Study: Shoppers prefer grocery delivery over in-store pickup

A new report from e-commerce startup CommonSense Robotics finds that both click and collect and same-day grocery delivery surged in 2018, with customers preferring delivery over pickup. 

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 30, 2019

'Hey Alexa, what's the future of voice ordering for groceries?'

Analysts say the technology still has too much friction for convenience-seeking shoppers, but that major changes will happen over the next five to 10 years.

By Krishna Thakker • Jan. 29, 2019

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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

Kroger adds tech veteran to company's board

Ashok Vemuri has led Conduent, a spinoff of Xerox, since 2016. He brings more than 20 years of experience in the tech industry to the Cincinnati-based grocer.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 28, 2019

Giant Foods will open its first e-commerce hub next month

The Pennsylvania location, which is being marketed under the new Giant Direct, Powered by Peapod brand, will offer a pickup option for pre-ordered groceries and a walk-up vestibule with tablets to place orders.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 28, 2019

Albertsons chooses Azure as retailers steer around Amazon's services

The grocer has become the latest industry player to partner with Microsoft, which continues to make inroads with retailers as Amazon becomes a bigger threat. 

By Samantha Schwartz • Jan. 28, 2019

Boston officials yet to approve Stop & Shop's mobile grocery plans

The company plans to test "self-driving grocery stores" in the New England city this spring, but local and state authorities say they first need to review the technology.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 25, 2019

Jyve takes aim at Instacart with $35M in new funding

The service company, which matches gig economy workers with in-store tasks like merchandising and running demos, looks to ramp up its online fulfillment with grocers.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 25, 2019

Walmart gamifies store associate training

The Spark City app, which already has had more than 104,000 downloads, puts the player in charge of a dry goods department. 

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 25, 2019

Kroger's partnership with NASCAR touts its food, delivery options

The new strategy between the sport and the grocer merges traditional sponsorship with technology as a way to rev up sales and drive consumer engagement.

By Jennifer Sweeney • Jan. 25, 2019

Giant Food launches health-focused podcast

"Nutrition Made Easy!" will feature the grocer's registered dietitians and nutritionists as the chain continues to search for ways to connect with shoppers.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 24, 2019

Ahold Delhaize sales jump 2.6% in US as online growth accelerates in Q4

The Dutch-Belgian grocer posted 2018 sales in America of $42.6 billion, a 2.5% drop from a year earlier, but a 1.9% gain when adjusted to constant exchange rates.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 23, 2019

9 months after layoffs, Munchery closes for good

The startup lasted nine years, but ultimately couldn't find a sustainable way to navigate the ruthless meal kit and food delivery marketplace.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 23, 2019

British grocer trials plastic-free produce department

A store in suburban London will sell package-free fruits and vegetables and also have service staff on hand to offer tips on reducing food waste at home.

By Jennifer Sweeney • Jan. 23, 2019

Food delivery robots, pizza ATM feed college students' demand for convenience

Starship Technologies has launched a fleet of 25 robots on wheels at George Mason University, while Ohio State University's pizza vending machine sold 400 hot pies in its first week. 

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 23, 2019

Target and Hy-Vee roll out in-store contactless payments

The retailer will soon accept Apple Pay, Google Pay and Samsung Pay in all stores, while Hy-Vee will accept Apple Pay in all 245 of its stores.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 23, 2019

High fees, inconvenient and late arrival plague delivery, consumers say

Grocers should focus on improving delivery or face a big profit drop in the upcoming years, a Capgemini Research Institute survey found.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 22, 2019

What can US retailers learn from China?

Stores like Alibaba's Hema offer a vision of the future for American grocers, but experts say creating a similarly seamless omnichannel experience isn't easy — and may not be possible.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 22, 2019

Walmart ramps up grocery delivery with 4 new service providers

The companies, including Roadie and Skip Pickup, will initially cover four states as Walmart works towards its goal of reaching 1,600 delivery stores this year.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 18, 2019

Southeastern Grocers bets on new training program

The retailer partnered with Ontario-based software company Axonify to bring a microlearning platform to store associates on mobile devices. 

By Krishna Thakker • Jan. 18, 2019

Stop & Shop will pilot driverless delivery in Boston

Starting this spring, customers can use their phones to summon one of the retailer's Robomart vehicles and choose from a selection of fresh products inside.

By Jessica Dumont • Jan. 17, 2019

5 eye-catching tech innovations from NRF

From digital shelves to just-walk-out technology, a variety of solutions were on display as vendors aim to capitalize on grocery's digital transformation.

By Krishna Thakker • Jan. 16, 2019

Survey: 9 in 10 shoppers revisit stores that ignite the senses

Eight in 10 are more likely to recommend stores where sounds, scents and visuals proved complementary to the setting, a Mood Media survey of 10,000 global consumers found.

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 15, 2019

Study: 73% of consumers want self-service technology

A SOTI survey finds that as new tech sweeps through stores it's changing customer attitudes about engaging with staff.

By Dan O'Shea • Jan. 15, 2019

Ahold Delhaize expands in-store robot use to 500 Giant/Martin's and Stop & Shop locations

The Netherlands-based grocery giant will start deploying the technology in these stores during the early part of 2019, while other banners will continue to test the autonomous devices.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 14, 2019

AI shopping cart ready to power stores over sensors

Startup Caper landed $3.5 million in funding to support the expansion of its new technology to more stores and the development of a smart basket. 

By Kristine Sherred • Jan. 11, 2019