Amazon Q1 sales soar but profits tumble

The company's e-commerce prowess was undermined in the first quarter, with low margins and high costs rendering a sales surge almost moot. 

By Daphne Howland • May 1, 2020

Whole Foods to provide face masks to customers

News the grocer will ask, but not require, shoppers to cover their faces comes on the heels of the announcement of a May Day strike among some of its workers and employees of Amazon, Instacart and Shipt.

By Sam Silverstein • May 1, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Grocery loyalty

Food retailers are depending on techniques designed to build and maintain connections with customers as they strive to stand out.

By Grocery Dive staff

Albertsons says 243% coronavirus e-commerce boom can become long-term growth engine

Online sales surged in Q1, and CEO Vivek Sankaran said the company is freeing up bottlenecks to capitalize on new customer sales.  

By Jeff Wells • April 30, 2020

Some grocery workers getting daily paychecks

Kroger and Leevers Supermarkets are among a handful of retailers using a platform that gives employees real-time access to their earnings.

By Jessica Dumont • April 30, 2020

Costco will require all shoppers to wear face coverings

The company will also resume normal hours at most of its stores beginning Monday, May 4.

By Jeff Wells • April 30, 2020

Shoppers are flouting grocers' one-way aisle rules

Getting customers to follow all of the new safety guidelines has been challenging for retailers, but shoppers seem to be disregarding directional policies with particular abandon.

By Sam Silverstein • April 30, 2020

Stop & Shop launches safety campaign featuring customers

Video ads include testimonials from shoppers encouraging others to follow safety guidelines while inside stores. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 30, 2020

How grocers should communicate in a crisis

Companies must meet this pandemic with transparent, fact-based messaging that keeps shoppers informed while also acknowledging their fears, writes communications expert Joel Staley.

By Joel Staley • April 29, 2020

Grocers take nutrition services online

As people try to manage their health at home, retailers like Weis and Giant Food are adding virtual classes, counseling and health advice.

By Jessica Dumont • April 28, 2020

Private label sales outpace national brands in Q1

Store brands saw double-digit growth across all U.S. food retailers with mass merchandisers, club and dollar stores seeing the largest increase. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 28, 2020

Congress considers tax holiday for grocery workers

The legislation would exempt up to $25,000 in income from federal taxes for employees of grocery and convenience stores.

By Sam Silverstein • April 28, 2020

Ocado launches first fulfillment center in North America

The automated facility, located near Toronto, has begun testing order fulfillment for Sobeys' new e-commerce service, Voilà.  

By Jessica Dumont • April 28, 2020

How grocers are filling the mealtime void during the pandemic

As homebound consumers re-connect with cooking and look for new prepared options, grocers are seizing the opportunity to once again become America's preferred meal providers.

By Jessica Dumont • April 27, 2020

Retailers are hosting virtual job fairs

Sprouts Farmers Market and Publix are trying to safely find and hire new workers as they prepare to open new stores.

By Sam Silverstein • April 27, 2020

H-E-B speeds up delivery for 'essential' items

The Texas grocer will allow customers to order up to 25 items through a new two-hour delivery service powered by its on-demand subsidiary, Favor. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 24, 2020

Consumers still care about sustainability amid pandemic, report finds

Nearly half of consumers surveyed say the outbreak has made them more concerned about the environment, according to consulting firm Kearney.

By Jessi Devenyns • April 24, 2020

Non-grocery businesses step into grocery delivery

With demand in e-commerce skyrocketing and online grocers still adjusting to the surge, companies that have excess resources and workforce are stepping in. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 24, 2020

Walmart partners with Nextdoor on shopping assistance program

The program connects Nextdoor members across the country with neighbors seeking or looking to provide shopping assistance for groceries and other essentials.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 24, 2020

Target's digital sales skyrocket, but at the expense of profit

The retailer said it’s capitalizing on e-commerce demand in categories like grocery and gaining market share that will benefit it down the road.

By Jeff Wells • April 23, 2020

Walmart taps Target exec for chief marketer

William White is stepping in as CMO to replace Barbara Messing, who resigned last August after less than a year in the role. 

By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2020

Kroger expands COVID-19 testing for store associates

The company said it will offer free testing using a combination of self-administered kits and its drive-thru sites.

By Sam Silverstein • Updated May 4, 2020

Publix buys up surplus produce and dairy for food banks

The retailer will buy up more than 150,000 pounds of Florida-grown fruits and vegetables over the next week and donate them to Feeding America.

By Jessica Dumont • April 23, 2020

Meijer launches meal program for employees

The program supplies store and distribution center workers with food and supports local restaurants. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 23, 2020

H-E-B extends hours, loosens product restrictions

The grocer is stepping back from moves it took at the outset of the pandemic as its supply chain improves and Texas prepares to partially reopen its economy.

By Sam Silverstein • April 23, 2020

Instacart to hire 250K more gig workers

The company, which recently onboarded 300,000 workers amid surging demand, is trying to get back to same-day delivery times for its customers.

By Jessica Dumont • April 23, 2020