Competition

General articles on the competitive situation and competitive forces in retail.

  1. Channel: Convenience
  Wawa’s $5 Big Breakfast Deal Redefines Value, Speed & Convenience Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® knows a winning foodservice formula when he sees one, and Wawa’s latest move is set to shake up the breakfast game. From February 17 through March 24, Wawa is rolling out its unbeatable $5 […]
  1. Department & Category
  RaceTrac Inc. continues to expand its foodservice menu, but rather than leveraging its platform to propel the industry forward with fresh, consumer-relevant food trends, the retailer remains anchored in legacy offerings that reflect consumer familiarity according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The latest example? Taco Pizza—a fusion of […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  The restaurant industry is set to maintain its upward trajectory, outpacing other food retail sectors and solidifying its role as a dominant force in the U.S. economy. After surpassing $1 trillion in sales for the first time in 2024, the National Restaurant Association projects an even stronger 2025, with sales expected to hit $1.5 […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
The Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) final report into the formula milks sector was published today (14 February). Key points are: CMA infant formula study finds that a combination of factors is leading to poor outcomes for parents, who could be saving around £300 a… This story continues at Organic baby formula maker responds to […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  Digital hand-held technology, specifically smartphones, has driven a decline in traditional network TV viewing, reshaping how and where consumers eat, according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer behavior evolves, the perceived value of a product or brand can shift. The team at Foodservice Solutions® understands that consumers are […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
The inaugural Talking Retail Live will take place on Thursday 27 March 2025 at the iconic KIA Oval, London. The event will feature talks, panel discussions and Q&As with experienced industry leaders and successful retail owners. Kaual Patel, owner of Nisa Local Torridon Road, will be… This story continues at More panellists and competition details announced […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
MarketLeap, an AI driven platform that aims to simplify and scale D2C e-commerce, has announced an $8.3 million Series A funding round led by Smedvig Ventures, with participation from Expon Capital, Motier Ventures and business angels including former executives from Amazon, SoftBank, and Unilever.  The capital injection will allow the company to accelerate platform development […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
There’s no shortage of competition today in the athleisure sector, and like its counterparts, 12-year-old Fabletics is always looking for an edge. The brand’s first distinguishing mark is its membership model, which sets it apart from Lululemon, Vuori, Alo Yoga and the like. But recently Fabletics has been finding another way to stand out — […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  What do consumers think a Grocerant is? According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, the man who coined the term “Grocerant,” it is “any retail food item that is fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat.” Traditionally, these items have been found in grocery store service delis, convenience store prepared food […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  In today’s hyper-competitive restaurant landscape, operational efficiency and customer satisfaction walk hand-in-hand. Yet, labor costs—a significant part of operating expenses—sit at the heart of every restaurant’s service and pricing strategy according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. At the intersection of service quality and price sensitivity, restaurants either win […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
ChatGPT vs. the competition. Source: SimilarWeb ChatGPT is booming. After months of stagnant usage in early 2024, the chatbot hit an inflection point and is now far outpacing its competition, according to new data from analytics firm Similarweb. OpenAI’s flagship bot hit 3.8 billion visits on desktop and mobile web in January 2025, more than […]
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  Amazon’s ambitious foray into food—spanning convenience stores, ultra-fast delivery, no-checkout technology, and Amazon Fresh grocery stores—may now be quietly winding down according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Industry speculation suggests Amazon may consolidate its food efforts under the Whole Foods brand, with a potential spinoff looming on the […]
  1. Data & Insights
Source: Unlisted (EZ Newswire) Palo Alto, CA — In today’s housing market, where inventory is low and competition is high, buyers often find themselves frustrated with the lack of options. At any given moment, only about 5% of homes in the U.S. are actively listed for sale, yet these homes receive nearly all the attention […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
A Wrexham convenience retailer has opened a new Go Local Extra fascia store, “the first of its kind in the city”. After extensive interior and exterior refurbishments, the new-look store provides competition to a convenience store next door and is said to be attracting customers and… This story continues at Experienced retailer opens Wrexham’s first Go […]
  1. Data & Insights
NRF 2025 Show Recap NRF 2025 brought together thousands of retail and consumer brands in an inspiring environment where leaders shared insights, challenges, and strategies for the year ahead. While retail continues to evolve, some principles remain constant: delivering exceptional customer experiences, differentiating from competitors, and maintaining a healthy bottom line. Key Themes from NRF […]
  1. Stores & Formats
Simon has purchased a site in the metro Nashville area that it plans to develop into a 325,000-square-foot mixed-use center that will include approximately 75 retailers, restaurants and a hotel, with the potential to add residential options, big box retailers and more. The mall operator and real estate investment trust expects construction to begin on […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Batchelors and Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products (WBDGCP) have teamed up to launch a DC competition as part of their ongoing partnership to give back to convenience retailers. Encouraging Bestway and Unitas customers to ‘feed their inner Superhero,’ the exclusive competition, giving retailers the… This story continues at Batchelors joins forces with DC to […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  In today’s dynamic food landscape, grocery stores and supermarkets are venturing boldly into the restaurant space, attempting to compete with quick-service and sit-down dining establishments. Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® was the first to predict that this venture would present challenges, as these grocery-restaurant hybrids frequently misunderstand the core […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  In the evolving foodservice landscape, fine dining and special occasion restaurants have remained resilient bastions of culinary tradition, offering luxury and lasting memories enjoyed by many including Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. As full-service “sit-down” restaurants have struggled to regain their footing post-pandemic, these high-end and celebratory eateries have […]
  1. Data & Insights
  The evolution of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food has surged over the years, with 2025 proving to be a landmark moment for the grocerant niche. These retail food solutions cater to time-starved consumers seeking convenience, quality, and value. Steven Johnson, Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, based in Tacoma, WA identifies seven powerful undercurrents driving this […]
  1. CPG: Food
Belvita has announced a new promotional competition, giving shoppers the chance to win a trip to Finland – officially named as the Most Positive Place on the Planet. Launching in January across a range of Belvita’s leading SKUs, the promotion is the perfect pick me… This story continues at Belvita gives shoppers the chance to […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Running across McCoy’s price-marked pack (PMP) and grab bag formats, McCoy’s incentives allow consumers to unlock a £100k prize vault to win instant cash prizes of up to £1,000 or free crisps. To enter the competition, shoppers simply need to scan the QR code on-pack… This story continues at KP Snacks launches raft of McCoy’s […]
  1. Merchandising
Selling your product to a retail buyer can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences for any product manufacturer. The stakes are high, the competition is fierce, and the pressure to stand out can feel overwhelming, especially when dealing with seasoned retail buyers who have seen it all. But success in securing shelf […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
Allwyn, operator of The National Lottery, has launched a brand new annuity-style scratchcard based on its successful draw game Set For Life. The new ‘Set For 5 Years’ Scratchcard, which costs £2, offers players the chance to win a top prize of £5,000 every month… This story continues at Allwyn celebrates new ‘Set For 5 […]
  1. Data & Insights
Worldwide retail media ad spending is projected to increase by nearly $100 billion between 2020 and 2025. Its 21.8% predicted rise this year will outpace growth rates in nearly all other forms of ad spending. Simply put, advertisers are putting greater emphasis on retail media in their ad plans. Based on Nielsen’s 2024 Annual Marketing […]
  1. Department & Category
  Throughout history, price wars have shaped consumer decision-making in the competitive foodservice landscape according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. However, price alone seldom guarantees success; service, convenience, and quality frequently emerge as decisive factors. In this context, EG America’s introduction of its $3 Meal Deal signals a strategic […]
  1. Media & Marketing
By: Dave Slowik, EVP, CPG, Platforms, TV at Circana In the last few years, connected TVs (CTVs) and streaming devices have revolutionized how people consume content and how marketers track and collect data. This will continue to present opportunities and challenges for marketers in 2025 as they navigate new business models, harness the power of […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Welcome to 2025! It’ll be the Year of AI Agents in martech, in word and deed. Here’s what I think that means… From the moment there was more than one software product in a company’s tech stack, there’s been jockeying to determine who was boss. If the tech stack were an orchestra, which product would […]
  1. Channel: Grocery
  In 2025, the foodservice landscape is rapidly evolving, creating significant challenges for restaurant operators contemplating price increases. While higher menu prices may offset rising labor, rent, and ingredient costs, they come with heightened risks in an era where consumer behavior has dramatically shifted. From the Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice […]

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  1. Data & Insights
  2. Partnerships & Alt Profit
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Data & Insights
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
IAB’s 2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth offering an early glimpse into ad spending trends for the coming year. The report is a must-read to gain and understanding of brand and agency buyers’ growth strategies and the challenges they foresee. The report covers: 2025 projections for the market overall […]
  1. Data & Insights
  2. Technology & Innovation
There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) and how these technologies are going to revolutionize retail. But the retail revolution can’t be accomplished with sweeping generalizations about putting more technology into stores. Successful retail outcomes are built using technology to solve specific challenges, expanding on wins and […]

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