F
ood retailing in the U.S. is situated at the precipice of a new era. Online behemoth Amazon
has significantly escalated its battle for a share of the grocery market with the acquisition
of Whole Foods Market, discounter Aldi is expanding at an unprecedented pace, and its
longtime European rival Lidl had stormed ashore in the Mid-Atlantic with plans for 100 limited-
assortment stores by next summer. In addition, subscription meal kit services have proliferated as a
new competitive front for grocery retailers, and Walmart is focusing with renewed vigor on winning
at grocery and e-commerce.
The ever-changing retail landscape brings uncertainty and
potential opportunity for specialty foods.
BY MARK HAMSTRA
of Food Retailing
EVOLUTION
The
50 ❘ SPECIALTY FOOD MAGAZINE specialtyfood.com