the technology last year, other retailers continue to offer the convenience-focused service — and more are showing interest in it, industry officials said.
Sam Silverstein • Jan. 24, 2023 -
8 trends that will shape the grocery industry in 2023
The lingering impacts of inflation, the growth of retail media and the full return of the store shopping experience will have a significant impact in the year ahead, experts predict.
Grocery Dive Staff • Jan. 4, 2023 -
Will the Kroger-Albertsons deal get past regulators?
Success will depend on how the FTC defines competition and whether the companies can satisfy the agency’s increasingly intense scrutiny of store divestitures, experts say.
Jeff Wells • Oct. 20, 2022 -
Inside Kroger Health’s food-as-medicine playbook
As it expands its nutrition scoring, food prescriptions and dietitian-focused approach, the health solutions arm of the grocery company aims to tie healthy eating to disease prevention.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 3, 2022 -
How Black-owned grocers are filling industry gaps
From a cashierless store in Atlanta to health-focused pop-up markets in Los Angeles and Chicago, grocery concepts from Black entrepreneurs are making the changes they want to see in food landscapes.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 14, 2022 -
Have grocers and workers entered a new chapter in their relationship?
As stores struggle with staffing and unionization efforts expand, workers are pushing retailers for better conditions. How the dynamics will play out remains far from settled, labor experts said.
Sam Silverstein • July 5, 2022 -
Personalized health programs are coming to grocery stores
Advancements in medical and digital technology are allowing retailers to offer services that strengthen the connection between food and health for consumers.
Jeff Wells • April 25, 2022 -
Can retailers grab more CPG ad dollars without repeating digital media's mistakes?
While firmly in a boom time — U.S. spending on retail media doubled between 2020 and 2021 — the category contends with saturation and bumpy transitions.
Peter Adams • Jan. 28, 2022 -
How grocers are managing the twin pressures of inflation and supply chain disruption
Companies are turning to personalized promotions, private label and plain-old resourcefulness as they closely monitor the habits of their frustrated customers.
Jeff Wells • Jan. 24, 2022 -
Automation beckons retailers as labor challenges endure
Technologies like self-checkout and ordering kiosks are offering relief to grocers unable to hire enough workers to handle essential functions.
Sam Silverstein • Jan. 19, 2022 -
Grocers are experimenting with delivery fees. Here are 8 key factors to consider, experts say
Speedier service, customer loyalty and labor demands are some of the things grocers need to weigh when determining fees, order minimums and subscriptions.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 12, 2022 -
For grocers and food CPGs, finding harmony online is a difficult dance
With digital shopping now a priority for millions of consumers, both parties are trying to find faster, more efficient ways to manage their e-commerce listings.
Sam Silverstein and Christopher Doering • Jan. 10, 2022 -
7 trends that will shape the grocery industry in 2022
Labor and inflation challenges will test retailers this year, but experts also see opportunities like new e-commerce services, more personalized offerings and a booming digital ads space.
Jeff Wells, Catherine Douglas Moran and Sam Silverstein • Jan. 4, 2022 -
How retailers are modernizing the center store
The pandemic has injected new life into many packaged goods departments. Here's how grocers are trying to build on that momentum and make center store a more compelling place to shop.
Nov. 18, 2021 -
Grocers chase the promise of e-commerce personalization
Customization tools like shoppable recipes and product recommendations are helping consumers cut through the clutter of center store. But retailers are only scratching the surface of what's possible.
Sam Silverstein • Nov. 16, 2021 -
How local products can unlock potential in center store
Grocers are turning to local to hit key corporate goals and liven up their packaged goods aisles. But experts say they must stay mindful about pricing, placement and providing support to small brands.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 11, 2021 -
Examining Instacart's emerging next chapter
On the heels of two technology acquisitions, a deeper move into digital ads and fulfillment-as-a-service, analysts weigh in on what the e-commerce company is building.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 26, 2021 -
6 ways to boost plant-based products in grocery stores
From category managers to dedicated shelf space, grocers have several areas to explore to make merchandising easier for alternatives to animal-based items.
Catherine Douglas Moran and Megan Poinski • Oct. 18, 2021 -
Albertsons' stock price has doubled since it went public. Can it keep the momentum going?
The grocery chain has made significant strides in recent months, particularly on the digital front, but still faces challenges as it looks to keep pace with rivals, analysts said.
Sam Silverstein • Oct. 4, 2021 -
Inside Hy-Vee's 'reimagined' physical-meets-digital store
Located in an up-and-coming northwest suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, the festive prototype features a lineup of new departments and partnerships, with digital touchpoints woven throughout.
Jeff Wells • Sept. 15, 2021 -
Grocers grapple with digital accessibility as e-commerce grows
The online shopping boom has brought more attention to how accessible websites and apps are to people with disabilities, but a lack of federal regulations and oversight poses challenges.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Updated Sept. 1, 2021 -
Labor shortage pressures grocers to take a hard look at worker benefits
Companies are offering hefty signing bonuses, but they also need to examine scheduling flexibility, advancement opportunities and other incentives, labor experts and retailers say.
Jeff Wells, Catherine Douglas Moran and Sam Silverstein • July 14, 2021 -
Food halls, ghost kitchens and the future of in-store restaurants
The pandemic hasn’t dampened grocers' enthusiasm for dining experiences, and many are looking to new formats and digital services to spice things up.
Jeff Wells • May 24, 2021