Store Format

  1. Technology & Innovation

Aldi UK ditches Greenwich, South East London Shop & Go checkout-free store experiment

Aldi UK is binning its checkout-free stores trial and converting its only Shop & Go location to a standard Aldi Local with self-service. The store in Greenwich, South East London went live in 2022 at a time when checkout-free stores were being touted by many industry observers as the next big thing in retail. But […]
3 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Walk-In Restaurants, Drive-Thru Dominance, Grocery Prepared Foods, and the Rise of the Meal Platform Economy

  The U.S. food industry has evolved into a nearly $4 trillion annual consumer marketplace, spanning restaurants, grocery retail, convenience stores, digital ordering platforms, and institutional foodservice. Now, wonder no longer what Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® thinks about the ‘State of the Foodservice Industry’: Despite its size and complexity, […]
5 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Driving Demand with Demos: How Snack Brand Pirucream Does It

A very successful independent grocer once told me that what helps drive sales at his store was the fact that they were always “shoving food into shoppers’ mouths.” He was a huge proponent of demos – after all, there is no better way to drive trial of a food brand than by actually having people […]
4 min read
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  1. Channel: Grocery

Has Wegmans Lost A Step?

In Rochester, New York, WHEC-TV News has a story suggesting that “Wegmans shoppers may be seeing a drop in satisfaction, according to an annual report from the American Customer Satisfaction Index. “The index measures customer satisfaction on a scale of 0 to 100. Wegmans got a score of 78 — a 6% drop from the […]
3 min read
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  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

Amazon Pulls the Plug on Fresh and Go Stores, Plans 100+ New Whole Foods

Amazon will close all remaining Amazon Go and Amazon Fresh stores to focus on its growing online grocery offering and the Whole Foods Market banner. Some of the locations set to be closed will be converted to Whole Foods, and the company also said it plans to open more than 100 new Whole Foods stores over […]
3 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

The 1% Advantage: How Store Layouts Quietly Decide Who Wins in Retail

A few months ago, I popped into a department store to grab a shirt for an event that night. Five minutes later, I’d looped past the same endcap twice and somehow ended up in housewares, miles from menswear. Somewhere between the blenders and the bakeware, I switched from “frustrated shopper” to “retail analytics exec” and […]
3 min read
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  1. Channel: Restaurants

The Importance of Speed of Service in Modern Food Retail: A 30-Year Perspective Across Restaurants, Convenience Stores, and Grocery Service Delis

  Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that across the food industry, speed of service has shifted from a competitive differentiator to a fundamental expectation. Over the past three decades, consumer demand for faster experiences—driven by lifestyle changes, technology adoption, and economic pressure has reshaped how restaurants, convenience stores (c-stores), […]
5 min read
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  1. Channel: Dollar/Value

Dollar General Plans 450 New Stores in 2026 with Increased Focus on Rural Markets

Dollar General has another ambitious year planned for its real estate in 2026. During its coming fiscal year, which ends in January 2027, the value retailer is planning to open 450 new stores in the U.S. and 10 new stores in Mexico, as well as a total of 4,250 remodeling and renovation projects and 20 […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Merchandising

8 Tips for Stocking and Displaying Your New Product Line in Retail Stores

Launching your product in retail stores is both exciting and overwhelming. After months (or years) of product development, packaging design, and marketing prep, seeing your product on store shelves is a major milestone. But to make your retail debut successful, you need to ensure your product is stocked correctly and displayed in a way that […]
3 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

How to Transition from E-Commerce to Brick-and-Mortar Sales

Making the transition from digital retail to offline channels like stores, catalog companies, TV shopping networks, and more can be daunting and prevent many successful online consumer product companies from growing. Making the transition from e-commerce to brick-and-mortar sales is easier than it has ever been but being prepared can make all the difference. Here […]
6 min read
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  1. Merchandising

10 Tips for a Successful Retail Buyer Meeting: How to Pitch Your Product Like a Pro

Your product started as an idea — a spark that you couldn’t get out of your head. You saw a problem in the market and knew you could solve it better than anyone else. After months (or years) of research, prototyping, testing, sourcing, and packaging, your product is finally ready for store shelves. Now comes […]
5 min read
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  1. Channel: Mass

Target to redesign SoHo store with style focus

​[[{“value”:” Dive Brief The mass retailer will phase in an updated store layout starting this fall, shifting the merchandise assortment from essentials to apparel and beauty. Published Sept. 25, 2025 Target is redesigning its SoHo store, the retailer announced on Sept. 24, 2025. Courtesy of Target “}]] 
< 1 min read
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  1. Retailer Media

Why U.S. Retailers Should Take a Page from Europe’s In-Store Advertising Playbook

Modern retail media is built on clicks, but the overwhelming majority of conversions still happen in the aisles. Every square foot between the entrance and the checkout is a potentially missed customer engagement  moment waiting to happen — if it’s not part of a bigger strategy. While U.S. retailers have spent the past two decades […]
5 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

Foot traffic vs buying intent: a closer look

In this week’s blog, we explored how your brain filters reality—and how those filters might be costing you millions. From the red car effect to the invisible gorilla in your showroom, the lesson is clear: sometimes, the problem isn’t traffic or product. It’s perception. In this issue, we continue that theme with two sharp examples: […]
4 min read
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  1. Stores & Formats

Burlington’s ‘reimagined’ store layout aims to make shopping easier

​[[{“value”:” Dive Brief The off-price retailer is halfway done refreshing its fleet with a open layout, organized aisles and bold signage. Published Aug. 25, 2025 By Howard Ruben A refreshed Burlington store, which is designed to make navigation easier. Courtesy of Burlington “}]] 
< 1 min read
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  1. Stores & Formats

Burlington Store Refresh More than 50% Complete

Burlington Stores is continuing to roll out a refreshed in-store experience across its fleet of 1,115 stores. Half of the off-price retailer’s stores already have been converted, and all future new stores openings will feature the updated branding as well as a smaller, more efficient layout. Most remaining locations are expected to transition to the new format […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Technology & Innovation

Ikea is giving away free portions of chips in Brighton this weekend as it gears up to open new store in city

Ikea is this weekend opening a seagull proof ‘chip theft insurance kiosk’, giving free chips to locals and visitors alike, to try to make up for all the meals disrupted by Brighton’s infamous, feathered troublemakers over the years. This officially opens on Saturday at midday at Brighton i360. The move comes as Ikea prepares to […]
3 min read
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  1. Stores & Formats

Co-op claims UK grocery first with On the Go micro-store format

Co-op has today (31 July) launched a new chain of food-for-now stores, strategically situated in high foot-traffic locations and designed to champion the convenience retailer’s ‘on-the-go’ offering through a unique new format. A UK first for a national grocer, and unlike any other in store… This story continues at Co-op claims UK grocery first with […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Stores & Formats

Cognitive Dissonance In the City-Owned-Grocery-Store-Delusion Space

The Atlantic  has an excellent piece in which it points out some basic inconsistencies in the proposals being put forth by New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani – a self-described Democratic socialist – to open “five city-owned stores that will be ‘focused on keeping prices low’ rather than making a profit – what he […]
4 min read
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  1. Channel: Grocery

Save A Lot Debuts New Format Targeting Hispanic Consumers

Save A Lot and Leevers Supermarkets have introduced a new store format, Save A Lot y Mas, designed to serve Hispanic consumers with an expanded selection of fresh Hispanic produce, specialty meats and bakery items designed for both cultural relevance and everyday value. The store, located in Overland, Mo. in the St. Louis metro area, […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Department: Consumer Durables

The Evolution of Journeys Under New President Andy Gray

This article first appeared in our sister publication Shop Eat Surf Outdoor (SESO). Journeys, one of the largest footwear retailers in the country with over 1,000 stores in North America, has been one of the most important large wholesale accounts for footwear brands for decade. However, leaders of several large industry footwear brands have expressed frustrations […]
6 min read
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  1. Technology & Innovation

David’s Bridal Marries Online and In-Store CX with Shopify Integration

David’s Bridal is taking the next step toward fully integrating its ecommerce and store operations as it moves into a tech-driven, asset-light retail model. The biggest customer-facing change will be the introduction of an endless aisle experience in select stores, delivered via full-scale digital touchscreens powered by Shopify that will allow shoppers to access the […]
2 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Beyond Basics: The Rise of Maximalism in Retail

After years of Marie Kondo-esque simplicity, the retail design era of “back-to-basics” aesthetics — defined by neutral palettes and sleek, pared-back interiors — is quickly falling out of favor amongst consumers demanding more vibrant and immersive spaces. Recognizing this shift, many brands are unveiling a new wave of retail environments rich in color, texture and […]
4 min read
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  1. Owned Brands (Private Label)

Mini profile: Glasgow retailer invests in store transformation

Ali’s Nisa Royston store in Glasgow has undergone a major transformation with a strong focus on the Co-op own brand range. Store owner Raheem Ali Razaq has invested significantly in a full refit that includes a redesigned store layout, enhanced product range, and modernised in-store… This story continues at Mini profile: Glasgow retailer invests in […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Department & Category

The Rise of the Grocerant: How Convenience Stores Are Outsmarting Legacy Chain Restaurants Where Have Fast-Food Diners Gone? Not home—but to the neighborhood convenience store.

  The foodservice landscape is shifting, and convenience stores (C-stores) are rapidly transforming from quick fuel stops into legitimate food destinations. They’re capturing a growing share of consumer dollars, satisfying cravings for variety, value, and ease—at a pace legacy chain restaurants simply can’t match. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), foodservice accounted […]
4 min read
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  1. Stores & Formats

Lids Rolls Out New Format Featuring ‘Build-A-Cap’ Kiosks to First 20 Stores

Customization, personalization and localization are key elements of the new Lids store format, which the retailer rolled out to 20 stores in 16 states this month. The stores’ redesigned customization hubs feature interactive “Build-A-Cap” kiosks and a new hat-curving machine, allowing customers to stitch, patch and curve their hats to match their personal style. Additionally, […]
2 min read
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  1. Corporate Strategy

New Kohl’s CEO Lays Out Turnaround Strategy Following Disappointing Q4

In his first earnings cycle at the helm, Kohl’s new CEO Ashley Buchanan laid out his plan to turn around the embattled company, which has struggled for years to return to a position of strength while fending off activist investors. Ashley Buchanan, CEO, Kohl’s (Image courtesy Kohl’s) Like his predecessors, Buchanan said he sees plenty […]
4 min read
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Editor’s Choice

  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Shopper & Customer
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
  5. Associates & Employees
  6. Merchandising
  7. Stores & Formats

Walmart to Expand Digital Shelf Labels Chainwide

Walmart will deploy digital shelf labels (DSLs) chainwide this year, doubling the approximately 2,300 U.S. locations currently using the technology (Walmart U.S. operates more than 4,600 stores). With more than 120,000 items in a typical Walmart store, managing price changes manually requires significant associate hours. Additionally, these DSLs are equipped with LED lights that make […]
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