Aldi to add Instacart online shopping in select markets
Aldi announced Monday that it would begin offering online ordering and delivery later this month via Instacart in Atlanta, Dallas and Los Angeles, with “potential for future expansion.” Instacart currently serves nearly 40 markets in 25 states, and provides online ordering and delivery for companies like Whole Foods, Wegmans, Giant, and others.
Report predicts that traditional supermarkets will decline rapidly
A report released by Inmar predicts that nearly one in four traditional grocery stores won’t be around in five years. Inmar is an analytics and technology-enabled service provider in the retail space. The report concludes that dollar share for traditional supermarkets will continue to decline through 2021, while fresh, limited assortment and warehouse stores will […]
Survey shows that 9% of households shop for groceries online
According to Gallup’s annual Consumption Habits survey, just 9% of adults in the U.S. report that their household shops online for groceries at least once a month. On the other hand, almost all Americans report that someone in their family shops in person for groceries at least once a month, with 83% percent going at […]
Walmart reacting to Lidl with aggressive pricing
Reports state that Walmart is reacting “quickly and aggressively” to Lidl’s entry into the U.S. market. According to its website, Lidl now has 21 stores open in three states – North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia – with plans in the next year for as many as 100 more in states from New Jersey to […]
Sprouts expands relationship with Amazon
Despite speculation that Amazon’s partnership with Sprouts Farmers Market may end due to the online giant’s pending acquisition of Whole Foods, last week Sprouts confirmed plans to expand its relationship with Amazon Prime Now. “Our partnership with Amazon Prime Now continues to grow,” said Sprouts CEO Amin Maredia. “We will be delivering Sprouts products through […]
Kroger files suit against Lidl over private label concerns
Kroger filed a lawsuit against Lidl last month, claiming that in its new U.S. stores, Lidl, copied its Private Selection private label and was profiting from consumer confusion between the similar-sounding and similar-looking packages. In the lawsuit, Kroger sought a preliminary injunction that would prevent Lidl from selling its Preferred Selection products, as well as […]
Acme lowering prices to compete with Aldi, Lidl
According to reports, Acme is advertising “thousands” of new lower prices in sales flyers released this morning. The price breaks come amidst the continued expansion of Aldi and ahead of Lidl’s anticipated Greater Philadelphia store openings. Aldi is known as grocery’s low price leader (lower than Walmart!), and reports indicate that Lidl’s new stores in […]
Jana Partners sells Whole Foods stock for big profits
Last April, Jana Partners revealed it had acquired an 8.3% ownership stake in Whole Foods, and publicly stated that its goal was to gain board representation in order to lobby for a number of changes at the company, including a potential sale or merger. In a series of transactions on the open market between February […]
Whole Foods shareholder files suit to block Amazon deal
The Dallas News reported recently that a Whole Foods shareholder filed suit to block the proposed Amazon – Whole Foods merger on the grounds that the transaction understates the grocery chain’s value and isn’t being conducted with sufficient transparency. The shareholder, who is seeking class-action status, says the proxy statement issued by Whole Foods failed […]
The impact of the Amazon – Whole Foods deal may be far-reaching
Several media outlets and industry experts have weighed in recently with their thoughts on Amazon’s planned $13.7 billion purchase of Whole Foods, including The Washington Post, in which its “On Leadership” column cited several “telling comments” made by Whole Foods CEO John Mackey. Sample comments include the following. Mackey admitted that Whole Foods may be […]