Fresh food: Page 2

Walmart, Trader Joe's now carry Impossible Foods' meatless burgers

The plant-based company's main seller is now in more than 8,000 retail stores, a 50X increase over the past six months as shoppers clamor for meat alternatives.

By Krishna Thakker • July 31, 2020

Trader Joe's doesn't see its brands as racist

The grocer says reports that it had decided to drop labels like Trader José and Arabian Joe in response to a petition were not accurate.

By Sam Silverstein • July 31, 2020

Wegmans opens its 2nd North Carolina store

The much-anticipated 103,000-square-foot location includes in-store dining options, imported meats, cheeses and wines, as well as locally sourced seafood and produce. 

By Krishna Thakker • July 30, 2020

Sprouts sharpens its pitch to high-value shoppers

The natural foods retailer says it's seeing more of the health-conscious shoppers that it's targeting as part of a new long-term growth plan.

By Sam Silverstein • July 30, 2020

ShopRite pilots salad-making robot Sally

The technology will first launch at a store in Carteret, New Jersey, and the retailer hopes to bring it to other locations. 

By Krishna Thakker • July 27, 2020

Target to close for Thanksgiving, double down on same-day services

The retail giant will also start its holiday deals in October to reduce crowds and said the changes were made in anticipation of a "very different" holiday season.

By Ben Unglesbee • July 27, 2020

Column

Pardon the Disruption: Can retailers socially distance from their customers and still engage them?

COVID-19 is forcing retailers like Wegmans and Heinen's to reexamine their store experiences.

By Jeff Wells • July 21, 2020

Deep Dive

Less is more: Why retailers and CPGs are moving toward selling fewer products in stores

As the coronavirus pushes some items off supermarket shelves, the food industry is finding a smaller selection reduces consumer confusion, boosts sales and trims expenses for grocers.

By Christopher Doering • July 20, 2020

Deep Dive

Heinen's rolls out Sally the salad-making robot

Could a machine that dispenses fresh, custom-made bowls be a lifeline for retailers trying to boost their prepared food sales?

By Jeff Wells • July 13, 2020

Plant-based products sell 23% better in the meat section, study finds

The research, done by Kroger and the Plant Based Foods Association, found consumers spent more and got a greater variety of items when the products were not in a separate section.

By Megan Poinski • July 10, 2020

Product availability tops shoppers' worries as they look ahead, research shows

People are less concerned about the cost of food after the pandemic, and only a fraction are worried about access to online grocery services.

By Sam Silverstein • July 10, 2020

Healthy food is on the menu as coronavirus improves eating habits

The pandemic has accelerated demand for plant-based meat and immunity-boosting products from companies such as Impossible Foods and Unilever.

By Christopher Doering • July 02, 2020

Chipotle launches virtual farmers market for suppliers

The fast casual chain has partnered with Shopify to help farmers in its supply chain sell meat, dairy and grain products directly to consumers online. 

By Emma Liem Beckett • July 01, 2020

Schnucks doubles down on sourcing local produce

The company has partnered with startup Foodshed.io — part of its effort to buy more than $5 million worth of produce and other goods from farmers in communities it serves in 2020. 

By Krishna Thakker • June 26, 2020

Target extends grocery pickup to more than 1,000 stores

The updates put the company well over halfway toward its goal of 1,500 stores by the holidays.

By Jeff Wells • UPDATED: July 21, 2020 at 1:29 p.m.

Deep Dive

Grocers ponder the future of their self-service stations

More than three months after shutting down, salad bars and hot bars are burning a hole in retailers' bottom lines. Getting them up and running safely and profitably is a major challenge, according to retailers, consultants and other sources.

By Sam Silverstein , Jeff Wells • June 25, 2020

FreshDirect adds 'Express' delivery service in NYC

The two-hour grocery delivery service will roll out in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens, and will also add grocery pickup in high-demand areas of the Northeast.

By Jessica Dumont • June 25, 2020

Retailers want to bring back sampling, but with modifications

Grocers expect it will be a while before in-store demos resume, but in the meantime they're exploring in-between options like pre-packaged and online sampling.

By Krishna Thakker • June 23, 2020

Most shoppers plan to keep loading their pantries, survey finds

A PwC survey found that customers are still worried about their safety and until COVID-19 is fully resolved, they plan to continue stocking up and avoiding restaurants.

By Krishna Thakker • June 19, 2020

Deep Dive

Private label prospects brighten as recession hits cash-strapped consumers

Even before the pandemic, sales growth in the sector was forecast to outpace that of national brands for the fourth straight year, according to IRI.

By Christopher Doering • June 17, 2020

Giant Eagle will launch a new line of meal kits next month

As retailers continue to capitalize on the at-home cooking boom, the Pittsburgh-based grocer will roll out a line of ready-to-cook meals at 40 stores.

By Jessica Dumont • June 16, 2020

Sprouts appoints Walmart veteran as chief fresh merchandising officer

J. Scott Neal will assume the newly created position as the grocer looks to make its supply chain more efficient and further distinguish its assortment from competitors.

By Krishna Thakker • June 09, 2020

How the pandemic could fundamentally alter store layouts

Backrooms will grow to fill online orders and retail floors will become smaller and more focused on shopper experiences, according to one expert.

By Jeff Wells • June 08, 2020

Impossible Foods launches direct-to-consumer site as plant-based sales soar

As the brand expands its retail footprint, consumers can now buy its burgers in bulk package sizes and get them delivered in two days with free shipping. 

By Jessi Devenyns • June 05, 2020

Blue Apron collaborates with award-winning chef Tim Hollingsworth

The L.A.-based restaurateur will create exclusive recipes for the meal kit company that will include summer staples inspired by California cuisine and other flavors. 

By Krishna Thakker • June 03, 2020