It’s been quite the year for the grocery industry, between the will-they-won’t-they drama of the Kroger-Albertsons merger, store openings and closings, (or, in the case of Foxtrot, stores closing and then opening), and the big private-label push. Here were the top stories from the year in grocery.

The Kroger-Albertsons saga: This year saw Kroger and Albertsons quickly shift from potential merger partners to adversaries. After Kroger and Albertsons announced their plans to merge in October 2022, the grocery world eagerly anticipated the Federal Trade Commission’s response—and it came in February, when the agency announced it was suing to block the deal, issuing administrative and federal complaints. The FTC claimed the merger would lead to elevated grocery prices, reduce product quality, and give consumers fewer grocery options.

The retailers pushed back, and in August, Kroger sued the FTC, saying its proceeding in administrative court was unconstitutional. In September, it faced off with the FTC in federal court in the District of Oregon during a three-week trial, raising questions about the definition of “competition” within the grocery industry.

Keep reading here.—EC

Having a birthday close to the holidays can be rough, but the Hello Kitty brand isn’t skimping on the celebration for its 50th anniversary this week. The iconic character will mark the occasion on Wednesday with a Bruno Mars performance at Park MGM resort and casino in Las Vegas, and a meet-and-greet with the kitty herself.

Here’s what else is going on in retail this week:

In events: The National Retail Federation is hosting a webinar on Thursday offering an analysis of how president-elect Donald Trump’s proposed tax cuts could impact US imports. The organization will also share the findings of a report on how these policies, which include a 10%–20% tariff on all imports and a 60%–100% tariff on Chinese imports, could impact common household goods.

Keep reading here.—AV

Since it was founded in 2020, hair-care brand K18 has always tried to “stay scrappy” in its marketing, CMO Michelle Miller told us.

Looking back, Miller said K18 “was doubling down on TikTok when none of the other hair-care brands were doing it,” and has since embraced TikTok Shop and developed a deep understanding of how paid media works on the platform.

The brand, which was acquired by Unilever in 2023, has recently begun experimenting with creators and celebrities, including a two-year ambassadorship with Simone Biles announced earlier this year and some short-term partnerships with creators including the “cucumber guy” Logan Moffitt and Alix Earle.

Keep reading here on Marketing Brew.—KH

Interested in speaking at a Retail Brew event? Get your name on the list for our in-person and virtual events calendar before it’s too late!

We’re looking for industry experts with compelling stories and valuable experience, a commitment to educating and engaging audiences, and, of course, a sense of humor. Whether you’re passionate about e-commerce strategy, sustainable retail, or anything in between, help us bring fresh voices and new ideas to our next event. Sign up now.