7-Eleven launches contactless payment for fill-ups

The adoption of mobile payment programs is increasing during the pandemic, but going fully contactless at the pump isn't possible for most consumers.

By Krishna Thakker • June 25, 2020

Giant Food adds electric vehicle charging stations

The chain will allow customers at select stores to charge plug-in vehicles for free while they shop.

By Sam Silverstein • June 24, 2020

Explore the Trendline➔

Back-end and operational technology

From price forecasting tools to inventory management technology, grocers are leveraging data and digital innovation to become more efficient.

By Grocery Dive staff

Amazon extends SNAP program participation

The online retailer will accept benefits from customers in 36 states for purchases from Amazon Grocery, Amazon Pantry and Amazon Fresh. 

By Jessica Dumont • June 19, 2020

Online grocery startup Dumpling raises $6.5M

The Instacart competitor plans to invest the money in technology enhancements and tools that help gig workers start their own delivery services. 

By Jessica Dumont • June 18, 2020

Walmart tests self-checkout-only store

The location in Fayetteville, Arkansas, will not include traditional cash registers in order to reduce person-to-person contact.

By Krishna Thakker • June 16, 2020

Safety and speed are top priorities for shoppers, survey indicates

Customers are especially interested in assurances that store staff are maintaining protocols and don't make them wait to collect their orders.

By Sam Silverstein • June 11, 2020

United Supermarkets adds GPS tech to speed up curbside pickup

The Albertsons-owned grocer is using a location-based system to determine when e-commerce customers will arrive at stores.

By Sam Silverstein • June 9, 2020

Roku teams with Kroger to integrate shopper data and streaming TV ads

The pair aim to attract CPG advertisers by combining shopper data from 60 million households with 39.8 million streaming TV accounts.

By Dianna Christie • June 9, 2020

Kroger reveals Ocado site location in Michigan as part of CFC expansion

The new 135,000-square-foot facility in Romulus is expected to be fully operational 18 months after the site breaks ground. 

By Krishna Thakker • Updated Sept. 28, 2020

Retailer-supplier collaboration has improved, but there's more work to be done

Eighty-five percent of retailers surveyed by Coresight Research say collaboration has gotten better, but both sides cite data sharing, communication issues and a lack of trust as roadblocks.

By Jeff Wells • June 4, 2020

Smart & Final rolls out tech-enhanced checkout lines

The company will route shoppers into a socially distanced single line, where a digital screen will point them to the appropriate check stand.

By Jessica Dumont • May 12, 2020

Grocers are ramping up mobile checkout platforms

Retailers like Sam's Club, Wegmans, Fairway and Kroger are encouraging customers to adopt the technology as they promote contact-free shopping during the pandemic.

By Jessica Dumont • May 6, 2020

Grocers take nutrition services online

As people try to manage their health at home, retailers like Weis and Giant Food are adding virtual classes, counseling and health advice.

By Jessica Dumont • April 28, 2020

Trade shows are going digital

With in-person events canceled due to COVID-19, organizers are rolling out virtual versions to continue industry education and strengthen connections.

By Jeff Wells • April 28, 2020

Walmart partners with Nextdoor on shopping assistance program

The program connects Nextdoor members across the country with neighbors seeking or looking to provide shopping assistance for groceries and other essentials.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • April 24, 2020

Grocers add live events, online classes and other virtual content

Retailers like Jungle Jim's and Northgate Gonzales are arming shoppers with how-to videos, family activities and more to keep them entertained while stuck at home.

By Jessica Dumont • April 21, 2020

Walmart's grocery app downloads reach record highs

The retailer saw 460% growth in daily downloads, according to App Annie, while Amazon's growth by comparison was 20%. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 13, 2020

Grocers are wait-listing shoppers to cope with e-commerce demand

Amazon is putting new online grocery customers in a queue, while companies like ShopRite have installed virtual lines to manage site inflow.

By Jeff Wells • April 13, 2020

Instacart aims to add flexibility, speed up grocery delivery

One new feature lets shoppers opt for the first available delivery time while another lets them place orders up to two weeks ahead. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 9, 2020

Stop & Shop and Uber offer half-price rides for seniors

The discounted rides will be available to and from all Stop & Shop locations during shopping hours designated for those 60 and older. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 7, 2020

Hy-Vee offers free fitness videos for kids

The grocer's KidFit program is intended to lend parents a hand and add a little structure to their children's days.

By Jessica Dumont • March 30, 2020

So you've deployed robots, now what?

Retailers must step up efforts to use real-time data gathered by robots to improve store performance and customer experience.

By Phil Wright • March 23, 2020

'We're putting out fires': Companies adjust to online grocery surge

Retailers are adding servers, hiring fulfillment workers and trying to better sync inventory with their online platforms.

By Jeff Wells • March 19, 2020

Ocado temporarily stops taking orders

The British e-grocer has been overwhelmed by consumers trying to buy groceries as the coronavirus crisis spirals.

By Sam Silverstein • March 19, 2020

Fairway is taming lines with its skip-checkout app

The Northeast grocer has promoted the tool extensively, beefed up staffing and added servers to process orders. At one Manhattan store, around 30% of transactions are coming through the app.

By Jeff Wells , Jessica Dumont • March 17, 2020