Grocery Outlet, an extreme-value grocer, has selected Afresh for store ordering across every department – center store, general merchandise, meat and produce – at its more than 500 stores run by independent operators. The partnership will provide each operator with intelligent ordering that balances shrink, out-of-stocks, labor and margin while maintaining the operator autonomy that […]
Category: Industry News
Sedano’s Launches ‘Where Superstitions Are Born’ Fútbol Campaign In Miami
As Miami prepares to host multiple international soccer matches this summer, Sedano’s Supermarkets is launching a new campaign, “Where Superstitions Are Born,” spotlighting the traditions, foods and rituals that bring fans together. The campaign is built on the premise that soccer fans are known for their superstitions, showcasing with humor how match-day rituals – from […]
Ottimate Launches First MCP Integration Among AP Platforms
Ottimate, an artificial intelligence-powered accounts payable automation platform serving invoice-heavy industries including grocery and foodservice, has announced the first Model Context Protocol integration in the market, enabling finance leaders to bring AP data directly into large language models for financial insights. The announcement is part of Ottimate’s 2026 summer release, which also includes enhancements to […]
Upshop Unveils AI Innovations At Altitude 2026 Conference
Upshop, an Austin, Texas-based provider of artificial intelligence-powered retail operations software, announced several innovations at its Altitude 2026 conference in Denver. The company said the new solutions are designed to help retailers of all sizes streamline operations, predict customer needs with greater precision, act faster in-store and turn better decisions into stronger financial results. According […]
Gen X Wants Global Flavors, Stores Aren’t Stocking Them
Grocery retailers may be underestimating one of their most valuable customer groups, according to new research from Cashew, a Calgary, Alberta-based consumer insights firm. The study found Generation X shoppers are more interested in international and specialty foods than conventional grocery assumptions suggest, yet many feel mainstream stores have not caught up. In a survey […]
Thin Margins, Rising Fraud: Why Grocers Are Automating The Back Office
Grocery retailers are facing cost pressures from nearly every direction, and according to Dan Kim, chief financial officer of accounts payable automation platform Ottimate, too many of them are absorbing those costs without the visibility to see where the money is going. Kim, who has served as Ottimate’s CFO since 2023 after a career spanning […]
Hidden Profit: The Power Of Knowing Your Store
My colleague Peter Cooke and I are approaching a combined 40 years of helping food retailers improve their operations and, ultimately, their profit. For many of these years, this was represented by best sustainable practices or a similar vernacular. Regardless of the outside wrapper, we helped real retailers – real people – identify and capture […]
Acosta Group: National Brands, Private Label Lift Fresh Together
New Acosta Group research presented at IDDBA 2026 shows fresh shoppers use national brands and private label differently by category, occasion and value.
Publix Highlighting Marine Debris Removal Efforts
Publix Super Markets celebrated World Ocean Day by marking at total of 56,000 pounds of marine debris removed from Florida waterways.
B&R Stores Deploys Simbe’s Tally Inventory Robot In Lincoln, NE
B&R Stores has introduced Simbe’s Store Intelligence platform – powered by the autonomous shelf‑scanning robot Tally – to select locations in Lincoln, Nebraska. The technology captures real‑time, shelf‑level data on product availability, pricing and placement, giving store teams visibility to respond faster and elevate the shopper experience. “We are committed to delivering the highest quality […]
Numerator Index Shows Highest Inflation In More Than 2 Years
Prices for everyday household purchases are now up 2.9 percent versus a year ago – the largest year‑over‑year increase in more than two years, according to the Numerator Consumer Goods Price Index.
Purdue Study: USMCA Helps Keep Food Prices Lower For American Families
A new Purdue University study finds that North American trade has helped lower U.S. food prices and could play a key role in keeping grocery affordability in check ahead of the upcoming review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement.
Noah Brings Storytelling, Trust And Hard Truths To IDDBA 2026
Surprise IDDBA 2026 General Session speaker Trevor Noah urged dairy, deli and bakery pros to lead with authentic voice, resist trend-chasing and reconnect with shoppers as people first.
Wakefern Wins Top Awards For Bowl & Basket Soda Packaging Design
Wakefern Food Corp. received a Silver Award at the 2026 Vertex Awards for the design of its Bowl & Basket Specialty Prebiotic/Probiotic Soda packaging. It was the seventh consecutive year Wakefern won in the global private brand design competition. The awards took place in May at New York’s Times Square. Organized by the Velocity Institute, […]
3 Forces Reshaping Dairy, Deli, Bakery; 5 Ways To Win
According to new IDDBA 2026 data shared by Anne-Marie Roerink on the show floor, a majority of shoppers can be persuaded to spend more.
Reach3 Insights Finds 97% Of Americans Concerned About Rising Gas Prices
A new consumer sentiment study from Reach3 Insights finds that 97 percent of Americans are concerned about rising gas prices.
Wegmans Offers Free On‑Demand ASL Interpretation Via Aira App
Wegmans Food Markets announced it now offers free access to on‑demand American Sign Language interpreting through the Aira ASL app. Any customer or employee at a Wegmans store can connect to a professional ASL interpreter via the app. Users download the Aira ASL app, tap a button and start a video call with a professional […]
Krasdale Foods Upgrading Distribution Ops At Bronx Facility
Krasdale Foods has selected a warehouse management system from Made4net to modernize distribution operations at its primary facility in the Bronx, New York. Made4Net’s WarehouseExpert WMS will replace Krasdale’s previous warehouse and order management technology. The Made4net solution is expected to provide greater operational visibility, improved inventory control and a scalable foundation for future automation. […]
Wright’s Market Relaunches Online Shopping With eGrowcery
Wright’s Market has relaunched its e‑commerce platform, powered by eGrowcery. The initiative, nicknamed “Wright’s Market E-Commerce 2.0,” aims to regain previous online sales levels while delivering a more expansive and inclusive shopping experience. “We wanted a partner who was continuing to add the features and functionality required for a successful independent grocer experience,” said Jimmy […]
Weis Markets Rolling Out Caper Carts In PA Stores
Weis Markets has launched Instacart’s Caper Carts at select locations in Pennsylvania, with additional rollouts planned throughout the year. Part of Instacart’s Connected Stores technology, the carts aim to make in‑store shopping more interactive and efficient. “Weis Markets and its associates have always been committed to delivering a best‑in‑class shopping experience, and Caper Carts are a […]
