Deep Dive: Page 2

Industry insights from our journalists


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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    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
  • H-E-B food hall
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    Courtesy of H-E-B
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    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
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Grocers look to help seniors bridge the digital shopping divide

    The pandemic brought more seniors online. Now grocers are figuring out how to retain their digital spending. 

    Catherine Douglas Moran • April 21, 2021
  • SNAP
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    Photo illustration by Adeline Kon/Industry Dive; photographs by Instacart and Getty Images/Grocery Dive
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    Exploring the rise of SNAP online

    In this three-part series, Grocery Dive talks to grocers, tech vendors and experts about the opportunities the USDA's SNAP Online Purchasing pilot unlocks and the obstacles to implementation.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 19, 2021
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    Photo illustration by Adeline Kon/Industry Dive; photographs by Instacart and Getty Images/Grocery Dive
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    Improving SNAP e-commerce functionality takes priority as more grocers chase EBT dollars

    Companies are trying to solve the headaches SNAP recipients face when shopping virtually, from confusing websites to limited payment options.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 17, 2021
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    Photo illustration by Adeline Kon/Industry Dive; photographs by Instacart and Getty Images/Grocery Dive
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    SNAP online availability is about to explode. But grocers say they still face too many hurdles.

    As options for EBT payment ramp up in 2021, grocers and tech vendors say obstacles like costs and government red tape remain.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 16, 2021
  • Walmart redesigned store experience in grocery.
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    Courtesy of Walmart
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    8 trends that will shape the grocery industry in 2021

    After one of the most tumultuous years in recent memories, experts say 2021 will be the year grocers move from reacting to strategically managing for long-term growth.

    Jeff Wells, Sam Silverstein and Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 4, 2021
  • Leona Bell, a housekeeper for Mercy in St. Louis, was among the first to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the area. Hospitals across the country received the first doses on Monday, Dec. 14 2020.
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    Samantha Liss, Healthcare Dive

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    5 questions to ask before adopting a coronavirus vaccine policy

    As grocers examine worker vaccination policies following new recommendations from a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel, they may find they have more questions than answers.

    Ryan Golden • Dec. 22, 2020
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    Courtesy of Grabango
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    Is cashierless tech ready for prime time?

    The pandemic has juiced demand for automated checkout systems, and retailers are having positive experiences with them, but the technology still has to prove itself over the long term.

    Sam Silverstein • Nov. 30, 2020
  • 'It's our Super Bowl': How food manufacturers are preparing for an unorthodox holiday season

    The pandemic has upended how consumers plan to celebrate, prompting CPG companies to reduce product sizes, tout offerings for novice cooks and shift more resources online. 

    Christopher Doering • Nov. 23, 2020
  • Wine at the Wegmans store in Tysons, Virginia
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    Catherine Douglas Moran/Grocery Dive
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    Bottoms up: How grocers can keep alcohol sales pouring in

    As the coronavirus pandemic boosts category sales, retailers are setting the table for long-term shopper engagement with larger departments and expanded online availability.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 11, 2020
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    Courtesy of SpartanNash
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    Grocers look to online subscriptions to lock in digital demand

    New programs from the likes of Kroger, Ahold Delhaize and Albertsons can be a defensive move, but experts say companies need to dangle additional perks to get any value out of them. 

    Jeff Wells • Nov. 9, 2020
  • Instacart order screen
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    Courtesy of Instacart
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    To own or not to own delivery? Grocers reassess the Instacart dilemma.

    Third-party e-commerce services pose a challenge for food retailers as they seek to balance their online strategies with efforts to maintain their brands.

    Sam Silverstein • Nov. 2, 2020
  • The Giant Company
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    Courtesy of The Giant Company
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    4 mealtime innovations that picked up during the pandemic

    Retailers like Barons Market, The Giant Company and Hy-Vee are helping customers solve the age-old dilemma of what to make for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

    Jessica Dumont • Oct. 28, 2020
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    Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
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    Grocery pickup is here to stay. Here's how it's evolving

    As grocers continue to expand their pickup offerings, emerging technologies promise to solve pain points like labor shortages and inventory management.

    Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 26, 2020
  • Kroger launches marketplace
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    Courtesy of Kroger
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    Can digital marketplaces feed grocery shoppers' growing e-commerce appetite?

    Kroger's marketplace could be the first of many new platforms in the coming years, but experts wonder if there's enough consumer demand for an endless-aisles strategy. 

    Jessica Dumont • Oct. 19, 2020
  • Starship Technologies
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    Courtesy of Jay Sousa
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    How the pandemic has sped up autonomous grocery delivery

    Four tech firms say growing demand and a shifting regulatory environment are accelerating rollouts of drones and driverless vehicles.

    Jeff Wells • Oct. 14, 2020
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    Courtesy of Takeoff Technologies
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    MFCs promise to revolutionize grocery e-commerce. That doesn't mean they're right for everyone.

    Grocers face unique e-commerce challenges that make deciding whether to automate fulfillment operations a complex choice, experts say.

    Sam Silverstein • Oct. 12, 2020
  • Whole Foods
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    Courtesy of Whole Foods Market
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    Exploring the future of grocery e-commerce

    What many thought would take years to achieve has happened in just a few months. Grocery Dive looks at the top trends, strategies and investments that retailers are evaluating to try to stay ahead of consumer demand.

    Oct. 12, 2020
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    Permission granted by Veeve
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    Smart carts get a charge from Amazon and COVID-19

    More retailers are looking at the technology thanks to the pandemic and the online retailer's endorsement, but high costs could stymie a broader rollout, experts caution.

    Krishna Thakker • Aug. 31, 2020
  • Cheetah grocery app
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    Permission granted by Cheetah
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    Grocery apps get smart during the pandemic

    Adoption has skyrocketed in recent months, and now retailers are considering how to update mobile platforms that have become a critical part of the store experience.

    Jessica Dumont • Aug. 3, 2020
  • Less is more: Why retailers and CPGs are moving toward selling fewer products in stores

    As the coronavirus pushes some items off supermarket shelves, the food industry is finding a smaller selection reduces consumer confusion, boosts sales and trims expenses for grocers.

    Christopher Doering • July 20, 2020
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    Courtesy of Heinen's
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    Heinen's rolls out Sally the salad-making robot

    Could a machine that dispenses fresh, custom-made bowls be a lifeline for retailers trying to boost their prepared food sales?

    Jeff Wells • July 13, 2020
  • Grocers ponder the future of their self-service stations

    More than three months after shutting down, salad bars and hot bars are burning a hole in retailers' bottom lines. Getting them up and running safely and profitably is a major challenge, according to retailers, consultants and other sources.

    Sam Silverstein and Jeff Wells • June 25, 2020
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    Christopher Doering/Grocery Dive
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    Private label prospects brighten as recession hits cash-strapped consumers

    Even before the pandemic, sales growth in the sector was forecast to outpace that of national brands for the fourth straight year, according to IRI.

    Christopher Doering • June 17, 2020