Retail Daily

The Federal Trade Commission and 9 state attorneys general sue to block the Kroger-Albertsons merger. Del Taco Restaurants makes a push into convenience stores. And Sprouts Farmers Market gives an update on its decision to close all of its larger stores.

The SEC charges the spouse of a BP executive with insider trading. DoorDash reaches a settlement with the California attorney general for illegally selling customer data. And Walgreens plans to close all of its VillageMD clinics in the state of Florida.

Grocers celebrate National Supermarket Employee Day. Casey’s General Stores releases a special-release batch of select bourbon. And Illinois could eliminate its grocery tax permanently.

Several states and the FTC are set to block the Kroger, Albertsons merger. Murphy USA names Mindy West as its executive vice president and chief operating officer. And the federal government could soon require grocers to collect information on purchases under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

A union that represents thousands of grocery workers in the Pacific Northwest endorses the Kroger-Albertsons merger. Walmart announces plans to buy TV manufacturer Vizio. And convenience store chain QuikTrip opens its first store in metro Oklahoma City.

DoorDash reports a 23% year-over-year increase in total orders. Grocery price inflation slows down in January. And Instacart launches a new partnership with the American Cancer Society.

Maverik has launched a new branded apparel and merchandise line. Target has launched a new private label brand called Dealworthy. And Walmart is in talks with smart-television manufacturer Vizio to buy the company for more than $2 billion. 

Shrinkflation has caught President Joe Biden’s attention. Current public charging stations for electric vehicles are far from meeting consumer wants and expectations. And Instacart announced it will cut 250 jobs, roughly 7% of its workforce.

Kentucky is suing the Kroger Co. over opioid pills. CSP has formed its inaugural C-StoreTEC Advisory Board. And Sheetz has promoted three executives.

Electrify America opened its first indoor flagship public electric-vehicle charging station in San Francisco. Dollar Tree expanded the reach of its chief operating officer role. And Shell signed an agreement to acquire 45 fuel and convenience-store sites in New Mexico through the acquisition of Brewer Oil Co.’s retail division.

California attempts to ban plastic shopping bags – again. Casey’s General Stores put a face to its pizza and beer offerings. And Amazon plans to lay off hundreds of workers in its health care division.

Walgreens names a new president of U.S. Healthcare. Target considers a paid subscription service, similar to those offered by competitors. And BP plans to convert all of its TravelCenters of America sites east of the Rockies.

Twenty-four convenience stores opened in January. Snack and beverage companies are gearing up for the Super Bowl with commercial teases. And an Aldi location in Aurora, Illinois, is unlike any other in the rapidly growing chain.

Kroger’s chief financial officer heads to Costco. CVS Health plans to sell its retail drugstores in Puerto Rico. And the Associated Press releases a bombshell report on prison labor.

BP names a new chief financial officer. A grocery store chain and a convenience store chain make Placer.ai’s top 10 list of hot brands to watch in 2024. And Kwik Trip plans five new Kwik Star locations in South Dakota.

Amazon stock climbed over 8% in after-hours trading. British American Tobacco and Philip Morris International reached a global settlement that resolved the companies’ ongoing patent infringement litigation. And convenience-store retailers Rutter’s and 7-Eleven are offering several Super Bowl deals.

Buc-ee’s broke ground on a new travel center in Virginia. CVS Health is closing 25 of its MinuteClinic locations in metro Los Angeles. And MAPCO launched a new quick-service restaurant at select locations.

Stewart’s Shops is closing a too-small location. The maker of Neptune’s Fix is voluntarily recalling its products because they contain tianeptine, also known as “gas station heroin.” And Walgreens Boots Alliance has cut another 145 workers.

QuikTrip Corp. is heading to Las Vegas. Big Y Foods has made some top executive changes. And Valor Oil LLC is attracting attention with an usual concept—disco bathrooms.

Target has introduced more than 1,000 new wellness-related products at price points as low as $1.99. Casey’s General Stores divested a convenience store in Altamont, Kansas, to Pete’s Corp. And Dierbergs Market now has an app to help shoppers with dietary restrictions.

Aldi moves forward with its acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harvey Supermarket stores. Love’s Travel Stops & Country Stores will open up to 25 new locations this year. And the Food and Drug Administration urges c-stores to discontinue products containing tianeptine, a supplement sometimes referred to as gas station heroin.

Kum & Go owner Maverik pulls the plug on the c-store chain’s made-to-order foodservice and mobile ordering programs. DoorDash is raising its fees in New York City following a minimum wage hike. And Rite Aid adds another 55 locations to its list of locations slated for closure.

Chicago considers a proposal to slow the proliferation of dollar stores. Sprecher Brewing Co. enters the energy drink market with the purchase of Juvee. And the Food and Drug Administration extends its review of tobacco product applications.

Northeast Grocery Inc. names a new CEO. The U.S. convenience store industry has its second consecutive year of growth. The National Labor Relations Board files a complaint against Trader Joe’s. And indoor vertical farm company Gotham Greens opens its first hydroponic greenhouse in Texas.

Walmart enters the era of artificial intelligence-powered adaptive retail. U.S. and European light crude oil benchmark prices hold steady. And technology takes center stage at the National Retail Federation’s Big Show convention in New York City.