Retail Daily

The former chair of the Federal Trade Commission weighs in on the Kroger, Albertsons merger. Drone delivery company Zipline passes the million deliveries mark. And the National Labor Relations Board kills a plan to outsource trucker jobs.

Trader Joe’s recalls another product. Convenience store chain Wawa makes Yelp’s 50 fastest growing brands list. And Grubhub expands into the grocery delivery business.

Walgreens announces another round of layoffs. 7-Eleven completes its acquisition of more than 200 stores. And Hy-Vee moves closer to acquiring the Strack & Van Til Food Market chain

Aldi pilots new checkout-free technology. The U.S. House Oversight & Accountability Committee scrutinizes illegal vape sales. And 7-Eleven takes home multiple awards for its Slurpee Song of the Summer marketing campaign.

A former Trader Joe’s manager accuses Amazon of stealing trade secrets from the specialty grocer. Loblaw launches its own cell phone network. And bp expands its food and drink offerings at its convenience stores.

Alimentation Couche-Tard has suspended its Circle K Sip & Save beverage subscription program. SQRL Holdings has agreed to sell its convenience stores. And Meijer is putting the finishing touches on two supercenters in Alliance and North Canton, Ohio.

Buc-ee’s has set a date to open its newest travel center. A Trader Joe’s is facing a fine from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration for violating worker safety regulations. And Wawa is opening its first store in North Carolina on May 16.

Seven & i Holdings will increase its focus on  convenience retailing and mergers and acquisitions in North America. Online grocery sales remained flat in March at $8 billion. And the state of Illinois is hoping to take a major step toward wiping out food deserts.

Five grocery companies have formed a venture capital fund to invest in emerging technologies. Murphy USA is kicking off its semi-annual fundraiser Great Futures Fueled Here. And bp is investing in the future of mobility.

Colorado’s laws on who can sell wine are under review. 7-Eleven is kicking off its 60th anniversary of selling to-go coffee. And Procter & Gamble is recalling over 8 million laundry detergent packets.

Gas stations and convenience stores have been preparing for today’s solar eclipse. The Food and Drug Administration is seeking fines against retailers selling nicotine pouches to underage users.

Convenience stores saw record sales in 2023. Trader Joe’s is being accused of more union-busting tactics. And Atlantis Management Group acquired M. Spiegel & Sons Oil Corp.

Kwik Trip gets rid of bagged milk. The California Legislature considers a bill requiring one worker for every two self-checkout registers. And Kum & Go gets ready for National Burrito Day.

Amazon walks away from its cashierless Just Walk Out technology. 7-Eleven invites customers to bring their own cup. And Albertsons tweaks its loyalty program.

Convenience stores get ready for big business during next week’s solar eclipse. Indoor farming company Edible Garden announces big 2023 revenues. And 7-Eleven releases Hot Dog-flavored Water … or did they?

RaceTrac has deployed the Acumera Reliant Platform across its convenience stores. Pharmacy chain Rite Aid received permission to begin voting on a bankruptcy restructuring plan. And the Environmental Protection Agency has set new greenhouse gas standards for delivery trucks.

Food prices are expected to increase 2.5% in 2024. Maverik has revamped Kum & Go’s &Rewards loyalty program. And the Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Tobacco Products has launched a searchable tobacco products database.

Inadequate customer service is providing an early exit for Walmart from a deal with Capital One. Trader Joe’s has opened Trade Joe’s Pronto–a convenience-like “grab-pay-and-go” concept store in New York. And Maverik has returned to Montana.

The Food and Drug Administration warned more than 60 retailers for selling illegal vapes. Murphy USA is undergoing a digital transformation. And Trader Joe’s has raised the price of their bananas for the first time in store history.

Convenience-store chain Yesway is significantly expanding its presence in Oklahoma. Visa and Mastercard swipe fees hit a record high of $100.77 billion in 2023. And grocer Coborn’s is getting into the high-tech business with its salad bars.

The Federal Trade Commission accuses large grocery retailers of using pandemic-era supply chain disruptions to increase profits. Albertsons begins accepting celebrity investor Mark Cuban’s pharmacy card. And the Environmental Protection Agency releases new auto standards to reduce emissions.

DoorDash pilots a new drone delivery program in Virginia. Loblaws shoppers organize a boycott of the store over high prices. And electric vehicle charger company EVgo Inc. opens its first prefab charging station.

New York State allows pharmacists to dispense hormonal contraceptives without a prescription. Trader Joe’s announces another recall. And 7-Eleven releases a new lineup of coffee creations.

Kroger plans to sell its specialty pharmacy business. Love’s Travel Stops and Country Stores is hiring 2,000 new employees. And Walmart closes stores in California and Maryland.

Aldi prepares to release a new line of branded sneakers. 7-Eleven names a senior vice president of restaurant operations. And Dollar Tree announces plans to begin selling products for as much as $7.