7 trends that will shape the grocery industry in 2022

Labor and inflation challenges will test retailers this year, but experts also see opportunities like new e-commerce services, more personalized offerings and a booming digital ads space.

By Jeff Wells , Catherine Douglas Moran , Sam Silverstein • Jan. 4, 2022

Schnucks adds self-service CBD kiosks to EatWell store

The grocer has installed two of the vending machines, supplied by cannabinoid producer NatuEra, in its natural foods-focused location in Columbia, Missouri.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 23, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Grocery Dive

Top stories from Grocery Dive first half of 2025.

By Grocery Dive staff

How independents can attract Gen Z and millennial workers

In a recent National Grocers Association webinar, Dash's Market and Brookshire Brothers weighed in on the ways grocers can make industry careers appealing to younger job seekers.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 23, 2021

US 6th Circuit reinstates vaccine mandate

The court struck down many of the arguments from the National Retail Federation and others, but the rule is likely destined for the Supreme Court.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 21, 2021

Smart & Final names new president

Scott Drew, the warehouse chain’s chief operating officer, is filling the top role held by Dave Hirz, who is retiring in February.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 21, 2021

Hy-Vee announces Kentucky store as part of multi-state expansion

The company plans to push beyond the Midwest and establish several stores in Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky and Alabama.

By Jeff Wells • Updated Feb. 23, 2022

Fred Meyer and QFC workers in Oregon return to work after brief strike

UFCW Local 555 called off the walkout against the Kroger-owned banners on Saturday after reaching a tentative deal with the grocer, capping a months-long dispute over wages.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 20, 2021

7 grocery M&A storylines from 2021

From regional grocers banding together to international companies strengthening their U.S. retail presence, this year saw a mix of deals in the grocery space. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 20, 2021

Kroger officially launches delivery service in Atlanta

Kroger Delivery is now available to shoppers within 90 miles of the grocer's automated customer fulfillment center in Forest Park, Georgia.

By Jeff Wells • Updated Feb. 7, 2022

Grocery budgets set to climb nearly 15% in 2022

Shoppers plan to spend an average of $611 per month on groceries next year, according to research conducted by accounting firm KPMG.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 17, 2021

8 ways grocers have gotten creative with hiring in 2021

New smartphones, child care assistance and jobs with flexible schedules are among the offerings retailers have rolled out this year to attract and retain workers in a tight labor market.

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Sam Silverstein • Dec. 16, 2021

Hy-Vee launches nationwide telehealth and prescription delivery service

RedBox Rx offers virtual consultations with medical staff and one- to three-day shipping of prescriptions in 44 states.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 15, 2021

Dollar Tree hits back at activist investor seeking board revamp

The retailer hurled rhetorical bombs at a fund that wants to replace all of its directors and install a former Dollar General chief as executive chairman. 

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 14, 2021

Kroger taps longtime H-E-B veteran to lead Houston division

Laura Gump spent more than three decades working for H-E-B, rising to become the chain's vice president of store operations.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 14, 2021

Instacart's president announces exit after just 3 months

Former Facebook executive Carolyn Everson will depart at the end of the year, dealing a setback to the e-commerce company as it battles competitors and manages relationships with grocers.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 13, 2021

Citing store theft, 20 major retail CEOs call for Congress to pass marketplace transparency legislation

Millions of dollars worth of stolen goods are being sold online by hard-to-identify third-party sellers, according to the Buy Safe America Coalition.

By Daphne Howland • Dec. 13, 2021

Hy-Vee names new president and chief operating officer

Jeremy Gosch, who previously worked as co-chief operating officer and president of the company's retail division, is just the fifth person in Hy-Vee's history to hold the title of president.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 13, 2021

Walmart adds science-based targets to supply chain financing option

The program aims to help the retailer's private brand suppliers, particularly smaller and mid-size ones, make their operations more sustainable.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 9, 2021

UNFI gets a Q1 boost from new business and inflation

The wholesaler recorded $7 billion in net sales — the second time it's ever hit that quarterly number as strong macro trends outpaced supply challenges.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 8, 2021

Pardon the Disruption: DoorDash's adventures in dark stores

The company sees a major opportunity to offer DashMarts to retailers, but they’ll have to compete with the delivery powerhouse along the way.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 7, 2021

DoorDash plans to offer rapid delivery for retailers

The company is joining the 15-minute delivery fray in New York City with a full-time workforce, but sees a "larger" opportunity to provide the service to grocers and convenience stores.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 6, 2021

Instant delivery startup 1520 tells shoppers to use Getir

1520's app now directs customers to switch to the Turkish ultrafast firm, which just arrived in the U.S. and operates in New York and Chicago.

By Sam Silverstein • Updated Dec. 14, 2021

How H-E-B got into livestreaming

The company offers shoppable cooking classes on Facebook, and this summer it generated 400,000 viewers for a 12-hour grilling special.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 3, 2021

Kroger is adding carbon-neutral eggs under its Simple Truth line

The grocer claims the eggs, which will be produced using a system from Kipster Farms of the Netherlands, will be the first carbon-neutral, cage-free ones to hit U.S. retail shelves. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 2, 2021

Dollar General plans to build 1K new Popshelf stores over next 4 years

The suburban-focused concept has brought higher sales and margin rates, and the new stores add to a furious pace of expansion for the discounter.

By Ben Unglesbee • Dec. 2, 2021