Deep Dive
Industry insights from our journalists
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‘Healthcare is complicated’: Kroger’s complex journey to link food with health
The grocery company’s health arm aims to connect people with health, wellness and nutrition solutions while battling legislative and healthcare industry challenges.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 7, 2024 -
What will it take to unlock in-store retail media?
The technology is advancing rapidly, but without a consistent way to measure the impact of ad campaigns, grocers and CPGs may be left grappling with data, according to experts.
Peyton Bigora • Sept. 12, 2024 -
How influencers are changing the way food and beverage companies harness social media
The days of relying on expos and conventions are long gone. Companies are now embracing Instagram and TikTok and working with influencers to stay relevant.
Elizabeth Flood • July 19, 2024 -
Is Lidl poised to finally turn the corner in the US?
The grocer is making key merchandising changes and its chief customer officer sees “untapped potential.” But analysts say the discounter still faces a challenging road ahead.
Sam Silverstein • June 17, 2024 -
What is ‘organized retail crime,’ exactly?
It depends, and it doesn't help that many retailers don’t have a good handle on lost inventory, experts say.
Daphne Howland • April 12, 2024 -
Inflation may be down, but consumers remain singularly focused on price
After years of keeping up with high grocery prices by tapping savings accounts and credit lines, people have run out of capacity to cover costs by digging deeper, experts said.
Sam Silverstein • Jan. 23, 2024 -
8 trends that will shape the grocery industry in 2024
With a potential Kroger-Albertsons merger looming over the industry, experts see retailers forging ahead with value retailing, new experiences and a renewed focus on omnichannel selling.
Grocery Dive Staff • Jan. 9, 2024 -
Mapping Sprouts’ ambitious growth plan
From continued West Coast expansion to its charge up the East Coast, here's a visual guide to the specialty grocer's progress in new and existing markets.
Peyton Bigora, Jasmine Ye Han and Shaun Lucas • Dec. 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.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Nov. 6, 2023 -
What’s ahead in grocery M&A?
Kroger and Albertsons’ proposed mega-merger has prompted players in the industry to explore ways to work together, analysts and observers say.
Catherine Douglas Moran and Sam Silverstein • Oct. 18, 2023 -
Good Food Holdings has a vision for the next generation of high-end grocery stores
The parent company of Bristol Farms and four other West Coast banners wants its stores to be connected, curated destinations. But it acknowledges that getting to that point won’t be easy.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Aug. 15, 2023 -
How Lowes Foods uses digital to supercharge its unique shopping experience
The North Carolina-based grocer, which focuses on in-store entertainment, sees omnichannel evolution as an important way to amplify its brand identity.
Jeff Wells • July 11, 2023 -
Organized retail crime is growing. Here’s what grocers are doing about it.
Retailers have seen a recent increase in these incidents, and grocers are particularly at risk because of the wide variety of sought-after items they sell.
Peyton Bigora • March 27, 2023 -
What grocers can learn from Whole Foods’ controversial exit from a Chicago neighborhood
The chain’s tenancy in the Englewood community highlights the opportunities and pitfalls grocers can face in areas with limited access to affordable and healthy foods.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Feb. 2, 2023 -
Grocers weigh the pros and cons of scan-and-go
Despite Wegmans’ decision to abandon the technology last year, other retailers continue to offer the convenience-focused service — and more are showing interest in it, industry officials said.
Sam Silverstein • Jan. 24, 2023 -
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.
Grocery Dive Staff • Jan. 4, 2023 -
Will the Kroger-Albertsons deal get past regulators?
Success will depend on how the FTC defines competition and whether the companies can satisfy the agency’s increasingly intense scrutiny of store divestitures, experts say.
Jeff Wells • Oct. 20, 2022 -
Inside Kroger Health’s food-as-medicine playbook
As it expands its nutrition scoring, food prescriptions and dietitian-focused approach, the health solutions arm of the grocery company aims to tie healthy eating to disease prevention.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Oct. 3, 2022 -
How Black-owned grocers are filling industry gaps
From a cashierless store in Atlanta to health-focused pop-up markets in Los Angeles and Chicago, grocery concepts from Black entrepreneurs are making the changes they want to see in food landscapes.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Sept. 14, 2022 -
Have grocers and workers entered a new chapter in their relationship?
As stores struggle with staffing and unionization efforts expand, workers are pushing retailers for better conditions. How the dynamics will play out remains far from settled, labor experts said.
Sam Silverstein • July 5, 2022 -
Personalized health programs are coming to grocery stores
Advancements in medical and digital technology are allowing retailers to offer services that strengthen the connection between food and health for consumers.
Jeff Wells • April 25, 2022 -
Can retailers grab more CPG ad dollars without repeating digital media's mistakes?
While firmly in a boom time — U.S. spending on retail media doubled between 2020 and 2021 — the category contends with saturation and bumpy transitions.
Peter Adams • Jan. 28, 2022 -
How grocers are managing the twin pressures of inflation and supply chain disruption
Companies are turning to personalized promotions, private label and plain-old resourcefulness as they closely monitor the habits of their frustrated customers.
Jeff Wells • Jan. 24, 2022 -
Automation beckons retailers as labor challenges endure
Technologies like self-checkout and ordering kiosks are offering relief to grocers unable to hire enough workers to handle essential functions.
Sam Silverstein • Jan. 19, 2022 -
Grocers are experimenting with delivery fees. Here are 8 key factors to consider, experts say
Speedier service, customer loyalty and labor demands are some of the things grocers need to weigh when determining fees, order minimums and subscriptions.
Catherine Douglas Moran • Jan. 12, 2022