grocers

Major US grocers Walmart, Aldi and Kroger are moving in the same direction as Costco on a retail policy, according to a report from TheStreet. The story suggests the country's biggest supermarket chains are converging on a strategy pioneered by the warehouse club, prompting shoppers to discuss what the change could mean for prices and the in-store experience.

Kroger, Giant Eagle and DoorDash are each developing agentic AI assistants for their retail and delivery operations. Modern Retail reports on how the grocery chains and delivery platform are building these tools, which can act on a customer's behalf rather than simply answer questions. The companies' approaches and goals for the technology are the focus of coverage.

A supermarket has opened a pub as a workaround for liquor laws, a move that has apparently proven so successful at drawing crowds that the store now employs bouncers to manage the door. The Wall Street Journal reports on the unusual arrangement, highlighting how retailers are finding creative paths around restrictions on alcohol sales.

French retail group Auchan has finished a full overhaul of its supermarket network across France, according to ESM Magazine. The revamp is one of several supermarket stories drawing attention this week, alongside a US grocery store whose unusual experiment is reportedly attracting visitors flying in from other states. The stories come amid ongoing interest in how grocers are adapting store formats and services.

Aldi is processing large volumes of fresh produce through its automated distribution warehouse in the UK, part of the discounter's push to use robotics to speed up supply and cut costs. The facility handles the flow of goods to stores as the grocer expands automation across its logistics network.

Costco has moved ahead of H-E-B on a customer retail ranking, according to Supermarket News. The shift means the warehouse club now sits above the Texas-based grocer on a list measuring how customers rate retailers, a notable change given H-E-B's strong reputation for customer loyalty in its home market.

Grocery retailer Ahold Delhaize is deploying artificial intelligence to improve its retail media business, the advertising operation that sells brands placement and insights across its stores and digital channels. According to Grocery Dive, the company is using AI tools to make its retail media offering more effective and data-driven. The move reflects a wider push among grocers to build retail media into a major profit stream.

Kroger has taken what Grocery Dive describes as a key step forward in connecting retail media creative to digital sales outcomes. The move would let the grocery giant's advertisers measure how ad creative drives online purchases, tightening the loop between media spend and sales results in Kroger's fast-growing retail media business.

Potatoes USA has launched a new retail campaign highlighting how potatoes help increase overall basket size for grocers. Nick Bartelme detailed the initiative, which aims to show retailers that promoting potatoes can drive additional sales across the store. The campaign targets merchandising and marketing teams looking to boost shopper spend.

Shopping centre owner Brixmor Property Group has agreed to acquire Slate Grocery REIT, a Canadian-listed owner of US grocery-anchored retail centres, in a deal valued at $2.34 billion. The transaction, announced Monday, would expand Brixmor's portfolio of grocery-anchored shopping centres as grocers and value-focused retailers continue to perform well. Market reaction and further deal terms have drawn attention from real estate investors.

A new study finds that almost half of grocery retailers are not making full use of retail media, the advertising business built on shopper data and store networks. The finding suggests many grocers are missing out on a fast-growing revenue stream as brands shift budgets toward retail media networks, leaving an opening for competitors who invest more aggressively.

The Cincinnati Enquirer compares Kroger's cage-free egg commitments and progress against major rivals Walmart, Costco and Target. The piece examines where each grocery chain stands on sourcing eggs from cage-free hens, a long-running animal welfare pledge in US retail. As a Cincinnati-based company, Kroger's record is the focus of the side-by-side look at competitors' timelines and compliance.

Agri-Pulse's latest Farm Hands on the Potomac roundup reports several personnel moves in agriculture and nutrition policy circles. The National Grocers Association has brought on Mike Ridenour, SAM Nutrition has added Erika Wederquist, and BASF Agricultural Solutions has named Leta LaRush senior vice president for its U.S. business. The column tracks staff and executive changes across the agri-food sector in Washington.

Regional supermarket chain Big Y has appointed a retail technology professional as its new vice president of information technology. The move signals the grocer's continued investment in digital and IT capabilities as supermarkets modernize operations. Details of the appointee's background and start date have been reported by trade outlet Progressive Grocer.

Sell-side analysts have assigned a "Hold" rating to Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM), signaling a neutral stance on the organic grocery chain's shares. The rating suggests analysts see limited upside or downside near term. Investors are watching whether the grocer's growth can justify a more bullish view.

Grocery chain Kroger has launched the Rewards World Elite Mastercard, a new credit card offering rewards to shoppers. The card, issued in partnership with Mastercard, gives customers a way to earn benefits on Kroger purchases and everyday spending. The move continues the trend of major retailers building loyalty programs around branded financial products to deepen customer engagement and capture more spending.

Retail analysts report that pork is finding a fresh sales opportunity this October, as grocers lean on seasonal demand and promotions to move the product. The roundup suggests retailers are positioning pork competitively in meat aisles for the month, though no specific chains or sales figures are cited.