Research on human-computer interaction has consistently found that people respond positively to interfaces that feel conversational and warm, while younger shoppers are especially comfortable chatting with bots. As a result, human-like AI agents with a name and personality tend to generate higher customer engagement, satisfaction and trust. What happens when they go rogue?
Woolworths’ Chatbot Went Rogue Read More »
The grocery industry has spent three years watching Kroger struggle through a failed merger, a leadership crisis, a botched automation strategy, and the slow erosion of its competitive position relative to Walmart. What grocery is watching now is something different: a company that has made a clear-eyed bet that the best way to compete with Walmart is to hire the person who knows Walmart best.
Kroger vs. Walmart: The War Grocery Didn’t Anticipate Read More »
Every scan of your card, every clipped coupon, every “substitute” you accept when something’s out of stock is recorded. You’re not just earning points; you’re teaching the system how to give you what exactly you want.
Think You’re in Control Shopping for Groceries? Wrong! Read More »
A proposed class action lawsuit has reportedly been filed in San Diego claiming that Costco’s labeling on its famed $4.99 rotisserie chicken contains “No preservatives, MSG, gluten, artificial flavors, or colors” is…foul (fowl?).
Costco: The Robin Report Retail Miss of the Week, 1.31.2026 Read More »
If higher-income households in large metro markets are driving the e-grocery surge, what happens with everyone else? What happens to the budget-constrained families in smaller markets who can’t justify the premium? What happens to the traditional grocers who built their entire business model around serving those customers?
If You’re Not Watching Grocery, You’ll Miss the Future of Retail Read More »
Amazon’s new giant store is its latest shot at figuring out physical retailing. After all the wrong turns the online giant has taken, one has to ask if this new format is just another mismanaged dead-end.
It’s Walmart 4,606, Amazon 1 Read More »
The new Dietary Guidelines for Americans reset the playing field for supermarkets, creating significant opportunities for retailers to lead on health, but also real risks if promotions and advertising simply chase short term sales instead of long term trust.
Will the New FDA Guidelines Change How We Shop for Food? Read More »
Walk into any modern supermarket and you’ll see the opportunism loneliness offers. In-store cafés with community seating. Cooking classes. Wine tastings. Sushi bars. Oyster bars. Even full sit-down restaurants. Wegmans’ Manhattan location dedicates an entire floor to prepared foods and dining.
Why Your Grocery Store Wants You to Be Lonely Read More »
Join Shelley and Nick Konat, President and COO of Sprouts, as they reveal why the retailer has a laser focus on the $300 billion health enthusiast segment.
Sprouts: Pioneer in Health and Wellness Read More »
Here’s the uncomfortable truth the food industry doesn’t want to talk about: This lawsuit isn’t a joke. It’s backed by a mountain of research linking these foods to obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.
A Wake-Up Call for Big Food Read More »
