The Go Fresh & Local Supplier Accelerator program provides a pathway to entry for local businesses of all sizes by allowing American-based growers and producers the chance to work directly with the retailer, according to Kroger. Source: supermarketnews.comCanada: Loblaw sees food and drug sales uptick in Q1Loblaw Cos., Canada’s largest grocery retailer, delivered another strong quarter in a retail environment experiencing fewer COVID-19 related restrictions in Canada and continued inflationary pressures driving customers to the retailer’s discount banners. For the first quarter of 2022, ending March 26, retail sales were $12.04bln Canadian, an increase of 3.2% over the first quarter of 2021. Food Retail (Loblaw) same-store sales increased by 2.1%, while Drug Retail (Shoppers Drug Mart) same-store sales increased by 5.2%. More than 2,000 robots are working there non-stop for 20 hours a day, each picking up to 2mln food items in a shift - far beyond the capability of a human worker.

Source: Stuff May 05, 2022 12:36 UTC