Deep Dive

Industry insights from our journalists

  • A tech-driven salad bar in a grocery store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Permission granted by Schnuck Markets
    Image attribution tooltip

    Foodservice ‘renaissance’: How grocers are spicing up their deli and premade meals

    As supermarkets increasingly replace restaurant meals, they’re looking to offer better prices alongside flavor innovation, deals and new shopping experiences.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 6, 2023
  • Blocks spell M and A
    Image attribution tooltip
    Nastassia Samal via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    What’s ahead in grocery M&A?

    Kroger and Albertsons’ proposed mega-merger has prompted players in the industry to explore ways to work together, analysts and observers say.

    Catherine Douglas Moran and Sam Silverstein • Oct. 18, 2023
  • Exterior of Bristol Farms Newfound Market store in Irvine, California
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Bristol Farms Newfound Market
    Image attribution tooltip

    Good Food Holdings has a vision for the next generation of high-end grocery stores

    The parent company of Bristol Farms and four other West Coast banners wants its stores to be connected, curated destinations. But it acknowledges that getting to that point won’t be easy.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 15, 2023
  • The exterior of a Lowes Foods store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Lowes Foods
    Image attribution tooltip

    How Lowes Foods uses digital to supercharge its unique shopping experience

    The North Carolina-based grocer, which focuses on in-store entertainment, sees omnichannel evolution as an important way to amplify its brand identity.

    Jeff Wells • July 11, 2023
  • People grocery shopping
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Exterior of a Whole Foods store.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Catherine Douglas Moran/Grocery Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Smartphone in person's hand
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Shopreme
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A person holding a green shopping basket checks their phone in the freezer isle.
    Image attribution tooltip
    SolStock via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Albertsons
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Albertsons
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Kroger OptUp
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Kroger
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • "Black Owned Business" sign in a window
    Image attribution tooltip
    Wachiwit via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Grocery worker in supermarket
    Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Heinen's Personal Nutrition Clinic
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Heinen's
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Person with finger on a phone perusing consumer goods
    Image attribution tooltip
    oatawa via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Self-checkout area Safeway store at 415 14th Street, SE, Washington, D.C., on Aug. 11, 2020. Store opened Aug. 12, 2020.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Sam Silverstein/Grocery Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A woman is checking her receipt thoroughly, after she'd stored her catch in the trunk. She bought everything she needs, time to go home.
    Image attribution tooltip
    LukaTDB via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Close-up of a hand holding a phone with a grocery app open while inside a supermarket.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Edwin Tan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Mario Tama via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • A grocery aisle at the Wegmans store in Tysons, Virginia
    Image attribution tooltip
    Catherine Douglas Moran/Grocery Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image of Giant Food app showing loyalty program information
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Giant Food
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Local shelf tag in the coffee section at a Whole Foods in Silver Spring, Maryland.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Catherine Douglas Moran/Grocery Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Instacart shopper buying groceries
    Image attribution tooltip
    Courtesy of Instacart
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Plant-based meat at a Giant Food in Washington, D.C.
    Image attribution tooltip
    Catherine Douglas Moran/Grocery Dive
    Image attribution tooltip

    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
  • Image attribution tooltip
    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
    Image attribution tooltip

    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