The Friday Checkout: After the pandemic and inflation, could a price war be next for grocers?

Food retailers have shouldered much of the blame for the gaping holes inflation has eaten into shoppers’ budgets. What will the fight to change that perception cost them?

By Grocery Dive Staff • May 26, 2023

NGA says proposed WIC online ordering rule can be more accessible to independents

The trade group said it supports the USDA’s efforts to make e-commerce capabilities available to smaller grocers that participate in the nutrition program, but feels the concept needs further clarification.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 26, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Grocery Dive Outlook for 2023

Lingering inflation, digital innovation and fast-growing retail media all promise to have a significant impact on the industry this year.

By Grocery Dive staff

What does ‘value’ mean for grocery shoppers? The definition is changing.

The term no longer refers strictly to a price-to-quantity ratio and now incorporates quality, relevance, experience and convenience, according to experts and FMI - The Food Industry Association.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 25, 2023

Dollar General creates new role focused on emerging markets

Steve Deckard, who joined the retailer in 2006, will oversee the company’s Mi Súper Dollar General in Mexico, Popshelf and DG Well Being initiatives.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • May 25, 2023

Grocery chains lose luster in reputation rankings as Costco surges

Trader Joe’s gave up the top spot in the 2023 Axios Harris Poll 100, which ranks the nation’s most visible brands based on consumer opinions. Wegmans, Publix and H-E-B all dropped off the list this year.

By Sam Silverstein • May 25, 2023

KeHe to purchase DPI Specialty Foods

The acquisition will bolster the distributor’s fresh market capabilities as well as broaden its customer base across North America.

By Peyton Bigora • May 25, 2023

BJ’s turns in a strong Q1 but expects results to moderate as 2023 progresses

The membership retailer recorded a 5.7% increase in comparable-store sales excluding gasoline during its latest quarter, with grocery playing a key role, executives said Tuesday.

By Sam Silverstein • May 24, 2023

Save Mart adds a retail media network as it looks to go toe to toe in tech with larger grocers

The retailer is also considering adding smart carts and more video screens to its stores, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Tamara Pattison said in an interview.

By Sam Silverstein • May 23, 2023

Albertsons names leader for SpinCo operation to pave way for merger clearance

Former Acme president Jim Perkins now leads planning for an entity that could oversee hundreds of stores that the grocer and Kroger agree to divest.

By Peyton Bigora • May 23, 2023

Save A Lot, Food 4 Less are the best-positioned grocers to serve SNAP shoppers, report finds

Dollar General, Winco and Grocery Outlet rounded out the top five grocers Dunnhumby concluded are most likely to serve financially stressed shoppers while also having reputations for offering low prices.

By Sam Silverstein • May 22, 2023

Albertsons names new executive vice president and general counsel

Tom Moriarty brings over 30 years of experience to the role and most recently was CVS Health’s executive vice president, chief policy and external affairs officer, and general counsel.

By Peyton Bigora • May 19, 2023

The Friday Checkout: Walmart and Target tell a troubling story about US consumers

The retailers painted an unsettling portrait this week of the difficult circumstances many consumers are facing as they make daily decisions about how to keep their households running.

By Grocery Dive Staff • May 19, 2023

Walmart’s sales and profits surge as its grocery business gains market share

The company’s U.S. business recorded a 7.4% comps increase in Q1, and executives said they’re working to retain the many younger and higher-income shoppers that have flowed in recently.

By Sam Silverstein • May 18, 2023

Grocery spending loses momentum in April as inflation slows

Spending at grocery stores rose 3.7% in April compared with the same period last year — the slowest year-over-year pace since July 2021 — according to estimated data released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau.

By Sam Silverstein • May 17, 2023

Blue Apron strikes $50M deal to transition to ‘asset-light’ model

The meal kit maker plans to transfer fulfillment centers, equipment, expertise and an undisclosed number of employees to FreshRealm, which supplies fresh meals to retailers.

By Sam Silverstein • May 16, 2023

Landlord sues Amazon over delayed Fresh opening in Philadelphia

Federal Realty Investment Trust, which filed the lawsuit in March, claims the retail giant “has intentionally refused to complete its work, commence operations or pay rent.”

By Peyton Bigora • May 16, 2023

Phasing out HFC refrigerants poses a major cost dilemma for grocers

Transitioning to new cooling systems that comply with federal and state laws can cost retailers $1 million or more per store. But delaying action could also be expensive, experts say. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 16, 2023

Trader Joe’s CEO Dan Bane announces retirement

Bryan Palbaum, the company’s current president and chief operations officer, will take over as chairman and CEO when Bane retires on July 2.

By Peyton Bigora , Sam Silverstein • May 15, 2023

Dollar Tree to lay off about 90 at corporate office

A WARN Notice indicates that people will be let go by June 23 from the discount retailer’s Chesapeake, Virginia, headquarters. 

By Nate Delesline III • May 11, 2023

Dollar General boosts supply chain with new distribution centers

The addition of three new facilities expands storage and distribution capacity for the retailer.

By Ben Unglesbee • May 10, 2023

Amazon Fresh reportedly exiting Twin Cities stores as it reworks strategy

Six of the online retailer’s grocery chain locations that were set to open are now available for sublease, Axios reported Tuesday. 

By Peyton Bigora • May 10, 2023

What does the buy now, pay later boom mean for food retailers?

The fact that more shoppers have been turning to short-term loans to buy groceries could signal a permanent shift in how people think about paying for essential goods, experts say.

By Sam Silverstein • May 10, 2023

Are health and wellness subscriptions the next frontier for grocers?

Hy-Vee and Amazon have recently ventured into memberships that bundle wellness services, and sources say other grocers will likely follow suit.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 9, 2023

Walmart taps company veteran as chief merchant

Latriece Watkins, who began at the retail giant as an intern two decades ago, replaces Charles Redfield, who left last month.

By Daphne Howland • May 9, 2023

Food Lion remodels 29 North Carolina stores

The Ahold Delhaize-owned grocery chain said it will hold ribbon-cuttings at 24 of the stores on Wednesday morning and plans to open five additional refreshed locations to the public “soon.”

By Sam Silverstein • May 9, 2023