Albertsons pharmacies take pet prescription transfers from vets

Supermarket News
Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) announced it is introducing time and money-saving solutions for pet parents who are struggling to afford the cost of medications and veterinary services. . . . more

DoorDash, Walgreens partner to deliver COVID medications

Supermarket News
As part of DoorDash’s work to broaden access to COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments, we’re proud to announce a new initiative to provide critical COVID-19 treatments to people living in underserved communities across the U.S. Stepping up to answer the President’s call to action, we’re partnering with Walgreens to facilitate free delivery of prescriptions of Paxlovid, an oral COVID-19 medication that can reduce the risk of hospitalization and death, directly to the doorsteps of vulnerable Americans. . . . more

‘The future is more local and it is more social’: Why Grocers are developing third spaces in stores

Modern Retail
The grocery store isn’t just a place to shop for essentials anymore. Some grocers are now dedicating spaces in the store for community members to gather and socialize — often referred to as ‘third spaces’. . . . more

Boot Barn says its store expansion strategy is paying off

ModernRetail
Boot Barn says it propelled sales forward thanks to store expansion — even as digital channels face headwinds. . . . more

Is it Time for Dynamic Pricing in the Restaurant Industry?

QSR
As food and labor costs are increasing and consumers are reducing their spending, restaurant operators are facing the dilemma of either increasing their prices to maintain profitability or trying to “tough it out” so as not to upset their guests. . . . more

Chipotle’s menu price hikes haven’t fazed high-income households

Restaurant Dive
Chipotle’s dine-in sales increased 22.1% year-over-year during Q3 2022, according to the company’s earnings release. Comparatively, dine-in sales rose 35.9% during Q2 2022. . . . more

Target triples Apple shop-in-shops ahead of holidays

Retail Dive
Target and Apple are deepening their relationship with added shop-in-shops and tech perks tied to the retailer’s loyalty program. . . . more

Report: NYC restaurants with outdoor dining recovered sales faster

Restaurant Dive
Restaurants and neighborhoods that participated in New York City’s Open Streets program, in which streets were closed to accommodate outdoor seeing, performed better than those that did not, according to a New York City Department of Transportation report released Tuesday. . . . more

Aldi U.S. to up the ante in online grocery

Supermarket News
Aldi U.S. aims to get more serious with its website — in a big way. . . . more

Report: Full-service chains surpass pre-pandemic sales

Restaurant Dive
This uptick in sales compared to pre-pandemic levels reflect the growing impact of inflation and rising menu prices on company operations. Full-service meal prices were up 8.8% during the last 12 months compared to an increase of 7.1% for limited service, according to the Consumer Price Index. . . . more

How Halloween became a $10B business for retailers

Retail Dive
Driving through a neighborhood in October, it isn’t uncommon to find houses adorned in larger-than-life skeletons, inflatable characters, animatronics and other items to get into the spooky spirit of the season. . . . more

Americans still like Black Friday

CSA
Americans have not lost their affection for heading to stores on Black Friday. . . . more

Japanese sneaker, streetwear brand Atmos debuts women’s retail concept

CSA
Atmos has opened a space designed to address the underserved market of women's streetwear in the U.S.  . . . more

At Home in expansion mode

CSA
At Home has had a busy October. . . . more

Pep Boys’ shuttering of its auto parts business makes 81 storefronts available

CSA
Manny, Moe, and Jack have bid farewell to their auto parts business, leaving scores of retail spaces vacant for new occupants across the United States. . . . more

COVID is Tough, but Velvet Taco's Growth Plan is Better

QSR
Velvet Taco began 2021 with fewer than 20 locations. In the nearly two years since, the fast casual has not only faced unprecedented inflation, but also an ownership change. . . . more

When grocery giants merge, consumers benefit

Fox Business
The announcement that grocery giant Kroger intends to buy rival Albertsons is already provoking speculation that the Federal Trade Commission will try to block the deal. . . . more

Indoor mini-golf/dining concept Puttshack continues U.S. expansion with new capital

CSA
An entertainment destination that combines tech-driven mini-golf with food and drink and whose creators include the founders of Topgolf has closed a new round of funding to support its U.S. expansion. . . . more

Best Buy launches Mac laptop upgrade program with BNPL provider

CSA
Best Buy Co. Inc. is combining buy now, pay later (BNPL) financing with an upgrade option for select Mac Laptop models. . . . more

Will the Kroger-Albertsons deal get past regulators?

Grocery Dive
Before it can complete its $24.6 billion deal to acquire Albertsons, Kroger will have to successfully navigate an intensive review process by regulators that are closely scrutinizing large mergers, experts say. . . . more