Loyalty in the grocery aisle is softening, according to a new national study from Reach3 Insights that found 81 percent of Americans are open to trying new brands – a signal that routine, habit-driven CPG purchases are giving way to more deliberate in-store decision-making. The study, “Rethinking Routine: What’s Really Happening in the Grocery Aisle,” […]
Category: Grocery Industry
Birdzi Launches Natural Language BI Tool, AskKea
Birdzi has released AskKea, a generative business intelligence (BI) assistant that lets grocery retailers query their data using plain-English questions and receive decision-ready answers in minutes instead of days. AskKea is designed for non-analysts. Store managers and marketing teams can ask questions directly and receive clear answers, visual summaries, exportable data files, methodology explanations and […]
AI Experts Urge Retailers To Move Beyond Simple Automation
Artificial intelligence (AI) can help retailers unlock hidden revenue in underperforming inventory, improve customer targeting and streamline operations — but only if companies stop treating it as a time-saving shortcut and start using it as a strategic tool. That was the message from two digital commerce experts during a keynote at The Inspired Home Show […]
UNFI Posts Q2 Profit Turnaround As Network Optimization Drives Margin Gains
United Natural Foods Inc. (NYSE: UNFI) reported second quarter fiscal 2026 net income of $20 million, reversing a $3 million net loss in the same period a year ago, as cost discipline and distribution network restructuring more than offset a 2.6 percent decline in net sales to $7.9 billion. Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation […]
ECRS Names Rosner Chief Revenue Officer
ECRS, a Boone, North Carolina-based retail technology company, has named Merrick Rosner chief revenue officer. Rosner brings more than a decade of executive experience in retail technology and previously served on the National Retailer Advisory Board of the Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA). In his new role, Rosner will oversee customer experience, sales operations and strategic […]
EY Survey: Ingredient Scrutiny, Wellness Reshaping Beverage Purchases
A new survey from EY finds that health awareness, generational differences and digital tools are fundamentally changing what consumers want from beverages – with implications for retailers and CPG brands across the category. The study surveyed more than 2,500 adults in the U.S. and Brazil between Nov. 20-Dec. 11. Wellness is baseline expectation Health-driven behavior […]
NPPC Elects New Officers, Board Members For 2026-27 Term
The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) elected new officers and board members to lead the organization through the 2026-27 term, tapping a mix of multi-generational family farmers and large-scale production executives to guide its national advocacy agenda. Rob Brenneman of Washington, Iowa, was elected president. Brenneman owns and operates Brenneman Pork and has served on […]
Huck’s Market Becomes First C-Store To Deploy AI-Native POS Chainwide
Huck’s Market has gone live with an artificial intelligence-native point-of-sale system at its flagship location in Carmi, Illinois, becoming the first c-store chain to deploy the technology in-store. The employee-owned 135-store Midwest chain partnered with Tote, an AI-native POS platform built for fuel and convenience retail, with a chainwide rollout planned for completion by the […]
