Posted inOrganic Natural, Corporate Store News, Grocery Industry, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News

Whole Foods Closing Nine Stores In Five Regions

Whole Foods Market said during its earnings call Wednesday that it will close nine stores in the second quarter. According to John Mackey, co-founder and CEO, the company has been moderating its lease signings and capital expenditures over the last two years. “We are also continually evaluating stores on a case-by-case basis, balancing the age, […]

Posted inCoborn's, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Midwest, Store News, Suppliers

MGA Recognizes Six Minnesota Companies For Efforts To Fight Hunger

The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) has revealed the Silver Plate Award winners of its 2016 Bag Hunger Campaign contest. The contest is part of a state-wide campaign coordinated annually by the MGA that engages Minnesotans in the fight to bag hunger in their neighborhoods. The 2016 Bag Hunger Campaign donated $15,000 to Second Harvest Heartland with an […]

Posted inOrganic Natural, Home Page Latest News, Marketing News, National

Who Are Natural/Organic Shoppers, And What Motivates Them?

In recent years, the natural and organics category has seen significant growth, but the profiles and motives of today’s natural/organics shoppers are drastically different than they were less than a decade ago. That’s according to Acosta, whose latest Hot Topic Report, “Back to Our Roots: The Rise of the Natural/Organic Shopper,” explores modern-day natural/organic consumers, including what they’re […]

Posted inNational, Aldi, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Store News

Aldi Rolling Out $1.6B Store Remodel Program

Aldi plans to remodel more than 1,300 U.S. stores by 2020, costing the retailer an estimated $1.6 billion, the company said Wednesday. The grocery chain says the upgraded stores will  deliver “on its customers’ desire for a modern and convenient shopping experience with a focus on fresh items, including more robust produce, dairy and bakery […]

Posted inBakery News, Beverage News, Dairy News, Equipment & Technology, Grocery Industry, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Private Label Brands, Southwest

Brookshire’s Dairy Plant Sale Follows Bakery Closure

Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has sold its ice cream, dairy and water plants to Springfield, Missouri-based Hiland Dairy. Chairman and CEO Brad Brookshire said BGC’s “focus has always been on our retail stores, which our manufacturing plants supported. “But with an abundant offering of quality products now available through the supplier community, we […]

Posted inStore News, Association News, Home Page Latest News, National

Merchant Groups To Capitol Hill: Debit Swipe-Fee Reform Vital To Main Street, American Consumers

More than 60 representatives from retailers, grocers, convenience stores and restaurants are gathering in Washington, D.C., this week to meet with lawmakers. The groups say they will discuss the importance of upholding hard-fought debit swipe-fee reforms as Congress readies legislation to repeal it. In 2010, debit swipe-fee reforms introduced competition and transparency into a market […]

Posted inWest, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, Wholesaler/Distributor News

AFS Uses Technology To Simplify Print Advertising For Independents

Associated Food Stores (AFS) and eComSystems are teaming up make print advertising easier for independent grocers. The Salt Lake City-based wholesaler partnered with the technology firm in 2013 to create AFS AdStudio, a custom advertising development and production program that allows retailers to quickly and easily build custom weekly ads. Since then, the companies have worked together […]