Halloween candy sales are up, but pandemic is changing celebrations

As manufacturers have altered their approach, 90% of young parents say they cannot imagine Halloween without sweet treats, according to the National Confectioners Association.

By Jessi Devenyns • Oct. 27, 2020

Chowbotics adds contactless ordering feature to salad-making robot

The robotics startup has also expanded the range of meal choices its "Sally" machine is able to prepare.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 27, 2020

Fast-casual salad franchise opens at The Giant Company

Saladworks already has several locations in other grocery stores, including ShopRite, and has plans for at least 10 more by early next year.

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 23, 2020

New e-grocer Hive looks to ride an online wave

Helmed by veterans from Jet.com, Casper and Freshpet, the company helps shoppers track the social and environmental impacts of their orders.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 22, 2020

Amazon Fresh opens second store in California

Like the first store in Woodland Hills, the new supermarket in Irvine offers low prices, along with Amazon's Dash Carts and Alexa features to assist shoppers.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 22, 2020

Why Trader Joe's traffic has recovered but Whole Foods' hasn't

Specialty chains were hit hardest by the drop-off in Q2 foot traffic, but some, like Trader Joe's, have been better at adapting to a new "mission-driven" shopper mindset, according to a report from Placer.ai.

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 22, 2020

Amazon Fresh looks to hire 1,500 in Chicagoland

The retailer will cross-train workers across four area stores as its brick-and-mortar grocery expansion plan comes further into focus.

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 21, 2020

Consumer satisfaction with grocers dips during pandemic, report says

The American Consumer Satisfaction Index, a leading shopper poll, found overall satisfaction with food retailers decreased 3.8% between April and September.

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 20, 2020

Whole Foods forecasts upcycled foods, alcoholic kombucha among 10 trends for 2021

Elevating breakfast and expanding coffee-flavored products are also trends that will boom next year, according to predictions by the grocer's buyers and culinary experts.

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 20, 2020

Sprouts sharpens efforts to combat hunger as it donates $1.6M

The specialty grocer's charitable foundation has made some key adjustments to help organizations distribute more emergency food supplies during the pandemic.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 16, 2020

Grocery sales barely budge in September as pandemic-driven surge continues to ebb

Sales have been in a holding pattern in recent months as spending at food retailers becomes more predictable.

By Sam Silverstein • Oct. 16, 2020

ShopRite's new store-within-a-store makes fresh meals a core category

The grocer's "Fresh to Table" program pulls together grab-and-go, ready-to-heat and fresh meal assembly offers into a one-stop department. 

By Jeff Wells • Oct. 15, 2020

Publix teams up with land-based salmon farm to further sustainable seafood efforts

The new aquaculture collaboration with Atlantic Sapphire offers a local option for fish that's frequently imported. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Updated Oct. 15, 2020

Kroger adds more than 50 new items to plant-based brand

The grocer has launched a new line of plant-based "Chick'n" patties and plans to sell more than 75 plant-based foods under its Simple Truth brand by the end of 2020. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 14, 2020

Southeastern Grocers to add four Winn-Dixie stores across Florida

Each location is designed with a “specialized approach” to consumers’ tastes, with expanded organic, natural and gluten-free options.

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 13, 2020

Earth Fare has opened 13 stores in less than 4 months

After closing in bankruptcy earlier this year, the Earth Fare grocery chain has gradually been resurrected under new ownership.

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 12, 2020

Spoiler alert! Replenishing based on prior demand is shrinking your profit

Find the balance between having enough product on the shelves without needlessly increasing inventory costs.

Oct. 12, 2020

Vertical farming startup takes crown in Ahold Delhaize innovation contest

The winning pitch by Evergreens Farms focused on resolving geography and climate obstacles to make indoor farming technology more viable.

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 8, 2020

Kroger brings ghost kitchens inside stores

The grocer opened a delivery and pickup-only restaurant inside an Indiana location on Thursday and will open a second facility in Ohio next month.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 8, 2020

Seafood and meat post 30% sales growth in Q2, report says

Produce made up 34% of total fresh sales as deli and bakery saw sales decline this summer, according to the United Fresh Produce Association.

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 7, 2020

Retailers stay focused on sustainable seafood

As consumers continue prioritizing transparency and animal welfare, companies like Giant Food and Albertsons are ramping up responsible sourcing efforts.

By Jessica Dumont • Oct. 7, 2020

Natural Grocers takes nutrition education program online

The Colorado-based specialty chain now offers free virtual coaching sessions and a series of online classes to promote health and wellness. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 6, 2020

Foodservice managers can capitalize on meal planning fatigue

As more shoppers meal-prep in advance, a new study from the Food Industry Association found 70% of respondents would be more likely to purchase from retail foodservice if they can order ahead. 

By Rosie Bradbury • Oct. 1, 2020

NJ lawmakers approve single-use plastic and paper bag ban

After some states and stores ditched plastic bag bans over COVID-19 fears, the bill heading to the Garden State governor signals a return to curbing plastic use.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 30, 2020

Fresh Thyme to close 3 remaining Nebraska stores

After opening five stores in four years in the Cornhusker State, the company is now pulling out of the area as it and other specialty grocers make strategic adjustments.

By Jeff Wells • Sept. 28, 2020