TL;DR: Kroger delivered another quarter of steady growth, with identical sales up +2.4% driven entirely by digital channels, including new DoorDash and Uber Eats partnerships that are exceeding expectations and expected to hit $1.5bn in sales next year. In 2026, brands should plan for low-single-digit topline growth, sustained price investment, and rising digital execution standards. […]
TL;DR: After another quarter of declining growth, Target’s investor day reinforced a familiar message: reclaim merchandising authority and reinvest in stores, while leaning into membership, Roundel, and marketplace to drive margin expansion. Top-line trends have improved sequentially although we remain in wait-and-see mode for longer term traffic stabilization. Brands should plan conservatively, lean into new, […]
TL;DR: Walmart closed 2025 with sustained growth, once again driven entirely by digital: eCommerce accounted for virtually all incremental growth, penetration reached 23%, and profitability continues to expand. For brands, winning at Walmart requires an explicitly eCommerce-first strategy, disciplined marketplace management, and retail media investment aligned to digital growth. 9 minute read Walmart delivered strong […]
TL;DR: Instacart closed 2025 with accelerating GTV and is projected to grow ~11.8% in 2026, nearly 4x faster than the total grocery market as consumers continue shifting spend online. Its advertising business is expanding largely in line with GTV, with brands prioritizing onsite paid search over incremental media intensity. For consumer brands, Instacart remains a […]
TL;DR: Amazon’s 2025 results illustrate retail share gains, improving margins, retail media dominance, a bigger than projected grocery business, and a relatively small impact from Rufus. We are forecasting additional share gains in 2026, with projections for GMV to grow +9.6% and ads to grow +21.5% as brands spend more across the funnel. 6 minute […]
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TL;DR: Our latest forecast reflects accelerating digital adoption and widening performance gaps across retailers. Digital channels are projected to drive more than 75% of incremental grocery dollars through 2030, with Amazon and Walmart seen extending their share gains. 1 minute read Stratably’s latest multi-year U.S. Grocery Market Forecast is now available, offering a refreshed look […]
TL;DR: Kroger delivered a stable but unspectacular 3Q, with growth increasingly dependent on digital channels and pressure intensifying from Walmart and Amazon. The retailer is resetting its eCommerce operating model, leaning harder into omni-enablers, and preparing for a more urgent push toward digital profitability in 2026. Brands should plan for modest topline growth, sustained value-seeking […]