The winter holiday season remains the most important sales period of the year for chocolate and candy, driven by strong consumer traditions around gifts, entertaining and everyday indulgence, according to new data and seasonal insights from the National Confectioners Association (NCA). NCA research shows that 95 percent of Americans celebrate with chocolate and candy across […]
Category: Association News
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, National, News
FMI, Coalition Ask Federal Reserve To Finalize Debit Card Swipe Fee Reform
FMI – The Food Industry Association joined a coalition of merchant industry organizations representing Main Street businesses nationwide in urging the Federal Reserve to move forward and finalize its long-pending debit card swipe fee reform rule. The rule stems from the Durbin Amendment, enacted in 2010, which directed the Fed to ensure debit card interchange […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, National, News
PLMA Preps For National Store Brands Month In January
Store Brands Month returns Jan. 1 with a nationwide, consumer-focused awareness campaign designed to spotlight the quality, innovation and value of private label products. Created by the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA), the program is an industry-wide initiative that educates consumers about the breadth of store brand products available at supermarkets, club and convenience stores, […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Association News, National, News
FMI Urges Congress To Preserve Pharmacy Operations Through PBM Reform
FMI – The Food Industry Association is reminding Congress that pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) reform, not just transparency, is the only way to preserve the viability of supermarket pharmacies and patient access to them in communities across the country. FMI Chief Public Policy Officer Jennifer Hatcher issued the following statement: “FMI and our members operate […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, Superior Grocers, West
CGA Names Superior Grocers’ President, CEO Wardwell As Board Chair
The California Grocers Association has named Richard Wardwell, president and CEO at Superior Grocers, as chairman of its board of directors. Wardwell, who succeeds North State Grocery Chief Administrative Officer Michel LeClerc, will lead the board’s strategy for CGA’s legislative, educational and industry-related programs over the next year. Wardwell spearheads Superior Grocers’ business strategy and […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest, News
Kansas Independents Served Well By Innovation, Creativity With Fresh Foods, Great Service
The Shelby Report of the Midwest recently caught up with Jon McCormick, president and CEO of the Retail Grocers Association of Greater Kansas City, for the latest updates on the grocery industry in Kansas. How is the economy in the state? Unemployment is lower than the national average. That helps our independent retailers in […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Equitable Food Initiative Commemorates 10th Anniversary, Celebrates 2025 Achievements
Equitable Food Initiative – a workforce development and certification organization that partners with growers, farmworkers and retailers – marked a year of progress in 2025 during which it advanced responsible labor practices, strengthened industry collaboration and drove worker engagement throughout the fresh produce supply chain. EFI also celebrated its 10th year as an independent nonprofit with program […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Responds To FTC Complaint Alleging Preferential Pricing For Walmart
The National Grocers Association has issued a statement in response to a Federal Trade Commission complaint that alleges preferential pricing and promotional treatment for Walmart. The complaint, part of an FTC enforcement action filed in January, was unsealed Dec. 12 by a judge in response to a request by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, an […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Courtesy Clerk Bowling Named Kentucky’s Best Bagger
Gabe Bowling, courtesy clerk at the Food City in Louisa, Kentucky, recently won the Kentucky Best Bagger competition, receiving a $250 cash prize along with an all-expenses paid trip in February to Las Vegas, where he will compete for the national title during The NGA Show. An 18-year-old senior at Lawerence County High School, Bowling […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Names Wolkwitz Director Of Membership Engagement, Growth
The National Grocers Association has promoted Kari Wolkwitz to the newly created position of director of membership engagement and growth. In her new role, Wolkwitz will oversee engagement strategies for NGA’s retailer and wholesaler members, leading initiatives to drive participation in association events and share groups and strengthen member involvement in advocacy efforts. She also […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCSA Elects Three New Members To Board Of Directors
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has elected three industry leaders to its board of directors. Cody Heinz with Bell Flavors & Fragrances joins the board for the first time; Peter Kempton Jr. of b.a. Sweetie Candy Company has been re-elected for a second three-year term; and Brandon Sagotz from Ferrara Candy Co. returns after […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National, News
NGA Petitions EPA To Reconsider HFC Management Rule Regulations
The National Grocers Association has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revise its Hydrofluorocarbon Management Rule, citing what it maintains are unrealistic timelines, excessive compliance costs and regulatory requirements that exceed congressional mandates. NGA’s petition argues that the HFC Management Rule imposes several impractical and overly burdensome requirements on food retailers, including drastically increasing […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
Coalition Launches Campaign For Beer, Wine Sales In Maryland Grocery Stores
The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition has launched a campaign to advocate for legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Maryland is one of just four U.S. states where grocery stores can’t sell alcohol, though the coalition said significant momentum has grown to pass legislation addressing the issue in 2026. “It’s past time that we […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Council President: Season Of Change Afoot Across Maryland Grocery Market
The Maryland grocery market is in a season of change, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. “New stores have opened, but many have closed this year as well,” said Locklair, who also serves as president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores. “Food is […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Midwest, News
PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show Draws 14K Attendees To Chicago
PLMA‘s 2025 Annual Private Label Trade Show, held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago, drew more than 14,000 attendees, including retailers, exhibitors, visitors and industry professionals from across the private label and retail sectors. The show featured hundreds of thousands of food and nonfood products across 3,000 booths with more than 1,900 exhibitors representing 63 countries. It […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
Winter Holiday Confectionery Demand Remains Strong, NCA Reports
According to a new survey from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 95 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the winter holidays with chocolate and candy, reflecting the category’s continued strength as a holiday staple. The “big four” seasonal moments – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – remain key for the $54 billion […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Executive News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart SVP Morris To Keynote PLMA Annual Meeting, Leadership Conference
Walmart’s SVP of private brands food, consumables and manufacturing will deliver the keynote address April 15-17 during PLMA’s 2026 Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference. Scott Morris and his team are tasked with positioning Walmart’s private brands, strengthening their value proposition, developing quality core and innovative products and building customer loyalty and holistic cultural support. He […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
DCEO Official Discusses Illinois Grocery Initiative’s Efforts To Strengthen Food Systems
As Illinois continues its efforts to ensure every resident has access to fresh, affordable food, the Illinois Grocery Initiative is leading the way in revitalizing communities and combating food insecurity statewide. Established in 2023, the program takes a multipronged approach to addressing food deserts – areas where residents face barriers to accessing fresh groceries – […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocers Face Headwinds Amid Economic Uncertainty In Illinois
The Illinois economy may be “chugging along a little bit,” but uncertainty remains high – and retailers, especially grocers, are feeling the strain. “I think I would call it shaky, but we’re certainly not in a recession,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “But as it relates to retail, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News, Snacks Brands
NCA Adds Moss, Brandmeier To Scientific-Regulatory Affairs Team
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has added Julie Moss as VP of food safety and scientific affairs and Sarah Brandmeier as director of nutrition policy and scientific affairs. According to the association, their experience across federal agencies and the food industry will help the $54 billion confectionery industry navigate a complex regulatory landscape. “It is […]