Grocers' fulfillment struggles are a windfall for online startups

Companies like Thrive Market and Imperfect Foods are racing to accommodate new shoppers and focused on keeping them long term.

By Jeff Wells • May 13, 2020

Webvan's founder is launching another online grocery business

Louis Borders' e-grocery company failed nearly twenty years ago, but that didn't dampen his ambition. Now he's back, and with an army of robots behind him.

By Jeff Wells • May 12, 2020

Why PepsiCo launched 2 new direct-to-consumer sites

Snacks.com and PantryShop.com are part of the company's efforts to meet consumers where they shop, as e-commerce becomes a bigger part of their buying habits. 

By Christopher Doering • May 12, 2020

Target to acquire Deliv tech as the last-mile startup shuts down

The retailer will use Deliv's proprietary batching and routing technology to research and develop more efficient delivery methods.​

By Matt Leonard • May 11, 2020

How companies are helping vulnerable shoppers

A growing number of retailers and service providers are concluding that dedicating store hours for pregnant, elderly, disabled and other at-risk shoppers is not enough.

By Krishna Thakker • May 11, 2020

Shipt launches digital coupons for shoppers

The grocery e-commerce provider will allow customers to redeem coupons from national advertisers when placing online orders for pickup and delivery.

By Sam Silverstein • May 11, 2020

Albertsons adds live chat to online platform

The grocer is counting on digital assistance to boost online customer service and offer more efficiency for e-commerce customers. 

By Jessica Dumont • May 7, 2020

Ahold Delhaize steps up e-commerce expansion as digital sales surge

The company said it will accelerate openings for home delivery warehouses and click-and-collect points as U.S. sales in the channel grew 42% in Q1.

By Jeff Wells • May 7, 2020

Hy-Vee adds two-hour 'express' pickup service

The new program, which charges $10 per order, comes as the grocer continues to add pickup slots as well as new products to its Aisles Online platform. 

By Jessica Dumont • May 7, 2020

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

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

Walmart adds 2-hour delivery service

The retailer will lean on its vast store network and existing delivery partners to execute speedy last-mile deliveries. 

By Shefali Kapadia • 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

Online grocery reaches new heights in April

Delivery and pickup sales rose 37% over March to $5.3 billion as customers avoided stores in the face of the pandemic, a new survey from Brick Meets Click and Symphony RetailAI shows.

By Sam Silverstein • April 29, 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

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

Non-grocery businesses step into grocery delivery

With demand in e-commerce skyrocketing and online grocers still adjusting to the surge, companies that have excess resources and workforce are stepping in. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 24, 2020

Target's digital sales skyrocket, but at the expense of profit

The retailer said it’s capitalizing on e-commerce demand in categories like grocery and gaining market share that will benefit it down the road.

By Jeff Wells • April 23, 2020

Instacart to hire 250K more gig workers

The company, which recently onboarded 300,000 workers amid surging demand, is trying to get back to same-day delivery times for its customers.

By Jessica Dumont • April 23, 2020

USDA expands online shopping for SNAP consumers to more states

Ninety percent of participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program now live in areas covered by the agency's online purchasing initiative.

By Jeff Wells • Updated May 26, 2020

Report: Amazon to bring 'ultrafast' grocery delivery to the UK

The service, which is already an option in select U.S. metros, could be available to 40% of U.K. households by the end of the year.

By Jessica Dumont • April 20, 2020

Costco to offer prescription delivery through Instacart

The service now will be available at nearly 200 pharmacies in several states and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand nationally.

By Jessica Dumont • April 17, 2020

Kroger to accept SNAP payments for pickup orders

The announcement comes as more states and retailers are trying to enable online food assistance payments amid accelerating unemployment.

By Jeff Wells • April 17, 2020

Sprouts will expand curbside pickup chainwide

With the pandemic turbocharging online sales, the grocer will expand click-and-collect from 55 stores to all of its nearly 340 locations by next month.

By Jeff Wells • April 16, 2020

How 6 international grocers are tackling COVID-19

From offering "essentials" baskets to eliminating bottled water in deliveries, these companies have developed creative yet practical solutions that build on those implemented by U.S. retailers.

By Krishna Thakker • April 16, 2020