Virtual Reality Can Provide Grocers Deeper Insights Without Breaking the Bank

VR technology can help grocers optimize planograms and get a better understanding of how shoppers browse their aisles.

Social Media Holds Untapped Marketing Potential for Grocers

A new grocery insights report by MikMak noted key ways retailers can improve their social media marketing strategies – especially by utilizing YouTube.

Carrefour Aims for Era of Profitability

Grocery giant Carrefour is shifting its focus from growth to profitability – and other companies may want to follow suit, according to industry executives.

In the Age of Self-Checkout, Great Employees Can Offer Standout Experiences

Convenience is an important aspect of the modern retail landscape, from self-checkout lines to completely cashier-free stores, but frontline associates can still define the experience — particularly in grocery.

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 8, 2023

The latest Food Institute weekly news podcast touches on the demise of the supermarket advertising circular.

Retail Expert: Proper Forecasting Will be Vital in 2023

A top executive with S&P Global Ratings said proper forecasting will be imperative for retailers this year, as fading uncertainty enables new opportunities.

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 1, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on a new poll revealing consumers’ favorite supermarket chains.

3 Keys to Discount Grocers’ Recent Success

Mainstream grocers can learn priceless lessons from successful off-price brands like Aldi, according to one industry analyst. Chief among those lessons is the value of growing private-label offerings.

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 18, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast provides an update on the proposed Albertsons-Kroger merger in the grocery sector.

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 11, 2023

The latest Food Institute news podcast touches on the latest in drive-thru technology, for both QSRs and grocers.

CEO: Grocers Benefit from Sharing Key Data with CPG Partners

Both grocers and their CPG partners are feeling the impact of an uncertain economy and sharing data can be mutually beneficial.

Placer.ai Exec: How Grocers Must Evolve in 2023

The grocery space has been upended over the past three years and leaders must face new challenges with patience, according to Placer.ai’s Retail Trends Forecast 2023 report.

Diverse Offerings Will Be Key to Grocery Success in 2023

Grocers need to prepare for a changing environment as they head into 2023, and bringing in new products will give them a competitive edge.

Consumers Break Black Friday, Cyber Monday Records

Despite recession fears, consumers were in a spending mood to kick off the holiday season, breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales records.

‘Contextual Commerce’ Reimagines Need-based Shopping

Grocers seeking the full potential of their digital platforms may want to investigate contextual commerce, wherein they present products to customers based on their wants and needs rather than the contents of traditional store aisles.

Robots Can Benefit Grocers If They Can Master the Process

Retailers including Walmart and Kroger have embraced in-store robots to help keep stores clean on a consistent schedule, and the automated tools offer benefits for any retailer to enhance its operations.

Why Wegmans Was Forced to Abandon Scan-and-Go App

Wegmans, regrettably, has decided its scan-and-go app has got to go. Wegmans is among retailers realizing scan-and-go, which seemed like such a good idea at the beginning of the pandemic when contactless checkout solutions gained …

More Grocery Retailers Turning to Food-Waste Solutions

Food retailers are leveraging new food-waste programs to cut costs, improve sales, and better manage inventory with a limited shelf life.

Gamification Can Make Loyalty Programs Stand Out

Loyalty programs are becoming more important than ever as rising inflation causes shoppers to seek the best deals possible, but too many offer the same, uninspired benefits — leading to 50% of consumers believing that …

What Are the Top Online Grocery Pain Points?

It’s been over two years since the start of the pandemic, a span in which many consumers began ordering groceries online for the first time. Though significant improvements have been made along the way, there …

FI Fast Break audio news: April 13, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the expansion plans of both Beyond Meat and ADM. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – April 13, 2022 The …

FI Fast Break audio news: April 6, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the keys to winning over inflation-weary shoppers and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – April 6, 2022 The …

Feds Look to Address U.S. Supply Chain Woes

The Federal Reserve reported that supply chain disruptions and labor shortages plagued many parts of the country in November, leading to rising prices across most of the nation, reported The Associated Press (Dec. 1). With …

As Vaccinations Increase, Outlook Less Rosy for Grocers

While grocery store owners benefited from a rush of customers throughout much of the past year as the pandemic raged, owners now have growing concern that their bottom line will look far less rosy in …

Big Food Companies Using Consumer Data as Creatively as Ever

Big foodmakers are taking advantage of a pandemic-driven rise in online shopping to track consumer analytics. “For a food brand it’s really no longer about who has the biggest factory, or who has the biggest …

Walmart, Kroger and Other Retailers Continue to Innovate

Walmart is tapping automation to help its store fleet handle last-mile grocery delivery, adding local fulfillment centers (LFCs) that will turn parts of them into mini warehouses and speed up fulfillment for local customers. The …

Hot Dogs, Cigarettes and Soufflé: Couche-Tard Makes Play for Carrefour

Alimentation Couche-Tard, the Canadian owner of Circle K convenience stores, is exploring a takeover of French grocer Carrefour SA in a roughly $20 billion deal that would create a trans-Atlantic retail giant. The not-so-typical move comes on …

Americans Plan to Spend Less During the Holidays

Almost 40% of Americans plan to spend less on gifts this holiday season, according to a CNBC economic survey. The average U.S. citizen plans to spend $886, down 10% from a year ago, as the …

Supermarkets to See Flat Operating Margins

Food Institute Focus – Supermarkets to See Flat Operating Margins

How Grocers Can Avoid Supply Shortages During Seasonal Spikes

This year’s Super Bowl showcasing the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers drew nearly 100 million viewers. Analysis of this year’s event found some interesting buyer behaviors for grocers and suppliers to consider. …

Bankruptcies Common for Private Equity-Backed Grocers

Food Institute Focus – Bankruptcies Common for Private Equity-Backed Grocers

Labor Disputes Close Out 2019

Food Institute Focus – Labor Disputes Close Out 2019

Grocers Go ‘Dark’

Food Institute Focus – Grocers Go Dark