COVID-19 hit North America with force in March 2020. As in most other regions of the world, the pandemic has caused an unprecedented health and economic crisis over the past 15 months. Seemingly overnight, grocers became crucial businesses and played a vital role in serving local communities and ensuring an ongoing safe and healthy food supply. In this report, we frame major trends and issues for CEOs seeking to stay ahead of market shifts in 2021 and beyond. This report is part of McKinsey’s broader global series The State of Grocery Retail, an annual publication covering three continents, including Asia–Pacific, the European Union, and North America.