How grocers are innovating in foodservice

As consumers increasingly turn to retailers for semi- and fully-prepared meal offerings, here’s what Publix, Vallarta Supermarkets, Albertsons and other grocers are cooking up.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 11, 2023

Blue Apron to debut fresh pre-made, non-frozen meals

The Prepared & Ready line consists of 16 new single-serve options, with plans to add more meals to the line as 2024 progresses.

By Peyton Bigora • Dec. 8, 2023

Kroger’s new benefits program expands access to affordable food

The tie-up with a healthcare technology company lets Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and other employer benefits program recipients use services at the grocer’s pharmacies as well as buy eligible food and over-the-counter items. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 7, 2023

Aisles Abroad: How Canadian grocer Freson Bros. embraces its roots

In-store “zones” like the Root Cellar, Mother Dough Bread Co. and Banj’s Smokehouse feed into the grocer’s goal of “honoring the craft of food tradition,” said President Doug Lovsin.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 6, 2023

Schnucks is giving shoppers an express lane to local produce

Following a successful pilot, the Midwestern grocer plans to expand its use of tracking technology to digitally alert customers when freshly picked foods arrive in stores.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 5, 2023

Kroger, Kitchen United shutter in-store ghost kitchens

The ghost kitchen firm, which had eight locations with the grocery chain, said it is moving away from physical locations to become a software company.

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Aneurin Canham-Clyne • Nov. 28, 2023

Consumers are taking a ‘hybrid’ approach to meal prep. Here’s how grocers can help.

The rise of combining scratch cooking with prepared foods from grocery stores is expected to continue next year, per new research from FMI – The Food Industry Association.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 27, 2023

Unlocking hidden value in grocery

The grocery industry has seen huge disruption over the past few years, which has drastically changed how consumers interact with grocers, and how grocers sell to consumers.

Nov. 27, 2023

On Special: Consumers ready to gobble up Thanksgiving turkeys

Despite inflation having an unwelcome seat at feasts this year, consumers are “not skimping” on serving the iconic holiday bird, a Butterball executive said in an interview.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 21, 2023

Sprouts expands partnership with Phoenix coffee chain

Following a successful pilot, the grocer opened a Press Coffee bar in a store in Scottsdale, Arizona, in November with plans to bring the concept to three more locations.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 21, 2023

Publix’s holiday meal bundles available for delivery through Instacart

The heat-and-serve meals build on the trend of food retailers bringing convenience to shoppers this holiday season. 

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 20, 2023

Albertsons deploys Afresh’s AI food waste tech across its meat, seafood departments

The grocery company already uses the store ordering and inventory management platform in its produce departments chainwide. 

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 16, 2023

How grocery shoppers are planning to celebrate winter holidays amid food cost concerns

Half of surveyed consumers said they’re concerned about rising prices for holiday celebrations, per findings from FMI – The Food Industry Association.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 15, 2023

Vallarta Supermarkets debuts custom fruit bowl section at latest store

At its location in Carson, California, the grocery chain unveiled La Fruteria, a new department designed to resemble fruit stands found on the streets of Los Angeles.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 13, 2023

CPGs diversify pack sizes to reach cost-pressured consumers

“We have more that we can do in the marketplace in the U.S., whether it be on the nature and the range of the can sizes and shapes or the PET bottles,” Coca-Cola CEO James Quincey said on a recent earnings call.

By Maria Rachal • Nov. 13, 2023

Albertsons, Safeway fire up new premium pizzas under private label

The new pizza offerings expand the retailer’s selection of store brands at a time when high food prices continue to draw consumers to grocery stores for meal options.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 13, 2023

Apeel Sciences launches “RipeTrack”, transforming produce ripeness testing

 New measurement technology from Apeel unlocks unprecedented insight into avocado ripeness & quality. 

Nov. 13, 2023

Foodservice ‘renaissance’: How grocers are spicing up their deli and premade meals

As supermarkets increasingly replace restaurant meals, they’re looking to offer better prices alongside flavor innovation, deals and new shopping experiences.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 6, 2023

Lidl joins the Thanksgiving discount battle

The discounter’s under-$30 meal includes a 13-pound frozen turkey along with pumpkin pie ingredients and a variety of sides such as sweet potatoes, rolls and baby carrots.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 6, 2023

Shoppers aren’t changing their Thanksgiving plans but are seeking more savings

Price-conscious consumers say they’re willing to dig deeper to put Thanksgiving dinner on the table, but grocers still need to help them along with smart discounts, Circana noted in a report.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 6, 2023

Target brings Thanksgiving meal for under $25 to the table

The retailer’s four-serving feast includes a 10-16 pound turkey at less than $1 per pound and various sides for less than $5 each.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 1, 2023

On Special: Retailers look to scare up strong candy sales this fall

Halloween alone drives around $6 billion in confectionary retail sales annually, but inflation may spook shoppers out of purchasing sweets this year.

By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 31, 2023

Gelson’s debuts ‘exclusive’ wine club

The Southern California grocer’s new program offers four package options, including three white wines for $200 or six bottles with a mix of red and white for $450.  

By Peyton Bigora • Oct. 30, 2023

Order up! How grocers are replicating the restaurant experience in retail

As the gap widens between grocery and restaurant prices, food retailers see an opportunity to turn up the heat on their made-to-order meals to lure cost-conscious consumers.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 30, 2023

BJ’s adds SNAP EBT as payment method for Instacart customers

The announcement comes a year after the club retailer started accepting SNAP benefits via its own e-commerce platforms.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 27, 2023