Book excerpt: "The Grocers: The Rise and Rise of the Supermarket Chains"

"The Grocers" describes and analyses the strategies, organization and cultures that have made the supermarkets what they are today.

Retail association urges change in food item pricing rules

May 4, 2011

According to Boston.com, the Retailers Association of Massachusetts, a trade association representing more than 3,200 merchants, is advising the state…

Book excerpt: "The Grocers: The Rise and Rise of the Supermarket Chains"

Read an excerpt from Chapter 9 of this new book, "The Internet and Other New Ways of Shopping."

A Non-Crude Method for Lowering Grocery Prices

by Lisa Biank Fasig — Director, JZMcBride and Associates

Procter & Gamble has figured out one sweet way to bottle up its leading line of shampoos – and it might just help keep prices down.

Wal-Mart tests online food purchasing service in California

April 25, 2011

According to the New York Times, the "Walmart To Go" test allows customers to order grocery items online and have them delivered to their homes via…

New supermarket chain in Dubai uses Oracle Retail Solution

April 25, 2011

Zawya, Dubai's newest supermarket and convenience-store chain, has implemented Oracle Applications to support its growing business in the United Arab Emirates.

Kiosks make it easy to buy hard liquor

April 21, 2011

Pennsylvanians can already buy wine from grocery-store kiosks, but the state's Liquor Control Board announced Thursday that some of the kiosks will also stock…

Canadian retail sales increased in February

April 20, 2011

According to Bloomberg.com, Canadian retail sales increased 0.4 percent in volume terms in February to C$37.3 billion (U.S. $39.1 billion), compensating a…

Meredith Video Studios and PRN, Inc. partner to deliver video content in retail outlets

April 18, 2011

Meredith Corp. announced yesterday an agreement between Meredith Video Studios, its multiplatform and branded-entertainment division, and Premier Retail…

Walmart purchases startup Kosmix

April 18, 2011

According to NASDAQ.com, Walmart will acquire Kosmix Corp. to accelerate the company's social and mobile commerce offerings. Terms of the deal were not…

Mobile Monday: Meijer Find-It app

Mobile Mondays is a weekly column on mobile apps by retail customer experience authority Mike Wittenstein. Each week, you’ll get a test drive of a leading…

NRF: March retail sales indicate confident, but cautious, consumer

April 12, 2011

According to the National Retail Federation, retail sales in March increased across the board for the ninth straight month. For March, retail industry sales…

'Extreme Couponing' should give retailers, brands and tech providers nightmares

by James Bickers — Editor, Networld Alliance

I'm normally loathe to go anywhere near reality television — and has there ever been a more dishonest or inaccurate label for a genre than that one? — but I…

GlobalShop: Interbrand announces best retail brands of 2011

March 30, 2011

LAS VEGAS — Interbrand, a branding and design consultancy, revealed the findings of its most recent report, “Best Retail Brands 2011,” this week at the…

GlobalShop: Starbucks, Whole Foods localizing redesign efforts to increase community contact

by Kim Williams — Reporter, NetWorld Alliance

Community involvement, locally sourced and reclaimed materials are key to establishing and retaining customer loyalty.

Price Chopper to implement IBM data-warehouse platform

March 22, 2011

IBM today announced that Price Chopper, a Golub Corp. company and one of the largest supermarket and pharmacy chains in the Northeast region, will implement…

Walmart plans to open ‘Express’ stores across the country

March 20, 2011

According to Twice.com, Walmart is planning to open Walmart Express stores across the country, possibly totaling in the hundreds.

Some supermarkets eliminate rebates for reusable bags

March 15, 2011

According to the JournalGazette.net, some supermarket chains are eliminating reusable bag rebates because the incentive isn’t making enough of a difference.

Meijer announces $75 million investment in Michigan and Ohio stores

March 14, 2011

Meijer, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer with supercenters in five Midwestern states, will invest more than $75 million in a major remodel project for…

Improving the customer experience with smart technology

The Innovation Lane concept demonstrates how a checkout process based on Microsoft technology can morph checkout lanes into an extension of loyalty and…