Social media engagement for grocery delivery skyrockets

Engagement has seen a 28,000% increase since the COVID-19 pandemic began, international social media analytics firm Talkwalker found. 

By Krishna Thakker • May 4, 2020

Walmart adds 2-hour delivery service

The retailer will lean on its vast store network and existing delivery partners to execute speedy last-mile deliveries. 

By Shefali Kapadia • May 1, 2020

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Albertsons says 243% coronavirus e-commerce boom can become long-term growth engine

Online sales surged in Q1, and CEO Vivek Sankaran said the company is freeing up bottlenecks to capitalize on new customer sales.  

By Jeff Wells • April 30, 2020

Online grocery reaches new heights in April

Delivery and pickup sales rose 37% over March to $5.3 billion as customers avoided stores in the face of the pandemic, a new survey from Brick Meets Click and Symphony RetailAI shows.

By Sam Silverstein • April 29, 2020

Ocado launches first fulfillment center in North America

The automated facility, located near Toronto, has begun testing order fulfillment for Sobeys' new e-commerce service, Voilà.  

By Jessica Dumont • April 28, 2020

H-E-B speeds up delivery for 'essential' items

The Texas grocer will allow customers to order up to 25 items through a new two-hour delivery service powered by its on-demand subsidiary, Favor. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 24, 2020

Non-grocery businesses step into grocery delivery

With demand in e-commerce skyrocketing and online grocers still adjusting to the surge, companies that have excess resources and workforce are stepping in. 

By Krishna Thakker • April 24, 2020

Target's digital sales skyrocket, but at the expense of profit

The retailer said it’s capitalizing on e-commerce demand in categories like grocery and gaining market share that will benefit it down the road.

By Jeff Wells • April 23, 2020

Instacart to hire 250K more gig workers

The company, which recently onboarded 300,000 workers amid surging demand, is trying to get back to same-day delivery times for its customers.

By Jessica Dumont • April 23, 2020

USDA expands online shopping for SNAP consumers to more states

Ninety percent of participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program now live in areas covered by the agency's online purchasing initiative.

By Jeff Wells • Updated May 26, 2020

Report: Amazon to bring 'ultrafast' grocery delivery to the UK

The service, which is already an option in select U.S. metros, could be available to 40% of U.K. households by the end of the year.

By Jessica Dumont • April 20, 2020

Costco to offer prescription delivery through Instacart

The service now will be available at nearly 200 pharmacies in several states and Washington, D.C., with plans to expand nationally.

By Jessica Dumont • April 17, 2020

Kroger to accept SNAP payments for pickup orders

The announcement comes as more states and retailers are trying to enable online food assistance payments amid accelerating unemployment.

By Jeff Wells • April 17, 2020

Sprouts will expand curbside pickup chainwide

With the pandemic turbocharging online sales, the grocer will expand click-and-collect from 55 stores to all of its nearly 340 locations by next month.

By Jeff Wells • April 16, 2020

How 6 international grocers are tackling COVID-19

From offering "essentials" baskets to eliminating bottled water in deliveries, these companies have developed creative yet practical solutions that build on those implemented by U.S. retailers.

By Krishna Thakker • April 16, 2020

Walmart reserves pickup hour for at-risk shoppers

The retailer is the first to offer special pickup times on a national scale, though many grocers have already assigned in-store hours for seniors and first responders.

By Jessica Dumont • April 14, 2020

Amazon's Woodland Hills supermarket is now a dark store

The retailer has also closed a Manhattan store to foot traffic and says it will soon roll out a tool allowing shoppers to reserve a time to shop online for groceries.

By Jeff Wells • April 13, 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

Hy-Vee adds hot meals to curbside pickup

The grocer will now offer a variety of take-and-bake and freshly prepared meals through its Aisles Online ordering platform as more customers turn to takeout. 

By Jessica Dumont • 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

Mariano's keeps customers entertained with virtual events

The Chicago grocer has launched a platform called Mariano’s Meet Ups that features cooking classes, wine tastings and live music.

By Krishna Thakker • April 8, 2020

Prime Day reportedly postponed until at least August

Usually held in mid-July, the event leads to big sales of the retailer's devices, which could be discounted to the tune of $100 million, according to Reuters.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2020

Weis, Hannaford restart grocery pickup services

The grocers have resumed bringing orders out to shoppers’ vehicles, but with restrictions meant to keep people apart.

By Sam Silverstein • April 3, 2020

Instacart provides gig workers with safety kits

The kit will be distributed to all full-service shoppers and includes a reusable and washable face mask, hand sanitizer and a forehead thermometer.

By Krishna Thakker • April 3, 2020