20 • September | October 2026 • abasto.com Specialty Grocers Steal Grocery Market Share from Supermarkets BY HERNANDO RAMÍREZ-SANTOS A major shift is reshaping the Ame- rican grocery landscape. New data from Consumer Edge reveals that specialty and discount retailers are capturing grocery market share, while traditional supermarkets stru- ggle to hold on to shoppers across every income level. Consumer Edge released its U.S. Grocery Outlook 2026 this week. The report draws on transaction-level data to map where, and why, consu- mers are redirecting their food do- llars in an increasingly competitive retail environment. Overall grocery spending dropped approximately 3% year-over-year on a 12-month basis ended Feb. 28, 2026. However, Consumer Edge cau- tions against reading this as a simple pullback in consumer appetite. Shoppers are not spending less across the board. Instead, they are becoming more deliberate, gravita- ting toward retailers that offer a clear value proposition — either unbeata- ble price or a distinctive, curated ex- perience. That behavioral shift is rewriting the competitive rankings across the sector. Trader Joe’s Leads the Pack Trader Joe’s emerged as the grocery sector’s standout performer. The specialty chain grew more than 3% year-over-year, outperforming the broader grocery market by 6 percen- tage points. The brand’s appeal spans demo- graphics. Gen Z shoppers drove dou- ble-digit year-over-year growth, sig- naling strong momentum with the next generation of grocery buyers. Loyalty metrics further reinforce Trader Joe’s edge. The chain posted a 35% customer retention rate four quarters after a shopper’s first pur- chase — surpassing both ALDI and Wegmans on that key indicator. Its gravitational pull extends be- yond its own customer base. Sprouts Farmers Market shoppers allocate 48% of their specialty grocery spen- ding to Trader Joe’s. Wegmans sho- ppers direct 47% of their specialty dollars there as well. 20 • Septiembre | Octubre 2026 • abasto.com • Continues on page 22 Americas Food and Beverage Special Insert