Posted inBeverage News, Grocery Research, National, News

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 […]

Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News

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 […]

Posted inC-Store News, Featured News, Grocery Store Equipment, Midwest, News

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 […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Merchant Distributors, News, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast

Swiftly, MDI Bringing Digital Circular, AI Targeting To Independent Grocers

Swiftly has partnered with Merchants Distributors (MDI), a Hickory, N.C.-based wholesale grocery distributor, to expand digital capabilities across MDI’s network of more than 600 independent retailers in the Southeast. Under the agreement, MDI retailers will gain access to three Swiftly products – a modern retail website platform, SmartCircular for digitizing the weekly circular experience and Audience […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, News, West

Oliver’s Market Plans Fifth Store In Santa Rosa, CA

Oliver’s Market, an employee-owned independent grocer, is under contract to purchase Farmer’s Lane Plaza at 1501-1591 Farmer’s Lane in Santa Rosa, California, where it will open a fifth location in a 35,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Rite Aid. The deal is expected to close April 1, with construction beginning immediately and a 2027 opening targeted. […]

Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News

NCA Report: U.S. Confectionery Sales Climb To $55B In 2025

Americans spent a record $55 billion on chocolate, candy, gum and mints in 2025, and the category shows no signs of slowing down, according to the National Confectioners Association’s  (NCA) 2026 State of Treating report. Sales are projected to grow an additional $7.3 billion over the next five years, reaching $62.2 billion across all outlets […]

Posted inBeverage News, Featured News, Finance News, National, News

Royal Cup To Acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee

Royal Cup Coffee & Tea has signed an agreement to acquire Farmer Brothers Coffee Co. (NASDAQ: FARM) for $1.29 per share in an all-cash transaction, combining two B2B coffee suppliers with nearly 250 years of combined industry experience. The transaction is expected to close during Farmer Brothers’ fiscal fourth quarter ending June 30, pending approval […]

Posted inFrozen Food, Finance News, News, Snacks Brands, West

Morinaga To Acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, Expanding U.S. Snack Portfolio

Morinaga & Co., a leading global confectionery manufacturer, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, the largest mochi ice cream brand in the United States. The acquisition unites two businesses with strong brand heritage and complementary capabilities. My/Mochi will join Morinaga’s portfolio of brands, including HI-CHEW, HI-SOFT and Chargel. “In welcoming […]