8 trends that will shape the grocery industry in 2023

The lingering impacts of inflation, the growth of retail media and the full return of the store shopping experience will have a significant impact in the year ahead, experts predict.

By Grocery Dive Staff • Jan. 4, 2023

Relationshop acquires grocery e-commerce provider Stor.ai

The acquisition was driven by a need to offer an end-to-end e-commerce platform that can compete with larger players like Amazon and Instacart, said Relationshop CEO Galen Walters.

By Sam Silverstein • Jan. 4, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Grocery loyalty

Food retailers are depending on techniques designed to build and maintain connections with customers as they strive to stand out.

By Grocery Dive staff

Nearly 80% of US adults have never participated in a live shopping event: report

The live commerce industry has blossomed in China, but it has a long way to go in terms of U.S. adoption, according to Morning Consult data.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • Dec. 21, 2022

Meijer deploys all-electric trucks with eye on cold weather performance

The retailer says the trucks will operate within a 200-mile radius of its home charging site in Michigan.

By Larry Avila • Dec. 20, 2022

Grading 2022: A look back at our top trend picks from early this year

Grocery Dive predicted food retailers would focus on rapidly unfolding trends like ultrafast delivery, automation and consumer data collection. So how’d we do?

By Catherine Douglas Moran , Sam Silverstein • Dec. 19, 2022

The Friday Checkout: Do consumers want to grocery shop in the metaverse?

Non-food retail has made significant strides in entering immersive virtual worlds this year, but it’s unclear whether the same success will translate to the grocery sector.

By Grocery Dive Staff • Dec. 16, 2022

Walmart launches Text to Shop functionality

The new convenience-oriented feature comes two years after the retailer ended its text concierge service, Jetblack.

By Dani James • Dec. 15, 2022

SpartanNash turns to artificial intelligence to ensure freshness, reduce waste

The grocery distributor and wholesaler is piloting predictive ordering and inventory management tech from Afresh at 10 Family Fare stores in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, area.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 15, 2022

Pardon the Disruption: The 7 trends that defined 2022

Runaway inflation had a significant impact on grocers this year, but the industry also saw notable advancements in retail media, new store formats, loyalty programs and more.

By Jeff Wells • Dec. 14, 2022

Albertsons turns to the metaverse

On Cyber Monday, the grocery company started selling bundles of private label pretzels, peanut butter cups and a pack of Coca-Cola in its pilot experience on virtual platform Decentraland.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 13, 2022

How Walmart is pursuing omnichannel profitability

The retail giant is leaning on automation as it builds out and retrofits its fulfillment centers, its President and CEO Doug McMillon said at a Morgan Stanley conference last week. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 12, 2022

Grabango taps Kroger veteran Ken Fenyo as CMO as it looks ahead to supermarkets

Tech companies “don't really understand” food retailers, Fenyo said in an interview. “I hope I can bring a bit of an understanding of what it's like to be on the grocer’s side of the table.”

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 8, 2022

UNFI posts sales increase in Q1, links automation plans to growth

The grocery wholesaler and retailer brought in net sales of $7.5 billion during the quarter, a 7.6% year-over-year increase due largely to inflation and new business.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 7, 2022

First US non-Amazon-owned grocer to equip Just Walk Out, palm-scanning tech

The retail giant is serving as a technology vendor to an independent grocer reopening soon in Kansas City, Missouri.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Dec. 5, 2022

BJ’s joins the retail media bandwagon

The launch of BJ’s Media Edge marks the membership-based company’s entry into a fast-growing advertising sector that is attracting a growing number of retailers looking to turn their shopper relationships into revenue streams.

By Sam Silverstein • Dec. 2, 2022

Instacart launches savings-focused advertising tools

Instacart Promotions aims to make it easier for customers to find promotions by allowing brand partners to launch new deal structures and have savings appear directly on product item cards.

By Peyton Bigora • Dec. 1, 2022

How a Gen Z founded digital marketplace is trying to reach coveted young shoppers

Set to launch early next year, Consumerhaus has a few strategies in place aimed at forging deep connections between shoppers and the grocery-focused assortment it sells.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 28, 2022

Erewhon Market to pioneer biodegradable water bottles

On Thursday, the Southern California specialty grocer will become the first retailer to carry the containers developed by Los Angeles startup Cove.

By Sam Silverstein • Nov. 28, 2022

Why grocers are adding shoppable videos to their own websites and apps

Firework’s CEO says livestreams and short videos can help grocers tap into younger consumers’ desires for authenticity and human connection.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 22, 2022

E-commerce platform Mercato launches program to boost healthy food access

Focused on independent grocers, the company’s “Thriving Communities” program aims to work with governments and nonprofits to improve access to nutritious options in low-income areas.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 22, 2022

Delivering vaccines safely

How are you ensuring that the vaccines dispensed are maintaining their potency?

Nov. 21, 2022

Shipt updates in-app features before holiday shopping rush

The third-party delivery company is rolling out several new features aimed at streamlining the shopping experience for gig workers, customers and retailers.

By Peyton Bigora • Nov. 18, 2022

Aisles Abroad: How Migros is using semi-autonomous carts to pick online orders

The Turkish grocer’s invention combines the strengths of robotic and manual picking to efficiently select products at a lower cost than fully automated solutions. 

By Jeff Wells • Nov. 16, 2022

Self-checkout now comprises nearly 40% of grocery checkout options, study says

Despite the outcry over the rise of do-it-yourself front ends, consumers that use both self-checkout and staffed lanes are highly valuable to retailers, according to shopper intelligence firm Catalina. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 15, 2022

3 tech tips to help retailers sleigh the holiday season

Sales bells ring, are you listenin’? Find out why retailers must tech now, or forever hold their peace.

Nov. 14, 2022