North America news & analysis

At the recent Groceryshop event in Las Vegas, amid discussions on cutting-edge tech like AI, retail media, and unified commerce, the spotlight was also on the important theme of alternative revenue models. Let's delve deeper into this transformation. Broadening revenue horizons When we discuss alternative revenue models, we're essentially exploring new revenue sources that retailers are bei...

The CEOs of five of Canada’s leading grocery retailers, Loblaw, Sobeys, Metro, Walmart and Costco have met with the country’s government as it focuses on solutions to bring down food prices. Prime Minister invitation The CEOs were invited to the meeting last week by the Prime Minister. It was led by Finance Minister, Chrystia Freeland, and Industry Minister, François-Philippe Champagne. Foo...

While Sobeys’ discount stores saw double-digit growth in the first quarter, total sales only increased by 1.7% to $8,075.5m. Is the retailer’s limited discount presence holding back its performance in the current climate? Smaller discount business than its competitors Although inflation has been falling in Canada, food price inflation remains persistently high, up 8.5% in June. With Sobeys’...

Our global analysts share some of the latest headlines across the globe. Here's what you need to know. Don’t miss our key insights Hypermarkets and supermarkets channel 2023   – We explore where hypermarket and supermarket growth will come from at both regional and country levels, utilising our extensive global research to present examples from the retailers leading the way N...

Canada’s leading dollar store chain, Dollarama, saw second quarter sales increase 19.6%, with comparable store sales up 15.5%. This is the third quarter of growth of 20% or higher as the business continues to see a flight to value. We review the outlook for the business. Improved outlook for the full year The sales and profit performance, with net earnings up 27%, was ahead of the company’s...

Kroger and Albertsons announced they have entered into a definitive agreement with wholesale company C&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC for the sale of 413 stores, which should help to drive forward the completion of their planned merger. In addition to stores this will also include the sale of banners, eight distribution centres (DC’s), two regional offices and five private label brands “We are very...

Kroger’s Q2 results were driven by strong digital sales growth, the performance of its own brands and increased profit generated through alternative revenue streams. Here we explore those results in closer detail. Q2 key numbers Total sales decreased by 2.2% (year-on-year) to $33,853m Identical (ID) sales (ex-fuel) increased 1% Digital sales increased 12% Solid digital perform...

Walmart has launched a Generative AI-powered feature, My Assistant, to its home office associates in the US. The launch of ChatGPT by OpenAI last November has popularised the technology and led to a wave of new developments in our industry. Multiple use cases My Assistant has been developed to free up teams from undertaking monotonous and repetitive tasks. Walmart sees significant potential...

Frictionless shopping company, AWM, has launched an online portal for companies to purchase a fully autonomous store. Container style stores ready to go In what it describes as an “industry-first,” the company’s online procurement and delivery portal has been developed to enable the mass adoption of frictionless shopping. The Quick Drop Units (QDUs) are shipping container style stores which...

We review the retailer’s first quarter performance, including four initiatives driving growth and efficiencies. Q1 key numbers Total merchandise and service revenues increased 5.0% to $4,275.8m Road transportation fuel revenues fell 21.5% to $11,235.2m, reflecting lower fuel prices Same-store merchandise revenues increased by 2.1% in the US, 6.4% in Canada, and were up 2.7% in othe...