5 things: Grocery shoppers prefer a live feed

You need to go to the grocery store: Apparently when shoppers are buying in mass human contact is not a priority. According to the latest PYMNTS intelligence report “Apple Pay @9: The Battle for in-Store Adoption and Usage” among 39% of consumers who made an online purchase over the last 24 hours, more than two-thirds made their buy from a mass retailer like Costco or Sam’s Club. However, when it came to grocery purchases many consumers preferred a more real experience — among 57% who made an in-store purchase in the last 24 hours 32% were physically present at a grocery store. The joy of being among the smells of fresh produce and sounds of beeping self-checkouts has been further proven in other PYMNTS research. If shoppers have to be among the living they choose to do it in a grocery store more than any other retail offering. Besides, those tomatoes won’t squeeze themselves. —Bill Wilson

Hooray for grocery store sushi: We were personally pleased this week to come across an article published in Bon Appétit magazine earlier this year defending grocery store sushi. This hit home because this writer has suffered some criticism for his love of the cheap and easy meal that has become increasingly prominent in U.S. grocery stores. I’m particularly a fan of Aldi’s Fusia Asian Inspiration California Roll, which can be thawed in about an hour. Li Goldstein, a digital production assistant at Bon Appétit and Epicurious, agrees that grocery store sushi is the way to go for shoppers on a budget. “It’s a fraction of the price of a sushi dinner on the town. My love for sushi tragically misaligns with my current … budgetary constraints … as a 20-something in New York City on a media salary,” she wrote in March. Shoppers across the country agree with me and Li, so take that, ex-girlfriend who shall remain unnamed. The numbers tell no lies. The Wall Street Journal reported a year ago that Kroger became the top seller of sushi in the U.S. last year, selling more than 40 million pieces of the stuff. When that story was posted in August of 2023, sushi sales at grocery stores were up 70% year over year. Most Kroger locations have their own sushi section, and we couldn’t be happier. —Tim Inklebarger

Sorry, we’re closed early: Pharmacists across the U.S. are still asking for pain relief. Workers behind the counter have been complaining about long hours and poor conditions for months now, and some have joined unions to help force the issue with retailers. The latest fallout happened at a Walgreens in Whitney Point, N.Y., when signs were posted on the door saying the pharmacy would have temporary hours starting July 31 and will close as early as 4 p.m. Walgreens released a statement that because of the shorter work window the company will offer shoppers same-day and one- and two-day delivery. Perhaps the Deerfield, Ill.-based company should consider taking a crack at chatbot technology like competitor CVS, which is using more AI for when people call in for refills and the like. It’s also been discovered that bots are pretty darn good when it comes to counting pills. Perhaps there is a kiosk waiting to be developed that will allow shoppers to punch in their request in-store? All I am saying is there are options, something customers are lacking right now. —BW

Cool and hungry: Crank up the AC! We can do another day or two without eating. This summer has been one big melting pot with temperatures reaching record highs. According to a PowerSetter survey of 2,000 adults, many of them would rather live on an empty stomach than feel hell’s fury. The research revealed one in three Americans are buying less groceries so they can pay their utility bills. In some of the hottest states in the U.S., like Texas and Oklahoma, consumers are getting burned by extremely high costs for luxuries like air conditioning as the average monthly bill is expected to go for around $858 between the months of June and September. Inflation, increased demand, and global warming are just two reasons behind the large lump sum of money, and families are also cutting back on vacations, eating out, and other forms of entertainment just so they can cool down. So what did we do before AC when the temperatures scolded up to record highs? That’s right, there was ice. Seems like an ice bath is better than taking food off the table. But, hey, I like my Taco Tuesdays. —BW

Grocery tourism gone wrong: It’s been a rough week for stand-up comedian and actress Tiffany Haddish who made headlines across the globe with her trip to a grocery store in Zimbabwe. The star of the comedy movie “Girls Trip” and Emmy Award winner took some major heat for her shock upon realizing Africa also has grocery stores. Her amazement at the size of the store and wide selection of products, which was recorded on video and posted on social media, suggested that the actor didn’t believe such a thing was possible. She fought back on X, formerly known as Twitter, blaming media depictions of Africa that confused her. “We got here and I have been eyes full of tears finding out the truth. The media be lying. I thought I would share cause I know people in the USA that believe Africans don’t have anything,” Haddish tweeted. She is now encouraging her followers to visit Africa and find out for themselves. —TI