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WGB Week in Review: Winning the Pandemic
Sales and profits soar as grocery chains report meeting a new level of customer demand. Grocery retailers led by Albertsons Cos. and Sprouts Farmers Market this week provided an indication of what may lie ahead in an industry that’s undergone a drastic reset of customer demand due to the coronavirus crisis. Both of those companies—later joined by Amazon—smashed expectations for profits as a new earnings season began. Those stories, along with a consequential executive departure at Lidl, and some significant new store openings and tech developments, highlighted WGB’s industry coverage for the week of July 27.
1 Min Read
Photograph courtesy of Lidl US
Albertsons Moves to 'Win' the Pandemic
By Jon Springer on 07/27/2020
The retailer is spending heavier to grow and maintain millions of new shoppers amid a historic shift, CEO Vivek Sankaran says.
Vivek Sankaran, CEO, Albertsons
“While the trend toward omnichannel was already occurring, the pandemic has dramatically accelerated this trend.”
Sprouts Drives Profits Even Higher in Q2
By Jon Springer on 07/29/2020
The natural foods retailer said pandemic demand, a promotional reset and expense leverage pushed gross margins to 37.3% on a 16% sales gain.
37.3%
Gross margin as a percent of sales for Sprouts Farmers Market in its fiscal second quarter, a 450-basis-point increase from the same period a year ago
Stop & Shop to Unleash New Digital Experience
By Jon Springer on 07/24/2020
A forthcoming revamp of digital properties, including a new rewards program and the retirement of Peapod branding, is expected to enable deeper personalization for Ahold Delhaize’s largest U.S. banner.
Wegmans' Not-So-Secret West Cary, N.C., Debut
By Jennifer Strailey on 07/23/2020
The retailer's newest store in West Cary, N.C., set to open July 29, will feature a Live Wait Line Feed camera that allows shoppers to monitor customer turnout online and plan their visit accordingly.
Lidl U.S. Chairman Roman Heini Departing
By Jon Springer on 07/28/2020
The high-profile executive, who joined the fledgling but influential hard discounter 17 months ago, cites personal reasons; Johannes Fieber will continue as CEO.
Roman Heini, departing chairman, Lidl U.S.
“Brick-and-mortar retail in the U.S. is at a crossroads. This team can play a fundamental role in shaping the direction the industry takes. You are in the driver’s seat, and I can’t wait to see where you take the company.”
Whole Foods Takes Manhattan
By Jennifer Strailey on 07/24/2020
Whole Foods Market's recently opened Manhattan West store features a convenient ground floor grab-and-go-market, a sparkling seafood department, locally brewed beers and much more.
Grocery Robots Take the Floor at Woodman's
By Kat Martin on 07/28/2020
The autonomous robots will be monitoring product availability, verifying prices and delivering location data.
100,000
Items in a typical Woodman's grocery store, soon to be inventoried robotically
How Retailers Are Addressing the National Coin Shortage
By Kristina Hurtig on 07/23/2020
With no timeline on when circulation patterns will return to normal, Southeastern Grocers and Kroger are encouraging customers to round up their bills, while Meijer has converted its self-checkout lanes to debit/credit only.
Ryan Cuba Promoted to Chief Merchant at Schnucks
By WGB Staff on 07/23/2020
With more than 25 years of retail experience, Cuba most recently was chief business development and transformation officer of the St. Louis retailer.
Food Bazaar–Fairway Deal Gets Court OK
By Jon Springer on 07/28/2020
The operator of the multiethnic superstore chain Food Bazaar will take over Fairway units in Brooklyn and Queens.
Whole Foods' Plant-Based Push in D.C.
By Jennifer Strailey on 07/30/2020
Take a peek inside the retailer's new 46,000-square-foot store in Washington, D.C., which features plant-based burgers, a scratch bakery, local offerings and much more.
COVID Throws a Lifeline to Blue Apron
By Jon Springer on 07/29/2020
Pandemic demand turns around Q2 results, but the meal-kit company is still seeking financial help.
$1.1 Million
Quarterly net income at Blue Apron, on a 10% sales increase to $131 million
Farmstead Moving to Larger Facility to Accommodate Growing Delivery Demands
By Kristina Hurtig on 07/27/2020
The new space in Burlingame, Calif., is expected to increase the online grocer’s delivery capacity by 10x; Farmstead says the pandemic accelerated the adoption of grocery delivery by 3 to 4 years.
David S. Rogers, DSR Marketing Systems
“Even though they are emotionally appealing, community grocery stores must obviously be economically viable and avoid financial losses for the owners or co-ops running them.”