Minnesota maintains one of the nation’s strongest independent grocery networks, but increased government mandates driving up costs, stagnant population growth and a shrinking workforce are creating significant headwinds for retailers across the state, according to Patrick Garofalo, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association. “There’s a lot of pressure on those individual stores,” he said. “We’re […]
Category: Store News
Posted inC-Store News, Grocery Research, National, News
U.S. Convenience Store Count At 151K, Down From Last Year
There are 151,975 convenience stores in the United States, a slight decrease of 280 stores (0.2 percent) compared to the year prior, according to the 2026 NACS/NIQ TDLinx Convenience Industry Store Count. While the overall store count dipped, the number of convenience stores selling fuel increased by 768 stores (0.6 percent) to 122,620, the highest […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, West
The Save Mart Cos., Keurig Dr Pepper Raise $650K For Hunger Relief
Modesto, California-based The Save Mart Companies and Keurig Dr Pepper raised more than $650,000 for food banks across California and western Nevada through their Friends Feeding Friends holiday hunger relief campaign. The campaign combined more than $533,000 in shopper donations with $120,000 in corporate contributions. The Save Mart Companies and Keurig Dr Pepper each gave […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News
Grocery Outlet Provides 2M Meals Through Feeding America Holiday Campaign
Grocery Outlet raised enough funding through its holiday campaign with Feeding America to provide two million meals, the Emeryville, California-based extreme value retailer announced Jan. 26. The initiative ran from mid-November through Dec. 31. Customers donated at checkout, and store operators chose which local food bank or community organization to support. Grocery Outlet matched a […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, ShopRite
ShopRite Expands Locked-In Price Program
ShopRite has launched an enhanced Locked-In Price program featuring extended price locks of four to six weeks or longer on thousands of grocery staples throughout 2026. ShopRite, a registered trademark of Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp., said the effort aims to provide customers with predictable savings on popular items across all departments. Items will be […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
EcoATM To Showcase Device Recycling Kiosks At NGA Show
EcoATM will exhibit its electronic device recycling kiosks during The 2026 NGA Show in Las Vegas, demonstrating partnership opportunities for independent grocers. The San Diego, California-based company operates more than 7,000 kiosks nationwide at grocery and discount stores. The kiosks allow shoppers to recycle their phones and receive cash on the spot in less than […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Finance News, News, West
Dick’s Market Featured In Nationwide Film “STANDOUT”
Dick’s Market in Centerville, Utah, served as a filming location for “STANDOUT: The Ben Kjar Story,” a feature film that opened Jan. 23 in theaters nationwide and won the 2025 Slamdance Film Festival. The film chronicles the life of Ben Kjar, a Utah native born with Crouzon syndrome who became a three-time state wrestling champion, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Urges FTC, DOJ To Address Buyer Power Raising Food Prices
The National Grocers Association sent a letter to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) on Jan. 20, urging both agencies to use current antitrust authorities to address market manipulation by dominant grocery retail power buyers, especially Walmart. NGA warned that unchecked buyer power is raising rivals’ costs, accelerating consolidation and […]