On April 23, Kroger celebrated the completion of a nearly $2.2 million renovation of its store at 1607 Broadway in Pekin, Illinois. “The remodeling reflects the changing needs and interests of our customers, ” said Mike Goodwin, president of Kroger Central Division. “We added features and upgrades that make the store’s layout more appealing than […]
Category: Featured News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, ShopRite, Sustainability News, Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. Welcomes Earth Month Challenge
Wakefern Food Corp. is marking Earth Month with the 2026 Greener Stores, Greener Communities Earth Month Challenge, a month-long initiative encouraging family-owned ShopRite stores to highlight eco-friendly practices that reduce environmental impact, engage employees and support their communities. The Earth Month Challenge focuses on practical, everyday actions in stores and communities that engage customers and […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Foundation ELDP – Leadership For A Changing Grocery Industry
From shifting consumer expectations and rapid technological advancement to supply chain complexity and workforce transformation, the grocery industry is evolving faster than ever. Today’s leaders in the independent sector must be equipped with new skills to guide their organizations through change. Developing strong leaders is no longer optional – it’s essential to success. That’s why […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Report: Specialty, Discount Grocers Outperforming Supermarkets
Consumer Edge’s U.S. Grocery Outlook 2026 shows that shoppers are changing where they buy groceries, with specialty grocers gaining market share while traditional supermarkets are losing ground. Overall grocery spending declined about 3 percent year over year on a 12-month basis ended Feb. 28. However, Consumer Edge’s transaction data shows consumers are not just spending […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
BRdata Named AWG’s First Vendor Partner Of Year For Services & Solutions
Software company’s 17-year partnership with Associated Wholesale Grocers culminates in first-ever industry recognition As Associated Wholesale Grocers celebrated its 100th anniversary at this year’s annual convention, the Kansas City-based cooperative marked the milestone with something new: the introduction of its Vendor Partner of the Year awards. And the inaugural award for services and solutions went […]
Posted inSustainability News, Featured News, Independent Store News, National, News
Grocers Mark Earth Day With Operational Shifts, Community Giving
Earth Day 2026 finds major regional grocers investing in sustainability efforts that range from on-site production and waste diversion to associate volunteering and checkout-lane giving campaigns. H-E-B H-E-B is marking Earth Day with its annual reusable bag giveaway, distributing 276,000 free bags featuring Garner State Park along the Frio River – the third and final […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Featured News, News, Northeast
Food Affordability Among Many Pressing Concerns For CT Grocery Industry
Sometimes there are advantages to being small. Connecticut’s small geographic size, for instance, means there are not too many food deserts, according to Wayne Pesce, president of the Connecticut Food Association. Though there is some disagreement about what constitutes a food desert, it is basically a low-income geographic area where a significant number of people […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Report: Walmart Leads U.S. Supermarkets In Awareness; H-E-B Wins Loyalty
Walmart is the clear favorite in the U.S. supermarket market, preferred by nearly one in three American shoppers, according to new findings from Conjointly Brand Tracker released April 20. The expanded coverage of Conjointly Brand Tracker includes U.S. supermarket chains, shedding light on brand performance across the competitive sector. Market at a glance Walmart stands […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Report: Online Grocery Sales To Reach $452B By 2028
Grocery shopping is no longer a choice between store and screen, but a seamless blend of both, according to the latest Digital Engagement Transforms Grocery Shopping 2026 report released April 22 by FMI – The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ. With omnichannel behaviors as the new normal, total U.S. online grocery sales will reach $452 […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Northeast
NJFC Explores AI Revolution, Impact On Food Retailers During Conference
The Garden State’s food retail and distribution industry gathered April 14 at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino for the New Jersey Food Council’s annual Trade Relations Conference. With the theme “AI Revolution and How Retailers Go to Market,” the event gave food industry leaders the opportunity to examine next-level issues redefining food distribution, artificial intelligence […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Metcalfe’s, Midwest, News, Sustainability News
Metcalfe’s Market Celebrates Earth Day With Student-Designed Bags
For the 12th consecutive year, Wisconsin-based Metcalfe’s Market will celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with its community tradition of distributing 3,000 reusable shopping bags featuring original artwork from students at 10 local elementary schools. Limited to one per customer, the bags will be available while supplies last at all three Metcalfe’s Market locations. “Every […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Foodtown, News, Northeast
ARS Launches Pathmark Daily Small Format Grocery Store
Allegiance Retail Services (ARS) will open a new small format grocery banner, Pathmark Daily, on May 1 at 625 Merrick Ave. in East Meadow, New York. Pathmark Daily aims to deliver convenience, quality and value to shoppers through an assortment of fresh foods and grocery essentials – including produce, meats, seafood and everyday staples. The […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, News, Southeast
Stepherson, Superlo Foods Expand Digital Engagement With RSA America
Stepherson Inc. has deployed RSA America’s loyalty and digital engagement platform across all 11 Superlo Foods stores in Memphis, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Structured as a multi-year agreement, the partnership introduces a unified loyalty rewards program, digital coupons and a branded mobile app aimed at increasing shopper engagement and visit frequency, as well as strengthening the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, News, Sendik's
Sendik’s Receives WI Governor’s Proclamation For 100th Anniversary
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers has issued a certificate of commendation to the Balistreri family, which owns and operates Sendik’s Food Market, recognizing the grocer’s 100-year anniversary. Mike Semmann, president and CEO of the Wisconsin Grocers Association, presented the certificate to co-owner Ted Balistreri on April 22 at the Sendik’s in Mequon, Wisconsin. Family-owned grocer started […]
Posted inMarketing News, Featured News, News, West
FISMC Women In Food Event Raises $8K For Olive Crest, UNFI Foundation
The Food Industry Sales and Marketing Club held its annual Women in the Food Industry event March 10 at Anaheim Hills Golf Course, raising $8,000 for industry charitable partners while recognizing two leaders – Rhonda Tagge of Olive Crest and Jennifer McDonald of UNFI – whose work continues to impact the grocery industry community. Through […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Town & Country Markets Honored With Environmental, Sustainability Award
Town & Country Markets has been recognized in the Puget Sound Business Journal’s annual Environmental and Sustainability Awards, honored for making impact through environmental leadership, innovation and stewardship in the region. The family-owned grocer operates six family-owned markets across the greater Seattle region. Its award-winning practices include an 80 percent waste diversion rate through recycling, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, Midwest, News, Piggly Wiggly
Piggly Wiggly Completes Major Store Remodel In Racine, WI
Piggly Wiggly has completed a major refresh of its store at 4011 Durand Ave., one of three locations in Racine, Wisconsin, bringing expanded fresh offerings and refreshed departments. The remodel, the store’s most significant update in 15 years, focused on areas identified through customer and employee feedback during the upgrade. Improvements include expanded fresh departments, […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, National, News
Beyond Protein: Texture, Minis And Tang Are Reshaping In-Store Bakery
Consumer expectations are shifting from “healthy indulgence” to sensory experience – here is what is driving basket rings right now. In February, The Shelby Report outlined how protein-forward formulations, viral bakery moments and smart bake-off strategies were redefining the in-store bakery (ISB) in 2026. Three months later, those trends have not faded – they have […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Stop & Shop
Stop & Shop Supports Cancer Patients Through Gift Card Donation
The Joe Andruzzi Foundation, Stop & Shop and Poland Spring gathered at the Sturdy Health Cancer and Specialty Care Building for a Food Security Program event focused on assisting cancer patients and families with practical support during treatment. During the event, 10 cancer patients and their families each received $1,000 Stop & Shop gift cards […]
Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, News, West
‘Being Eddie Basha’ Exhibit Open In Chandler, AZ
The Chandler Museum in Chandler, Arizona, opened a new exhibition in March called “Being Eddie Basha.” “Businessman, devoted family man, philanthropist, education advocate and patron of the arts, Eddie Basha was more than a grocer,” the museum stated. The exhibit traces the Basha family’s journey from late 19th-century Lebanon to 20th-century Arizona, examining the places, […]