Kroger’s merger with Albertsons, if approved by the FTC (Federal Trade Commission), will create a retailer with sales of around $200 bn, operating 5,000 stores (excluding divestments). With very few truly national grocery retailers in the US, we consider what this deal could mean for some of its biggest suppliers. Solidifies position among America’s leading retailers As the two largest superm...

Kroger and Albertsons, the two biggest supermarket operators in the USA, have entered into a definite agreement to merge in a $25 bn deal. This could be a transformational deal for the businesses and the wider industry. We look at why this is taking place and the potential impacts. Why is this deal being proposed? Earlier this year, Albertsons announced that it was undertaking a Board-led rev...

The current cost-crisis, along with labour challenges, is leading to a new wave of automation at store level. We look at three recent innovations from Japan, Poland and the US. Replenishment: tackling Japan’s labour challenge In Japan, leading convenience store chain, FamilyMart, is partnering with Telexistence to install its AI robot, TX SCARA, in 300 stores. This has been developed ...