General Mills is returning its limited-edition Monsters Cereals to shelves nationwide later this summer, marking the 55th anniversary of Count Chocula, Boo Berry and Franken Berry with new packaging built around the puppet characters created by The Jim Henson Company. The Minneapolis-based manufacturer introduced the reimagined puppets last year in a first-time collaboration with Henson. […]
Category: Center Store
Center store news for grocery retailers: dry grocery, pantry staples, merchandising and category trends in the aisles.
See more center store coverage in Aisle Watch.
Acosta Tracker: Stock-Up Trip Costs $366, Up 27% From 2020
A typical grocery stock-up trip now costs more than $366, roughly 27 percent above a comparable 2020 basket, according to the inaugural Acosta Group Affordability Tracker released July 23. The Jacksonville, Florida-based firm measures affordability by comparing the cost of an 84-item basket of commonly purchased grocery and household essentials against median hourly earnings in […]
Albertsons ID Sales Down in Q1, Restructuring Operations
The changes are designed to speed decision-making, strengthen accountability and improve the customer experience, the Boise-based grocer said.
Meijer Cuts Prices On Nearly 200 Back-To-School Items
Meijer is lowering prices by up to 50 percent on nearly 200 school supplies and grocery items ahead of the 2026-27 school year, including more than 50 supplies priced under $1. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based retailer’s promotion runs through Sept. 8 and covers both Meijer brand and national-brand items commonly found on classroom supply lists […]
Conagra Unveils New Products Across Frozen, Pantry, Plant-Based Categories
Conagra Brands is introducing an extensive lineup of new food arriving on shelves, spanning breakfast, frozen meals, vegetables, plant-based options, pantry staples and sweet treats. “Our 2026 innovation line-up reflects how people want to eat today – bold flavors, convenient prep methods, and exceptional value,” said Noelle O’Mara, president of refrigerated and frozen at Conagra […]
Grocery Buyers To Emerging Brands: Come Ready And Be Willing To Listen
Editor’s note: The CPG Convergence Conference was dedicated to the memory of Navigator Lighthouse Foundation co-founder Allen Pierce, who died unexpectedly the week before the event. Read our remembrance here. Getting a product onto a grocery shelf is hard. Keeping it there is harder. That was the throughline as a group of Southern California retail […]
Remembering Allen Pierce, a Driving Force Behind the CPG Convergence Conference
PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — Allen McKnight Pierce, Jr., co-founder of the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and a driving force behind the CPG Convergence Conference, died June 18, one week before the June 25 event. He never saw it come to life, but it did, filling the room with the founders, retailers and investors he had worked […]
Kraft Heinz Restructures Into 3 Regions, Combines Procurement, Supply Chain
Kraft Heinz has announced changes to its global operating structure designed to accelerate growth, sharpen focus, and more effectively deploy resources. Effective July 1, the company will reorganize into three regions: North America, Europe and Pacific Developed Markets, and Emerging Markets. Marcel Regis will become regional president of Emerging Markets (combining Asia Emerging Markets and […]
Campbell’s, Banza Launch First Gluten-Free Condensed Chicken Noodle Soup
This change marks the first time in the company’s 150‑year history that the classic soup is available without gluten.
Wilton Celebrates America’s 250th With Patriotic Recipes, Bakeware
Wilton has launched a curated collection of recipes, bakeware and decorating tools to help home bakers celebrate the nation’s 250th birthday. “Baking is a pastime that brings generations together–through recipes handed down, techniques learned and moments celebrated,” said Shanta McGahey, director of brand and community at Wilton. “Wilton is proud to have been part of […]
Unilever Investing $270M For R&D Hub In New Haven, CT
Unilever has unveiled plans to develop a new Global Innovation Center in New Haven, Connecticut, representing a $270 million investment. The facility, set to open by spring 2029, will serve as a hub for the company’s research and development (R&D) for personal care, beauty and well-being businesses in the U.S. and worldwide. The center will […]
Fresh Del Monte Names Pittsburgh As New Hub For Foods Division
Del Monte Foods Inc., a division of Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., reaffirmed its long connection to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, by making the city its central hub. The announcement comes after Fresh Del Monte recently acquired Del Monte Foods, which will continue operating there. “Pittsburgh has been an important part of our story for more than […]
General Mills Promotes McNabb To COO
Minneapolis, Minnesota-based General Mills has promoted Dana McNabb to chief operating officer, effective June 1. McNabb will continue to report to Chairman and CEO Jeff Harmening and join General Mills’ board of directors. In addition to her current accountabilities leading North America Retail and North America Pet, McNabb will add responsibility for all General Mills’ […]
Kraft Heinz Launches Restaurant Edition Mac & Cheese Lineup
The Kraft Heinz Co. has debuted its first lineup of Kraft Mac & Cheese featuring restaurant-style flavors, rolling out nationwide this month. The “Restaurant Edition” line features three varieties – Parmesan Pesto with gemelli noodles, Romano Cacio e Pepe with pipette noodles and Monterey Jack Caramelized Onion with cavatappi noodles. Each 9.5-ounce box contains 30 […]
Barilla Climbs To No. 9 In Global RepTrak 100
Barilla has been named the world’s leading food company for reputation in the 2026 Global RepTrak 100, climbing 16 spots to ninth place overall and entering the global top 10 for the first time. This marks the third consecutive year the Parma, Italy-based company has led the food sector in the annual ranking. The study, […]
Lindsay Rolls Out Latin-Inspired Jarred Olives At Albertsons
Lindsay Olives is rolling out a new line of Latin-inspired jarred olives to appeal to grocery shoppers seeking global flavors. Launched in mid-March, they feature the flavors of Spain, Latin America and the Caribbean, according to the company. Designed for snacking, cooking and/or entertaining, the varieties are Sofrito Style, Pimiento Picantito and Escabeche Style. Sofrito […]
Circana Names 2025 U.S. CPG Growth Leaders
Circana has released its 14th annual U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report, identifying the top-performing consumer-packaged goods companies across five revenue tiers. The 2025 analysis found that private label and smaller manufacturers generating under $1 billion in annual sales are gaining market share, while retail food and beverage sales grew 3 percent and non-food sales slowed […]
Sesajal To Build $30M Edible Oil Facility In Temple, Texas
Sesajal, a Mexican manufacturer of edible oils, will invest $30 million to build a new warehousing and production facility in Temple, Texas. The Temple Economic Development Corporation announced the project, which will bring a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility to 13 acres in the Temple Industrial Park. Construction is expected to break ground in mid-2026 with completion […]
Toufayan Bakeries Launches Seed Oil-Free Wraps Nationwide
Toufayan Bakeries, the Ridgefield, New Jersey-based family-owned bakery, has made its full line of seed oil-free wraps available nationally and on Amazon. The wraps, made with avocado oil in place of traditional seed oils, come in five varieties: Classic, Whole Wheat, Sundried Tomato, Garlic Pesto and Savory Spinach. The launch taps into growing consumer demand […]
Kraft Heinz Becomes NFL’s First Condiment Partner In Five-Year Global Deal
The Kraft Heinz Co. and the National Football League have announced a five-year global strategic partnership, making Kraft Heinz the league’s first global condiment partner. The deal brings a broad portfolio of Kraft Heinz brands – including Heinz, Kraft, Velveeta, Philadelphia, Kraft Mac & Cheese, Primal Kitchen, Classico and A1 – into the center of the […]
