Grocery Outlet seeing 'mid teens' comps so far in Q1

The discounter believes its flexible business model is well suited to the current environment, but withheld guidance due to unpredictability surrounding the coronavirus pandemic.

By Jeff Wells • March 25, 2020

Grocers install plexiglass barriers at checkout counters

The "sneezeguards" are meant to protect cashiers and shoppers from direct exposure to COVID-19 and help with social distancing. 

By Krishna Thakker • March 25, 2020

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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

Hy-Vee says customer concerns spurred it to ban reusable bags

The grocery chain's move comes as retailers and local authorities are reevaluating the use of personal totes and bags, noting they could transmit the coronavirus.

By Sam Silverstein • March 25, 2020

Target pivots from planned investments to deal with 'unprecedented' sales surge

Consumers stocking up amid the COVID-19 pandemic have pushed comparable sales for food and essentials up 50% at the retailer. 

By Ben Unglesbee • March 25, 2020

Trader Joe's caps number of shoppers allowed in stores at one time

The restrictions, which are taking place at select stores, make it easier for people to maintain distance from one another while shopping.

By Sam Silverstein • March 24, 2020

Grocers race to keep their front lines trained and healthy

As staffing surges, companies are trying to balance rapid onboarding with new health and safety measures, from better sick leave policies to four-day work weeks. 

By Jessica Dumont • March 23, 2020

Albertsons slashes prescription delivery fees

The grocer will offer free mail order, same-day and next-day delivery through May 1 to ensure convenient access to medications.

By Jessica Dumont • March 23, 2020

Kroger joins chorus of retailers offering bonuses and boosting worker pay

The grocer, along with Walmart, is giving $150 to all part-time employees and $300 to full-time staff, while Target is offering bonuses to all of its hourly store team leads ranging from $250 to $1,500.

By Krishna Thakker • March 23, 2020

Grocers step up to hire restaurant workers sidelined by coronavirus

The two industries are forming creative partnerships as grocers' hiring needs accelerate and restaurants close down their dining rooms.

By Sam Silverstein • March 23, 2020

Instacart plans to hire 300,000 additional shoppers

The delivery service said the move will double the number of gig workers on its platform over the next three months to meet ongoing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Jessica Dumont • March 23, 2020

Grocers launch additional perks for senior shoppers

Raley's is selling discounted, pre-packed bags of essentials, while Brookshire's will offer 5% off to those 60 or older through May 5. 

By Jessica Dumont • March 20, 2020

Amazon reportedly bidding on 4 Fairway Market locations

Bidding for the bankrupt grocer's New York and New Jersey stores began Monday and has already drawn bids from several food retailers.

By Sam Silverstein • March 20, 2020

Walmart to add another 50K employees, require associates to wear masks

After hiring 5,000 people a day in recent weeks, the big-box retailer plans another surge of new associates as it races to meet demand.

By Kaarin Moore , Ben Unglesbee • Updated April 20, 2020

States move to classify grocery workers as emergency personnel

The designation means people who work in grocery stores will be provided with care for their children during the COVID-19 crisis.

By Sam Silverstein • March 20, 2020

Shipt seeks to onboard thousands of gig workers in key markets

The company needs more people to pick, pack and deliver orders in places like New York City, Detroit and Atlanta amid an explosion in online grocery demand. 

By Jeff Wells • March 20, 2020

Blue Apron stock soars amid pandemic

The struggling meal kit company could be poised for a revival as coronavirus sweeps the nation and consumers look for alternatives to restaurant and grocery delivery.

By Jessica Dumont • March 19, 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

Tracking grocers' response to the coronavirus

Recent updates include Giant Food extending store hours, Weis Markets reopening service delis and Wegmans adjusting its new store opening policy.

By Krishna Thakker, Jeff Wells, Thai Phi Le, Sam Silverstein • Updated June 2, 2020

Reeling from outbreak, Seattle announces grocery vouchers

Several thousand families who rely on public assistance will receive $800 to help them buy groceries at Safeway amid the coronavirus pandemic.  

By Jessica Dumont • March 18, 2020

Grocers scramble to hire thousands amid outbreak

Regional and national grocery chains across the U.S. are racing to fill immediate roles as they try to keep up with panicked shoppers both in-store and online.  

By Jessica Dumont • March 17, 2020

Stop & Shop to hold special hours for senior shoppers

Following a practice implemented by chains abroad, the company will dedicate shopping from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. to customers 60 and over beginning Thursday.

By Krishna Thakker • March 17, 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

Grocers modify store hours to clean and restock amid panic buying

Walmart, Kroger and numerous regional chains have begun temporarily limiting hours along with their sampling and foodservice programs.

By Jeff Wells • March 16, 2020

Expo West officially canceled as New Hope focuses on Expo East

Rather than reschedule the event amid uncertainty over the coronavirus, the group will shift its resources toward the trade show in Philadelphia this fall.

By Lillianna Byington • March 16, 2020