Progressive Grocer’s Post

Walmarts grocery performance is an indicator of what? Its what happens when you have a "merchant led company" vs. the "company trying to lead the merchant".... Targets two year comp stack -4.6% Walmarts two year comp stack +10.4% Difference.....15% Guess which company has a merchant led organization? Pretty simple strategy don't you think?

Walmart's latest quarterly earnings report revealed food categories were especially strong during Q3, with unit volumes growing by the highest level in 4 years: https://ow.ly/rZ1V50UbhPb #foodretail #grocery #walmart

Gaining in grocery... Walmart's latest quarterly earnings report revealed food categories were especially strong during Q3, with unit volumes growing by the highest level in 4 years: https://ow.ly/rZ1V50UbhPb #foodretail #grocery #walmart

Doubling down on value... Progressive Grocer talks with Walmart EVP/Food John Laney about the retailer's customer-centric vision behind a new meal basket: https://lnkd.in/e65QSWwJ #foodretail #walmart #grocery

As consumers cut back on expenditures, premium brands face an existential question: Should they shift their differentiated position to a low-price message or focus on their unique value and distinctive benefits? For example, should BMW shed its hundred-year-old image of being known for producing high-quality, meticulously crafted cars—"The Ultimate Driving Machine"—to become low price? Would that approach even work? When premium brands try to increase market share by going downmarket while retaining their reputation for quality, they often confuse customers, dilute brand meaning, and allow competitors to claim the title. Steve Jobs knew this challenge when he returned to Apple for his second stint at the helm. Apple was in bad financial shape, and Jobs faced intense pressure to lower prices to compete with cheaper mass-market products. His response to investors: “There are some customers which we chose not to serve." Many years later, Apple tried to go downmarket with a cheaper iPhone, it failed because it was antithetical to what the brand stood for. When Harley-Davidson made cheaper products, it nearly bankrupted the company and destroyed one of America's greatest brands. I empathize with Whole Foods's challenge to address the "Whole Paycheck" perception, but instead of trying to erase this clever, sticky, and indelible cultural meme, I suggest leaning into this perception and owning it in a way that turns it into a brand advantage. Target did this for a while with "Tarjay," the faux French accent meme that reminded customers their products were decidedly chic but affordably worth it, distinguishing them from other mass-merchants.  Some will say food is different, but if Wegmans decided overnight to become a low-priced brand, it would erode the incredible market value they've established over many decades. Secondly, it would fail because there's too much perceptual equity in being a deliciously differentiated brand. Instead, Wegmans continually reminds its loyal customers why the brand is worth the slight premium, particularly in tough times when other sacrifices have to be made. Our society is obsessed with living longer, eating healthier and knowing where its food comes from and how it is made. Instead of trying to become just another ordinary grocery store, I wish Whole Foods reminded customers why good, healthy, sustainable food should cost slightly more than low-price options. #grocerystores #supermarkets #foodretail #food #health #organic #natural #branding #strategy #business #retail #business #sustainability #stores

What’s the difference between Whole Foods and Royal Farms? Not as many brands are fighting to get into Royal Farms. (And that may not be a good thing.) I got to walk into this Douglasville store before completion, but wanted to see it up and running. This large format location comes to 5,300 sqft. (Whole Foods small formats start at 7,000 sqft.) Admittedly, it’s hard to do it justice in one pic. For the record, this location boasts: -Made to order hot and cold foods. -An expanded pantry aisle. -2 sit down eating areas. -Better for You snacks. -Wider beer selection. -A fresh fruit bin. -Full wine islet. Definitely more than your casual snack shop. Would this work for every brand or product type? Absolutely not. But it is representative of how grocery is changing. It is representative of how consumer habits are changing. We would be wise to pay attention. ——— 🔹 We grow brands on Amazon. 🔹 We increase velocity in Whole Foods, Walmart, Target, Walgreens, CVS, Kroger, Sam's, COSTCO, and lots of other cool retailers. #cpg #cpggrowth #retailgrowth #retailvelocity #omnichannel #retail #amazonagency #retailmedia #shoppermarketing #instacart #royalfarms

As the December holidays approach, Walmart has set the table with a new holiday meal deal that includes several private label products. ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ezzNjEjK #retail #grocery #privatelabel

Small-format grocery stores: a great idea in theory, a logistical headache in practice. From Walmart Express to GreenWise, history shows slim margins and stocking nightmares doom these ventures. Why repeat what’s been proven a recipe for slim pickings? #foodservice #wholefoods #walmart #cstore

The Decline of Whole Foods: Why People Are Flocking to Walmart Discover why Whole Foods is losing customers to more affordable options like Walmart. Find out how this shift is impacting the stock prices of both companies and learn why people are choosing to save a buck or two at Walmart. #WholeFoodsDecline #WalmartVsWholeFoods #AffordableGroceryOptions #StockMarketImpact #ConsumerShift #SavingMoney #GroceryShopping #HealthyFoodChoices #AffordablePrices #RetailTrends

"Young adults are battling sticker shock at the grocery store by supersizing their groceries. They are turning to bulk purchases, splitting their food costs with friends, roommates, family and neighbors. Shoppers in their 20s and 30s are trying to fight higher prices by joining warehouse-store giants such as Costco Wholesale and Sam's Club." This from Margot Amouyal of the The Wall Street Journal (thanks for the share, The Food Institute). I just finished an article for Brandingmag discussing the power of 'Social barriers' in shopper decision-making, citing our recent #Snack50 Report finding that categories like tortilla chips and pretzels are actually most impacted by social considerations (vs. even factors like price). 𝗦𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: if consumers are indeed forming these 'buying groups' to combat pricing, should we really be so focused on PRICE, or are our strategic and activational efforts better served addressing social considerations? After all, if I'm making a Costco run on behalf of not only myself, but also my "friends, roommates, family, and neighbors," I'm much more concerned about social consensus than I am price points... #consumerinsights #shoppermarketing #foodandbeverage https://lnkd.in/gypTUe_a