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Trump removes tariffs on key food imports to tackle soaring grocery prices
Summary: In a notable policy shift aimed at curbing rising living costs, Donald Trump ordered the removal of levies on over a hundred food items—including beef, coffee, bananas and nuts—effective November 13, 2025, as the administration responds to pressure from voters worried about surging grocery prices
Brief: Donald Trump has issued an executive order cutting tariffs on beef, coffee, bananas and over 100 other commonly-used food items to help reduce grocery prices amid inflation concerns. Business StandardHe also signalled a shift away from his earlier hardline reciprocal-tariff stance, applying the changes retroactively and in response to rising cost-of-living pressures and bipartisan scrutiny of the tariff strategy.
Value-focused chains Aldi and Lidl force U.S. grocers to ramp up private-brand strategies
With Aldi expanding rapidly (225+ U.S. openings in 2025) and Lidl gaining traction, U.S. grocery retailers are under pressure to boost their own store-brand offerings. Private-label growth is now outpacing national brands—driving a shift in competitive dynamics across the sector.
Brief: Aldi and Lidl’s rapid U.S. expansion—anchored in low prices and strong private-label assortments—is accelerating a shift toward store-brand dominance. Their model is winning over cost-conscious shoppers and pushing traditional grocers to reassess pricing and product mix.
In response, U.S. chains are boosting investment in higher-quality private labels, premium sub-brands and faster innovation cycles. As private-label sales outpace national brands, retailer-owned products are becoming a key lever for competitiveness and margin growth.
Target Corporation brings shopping into ChatGPT via its partnership with OpenAI ahead of Black Friday
In a strategic move ahead of the holiday surge, Target has launched a new in-ChatGPT shopping app in collaboration with OpenAI, enabling users to browse, build baskets, and complete purchases—streamlining checkout with options like shipping, drive-up or store pickup.
Brief: Target’s integration with ChatGPT turns a conversational AI into a full-fledged retail channel. Shoppers can tag the Target app inside ChatGPT, ask for curated ideas, build multi-item carts—including fresh groceries—and complete transactions with preferred fulfillment methods.
This move comes as part of Target’s broader digital push in response to soft sales and shifting consumer behavior. By embedding its storefront inside ChatGPT, Target positions itself for the holiday peak while embracing a new era of “agentic commerce”—AI-enabled shopping that goes beyond search to full checkout.
Grocery TV broadens partnership with ShopRite to add 31 more stores in NY and NJ
The in-store media network Grocery TV has expanded its collaboration with ShopRite (via Wakefern Food Corp.) by installing digital screens in 31 additional stores across New York and New Jersey—taking the total count of ShopRite locations using the platform to over 230. PR Newswire+2Supermarket News+2
Brief: Grocery TV’s platform installs digital displays at store entrances, checkout areas and pharmacies at ShopRite locations, enabling the retailer to share timely store updates, promotions and job postings while offering brands targeted access to high-intent shoppers. Retail Technology Innovation Hub+1
The rollout to 31 more stores underscores the growing importance of in-store retail media as a revenue stream and engagement channel, as Grocery TV now reaches more than 95 million shoppers across 6,500+ stores nationwide.
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