Grocery sales soar as pandemic crushes overall consumer spending

Supermarkets rang up banner results in March, but face mounting uncertainty as consumers change their shopping habits in response to the crisis.

By Sam Silverstein • April 16, 2020

Raley's opens flagship store during pandemic

The 55,000-square-foot location is focused on health and wellness, with a particular emphasis on prepared foods, and can fill up to 250 online grocery orders each day. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 16, 2020

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By Grocery Dive staff

Hy-Vee adds full-service fueling to its growing coronavirus response

The service, which will be available at more than 165 locations across eight states, also allows customers to get food and c-store items delivered to their vehicle.

By Krishna Thakker • April 15, 2020

Kroger expands COVID-19 testing to 12 states

The grocer is adding 50 drive-through locations and expects to perform as many as 100,000 tests by the end of May. 

By Sam Silverstein • Updated April 28, 2020

UFCW presses officials and the public to make supermarkets safer

In the absence of national requirements, the labor union has launched a campaign to encourage customers to cover their faces and practice social distancing in stores.

By Sam Silverstein • April 14, 2020

Should grocers check customers' temperatures? One Connecticut chain thinks so

The owner of LaBonne's Markets has no qualms about keeping out people with fevers: "It’s not 100%, but it’s more than my competition is doing, that’s for sure."

By Sam Silverstein • April 14, 2020

Kroger's Gil Phipps joins Sprouts as CMO

Phipps leaves Kroger in the middle of its large marketing push, applying his expertise to help the natural grocer strengthen its private label lines and boost brand awareness. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 14, 2020

Walmart reserves pickup hour for at-risk shoppers

The retailer is the first to offer special pickup times on a national scale, though many grocers have already assigned in-store hours for seniors and first responders.

By Jessica Dumont • April 14, 2020

Amazon's Woodland Hills supermarket is now a dark store

The retailer has also closed a Manhattan store to foot traffic and says it will soon roll out a tool allowing shoppers to reserve a time to shop online for groceries.

By Jeff Wells • April 13, 2020

Walmart's grocery app downloads reach record highs

The retailer saw 460% growth in daily downloads, according to App Annie, while Amazon's growth by comparison was 20%. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 13, 2020

Giant Eagle to open 2nd pickup and delivery-only store

The grocer says it was able to double online grocery fulfillment for customers in central Ohio with its first dark store.

By Krishna Thakker • April 13, 2020

Hy-Vee adds hot meals to curbside pickup

The grocer will now offer a variety of take-and-bake and freshly prepared meals through its Aisles Online ordering platform as more customers turn to takeout. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 13, 2020

Instacart aims to add flexibility, speed up grocery delivery

One new feature lets shoppers opt for the first available delivery time while another lets them place orders up to two weeks ahead. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 9, 2020

Publix puts store capacity limits in the hands of managers

The grocer's localized approach comes as chain competitors like Kroger and Walmart set company-wide limits on store traffic.

By Krishna Thakker • April 9, 2020

States order grocery workers and customers to cover their faces

Colorado, Pennsylvania and Maryland are among states now requiring people to follow the CDC's recommendations to wear masks or cloth coverings when inside stores.

By Sam Silverstein • Updated April 21, 2020

Mariano's keeps customers entertained with virtual events

The Chicago grocer has launched a platform called Mariano’s Meet Ups that features cooking classes, wine tastings and live music.

By Krishna Thakker • April 8, 2020

Albertsons, UFCW press authorities to declare grocery store workers emergency personnel

The labor union and grocery chain are pushing for improved access to COVID-19 testing and protective gear as the virus continues to sicken workers.

By Sam Silverstein • April 8, 2020

Ahold Delhaize outlines $185M price tag for COVID-19 response

The grocer said it saw a 34% increase in comparable sales during the month of March, but is maintaining its full-year outlook.

By Jeff Wells • April 8, 2020

Stop & Shop and Uber offer half-price rides for seniors

The discounted rides will be available to and from all Stop & Shop locations during shopping hours designated for those 60 and older. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 7, 2020

Grocers extend pay raises as worker anxieties grow

H-E-B says it will offer its $2-an-hour raise for an additional month, while Natural Grocers has permanently increased pay by $1 and added medical benefits.

By Jessica Dumont • April 7, 2020

Kroger will use checkout technology to limit customer traffic

The grocer said its QueVision system will be employed to monitor store levels and make sure they don’t exceed 50% capacity.

By Jeff Wells • April 7, 2020

Employees at more than 2 dozen ShopRite stores test positive for COVID-19

All employees who are sick are no longer working and any employees who came in contact with the ill employee must also quarantine for two weeks.

By Krishna Thakker • April 7, 2020

H-E-B adds restaurant meals to prepared foods sections

The grocer has teamed up with local restaurateurs in San Antonio and Houston to support their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 6, 2020

Prime Day reportedly postponed until at least August

Usually held in mid-July, the event leads to big sales of the retailer's devices, which could be discounted to the tune of $100 million, according to Reuters.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2020

Grocers implement one-way aisles

Kroger, Hy-Vee and Safeway stores are introducing one-way traffic flow in their stores. Walmart said it's instituting the change because customers were still not practicing proper social distancing.

By Sam Silverstein • April 6, 2020