Financials

Specialty/Gourmet

Sprouts Farmers Market sees green in its differentiation strategy

A curated product selection and growing omnichannel focus are leading the natural-and-organic grocer down the right path, executives said in reporting second-quarter results Tuesday.

Retailers

July brings improved sales at Costco

Online sales increase ends eight-month skid for warehouse club’s e-commerce business.

The employee-owned supermarket, whose stock is not publicly traded, reported that same-store sales increased 6.2% for the three months ended July 1.

Executives cite discount grocery formats, private brands and personalized loyalty offers as traffic and purchase drivers.

CEO Vivek Sankaran said grocer remains “focused on driving operational excellence in our stores” amid pending merger with Kroger.

The food company makes coconut products that are featured in the grocer's famed smoothies and its whipped cream is a bestseller for the upscale grocer.

Egg prices continued to decrease significantly, while prices for meats, poultry, fish and dairy also dropped. Restaurant prices, however, continue to tick upward, according to CPI data released Wednesday.

U.S. comparable sales declined 2.5%, but analysts noted that the club chain’s core comps remain steady.

Cost-savings targets raised as Q3 profit for U.S. health care business falls short of management’s expectations.

CEO Michael Medline said the Canadian retailer’s focus is now on “turbo-charging our business.”

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