Is Amazon changing Whole Foods' identity?

Local brands may be pushed out as national ones dominate shelf space. 

By Deborah Abrams Kaplan • Jan. 24, 2018

Hannaford applies its 'game-changer' loyalty program chain-wide

The Maine-based retailer's initiative eschews the two-tiered pricing model and gives participating shoppers a 2% reward on 5,200 store-brand products.  

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 24, 2018

Explore the Trendline➔

Mergers and acquisitions

Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

By Food Dive staff

Trader Joe's is switching to receipts without BPA or BPS

The same day a new study on the levels of the synthetic materials in grocery receipts came out, the retailer announced it would begin using thermal paper without the controversial chemicals.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 23, 2018

Ocado is coming to Canada. Could the US be next?

The company will provide end-to-end ordering and fulfillment for Sobeys, including a state-of-the-art warehouse in Toronto and a fleet management system that optimizes delivery routes.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 23, 2018

Is Lidl still a major threat for American grocers?

The German retailer appears to be struggling out of the gate, leading some observers to say it’s not as big of a risk to established U.S. supermarkets as it first seemed. 

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 23, 2018

Bacardi buying tequila maker Patron for $5.1B

Demand for super-premium varieties of the alcohol has risen more than 700% from 2002 to 2016, making a purchase of the high-end drinks company enticing.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 23, 2018

Activist investor Daniel Loeb steps up pressure on Nestle

In a letter to investors, the Third Point founder called for more changes and said recent moves have not been enough to get the Swiss company on the right track.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 23, 2018

Coca-Cola looks for Arctic Coke to help invigorate soda sales

The machine, developed with the help of ex-NASA scientists, allows people to take a super-cold beverage and instantly add ice crystals — enhancing the drinking experience. 

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 23, 2018

6 major food trends to watch in 2018

Botanicals, transparency, sustainability and ethnic cuisine are among the movements worth watching this year, according to major manufacturers and research firms.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 23, 2018

All systems 'Go': Amazon's cashier-free grocery store opens

The Seattle outlet had been delayed a year as the company learned how to best identify customers and process their orders. 

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 22, 2018

Consumers are demanding more from their beverage experiences

From tart kombuchas to savory bone broths, shopper interest in authentic, nutritious drinks has transformed the segment.

By Emma Liem Beckett • Jan. 22, 2018

Kroger could be looking to stock up with Overstock acquisition

The New York Post reports a deal may be in the works for the grocer to buy the fashion and home goods website, adding to the recent trend of retailers partnering with online merchants.

By Pamela DeLoatch • Jan. 22, 2018

Nestle enters the butter coffee trend through partnership

The Swiss food giant is sharing its R&D expertise with Colorado-based Know Brainer to develop new products in the functional beverage space.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 22, 2018

How our food system will be pushed to the limit in 2018

Mahni Ghorashi, a co-founder of Clear Labs, said this will be "a watershed year" for the industry as new technologies, processes and regulatory requirements change how products are made, marketed and delivered.

By Mahni Ghorashi • Jan. 22, 2018

General Mills' VC arm leads $17M investment in Urban Remedy

This new round of funding will help the plant-based food company expand its product capacity and enter a second market outside of San Francisco.

By Cassie Chew • Jan. 19, 2018

Light beers dominate as Budweiser slips to fourth place

Despite dethroning long-time leader Budweiser, these low-calorie beverages are watching sales drop as more consumers look to craft products.

By Cassie Chew • Jan. 19, 2018

Walmart wants patent for online system allowing shoppers to 'see' products

Since most consumers enjoy the chance to pick out their own grocery items, the retail giant is looking to make the online process as similar to an in-store experience as possible.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 19, 2018

Report: Lidl is dramatically scaling back its growth this year

The discounter will open 20 U.S. stores in 2018 — putting it well short of the 100 locations initially planned — as it encounters problems with its first wave of American stores.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 19, 2018

M&A tactics evolve to maintain 'local' rep of small brands

Once the acquisition has been made, both the parent company and the small business it purchased must preserve product quality and customer approval. 

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 19, 2018

Coca-Cola vows to collect, recycle its packaging by 2030

The beverage maker also said it would increase its consumption of reused material and make "better bottles" by developing plant-based resins or reducing the amount of plastic it uses.

By Christopher Doering • Jan. 19, 2018

Albertsons' gross margin and same-store sales drop in Q3

Promotions failed to gain traction during the quarter, but officials say their focus on targeted investments has boosted results in recent weeks.

By Jeff Wells • Jan. 18, 2018

School fundraisers promote junk food consumption, study says

General Mills’ Box Tops for Education and Tyson Food’s Project A+ were two of the popular programs that critics said establish poor eating habits and skirt federal nutrition requirements.

By Erika Kincaid • Jan. 18, 2018

Ikea latest retailer to announce chicken welfare standards

The Swedish food and home decor chain plans to gradually phase in the new program, with final compliance expected by 2025.

By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 18, 2018

Trader Joe's, Amazon top list of 'preferred' grocers

The top 10 winners are familiar ones, but they didn't all make the list for the same reasons. The report measures the two most important perceived drivers — price and quality.

By Pamela DeLoatch • Jan. 18, 2018

Amazon beats Walmart in online grocery battle

The e-commerce giant's 18% market share, double that of the Arkansas retailer, is poised to grow as consumers feel more comfortable shopping for food online.

By Daphne Howland • Jan. 18, 2018