Pandemic highlights the limits of store-based online fulfillment, experts say

The surge in online shopping has caused retailers to rethink their selling floors and backrooms, and to evaluate dedicated facilities.

By Sam Silverstein • May 6, 2020

Grocers are ramping up mobile checkout platforms

Retailers like Sam's Club, Wegmans, Fairway and Kroger are encouraging customers to adopt the technology as they promote contact-free shopping during the pandemic.

By Jessica Dumont • May 6, 2020

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Top 5 stories from Grocery Dive

Top stories from Grocery Dive first half of 2025.

By Grocery Dive staff

Sprouts records strong Q1 as it outlines long-term growth plan

The natural grocer intends to build smaller, less costly stores and focus on boosting sales among shoppers who are loyal to the chain.

By Sam Silverstein • May 6, 2020

Giant Food challenges shoppers to be #HealthyAtHome

The company will conduct a four-week campaign, led by its nutrition team, to encourage healthy eating and exercise among shoppers during COVID-19.  

By Jessica Dumont • May 5, 2020

Kroger brings the Impossible Burger to 1,700 stores

The introduction increases the grocer's assortment of plant-based alternatives as it grapples with a meat shortage due to COVID-19 outbreaks at production facilities.

By Megan Poinski , Jeff Wells • May 5, 2020

Social media engagement for grocery delivery skyrockets

Engagement has seen a 28,000% increase since the COVID-19 pandemic began, international social media analytics firm Talkwalker found. 

By Krishna Thakker • May 4, 2020

Grocers impose restrictions on meat and poultry purchases

Supermarket chains including Kroger, H-E-B and Albertsons are taking steps to prevent shortages as meat and poultry processors battle COVID-19.

By Sam Silverstein • May 4, 2020

Pardon the Disruption: As states reopen and supply chains normalize, grocers must tighten safety measures

The pressure on retailers to relax safety measures will grow in the months ahead, but they should not deviate from CDC guidance and probably err on the side of being overly strict.

By Jeff Wells • May 4, 2020

Kroger gets social

The retailer will host a month of virtual events to engage shoppers and promote private label products.

By Jessica Dumont • May 1, 2020

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

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