Sprouts Farmers Market opened a new store May 15 in Naples, Florida. The store sits at 5351 Airport Road North in Naples, along Florida’s southwest coast. According to Sprouts’ website, it operates 63 stores in the Sunshine State. Sprouts noted on its Facebook page that it held “coast to coast” grand openings on May 15, […]
Category: Featured News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Breaks Ground On Sixth Location In Metro Huntsville, AL
Food City company officials broke ground May 15 for a new store on Old Highway 20 in Madison, Alabama, the sixth location planned for the greater Huntsville market. The 56,000-plus-square-foot retail supermarket is expected to open next spring. “Our first four Huntsville locations have been very well received, and we would like to thank our […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Featured News, News, West
WAFC Elects 2026-27 Leadership During Annual Convention
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has announced its 2026-27 officers and board of directors, elected May 3-5 at the 2026 WAFC Convention in San Antonio, Texas. Rebecca Calvin, EVP and CMO of Stater Bros. Markets, was elected president chairperson. Other officers include: Vice President: Wendy Coldesina, VP general merchandise manager, Costco Wholesale; Treasurer: […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop Reduces Prices On Products Across NJ, NY Stores
Stop & Shop has lowered prices on products across nearly every department, including national brands and private label items, at its stores in New Jersey and New York. The price reductions focus on customer favorites, including New York-specific items such as pick-your-own bagels from the Stop & Shop Bakery, Acme Smoked Salmon and Nathan’s Famous […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Northeast
NJFC Leadership Development Class Attends NGA Advocacy Training
In early May, members of the 2026 New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) Leadership Development Class traveled to Washington, D.C., for a two-day experience focused on federal advocacy and leadership in the food industry. The trip included an introduction to NJFC’s federal partners at the National Grocers Association (NGA) and a tour of Capitol Hill. “In […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News, Supply Chain News
FMI: Global Conflict, Rising Energy Costs Put Upward Pressure On Food Prices
Cargo ships stalled in the Strait of Hormuz. Fertilizer prices that have effectively doubled for American farmers. A Sierra Nevada snowpack that never materialized. The pressures bearing down on the U.S. food supply chain in 2026 are coming from multiple directions at once – and according to experts from FMI – The Food Industry Association, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City Growth Brings ‘Fun Challenge’ Of Managing Distribution, Culture
When an ice storm hits and the news tells everyone to stay home, Greg Sparks knows exactly what happens next. “Our drivers are out there,” he said. That mindset – part duty, part pride – helps explain why Food City is The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s 2026 Retailer of the Year. Having served friends […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Opens Converted Everett Foodliner Location After Acquisition
The Giant Co. has reopened the store at 250 West Main St. in Everett, Pennsylvania, that it acquired in February. Formerly Everett Foodliner, the store was temporarily closed to complete minor remodels, install new signage and undertake an overall décor update. Customers will find Giant’s signature fresh departments, including a larger, market-feel produce department with […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Food City CEO Reflects On Legacy, Growth, Art Of Running Best Store In Town
Having served friends and neighbors for more than 100 years, Food City is proud to be locally owned and operated. With 164 retail outlets spanning five states, the company’s dedicated team of more than 19,200 associates is committed to the mission it was founded upon: to “run the best store in town.” That commitment to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, National, News
Instacart Expands Fulfillment Pro With New Picking, Delivery Tools
Instacart is expanding Fulfillment Pro, its end-to-end order fulfillment platform, with two major updates – new delivery management software for retailer-owned fleets and enhanced enterprise-grade picking capabilities for store teams. The updates build on fulfillment infrastructure used by more than 50,000 retail associates to deliver more than 45 million orders in 2025. They represent Instacart’s […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA, NCPA Join Main Street Competition Coalition
The National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) have joined the newly-formed Main Street Competition Coalition (MSCC), a cross-sector effort to push back against big corporations that use market dominance to squeeze out smaller competitors. Founding investors in the project, NCPA and NGA represent thousands of Main Street businesses that often […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Featured News, Foodtown, News, Northeast
Allegiance Retail Services Names Ferreira Acting Chairman, CEO
Allegiance Retail Services (ARS) has named Jason Ferreira acting chairman of its board of directors and CEO, effective immediately. The change is part of the board’s succession development plan. Ferreira has served on the board at Iselin, New Jersey-based Allegiance since 2021 and has been a co-op member since 2013. Previously vice chairman, he will […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA, FMI Praise House Passage Of ORC Act, Citing Threat To Independents
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Association have praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act” (HR 2853), calling the bipartisan measure a critical tool in the fight against theft rings that are squeezing independent grocers. In a letter of support sent to the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Private Label Brands, Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. Names Ruane Director Of Own Brands
Wakefern Food Corp. has promoted Chris Ruane to director of Own Brands. In his new role, Ruane will focus on advancing product innovation, optimizing assortment, strengthening supplier partnerships and delivering quality and value across brands including Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry and Paperbird. He will report to Chief Sales Officer Darren Caudill. “Chris’s deep industry […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, National, News, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Bringing Daily Shop Concept To 3 U.S. Markets
Whole Foods Market will be adding its smaller format store concept, Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, to Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia over the next two years, continuing the brand’s expansion of the format into dense urban neighborhoods. Whole Foods Market Daily Shop stores feature a streamlined footprint, with an emphasis on product selection and an […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
NRF: Retail Sales Rose For Seventh Consecutive Month In April
Retail sales grew for the seventh straight month in April despite rising gas prices and persistent inflation, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released May 13 by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose 0.34 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 5.73 percent year […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, National, Natural Grocers, News
23 Natural Grocers Stores In 12 States Marking 10th Anniversary
Natural Grocers is celebrating the 1oth anniversary of 23 stores in 12 states across the country with exclusive discounts and in-store festivities. From May 17-23, customers can join the celebration with special {N}power member-only deals. Since opening the stores in 2016, Natural Grocers has become a source of high-quality affordable organic and natural groceries, supplements […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Featured News, Midwest, News
Hornbacher’s Marks 75 Years In ND’s Red River Valley
Hornbacher’s marked its 75th anniversary April 21 with a celebration honoring its roots in North Dakota’s Red River Valley and commitment to supporting communities, producers and organizations. The event featured a ribbon cutting, live entertainment and product samples. Since its founding in 1951, Hornbacher’s has been connected to the communities it serves. That commitment continues […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
Gopal Joins Ahold Delhaize USA To Lead Data, AI Strategy
Ahold Delhaize USA has appointed Vipin Gopal as SVP, serving as chief data and artificial intelligence officer for the U.S. businesses. Reporting to Chief Information Officer Ann Dozier, Gopal will lead data, analytics and AI strategy and advance Ahold Delhaize USA’s efforts to further embed data-driven decision-making and AI capabilities into its business. He will […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, National, News
Amazon Now Expands Ultra-Fast Delivery Across The U.S.
Amazon has rolled out its ultra-fast delivery service, Amazon Now, to customers throughout the U.S. Amazon Now provides thousands of fresh groceries, everyday household essentials and locally-relevant items in about 30 minutes or less. It is widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia and Seattle, and is expanding in dozens more cities, including Austin and […]