Some of the most revealing food trade stories begin with a simple question: Who’s really carrying the risk?
Executive Editor Alexander Wissel asks that question of New York City’s troubled Groceries to Go program; he looks at what its problems tell us about Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s far more ambitious municipal-grocery plan. Alexander also looks past Walmart’s predictably impressive numbers to what we think is the more interesting story: a divided American consumer and an increasingly formidable Aldi.
Then, Bryce Graham reads between the lines of Kroger’s decision to hire Walmart veteran Mark Ibbotson, finding new clues about the company Greg Foran intends to build.
Jessica Smith brings us the details of Sprouts Farmers Market’s carefully orchestrated CEO transition from Jack Sinclair to Nick Konat. And Maria Maggio rounds things out on a lighter note, capturing plenty of familiar industry faces at Boyer’s Markets’ annual golf outing.
Before “Mamdani Marts” There Was Groceries to Go
New York City’s Groceries to Go program was designed around a relatively simple idea: Give food-insecure New Yorkers purchasing power and let existing grocery stores handle the shopping. The program provides eligible New Yorkers with monthly grocery credits that can be used online for pickup or delivery from participating supermarkets and specialty grocers across the city.
But the program has become the subject of controversy just as Mayor Zohran Mamdani is pursuing a much more ambitious plan to establish city-owned grocery stores.
Executive Editor Alexander Wissel has more…
Kroger: What Ibbottson’s Hiring Tells Us About Foran’s Intentions
Greg Foran is still new at the helm of one of the nation’s largest grocery retailers, and while we have some idea of where he’s planning to take the company, we don’t have the full picture… yet.
But his hire this week of a Walmart veteran to head up store operations gives us lots of new clues about Foran’s ultimate direction.
Bryce Graham has the story for us here…
Walmart Earnings Say Something About the American Consumer
There is a temptation to look at Walmart’s latest earnings and see a familiar story. America’s largest retailer continues to gain grocery market share, e-commerce is growing rapidly, advertising is becoming a powerful profit engine and the company raised its outlook.
All of that is true. But there is another story buried inside the numbers, one that may be more important for the grocery industry over the next several years.
Here’s the most important bit in Walmart’s report…
Sprouts Farmers Market Advances Transition with CEO Konat
Sprouts has named President and Chief Operating Officer Nick Konat as its next chief executive officer, effective Jan. 4, 2027, as the specialty grocer prepares for a planned transition from longtime CEO Jack Sinclair. Konat will also join the Phoenix-based retailer’s board of directors. Sinclair, who has led Sprouts since June 2019, will become executive chairman and remain involved in the company’s strategy and leadership.
The change will take effect on the first day of Sprouts’ 2027 fiscal year.
Jessica Smith has more details of what we can expect from then on…
Gallery: Boyer’s Markets Annual Golf Outing
Boyer’s Markets held its annual golf outing on August 6 at the Mountain Valley Golf Club in Barnesville, PA. Maria Maggio was on hand to take candid photos as 144 golfers from around the regional food trade and beyond teed off.