Michelle Lorge has been named president of the Simple Mills business of Thomasville, Georgia-based Flowers Foods Inc., the company announced March 2. Lorge succeeds Simple Mills founder and CEO Katlin Smith, who Flowers said “has made a personal decision to step down to spend more time with her family and on philanthropic interests, and will […]
Category: Featured News
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, Finance News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Shift In Spending Patterns Detected As DE Shoppers Navigate Economic Minefields
Julie Miro Wenger, executive director of the Delaware Food Industry Council, spoke with The Griffin Report about the busy year she and her members have had. Many challenges have arisen over the past 12-plus months, as a new administration has made some sweeping changes that affect the industry. But the state’s grocers, as is their […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, Featured News, News, Southwest
Tom Thumb Opens Third North Texas Store In Argyle
Tom Thumb will unveil a new store March 6 at 1046 Market Way in Argyle, Texas, marking the third of the company’s four new locations opening in North Texas within six months. The company opened two new stores in December and has announced an additional location for in Midlothian. This is in addition to three […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Topco Recognizes Members With Awards, Honors Company Anniversaries
Topco Associates recently held its Annual Membership Conference, during which several members were honored for sales and volume growth across its programs in 2025, with select organizations receiving additional recognition for exemplary performance. “The membership achieved a record year of growth – driven not only by the outstanding performances in pharmacy, center store, fresh and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers To Open New Store In Ruidoso, NM
The store Natural Grocers plans to open March 18 at 25992 U.S. 70 No. 1 in Ruidoso, New Mexico, will be its seventh in the state. The good4u Crew will kick off festivities at 8:15 a.m. with a $2,500 donation presentation to the Lincoln County Food Bank, followed by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Ruidoso […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Featured News, National, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Expands Private Selection Brand With Ready-To-Eat Meals
The Kroger Co. has expanded its Private Selection brand with more than 20 prepared meals designed to deliver quick meal options. The meals are available across Kroger’s family of stores and include globally inspired options spanning frozen entrées, refrigerated deli meals and fresh-roasted chicken. “The new Private Selection line brings high quality and convenience without […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Brookshire Grocery Co., Executive News, Featured News, News, Southwest
Brookshire Grocery Co. Chairman, CEO To Retire
Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has shared that Chairman and CEO Brad Brookshire is retiring, concluding a career defined by servant leadership, community commitment and long-term growth of the family-owned company. Jerry LeClair will assume the role of interim CEO. Brookshire, the grandson of company founder W.T. Brookshire, has served the company for 49 years, including […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Featured News, IGA, Independent Store News, National, News
IGA, National Pork Board Partner To Drive Pork Category Growth At Retail
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has begun a Red Oval Partnership with the National Pork Board (NPB), reinforcing IGA’s commitment to sharing resources with independent grocers to help them better serve shoppers. Through the partnership, the National Pork Board will collaborate with IGA member stores on in-store promotions, shopper marketing initiatives and educational resources featuring […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Meat Sales Hit Record $112B In 2025, Driven By Millennials, Gen Z
Meat sales reached a record high of $112 billion in 2025, with pound volume increasing 2 percent, according to the 21st annual Power of Meat report released March 2 during the Annual Meat Conference by the Meat Institute and FMI—The Food Industry Association. Millennials and Gen Z were a driving force behind the growth, according […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Meat Institute, FMI Announce 2026 Leaders Of Tomorrow
The Meat Institute and FMI – The Food Industry Association have announced the 2026 Leaders of Tomorrow, a group of 10 rising professionals whose work reflects the strength and future of the industry. “This Leaders of Tomorrow class represents the depth of talent and leadership growing our industry,” said Julie Anna Potts, president and CEO […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Dairy News, Deli News, Featured News, National, News
IDDBA Unveils Brand Refresh, Debuts New Tagline
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) underwent a brand refresh and is debuting its new tagline, “Thinking Outside the Aisle.” The refreshed brand reflects IDDBA’s evolution as the essential resource for dairy, deli and bakery professionals – honoring the strength of its perimeter-focused categories while embracing forward-looking leadership and innovation. IDDBA’s mission remains its […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Featured News, News, West
Albertsons Cos. Appoints Rice To Board Of Directors
Albertsons Cos. appointed Brian Rice to its board of directors effective Feb. 25, expanding the panel to 11 members. Rice is a seasoned global technology executive with more than 30 years of experience leading large-scale digital transformation, technology modernization and operational excellence across recognized consumer brands. He currently serves as EVP and global CIO at […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Undertakes Store Remodel, Expansion In Harlingen, TX
H-E-B has begun a major remodel and expansion of its 83 and Lincoln store in Harlingen, Texas, bringing significant upgrades that will modernize, refresh and expand services for customers. The project represents a substantial investment in the community and reaffirms the grocer’s commitment to the Rio Grande Valley. Located at 613 S. Expressway 83, the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Featured News, Midwest, News
Coborn’s Market & Table To Open New Store In Plymouth, MN
Coborn’s Inc. will open its flagship Coborn’s Market & Table store March 12 in Plymouth, Minnesota. Serving as an anchor of The Boulevard development at Interstate 494 and Bass Lake Road, the store offers an elevated approach to grocery shopping. “At the heart of Market & Table is a simple idea – we love food, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, The Kroger Co.
The Future: Kroger Texas Division Drives Forward Through Innovation
Kroger Texas says the spirit of innovation runs through everything the division undertakes. As a result, Houston and Dallas have served as test-and-learn markets for several of Kroger’s national innovations. These include Nuro driverless grocery delivery, a Hispanic concept store and an Asian concept store. For the Hispanic concept store, Houston was selected as the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers To Host Annual Celebrate Colorado Event March 3-5
Natural Grocers will hold its seventh annual Celebrate Colorado event March 3-5, offering exclusive savings, giveaways and sweepstakes at all 45 Colorado stores. Natural Grocers has served Coloradoans with natural and organic options since 1955. What began with co-founders Margaret and Philip Isely going door to door in Golden, Colorado, to share their vision of […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, Featured News, Health & Wellness, National, News
FMI Research: 94% Of Food Retailers Have Health, Well-Being Programs
FMI – The Food Industry Association released findings from the 2026 Report on Food Industry Contributions to Health & Well-Being Feb. 26, revealing the industry’s efforts to serve as a destination for health and well-being through products, resources and services that support shoppers’ individual health goals. The report was released following the recently published Dietary […]
Posted inNews, Dairy News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National
Flashfood Report: 90% Surge In Egg Purchases As Prices Squeeze Shoppers
Demand for affordable meat and eggs on discount grocery app Flashfood surged in January as Americans grappled with rising grocery costs. Egg purchases were up 90 percent, while ground beef sales climbed 28 percent year over year. Protein now accounts for more than 30 percent of all sales on Flashfood’s platform. Beef’s share of total […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, News, Southeast
Houchens Industries Names Jordan White As EVP
Houchens Industries has appointed Jordan White as EVP, the Bowling Green, Kentucky-based company announced Feb. 26. White will work with executive leadership and subsidiary management teams to support strategic growth initiatives, capital deployment and operational excellence across Houchens’ portfolio of companies. “I am excited to have Jordan join the Houchens team,” said Dion Houchins, chairman […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Schwass Takes Helm At IDDBA As Haaf Departs
International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) CEO David Haaf has stepped down from his position effective Feb. 26, the organization’s board of directors announced. Chris Schwass, the association’s CFO, has been appointed acting CEO. Schwass, who has 28 years of experience at the Madison-Wisconsin-based organization, will lead operations while the board begins the search for […]