North America news & analysis

Trader Joe’s was acquired by Aldi Nord in 1979 and now operates more than 560 stores across 42 states. Despite being owned by the discount giant, its proposition is more akin to a speciality grocer than discounter. I recently visited several stores to discover why Trader Joe’s has become one of the USA’s most popular grocers and how it stands out in the country’s competitive supermarket channel. ...

In August 2021, Kroger announced its partnership with Kitchen United, a software company turned ghost kitchen specialist. Together they opened eight ghost kitchens inside Kroger stores under the name Kitchen United Mix, which were in California, Texas, Ohio and Indiana.  In July 2022, Kitchen United raised $100m from a group of investors, including contributions from grocers Kroger and Couche-...

Canada-based Sobeys has formed a strategic partnership with Cookin, a homemade food delivery marketplace, to provide consumers with ideas for creative meals at home using its ingredients. Marketplace for food creators Cookin is a homemade food delivery marketplace connecting consumers with local chefs and cooks, offering ready-to-eat meals with a personal touch. It has developed a marketplace...

In its Q3 2023 results (summary below) Walmart reported solid ecommerce growth in the US: 24% for Walmart, 16% for Sam’s Club. Omnichannel services including pickup and store fulfilled delivery have played a major contributing factor to driving strong growth, which has been seen across both its third- and first-party offer. Retailers remain laser-focussed on how to grow sales in the online cha...

Canada’s second largest grocery retailer, Sobeys, has introduced new natural source selections in food, personal care, and household cleaning aisles to make it easier for shoppers looking for products with specific attributes. Product attributes Bus-stops are used to spotlight the ‘Wellness’ sections in-store, which are located mid-aisle across the store. The signage reflects the specific att...

Canada’s Metro Inc. delivered a strong performance for fiscal 2023, delivering sales of more than C$20 bn and net earnings of more than C$1 bn for the first time. We look at the drivers behind the retailer’s success and the outlook for the year ahead. Metro fourth quarter and full year key numbers Q4 sales increased 14.4% to C$5,071.7m Food same-store sales increased 6.8%, with pharma...

We review Loblaw’s Q3 results, highlight seven key takeouts and outline what they mean for the business and its trading partners. Q3 key numbers Total revenue increased 5.0% to $18,265m Retail sales increased 5.0% to $17,982m Food retail same-store sales increased 4.5%, with drug retail same-store sales up 4.6% Ecommerce sales increased 13.6% Operating income increased 7.5% t...

Premium focused grocer, Gelson’s, which operates 28 supermarkets in Southern California, has opened a stunning flagship store in Los Angeles. We look at what makes this store special. Long standing reputation as a premium grocer Gelson’s has an enviable reputation as one of America’s leading premium grocery retailers. Alongside traditional fresh food departments, it offers chef-crafted sign...

Diwali, the festival of lights, is not just a time for celebrations but also a significant sales opportunity for grocery retailers. We look at how companies in Canada are leveraging this celebration to boost in-store sales and customer engagement. Joyous celebration Diwali is a significant festival in Hinduism, Jainism and Sikhism. It's marked by vibrant decorations, traditional rituals, an...

We review Ahold Delhaize’s Q2 results, outlining key highlights from the US and Europe. The retailer also announced it has entered into an agreement to sell its FreshDirect ecommerce business to Getir. Group highlights: continued growth in online In Q3, net sales rose 2.9% at constant exchange rates, to €21.9bn, while like-for-like sales increased by 3.1%. During the quarter, Ahold De...