Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Festival Foods, Midwest, News

Festival Foods’ Munns Retiring, Whitney Promoted To Chief Merchant

Festival Foods shared two personnel moves Jan. 30, including the upcoming retirement of Randy Munns, EVP and COO, and the promotion of Adam Whitney to chief merchant. Munns will retire Feb. 13 after a 40-year career in the grocery industry, including 35 years with the Wisconsin-based chain. Munns joined Festival in 1991 as a third-shift […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News

IGA Debuts Community Development Program To Address Food Desert Crisis

The Independent Grocers Alliance has launched IGA Community Development, a new initiative designed to expand access to fresh, affordable food in underserved urban and rural communities across the U.S. The new area of focus for IGA involves matching funding from communities, nonprofits and other developmental entities with independent retailers. This allows those retailers to open […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Costco Wholesale, National, News

Costco Launches Same-Day Instacart Delivery Websites In France, Spain

Costco  (Nasdaq: COST) members in France and Spain can shop online and receive same-day delivery through Costco’s first European websites powered by Instacart’s Storefront Pro commerce platform and fulfillment solutions services, the companies announced Jan. 30. The initial rollout includes delivery from all Costco locations in the two countries, including stores in the Paris metropolitan […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.

Kroger Expands Simple Truth Protein Line With 24 New Products

Kroger added 24 new Simple Truth Protein products to store shelves in January, expanding the line to more than 110 items as customers focus on wellness goals in the new year. The expanded line features protein-packed options designed to support nutrition goals, from establishing everyday habits to building strength. All products are free from unwanted […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West

SoCal-Based Vallarta Supermarkets Charts Path Of Growth, Change

In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast

The Fresh Market Adds South Miami Store To Florida Footprint

The Fresh Market opened its first store of 2026 in South Miami on Jan. 28, marking the grocer’s eighth location in the Miami-Dade area and 172nd store overall. The ribbon-cutting welcomed customers to a store featuring premium meats and seafood, fresh seasonal produce, local offerings and international products. To mark the occasion, the store contributed […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, Produce News, Tops Friendly Markets

Tops Markets Launches 2026 Produce Winter Olympic Games

Tops Markets has launched its 2026 Produce Winter Olympic Games, a four-week, company-wide competition Feb. 1-28 that challenges store teams to showcase produce displays, innovative merchandising and strong sales performance. Throughout the competition, stores participate in weekly themed events designed to highlight freshness, presentation and promotional creativity within the produce department. Teams compete for thousands […]