Walmart announced it is moving ahead with more than 650 scheduled remodels to supercenters and Neighborhood Markets and opening about 20 new stores in 2026 and early 2027. The investment builds on a 2024 commitment to open or convert more than 150 new locations while continuing to update other stores across the portfolio. “This year, […]
Category: Featured News
Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Kearney Cites ‘Unpredictable’ Consumer Behavior In Beverage Outlook
Global management consulting firm Kearney has released its 2026 Beverage Outlook, detailing a growing “duality” in purchasing habits – where economic pressure, health consciousness and evolving social norms are forcing a rethinking of portfolio strategies. According to the analysis, beverage consumers have become significantly less predictable. Shoppers are increasingly “trading down” for efficiency in routine […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Marketing News, News, West
How Swensens Built A Social Media Sales Channel That Rivals Any App
Idaho independent’s “Social Deal” program turns Facebook comments into a weekly reservation system – no shopping app to download, no online checkout, no problem. When Swensen’s Markets posted a deal on 50-pound boxes of Idaho russet baking potatoes to its Facebook page in mid-February, the family-owned grocer likely expected a solid response. What it got […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop Named Official Grocery Store Of Boston Legacy FC
Stop & Shop and Boston Legacy FC have entered a multi-year partnership designating the Quincy, Massachusetts-based retailer as the “Official Grocery Store” of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) expansion team. The collaboration will focus on addressing food insecurity in the state through the Stop & Shop School Food Pantry Program. The two organizations will […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Independent Grocers Expand In NYC As City-Run Stores Debate Continues
Two new independently owned supermarkets opened April 10 in New York City, underscoring continued investment by local operators even as elected officials have announced plans to establish a municipally owned grocery store in each of the five boroughs. One store debuted in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, while the second opened along the White […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Featured News, Midwest, News
PLMA Preps For 2026 Private Label Trade Show In November
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has scheduled its 2026 Private Label Trade Show for Nov. 15-17 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago. Themed the “Store Brands Marketplace,” the event serves as a central hub for thousands of manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers to develop and expand private label programs. Registration for retailers […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Acosta: Young Consumers Lead GLP-1 Users Reshaping Grocery Baskets
Consumers using GLP-1 medications for weight loss are changing what they buy at grocery stores and elsewhere, with effects extending into personal care purchases and dining habits, according to new research from Acosta Group. The trends are most pronounced among Gen Z and Millennial consumers. Acosta Group’s study, released ahead of the National Association of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Adds Second Springboard Cohort Products To 15 Stores
Schnuck Markets Inc. has introduced the second class of its Schnucks Springboard emerging business accelerator to 15 stores across the St. Louis area. The 10 participants began a four-week in-store trial on April 15, marking a significant step in the retailer’s initiative to support local and regional entrepreneurs. The cohort includes a range of brands […]
Expert Article
What It Really Takes To Compete As An Independent Grocer In 2026
Valley Farm Market has been a fixture of East County San Diego since 1956. Derek Marso – third-generation owner, former NFL player and self-described servant leader – took over the family store with one conviction: independent grocers don’t have to compete on price. They compete on experience, specialization, and speed. Under his leadership, Valley Farm […]
Posted inGelson's, Equipment & Technology, Featured News, News, Shelby Originals, Sustainability News, West
Gelson’s Opens Second ReCharge Micro-Market in Costa Mesa, CA
COSTA MESA, Calif. — Gelson’s Markets has opened its second ReCharge by Gelson’s micro-market, this time inside a new Rove fast-charging hub on Harbor Boulevard in Costa Mesa, about a mile from the Pacific Coast and minutes from Interstate 405. The Shelby Report of the West was on hand April 8 for a ribbon-cutting ceremony […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Natural Grocers, News, West
Natural Grocers To Open Third Location In Rock Springs, WY
Natural Grocers will open a new store April 29 in Rock Springs, Wyoming, marking the retailer’s third location in the state. Grand opening celebrations run from April 29-May 31 with savings of up to 50 percent off select premium products. The first 150 customers on opening day will receive mystery gift cards valued between $5 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Honors 6 Employees With Mr. George Community Service Award
Publix Super Markets recognized six associates with the Mr. George Community Service Award for outstanding commitment to their communities during the company’s annual stockholders’ meeting. The award honors associates who embody the giving spirit of Publix founder George Jenkins. “George Jenkins once said, ‘We are not only in the grocery business, we’re in the people […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Featured News, News, Packaging News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Plans Full Redesign For Great Value Private Label Brand
Walmart has begun the first redesign of Great Value, its flagship private brand, in more than a decade. Spanning nearly 10,000 food and consumables items, it represents the most extensive private brand update in the retailer’s history. The rollout will be phased over 18 to 24 months, beginning with salty snacks in May. Cereals, cream […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Southeast
AGEF Golf Outing Raises More Than $53K For Scholarships
The Alabama Grocers Education Foundation (AGEF) held its annual golf outing April 9 at Timberline Golf Club in Calera, Alabama. The event, presented by Buffalo Rock/Pepsi, brought together members of the grocery industry and raised more than $53,000 to support the foundation’s scholarship programs. To date, the event has resulted in more than $1.5 million […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Plans For Second Location In Ephrata, PA
The Giant Co., which operates under the Giant and Martin’s banners, has announced plans to open a second store in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, aimed at improving accessibility for residents in the northwestern part of the borough. Construction is scheduled to begin once the company secures all necessary permits and approvals from local authorities. Specifics regarding store […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Expands NC Footprint With New Durham Store
Publix opened a new 41,744-square-foot store April 11 at 4628 Guess Road in Durham, North Carolina, part of its continued expansion in the state’s Research Triangle region. The location features traditional departments, including a bakery, full-service deli and meat and seafood counters. The store also houses a full-service pharmacy with a drive-thru and offers home […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Winn-Dixie Wins Three First-Place Honors At National Pie Championship
Winn-Dixie took home three first-place blue ribbons during the American Pie Council National Pie Championship on April 8-9 in Orlando, Florida. The retailer’s winning entries spanned classic and specialty categories, including the 8-inch caramel apple pie, 8-inch caramel chocolate pecan pie and 11-inch apple lattice pie. The 8-inch caramel apple pie garnered its sixth blue […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast
NYC Mayor Says Each Borough Will Get City-Run Grocery Store
One hundred and two days after taking over as mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani delivered his 100 Day Address on April 12, making good on his promise of city-run grocery stores opening around the city. Before speaking of the stores, Mamdani reminded the New Yorkers gathered that he ran as a Democratic socialist. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Dollar General, Featured News, News, Southeast
Dollar General To Deploy AI-Enabled Audio Network In 6K Stores
Dollar General Corp. is expanding its retail media capabilities through a new partnership with QSIC to launch an artificial intelligence-enabled in-store audio network. The rollout will cover about 6,000 stores across 48 states, doubling the retailer’s audio footprint to 12,000 locations by the second quarter of 2026. The platform utilizes AI to integrate point-of-sale data […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, Ingles Markets, News, Southeast
Ingles Markets, Summer Road Trade Blows Ahead Of April 30 Proxy Vote
Ingles Markets has released an investor presentation ahead of its April 30 annual meeting, intensifying its opposition to a director nominee put forward by Summer Road LLC, the family investment office of David Sackler. Summer Road issued its own statement disputing the grocer’s claims. The Asheville, North Carolina-based grocer is urging shareholders to vote for […]