The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) will present The Pulse of Retail: IFPA’s 2026 State of Retail at The Retail Conference & Golf Tournament April 27-29 in Phoenix, Arizona, delivering a forward-looking analysis of the trade shifts and consumer trends shaping the future of fresh. Registration for the event is now open. Designed as a fast-paced, insight-driven session, The Pulse […]
Category: National
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
WGA Names Maurer President, Zambo Vice Chair
Women Grocers of America (WGA) has appointed Kristie Maurer, owner of Maurer’s Urban Market, as its new president, and Donna Zambo, EVP and chief information and marketing officer at Allegiance Retail Services, as vice chair. The two succeed outgoing President Kristin Popp and Vice Chair Heidi Huff, whose tenure expanded WGA’s national presence and strengthened […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Dollar General, Featured News, National, News
Dollar General Names Fleeman As CEO, Succeeding Vasos
Dollar General Corp. has appointed JJ Fleeman as its next CEO, effective Jan. 1. Fleeman will succeed Todd Vasos, who has led the discount retailer for a combined 10 years across two terms. The appointment comes the same day Ahold Delhaize confirmed Fleeman will depart as CEO of Ahold Delhaize USA at the end of June […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Survey: Price Surpasses Taste, Brand Loyalty As Top Grocery Purchase Driver
Price has become the dominant factor in grocery purchasing decisions, with 70 percent of consumers citing price or value as the top influence when shopping for snacks and beverages, according to new findings from Zappi’s CPG Mega-Trends Report. The nationally representative study of 2,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 90 percent have adjusted their […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Harps Food Stores, National, News
Harps To Deploy SmartMeals AI Shopping Assistant
Harps Food Stores will deploy SmartMeals, AWG’s AI-powered shopping assistant built by Breez AI, across its network of more than 150 stores. The announcement was made at the AWG Innovation Showcase, where independent grocers gathered to explore technologies shaping the future of grocery retail. The rollout makes Harps one of the largest operators in the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National, News, Nonfood Items
Inspired Home Show 2026 Draws Buyers From More Than 100 Countries
The Inspired Home Show 2026 wrapped its three-day run at Chicago’s McCormick Place on March 12, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibitors, thousands of unique brands and attendees from more than 100 countries. The U.S.-based buyers alone represented more than 100,000 retail locations and nearly $75 billion in buying power. The show, produced annually by […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Frozen Food, National, News
Hillphoenix Launches Next Generation Flex Mini CO2 Refrigeration System
Hillphoenix, part of Dover Food Retail and Dover, launched the Next Generation Flex Mini, a CO2 transcritical refrigeration system designed for food retail and industrial applications. The system is built around serviceability and energy efficiency in a compact footprint. The Flex Mini platform supports two compressor brand configurations, giving operators flexibility to match existing technical […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Barrows Connected Store, QSIC Synchronize In-Store Audio, Video Retail Media
Barrows Connected Store and QSIC announced a strategic partnership designed to unify in-store audio and digital video into a single, data-driven retail media platform. The deal connects Barrows’ ConnectOS-powered in-store digital video network with QSIC’s intelligent audio platform, enabling synchronized multi-sensory campaigns measured against real-world transaction data. The core problem the partnership addresses is straightforward: […]