Retail Daily

This episode is sponsored by Transact Technologies. Yesway has outlined its 2023 growth plans. A group of consumers is fighting to halt the proposed Kroger-Albertsons merger. And Parkers unveiled a new website. Hy-Vee is making good on its mission to expand outside its home state.

Job growth continues in the grocery channel. Sheetz has discontinued its employee “Smile Policy.” And Murphy USA is planning for a digital transformation and store redesign.

Trader Joe’s has filed an objection to a recent union vote. Drizly is working to expand its reach. And several retailers are reporting their earnings this week

January was a big month for new grocery store openings. Convenience retailer Delek is expanding into new territory. And Kroger is expanding its grocery delivery capabilities.

Want your 7-Eleven coffee delivered by a robot? H-E-B is a shopper favorite, a new survey reports. And some in the tobacco industry are pushing for more transparency from regulators.

The c-store community mourns the passing of one of its own. Amazon is gutting a key Prime grocery benefit. And Yesway has raised lots of cash for expansion.

Grocery appears ready to weather economic uncertainty. Why did Dollar General temporarily close its Ohio stores? And whiskey is hot right now.

Sam’s Club is embarking on some jumbo-sized growth plans. There’s some consolidation in the c-store space. And some new CBD regulations might be coming down the pike.

Instacart is cutting back on in-store shoppers. One c-store chain is making some hires as it expands. And fast-growing Aldi is opening a half dozen new stores–in one day.

Dollar Tree is getting a new CEO. Amazon is launching a prescription subscription. And there’s a whole lot of drama coming from an unlikely source: M&M's.

An uncertain 2023 was among the topics discussed in Orlando at this weekend’s FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. South Dakota is getting some new Kwik Star c-stores. And a new report details which states have it the worst when it comes to food inflation.

Is EG Group planning to sell off its U.S. c-stores? Convenience retailers in New York are steaming over a proposed cigarette tax. And Walmart is launching a new subscription program for small businesses.

A fuel brand is acquiring an electric-vehicle charging company. The government has made some major updates to organic food products. And one popular c-store chain is entering a new state.

U.S. retail sales in December fell 1.1% month over month—the second consecutive month of a sequential decline—while year-over-year growth tailed off to 6%, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Grocery stores just barely stayed on the upside, with sales up 0.1% month over month and 7.3% year over year for December.

Wakefern is testing an autonomous c-store. What are drivers’ favorite places to stop for gas? And RaceTrac is expanding into a new state.

Instacart will pay workers in San Francisco more than $5 million to settle a gig worker case. The TravelCenters of America signed more than two dozen franchisees last year. And Publix is having another busy week.

Food prices are slowly inching down. Lots of new c-stores opened in December. And Ohio’s attorney general has filed a temporary restraining order against Dollar Genera.

A c-store veteran is retiring. A popular Kroger private-label brand celebrates 10 years – with an uncertain future. And there’s lots of new store opening news.

Inflation pushed Albertsons’ same-store sales higher during the third quarter. Expect more restaurant chains in convenience stores. And digital grocery sales keep surging–but are grocers prepared?

A nationwide egg shortage is causing headaches for retailers and consumers. Electric-vehicle charging network EVgo Inc. has partnered with Amazon. And Save a Lot has finished its three-year refinancing process.

Walmart’s drones are taking off. Snack preferences differ by generation. And grocery hiring heated up in December.

Amazon is laying off even more workers than originally planned. Gas prices appear to be easing–for now. And online bulk products retailer Boxed might be putting itself up for sale.

A new study ranks the country’s most-trusted grocery and c-store retailers. There’s some acquisition movement in the convenience store industry. And Mastercard has come under fire from the Federal Trade Commission.

Albertsons is getting an expedited review of its planned $4 billion special dividend payout. Grocery Outlet and Wawa are among retailers to watch in 2023, according to new research. And Pops Mart Fuels has acquired six c-stores.

Grocers have growing reason to worry about competition from dollar stores. Increasing regulations and other factors are shaping tobacco sales. And Meijer is expanding its on-demand delivery.