Though not requiring workers to get COVID-19 vaccinations, some food retailers are incentivizing them to get the shots. Among the first to do so was Dollar General, which offered employees four hours of pay to …
During the COVID-19 pandemic, gas stations emerged as key, profitable parts of oil companies’ operations as more consumers turned to them for food and drink purchases that were a bit closer to home. While fuel …
An estimated one-third of all the food produced in the world goes to waste, likely enough calories to feed every undernourished person on the planet. But wasted food isn’t just about food insecurity. It’s also …
New data provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics note that food prices are up due to demand. The food index rose in December, as both food at home and the food away from …
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 …
Main Points: Total capacity of refrigerated warehouses worldwide was 719 million cubic meters in 2020, 16.7% higher than 2018. Among the factors driving growth are online grocery sales, subscription meal services, consumer preferences for fresh …
Employers across the U.S. decreased hiring in December, as COVID-19 cases were up and cities reimposed business restrictions. Throughout the month, job losses were largely concentrated among restaurants, bars, hotels, casinos, and other entertainment venues, …
Online sales for the 2020 holiday season started strong on Black Friday, coming in at a record-breaking $9 billion. That spending represents a 22% increase over a record $7.4 billion spent online in 2019. Traffic to physical …
A new variant of COVID-19 and increasing concerns about the country’s exit from the European Union are causing significant problems in the U.K. days before Christmas. NEW COVID-19 VARIANT PUTS LONDON IN LOCKDOWN London and …
While some people have strayed from regular diet and exercise routines over the course of the pandemic, others have capitalized on the new stay-at-home lifestyle by focusing on wellness. Against this backdrop, and ahead of …
With limited quantities of the COVID-19 vaccine available, many groups a seeking priority for their employees—including the food industry. Administration of the vaccine began on Dec. 14 in the U.S. with early doses being set …
The QuickChek acquisition by Murphy USA in a $645 million deal, capping off a string of convenience store acquisitions during the first half of December. QuickChek, which began its operations as a dairy delivery service …
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 …
The coronavirus pandemic has caused 8,400 retailers and 110,000 restaurants to close across the U.S. this year, according to industry statistics, reported The Economic Times (Dec. 14). And even more closures could be on the …
U.S. online grocery sales reached $8.1 billion during November, continuing a trend of more than $8 billion in monthly sales dating back to May, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey. The survey …
Chick-fil-A filed a federal lawsuit accusing 16 poultry suppliers of inflating prices on billions of dollars of chicken that it bought, reported The New York Times (Nov. 6). The suit accuses the producers of violating …
As COVID-19 continues to dampen sales at restaurants, some are trying a new strategy by opening in retail stores, which have profited from the pandemic. Hy-Vee Inc. is preparing to open its 20th Wahlburgers at …
Neighborhood grocery stores will likely serve as major providers of COVID-19 vaccinations, reported The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 30). Supermarkets are working to secure storage materials for the vaccines, and other medical gear required for …
Several companies have recently made announcements regarding bonuses and hazard pay, following reports of retailers not sharing enough of their pandemic profit with their employees. Here are a few: Amazon After ending its $2-an-hour pay …
U.S. consumers spent an estimated $9 billion this year on U.S. retail websites for Black Friday, according to Adobe Analytics, reported AL.com (Nov. 28). The spend represents a 22% increase over a record $7.4 billion …
The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects holiday sales will rise in 2020 when compared to 2019 as consumers search for reasons to celebrate during the pandemic. The group forecast holiday sales in November and December …
Walmart has made several business moves recently that involve a delivery acquisition and a COVID-19 testing-related investment. Walmart acquired select assets of JoyRun in a bid to incorporate its peer-to-peer food and drink delivery service …
Despite rising coronavirus cases across the country, hazard pay for retail workers is not keeping pace. Industry observers say many retailers are not sharing enough of the profits they have earned during the pandemic with …
Ahold Delhaize will acquire a majority stake in FreshDirect, with plans to accelerate its growth online and around New York, reported Winsight Grocery Business (Nov. 18). The acquisition will allow Ahold Delhaize to begin its …
Although overall food prices are on the rise, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is down 4%, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving …
Mars’ acquisition of the KIND brand is more than the latest or the largest strategic acquisition by a large food company. In this acquisition, the real “news” is the lessons its 16-year development contains for …
Amazon opened an online pharmacy Nov. 16, allowing customers to order medications and prescription refills for delivery, reported CNBC (Nov. 17). The retail giant has been building its pharmacy offering for several years now. In …
Walmart has recently made business moves that indicate it’s shifting its focus from international markets to digital operations. International Divestures In 2018, Walmart sold an 80% stake in its Brazilian operations to a global profit …
Grocery shoppers are gravitating towards more premium products, according to data from IRI. Unlike the beginning of the pandemic, when consumers raced to stock up on household staples, shoppers are now turning toward specialty items …
More than half of c-store operators said they expect their total 2020 sales to be at least somewhat higher than last year’s profits, according to CSP Daily News’ latest Outlook Survey. Thirty-nine percent anticipate their …
The most “digitally mature” grocery retailers are capturing a considerably greater share of the growth of a growing shopping modality, according to the results of 2020 Grocery Digital Maturity Benchmark Study from Incisiv, reported Winsight …
Grocers’ COVID-19 gains with consumers could evaporate quickly in the year ahead, unless grocers refresh their approach to customer loyalty, according to a Bain & Co. report, reported CNBC (Nov. 9). The firm said that …
As COVID-19 cases rise across the U.S., grocery stores are doing their part to ramp up testing. The Kroger Co., Walmart, Albertsons, Safeway, and Hy-Vee are among the grocers offering different options for testing, with …
There is a spice boom occuring as more consumers are cooking at home. But as demand steadily increases, spice companies say access to packaging is becoming a challenge, reported Seattle Times (Nov. 3). In July, …
Walmart decided to stop using robots that move through the aisles checking inventory levels and prices after seeing the results from about 500 stores. In January, the retailer announced plans to expand use of the …
Companies in various sectors of the food industry reported positive quarterly results. Foodservice Starbucks expects to recover and return to growth in 2021 after a fourth quarter where its same-store sales in the Americas declined …
