Various giant grocers, such as Target and Amazon Fresh, now mark global warming as a serious concern and are actively taking initiatives to save the planet and obtain sustainability. Ontario-based Loblaws Supermarket, being one of them, has recently declared to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2040. The grocer will attain the goal by making advancements in energy management, equipment conversions, and handling refrigerant leakage by replacing them with environment-friendly refrigerators. Back in 2016, Loblaws set a target to cut 30% of corporate carbon emissions by 2030 and achieved it in 2020. The grocer has set several milestones to achieve sustainability goals to limit the damage done by global warming. To read more, visit SuperMarketNews

Giant Eagle Inc. has extended its partnership with Boston-based SmartSense, part of Digi International, a tech and Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity solution provider, to deploy IoT technology across the grocer’s outlets. SmartSense will extensively manage digital tasks and operations for 175 grocery outlets and 92 convenience stores of Giant Eagle. To ensure food safety and quality, Giant Eagle will install instruments that can monitor the digital temperature to regulate the freshness of its food inventory automatically. This digital solution will minimize the risk of having stale inventory and aid Giant Eagle associates in monitoring it with real-time data analytics. To read more, visit TheShelbyReport

Inflation is rising steadily, and consumers find it extremely difficult to shop for groceries with a tight budget. Where many retailers are increasing the prices of their products, Grocery Outlet is attracting many consumers due to its extreme value prices. The affordable grocer offers a typical shopper grocery basket at a price about 40% less than that of other grocers. The business model of the grocer seems inspiring and adds value for customers. Independent owners operate the Grocery Outlet stores and procure surplus inventory from their wide network of suppliers. The grocer also offers a ‘treasure hunt’ for shoppers to enjoy getting products with a WOW price tag. The hunt adds an exciting touch to the mundane grocery trip. To read more, visit SuperMarketNews

Target Corp. and Amazon Fresh are taking necessary measures to seek net zero certification from the International Living Future Institute, a nonprofit firm promoting sustainability measures. Amazon Fresh store in Seattle will become the world’s first grocery outlet to seek the ILFI Zero Carbon certification. The 35,000 square-foot store has installed updated technology such as a CO2-based refrigeration system capable of lowering 38 metric tons per year of greenhouse gas emissions compared to a traditional refrigerator. The store will also use steel byproducts and 100% renewable electricity generated from Amazon’s energy programmes to reduce carbon emissions. After Target, Amazon is gearing up to become a net-zero carbon business by 2040. To read more, visit SuperMarketNews

The Fresh Market is diving deeper to enhance the gourmet experience through its e-commerce platforms using shoppable content. The grocer began streaming shoppable video content by highlighting and linking to women-owned brands. The grocer is partnering with Firework, a live content firm, to produce more live shoppable content, gather consumer data, and boost online engagement. Live content is also a way for grocers to introduce and make customers familiar with their products, workers and store layout. To read more, visit GroceryDive

Target has launched its Target Zero sustainable program to offer eco-friendly products made of recyclable material. Under the program, Target has started rolling out products from the beauty, personal care and household essentials, having a label icon, both in-store and online. Brands like Burt’s Bees, Pacifica beauty products and Everspring, Target’s cleaning and household brand, will have the sustainable product label. Customers will find more of such products with the Target Zero label in the future. The retailer will launch exclusive zero-waste solutions, such as the Target packaging innovation program, to offer reusable product packaging. To read more, visit StarTribune

Walmart Canada has partnered with Ecocart, an e-commerce plugin for retailers offering carbon-neutral digital orders, to work on ESG sustainability goals. Customers can evaluate and manage carbon emissions while placing digital orders on Walmart CA through Ecocart’s add-on extension popup. The grocer will then convert the carbon emission credits to real money and charge from online orders of shoppers. Walmart’s plan for the first year includes offsetting 25,000 tons of direct CO2 emissions from last-mile delivery, which equals removing 5,000 cars from the road. Walmart has global goals of achieving zero emissions by 2040 without using CO2 and also plans to protect Canadian forests in future. To read more, visit SuperMarketNews

Tortoise, a retail automation startup, plans to roll out remote-controlled mobile vending machines containing grocery essentials. Tortoise has partnered with Choice Market in Colorado and Go Grocer from the Chicago area to launch the unattended self-service units that allow shoppers to purchase and pay for items through their phone or credit card. The vending machines can act as mobile grocery stores and help grocers reach customers where they can’t be accessed usually, like a stadium, park and other locations. To purchase groceries from these mobile containers, customers will have to download its app or sign up for its account. The cart has two storage compartments, and Tortoise will upgrade these units with automated climate control systems later this year. To read more, visit GroceryDive