The Grocery Dive Awards for 2019

From Grocery Outlet to Giant Eagle's CEO Laura Karet, these are the companies and executives that shaped the grocery industry this year. 

Dec. 9, 2019

Independent Grocer of the Year: Harvest Market

From in-house butter churning to grilled cheese competitions, the Illinois grocer offers a one-of-a-kind store experience for customers. 

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 9, 2019

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

Executive of the Year: Laura Karet, Giant Eagle

Tech investments and a revamped c-store lineup show the CEO is focused squarely on the future of food retailing.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 9, 2019

Lidl acquiring 6 Shoppers stores

The locations are among 13 for sale by United Natural Foods, Inc. Compare Foods will acquire five locations and McKay's will buy the remaining two, according to local United Food and Commercial Workers unions.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 6, 2019

UNFI to sell 13 Shoppers stores

The sales to three different grocery operators are expected to close by late February. The company will also shutter four Shoppers stores by January. 

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 6, 2019

Pardon the Disruption: Will Kroger tame its mess of investments?

Divesting its Lucky's Market stake looks bad, but it could also be a sign the grocer is setting a higher bar for its various revenue streams.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 6, 2019

The Fresh Market taps venture firm to identify food trends

In addition to its 2020 predictions of more items like seed-based products and plant-based foods "2.0," the grocer announced a partnership with incubator 25madison.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 6, 2019

Dollar General continues to build out 'fresh'

The retailer said its DG Fresh strategy and efforts to add produce in stores are paying off, and will continue to expand next year.

By Jessica Dumont • Dec. 6, 2019

GrubMarket enters Midwest market with Doorganics buy

After snapping up several California companies this year, GrubMarket is also expanding its reach into New Jersey and New York.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 5, 2019

Kroger exits Lucky's Market investment

The grocer says it no longer sees a pathway to “meaningful” growth through the tie-up, which kicked off three years ago.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 5, 2019

BJ's adds premium spirits to private label line

The retailer's Wellsley Farms brand now includes vodka, Canadian whisky and Irish whiskey.

By Krishna Thakker • Dec. 4, 2019

SnowFox partners with nonprofit to offer grocers sustainable sushi

The sushi company supplies retailers including Costco, Albertsons and Kroger, and will work with FishChoice to identify responsibly sourced seafood.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 4, 2019

Lidl to open several stores this month

The discount grocer will open its first two locations on Long Island and continue its growth in North Carolina. 

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 3, 2019

Brookshire tests in-store Pizza Hut kiosks

The Texas grocer will pilot the concept at two stores and could expand it to other locations in its home state as well as Arkansas and Louisiana. 

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 3, 2019

Kroger's new 'dark' kitchens will deliver meals on demand

The grocer has partnered with ClusterTruck to serve fresh-made fare to customers in Columbus, Ohio; Indianapolis; Carmel, Indiana and Denver during a 12-week pilot.

By Jessica Dumont • Dec. 2, 2019

Martin's banks on new brewery to boost sales

Popular Michigan brewer Greenbush recently opened its second location next door to one of the grocer's stores in South Bend, Indiana.

By Lauren Manning • Dec. 2, 2019

QFC harvests 1st store-grown produce

The Kroger banner began selling bunches of hydroponically grown kale, mint, cilantro, dill and crystal lettuce for $2.99 apiece.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 2, 2019

Ahold Delhaize's 'NanoStore' heads to the airport

The retailer's Albert Heijn grocery chain has planted its 150-square-foot, Amazon Go-like store at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport through January.

By Krishna Thakker • Nov. 27, 2019

It's Turkey Wednesday — the busiest day for most grocers

New research confirms major grocers see increases in foot traffic of 75% to more than 100% on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 27, 2019

Specialty grocer Barons streamlines holiday entertaining

The Southern California retailer has set up build-your-own charcuterie board stations at each of its eight locations. 

By Jessica Dumont • Nov. 26, 2019

Meal kit maker Purple Carrot debuts plant-based incubator

Participating startups will get support for branding, marketing, e-commerce, operations and data analytics, and receive up to $250,000 in seed funding.

By Jessi Devenyns • Nov. 26, 2019

Cost of Thanksgiving dinner is flat in 2019, survey finds

The American Farm Bureau Federation estimates the average cost of the holiday meal is $48.91, up just a penny from last year.

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 26, 2019

Target hit with trademark lawsuit over grocery brand

An Atlanta-based business owner filed the suit, claiming the retailer's Good & Gather brand is too similar to her food business called Garnish & Gather.

By Jessica Dumont • Nov. 26, 2019

Kroger healthcare initiative aims to offer access, affordability

The grocer will offer more services and will partner with hospitals and healthcare networks to expand its reach.  

By Lauren Manning • Nov. 25, 2019

Loblaw widens assortment with online marketplace

The marketplace will span five new categories and introduce third-party suppliers to offer shoppers more products through the grocer's PC Express service. 

By Jessica Dumont • Nov. 25, 2019