Alternative formats

Giant Heirloom Market readies for its Philadelphia opening

The 9,500-square-foot store will feature local foods, a produce chef and an "endless aisle" that allows shoppers to order anything that's not in-store for next-day delivery.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 11, 2019

Sprouts to enter 3 new states in Q2

Four of the grocer's nine new stores will feature an "enhanced layout" focused on customer service, prepared foods and service departments. 

By Krishna Thakker • Jan. 09, 2019

Walmart hypes curbside pickup in Hollywood cars commercial

Screened during the Golden Globes Sunday night, the TV spot launches a cross-platform campaign promoting the retailer's expanding e-commerce business and free curbside pickup.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 08, 2019

Wawa opens flagship store in Philadelphia's historic city center

After opening an upscale store in Washington, D.C., the convenience chain has taken its hoagies up a notch, adding lounge seating, kombucha on tap, an in-house bakery and more.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 17, 2018

Proliferation in meal kits, online grocery reflects consumer love of home-cooked meals

The annual study from online grocer Peapod shows more than half of people want to cook more healthy meals in the new year.

By Jessi Devenyns • Dec. 14, 2018

Grocers thinking big with more small format stores

Hy-Vee and Stop & Shop are two of the latest banners to open locations with a tinier footprint, touting convenience, more grab-and-go items and services popular with consumers.

By Jennifer Sweeney • Dec. 14, 2018

Amazon opens first small-format Go store

The e-commerce giant has evolved its Go model to include compact stores for office buildings and hospitals.

By Dan O'Shea • Dec. 13, 2018

Kroger's new prescription membership cuts costs for generic drugs

Alongside price comparison firm GoodRx, Kroger built its first membership-based program for prescription drugs, with individual and family plans that offer three-month supplies of many generics for under $6. 

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 13, 2018

Whole Foods' 365 stores continue to bloom under Amazon

The specialty retailer will open two of the small-format, lower-priced stores in Atlanta today.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 12, 2018

Kroger buys pharmacy records from 42 Shopko stores

The deal aims to boost Roundy's pharmacy business in the Upper Midwest and comes three months after the grocer merged the division with its Mariano's business in Chicago.

By Jessica Dumont • Dec. 12, 2018

Wawa's limited-edition seasonal beer has customers buzzing

The northeast convenience chain teamed up with Pennsylvania brewer 2SP to release the private label coffee stout, which drew more than 500 fans to a preview tasting.

By Jennifer Sweeney • Dec. 12, 2018

SpartanNash jumps aboard the skip-checkout train

Customers at two Family Fare stores near the company's headquarters in Grand Rapids, Michigan can scan items as they shop and pay with a single app-generated bar code.

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 11, 2018

Column

Pardon the Disruption: Micro markets could be a huge opportunity for grocers

As traditional store expansion becomes increasingly difficult, placing outlets inside office buildings, hospitals and even other retailers could boost companies' sales and their brand.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 10, 2018

United Supermarkets will hold FedEx packages for customers

With porch piracy on the rise, the Albertsons-owned grocery chain will accept deliveries on consumers' behalf. 

By Kristine Sherred • Dec. 10, 2018

University of South Florida brings Publix to campus

The addition of Florida's leading grocery retailer introduces a more robust retail option to the array of convenience stores and fast-casual dining options on the USF campus.

By Hallie Busta • Dec. 07, 2018

Raley's to sell Aisle 1 fuel stations

Southern California c-store company Anabi Oil will operate the 13 locations and continue to offer fuel rewards through the grocer.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 06, 2018

Albertsons-owned United Supermarkets unveils 1st Market Street outside Texas

The former Albertsons branded store in Santa Fe, New Mexico has gotten a specialty update with locally sourced items, house-made sushi and a certified butcher.

By Jessica Dumont • Dec. 05, 2018

Kroger to sell groceries at Walgreens stores

The supermarket chain will test Kroger Express outlets inside 13 drug stores, offering 2,300 products, including private label items and Home Chef meal kits.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 04, 2018

Ahold Delhaize will invest $175M to upgrade Giant chain

The grocer plans to open one new store and remodel 24 other locations during the next two years in the Washington, D.C., region.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 04, 2018

Asian grocers continue making inroads in the US

Following the growth of chains like H Mart and iFresh, newcomers like Be-Se-To are catering to Asian consumers as well as those who crave unique flavors.

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 03, 2018

Is just-walk-out technology coming to Whole Foods?

Amazon's cashier-free technology has been limited to small stores, but if it can overcome challenges like higher ceilings and greater product selection, it could make its way to the specialty grocer.

By Christopher Doering • Dec. 03, 2018

7-Eleven pilots scan-and-go technology

The largest convenience store chain in the country started testing mobile checkout at 14 stores in its hometown of Dallas. 

By Krishna Thakker • Nov. 06, 2018

Is Amazon Go a competitive threat to grocers?

Despite strong results from the high-tech stores in Seattle and Chicago, the format may not be a major threat to traditional grocers — for now.

By Jessica Dumont • Nov. 01, 2018

Supercenters to small formats: Why grocers are scaling down

Retailers like Sprouts Farmers Market are playing down center store to resonate with customers looking for quick and convenient trips without compromising on experience. 

By Krishna Thakker • Oct. 31, 2018

Lidl explores possibility of alternative store formats in US

The discounter is considering new retail formats to better connect with shoppers and align with customer preferences in different regions.

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 30, 2018