Online Grocery Sale Increases in August

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🗃️ What’s Shaping the Shelves?

Online grocery sales in the United States reached $11.2 billion in August 2025, reflecting a year-over-year increase of about 14 percent. Delivery was the strongest performer, showing growth in both average order value and monthly active users. Ship-to-home sales also gained momentum, while pickup declined by around four percent. A growing number of households are now combining delivery, pickup, and ship-to-home instead of relying on a single method, signaling that consumers are embracing greater flexibility in how they shop. Read more.

🧙 Retail Masterclass

Brands committed to manufacturing in the United States are confronting rising costs, largely due to new tariffs on raw materials such as steel and aluminum. A notable case is Torani, which reported a three-million-dollar overrun on its factory expansion because of higher steel prices. These unexpected expenses are forcing many companies to delay or scale back investment projects. To cope, some manufacturers are adopting automation, taking advantage of tax incentives, or diversifying their supply chains. The shift highlights how external trade policies can directly influence operational planning and long-term strategies.

💡 An Everyday Market Hack

One way to save on fresh produce and meat is to shop just before closing time. Many stores reduce prices on perishable items in the last hour of business, offering high-quality goods at discounted rates. This small change in shopping routine can lead to consistent savings without sacrificing freshness.

🧐 Shopper Insights

Retail and food service sales in the United States rose by 0.6 percent in August 2025 compared to July, a figure that exceeded forecasts of around 0.2 percent. On a year-over-year basis, sales climbed nearly five percent. Growth was especially strong among nonstore retailers, including online and catalog sales, while restaurants and bars also posted solid improvements compared with last year. The data points to sustained consumer confidence and a steady pace of spending across key sectors.

Retail Innovation

🏷️ Featured Brand - Barnes & Noble

Barnes & Noble is in expansion mode, opening new stores across the country as part of a broader effort to reinvent its role in local communities. Rather than positioning itself solely as a national chain, the retailer is curating selections, hosting events, and creating spaces designed to feel more personal and community-driven. By blending scale with a local touch, Barnes & Noble is seeking to win over book lovers who value both variety and connection.

🌱 Eco Trends

MarinTrust, the global certification body for marine ingredients, has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership to strengthen collaboration on responsible sourcing. As part of the agreement, SFP’s Fishery Improvement Project ratings will be incorporated into MarinTrust’s Improver Program, giving fisheries that have not yet reached certification a clearer roadmap for progress.

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