Pilot Pen G2 Edge

2023

Ahold Delhaize divests FreshDirect to focus on omnichannel

NEW YORK — Ahold Delhaize USA is selling its FreshDirect online grocery business to Getir, the world’s first ultrafast grocery delivery service. “With this decision, we will increase our focus on omnichannel — our biggest growth opportunity,” said JJ Fleeman, Ahold Delhaize USA’s chief executive officer. “This was a difficult decision, especially given FreshDirect’s rich

Retailers must be smart with AI

“AI has the potential to revolutionize the retail industry by introducing innovative solutions that enhance efficiency, customer experiences and overall business operations.” That’s what a well-known AI model, ChatGPT, told me when I asked about positive use cases for AI in the retail sector. It went on to list several areas where AI could help

FMI a willing partner in SNAP renewal effort

Leslie Sarasin takes an expansive view of her work. As president and chief executive officer of FMI – The Food Industry Association, she has significantly broadened the organization’s reach, carving out a bigger role within FMI for grocery manufacturers and other industry stakeholders, while at the same time forging partnerships with groups that support its

Showing consumers love can mean profitable holiday season

This holiday season, retailers face a unique set of challenges that will test their adaptability, resilience and innovation to the fullest. With consumer behaviors likely to remain uncertain and volatile, retailers are having to display ever greater levels of agility and responsiveness to keep pace. For many people, times are tough right now. Consumers are

Emerson slates industry day

WAYNE, Pa. — The Emerson Group’s highly anticipated Industry Day is set for October 11. This all-encompassing virtual event will spotlight the health, wellness and beauty sector’s most prominent thinkers and change agents, including retail experts, innovative brand leaders and visionary speakers. Guest speakers include: Scott Galloway, NYU professor and analyst; Scott Snook, executive fellow

Amazon sued over ‘monopoly power’

SEATTLE — The Federal Trade Commission and 17 state attorneys general filed a lawsuit against Amazon.com Inc. on September 26 alleging that the company is a monopoly that uses “anticompetitive and unfair strategies” that harm rivals and consumers and stifle innovation. “The complaint sets forth detailed allegations noting how Amazon is now exploiting its monopoly

‘Sluggish’ sales expected for holidays

NEW YORK — Retailers can expect a low-single-digit increase in holiday season sales, according to a slew of preseason forecasts. Citing “continued consumer resilience,” the authors of the Mastercard SpendingPulse foresee a 3.7% increase in spending compared with a year ago. Deloitte’s annual holiday retail forecast pegs the increased spending at between 3.4% and 4.6%.

Costco tops analysts’ fourth quarter projections

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — Costco Wholesale Corp. exceeded Wall Street’s expectations in posting quarterly financial results that featured continued growth but at a slower pace. Members made more trips to the warehouse clubs but spent less. Shoppers shunned bigger-ticket items, but the groceries category was a sales driver in the 17-week quarter ended September 3. Net