How 6 international grocers are tackling COVID-19

From offering "essentials" baskets to eliminating bottled water in deliveries, these companies have developed creative yet practical solutions that build on those implemented by U.S. retailers.

By Krishna Thakker • April 16, 2020

Walmart reserves pickup hour for at-risk shoppers

The retailer is the first to offer special pickup times on a national scale, though many grocers have already assigned in-store hours for seniors and first responders.

By Jessica Dumont • April 14, 2020

Amazon's Woodland Hills supermarket is now a dark store

The retailer has also closed a Manhattan store to foot traffic and says it will soon roll out a tool allowing shoppers to reserve a time to shop online for groceries.

By Jeff Wells • April 13, 2020

Walmart's grocery app downloads reach record highs

The retailer saw 460% growth in daily downloads, according to App Annie, while Amazon's growth by comparison was 20%. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 13, 2020

Grocers are wait-listing shoppers to cope with e-commerce demand

Amazon is putting new online grocery customers in a queue, while companies like ShopRite have installed virtual lines to manage site inflow.

By Jeff Wells • April 13, 2020

Hy-Vee adds hot meals to curbside pickup

The grocer will now offer a variety of take-and-bake and freshly prepared meals through its Aisles Online ordering platform as more customers turn to takeout. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 13, 2020

Instacart aims to add flexibility, speed up grocery delivery

One new feature lets shoppers opt for the first available delivery time while another lets them place orders up to two weeks ahead. 

By Jessica Dumont • April 9, 2020

Mariano's keeps customers entertained with virtual events

The Chicago grocer has launched a platform called Mariano’s Meet Ups that features cooking classes, wine tastings and live music.

By Krishna Thakker • April 8, 2020

Prime Day reportedly postponed until at least August

Usually held in mid-July, the event leads to big sales of the retailer's devices, which could be discounted to the tune of $100 million, according to Reuters.

By Daphne Howland • April 6, 2020

Weis, Hannaford restart grocery pickup services

The grocers have resumed bringing orders out to shoppers’ vehicles, but with restrictions meant to keep people apart.

By Sam Silverstein • April 3, 2020

Instacart provides gig workers with safety kits

The kit will be distributed to all full-service shoppers and includes a reusable and washable face mask, hand sanitizer and a forehead thermometer.

By Krishna Thakker • April 3, 2020

Restaurant delivery platforms turn to grocery

Uber Eats has teamed up with Carrefour in France for 30-minute grocery delivery, while DoorDash has added convenience stores like 7-Eleven and Wawa.

By Jessica Dumont • April 2, 2020

Hy-Vee reserves online shopping hours for high-risk customers

Beginning Thursday, the retailer's Aisles Online service will have the same hours set aside for vulnerable shoppers as its physical stores.

By Krishna Thakker • April 1, 2020

Instacart updates benefits and policies as workers threaten strike

A group representing company gig workers say they will refuse orders until the service provider gives them hazard pay, safety gear, extended paid leave and a 10% default tip.

By Krishna Thakker • March 30, 2020

Nearly one third of U.S. households shopped for groceries online in the past month, report says

Large numbers of elderly shoppers have adopted e-commerce and 30% of those who haven't shopped online yet plan to do so if the coronavirus pandemic continues to worsen, according to the survey from Brick Meets Click and ShopperKit.

By Krishna Thakker • March 27, 2020

DoorDash waives delivery fees across more than 2,000 grocers

DoorDash and partners including Hy-Vee, Mercato and Rosie will offer free delivery promotions for customers aged 60 and over through May 7.

By Jessica Dumont • March 27, 2020

Kroger converts store to pickup-only service

The company says it's piloting the Cincinnati-area supermarket's switch as it sees growing demand for click-and-collect and "alternative ways to shop for groceries."

By Jeff Wells • March 26, 2020

H-E-B launches dedicated delivery service for seniors

While other retailers are offering dedicated store hours, the Texas grocer has launched a new phone-in program that gets orders to customers 60 and over within hours.

By Krishna Thakker • March 24, 2020

Instacart plans to hire 300,000 additional shoppers

The delivery service said the move will double the number of gig workers on its platform over the next three months to meet ongoing demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

By Jessica Dumont • March 23, 2020

Amazon reportedly bidding on 4 Fairway Market locations

Bidding for the bankrupt grocer's New York and New Jersey stores began Monday and has already drawn bids from several food retailers.

By Sam Silverstein • March 20, 2020

Shipt seeks to onboard thousands of gig workers in key markets

The company needs more people to pick, pack and deliver orders in places like New York City, Detroit and Atlanta amid an explosion in online grocery demand. 

By Jeff Wells • March 20, 2020

Blue Apron stock soars amid pandemic

The struggling meal kit company could be poised for a revival as coronavirus sweeps the nation and consumers look for alternatives to restaurant and grocery delivery.

By Jessica Dumont • March 19, 2020

'We're putting out fires': Companies adjust to online grocery surge

Retailers are adding servers, hiring fulfillment workers and trying to better sync inventory with their online platforms.

By Jeff Wells • March 19, 2020

Grocers scramble to hire thousands amid outbreak

Regional and national grocery chains across the U.S. are racing to fill immediate roles as they try to keep up with panicked shoppers both in-store and online.  

By Jessica Dumont • March 17, 2020

Grocery apps see record downloads as shoppers move online

A new study finds a sharp increase in shoppers turning to services like Instacart, Shipt and Walmart Grocery as they stock up on everyday essentials.

By Tatiana Walk-Morris • March 17, 2020