Top 10: The world’s largest supermarket chain, growing retailers, McDonald’s menu, fermented garlic

Popular reads this week involved all – both retail and restaurants. Among the top stories were Lidl’s plan to expand out to the East Coast, hoping to build as many as 100 standalone 36,000-square-foot stores, and also, Kroger ranking as the top traditional supermarket retailer in the world, according to a report from the National Retail Federation. Also most-read was a story about what it takes for new products to make it onto McDonald’s menu.

Other big news included Ahold and Delhaize Group getting one step closer to completing its merger with a public filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and the rising trend of black garlic in restaurant dishes.

Here’s the complete list of the top 10 most-read stories by SmartBrief this week:

1. Lidl outlines US East Coast expansion plans

2. How new products land on the McDonald’s menu

3. Report: Kroger is the world’s largest supermarket chain

4. Ahold, Delhaize move closer to merger with public filing

5. Black garlic is chefs’ secret weapon for unique flavor

6. ConaAgra CEO: Brands can thrive if they keep consumers in mind

7. General Mills adds oatmeal-based yogurt to Plenti line

8. Baking mix startup succeeds with focus on nutrition, simplicity

9. Sprouts to add 11 new stores in the 2nd quarter

10. Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s jump into value meal rivalry

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