The Friday Checkout: As retail media moves into stores, grocers need to proceed with caution

There’s a vast opportunity for retailers to bring digital advertising inside grocery stores — but bombarding shoppers with offers as they walk the aisles could diminish the consumer experience.

By Grocery Dive Staff • June 9, 2023

Aldi launches 30-minute delivery

Aldi Express offers a selection of nearly 2,000 items and joins other services from Kroger, Publix and Ahold Delhaize aimed at satisfying online demand for impulse and fill-in trips.

By Peyton Bigora , Jeff Wells • June 1, 2023

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E-commerce

Digital sales have come down from their early pandemic peaks, but grocers are still forging ahead with new experiences and adjustments aimed at boosting profitability.

By Grocery Dive staff

Instacart piloting ‘favorite shopper’ feature

The option, which allows consumers to single out their preferred in-store shoppers to fulfill future orders, will roll out in the coming weeks among select users. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 31, 2023

The Friday Checkout: After the pandemic and inflation, could a price war be next for grocers?

Food retailers have shouldered much of the blame for the gaping holes inflation has eaten into shoppers’ budgets. What will the fight to change that perception cost them?

By Grocery Dive Staff • May 26, 2023

NGA says proposed WIC online ordering rule can be more accessible to independents

The trade group said it supports the USDA’s efforts to make e-commerce capabilities available to smaller grocers that participate in the nutrition program, but feels the concept needs further clarification.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 26, 2023

Shipt refreshes membership program with new digital dashboard and perks

As online platforms jockey for loyal users, the Target-owned provider said its revamp enhances personalization and offers more value for members.

By Peyton Bigora • May 24, 2023

Walmart opens store-based fulfillment center in Arkansas

The facility will help the retailer boost order throughput via a proprietary storage and retrieval system.

By Max Garland • May 23, 2023

Save Mart adds a retail media network as it looks to go toe to toe in tech with larger grocers

The retailer is also considering adding smart carts and more video screens to its stores, Senior Vice President and Chief Digital Officer Tamara Pattison said in an interview.

By Sam Silverstein • May 23, 2023

The Friday Checkout: Walmart and Target tell a troubling story about US consumers

The retailers painted an unsettling portrait this week of the difficult circumstances many consumers are facing as they make daily decisions about how to keep their households running.

By Grocery Dive Staff • May 19, 2023

Walmart’s sales and profits surge as its grocery business gains market share

The company’s U.S. business recorded a 7.4% comps increase in Q1, and executives said they’re working to retain the many younger and higher-income shoppers that have flowed in recently.

By Sam Silverstein • May 18, 2023

Trader Joe’s stands firm on opting out of e-commerce

The grocer’s latest podcast episode delved into why it is exclusively a brick-and-mortar business — and why it intends to stay that way.

By Peyton Bigora • May 17, 2023

Grocery e-commerce sales rise slightly in April

Digital grocery orders hit $8.2 billion during the month compared with the same period last year, with delivery sales leading the way, according to data released Monday by Brick Meets Click and Mercatus.

By Sam Silverstein • May 15, 2023

Optimizing e-grocery: Innovative solutions can help grocers achieve profitable growth

As profits are squeezed by economic conditions, grocers turn to low-tech basics to improve e-grocery margins.

May 15, 2023

The Friday Checkout: How the end of SNAP emergency allotments is impacting grocers

SNAP recipients have pivoted away from stocking up on sale items and are instead seeking less expensive brands and buying less fresh fruit and meat, according to new research.

By Grocery Dive Staff • May 12, 2023

Supermarkets outscore Amazon in online grocery satisfaction poll

The results from The Feedback Group’s survey indicate the deep investments companies like Kroger and Ahold Delhaize have made in e-commerce over the past several years are paying off.

By Jeff Wells • May 11, 2023

Food Lion remodels 29 North Carolina stores

The Ahold Delhaize-owned grocery chain said it will hold ribbon-cuttings at 24 of the stores on Wednesday morning and plans to open five additional refreshed locations to the public “soon.”

By Sam Silverstein • May 9, 2023

The Fresh Market taps generative AI to boost video commerce

The grocer is working with Firework on a system that can automatically answer questions from viewers about shoppable videos and will begin testing the tech with customers early next month.

By Sam Silverstein • May 8, 2023

The Friday Checkout: Print ads pose circular logic for grocers

Research has documented a shift by consumers away from print ads in favor of online ones. But is print really dead?

By Grocery Dive Staff • May 5, 2023

Sprouts launches retail media platform

The specialty grocery chain is using the Instacart Ads platform as the foundation for the new service, which will allow CPGs to directly reach the retailer’s health-focused shoppers.

By Sam Silverstein • May 4, 2023

Kroger expands on-demand sushi, floral delivery

After first making those fresh items available from its stores via DoorDash last year, the grocer has partnered up with Uber Eats.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 3, 2023

Grocers’ online penetration slipped in 2022, report finds

As consumers look to save money, supermarkets have seen higher-income shoppers shift purchases to Walmart and Target, per new findings from Brick Meets Click and Mercatus.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 3, 2023

Sprouts powers ahead in Q1 as comps hit best pace since 2020

Company executives attributed the retailer’s strong showing in part to higher-than-expected foot traffic, supply chain improvements and deeper engagement via advertising.

By Sam Silverstein • May 2, 2023

Instacart updates aim to improve customer-worker relationship

The recent changes the company has made include expanding the information that customers can see about their shoppers and providing more order status details. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 1, 2023

Instacart rolls out inflation-fighting tools for customers

Customers now have access to a “Stores to Help You Save” section on the main screen, AI-driven recommendations for previously bought items that are on sale and discounts for buying larger quantities of certain products.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • April 26, 2023

Grocers launch new SNAP benefits

Eligible Giant Food shoppers in Baltimore will receive a $15 promo code for online produce orders, while Harvest Market in Northern California is participating in a health food program.

By Peyton Bigora • April 18, 2023