Pretzel maker Stellar Snacks has announced a minority growth investment from Main Post Partners that is expected to expand the better-for-you snack brand’s distribution footprint, production capacity and innovation. Carson City, Nevada-based Stellar Snacks was founded by mother-daughter entrepreneurs Elisabeth and Gina Galvin. Their company manufactures non-GMO, Kosher, vegan pretzels using clean ingredients and then […]
Category: Grocery Industry
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Survey: Price Surpasses Taste, Brand Loyalty As Top Grocery Purchase Driver
Price has become the dominant factor in grocery purchasing decisions, with 70 percent of consumers citing price or value as the top influence when shopping for snacks and beverages, according to new findings from Zappi’s CPG Mega-Trends Report. The nationally representative study of 2,000 U.S. consumers found that more than 90 percent have adjusted their […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, Harps Food Stores, National, News
Harps To Deploy SmartMeals AI Shopping Assistant
Harps Food Stores will deploy SmartMeals, AWG’s artificial intelligence-powered shopping assistant built by Breez AI, across its network of more than 150 stores. The announcement came during the AWG Innovation Showcase, where independent grocers gathered to explore technologies shaping the future of grocery retail. The rollout makes Harps one of the largest operators in the […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Anniversary Issues, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Feature, Featured News, Finance News, Midwest, News, Wholesaler/Distributor of the Year
AWG’s Cooperative Strength Positions Independent Grocers For Future
As Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, the cooperative is reflecting on a century defined by independent spirit, shared success and an unwavering commitment to its members – while keeping its focus firmly on what comes next. Founded in 1926 by a group of independent grocers who believed they were stronger […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Frozen Food, National, News
Hillphoenix Launches Next Generation Flex Mini CO2 Refrigeration System
Hillphoenix, part of Dover Food Retail and Dover, has launched the Next Generation Flex Mini, a CO2 transcritical refrigeration system designed for food retail and industrial applications. Built around serviceability and energy efficiency in a compact footprint, the Flex Mini platform supports two compressor brand configurations, giving operators flexibility to match existing technical standards or […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Barrows Connected Store, QSIC Synchronize In-Store Audio, Video Retail Media
Barrows Connected Store and QSIC announced a strategic partnership designed to unify in-store audio and digital video into a single, data-driven retail media platform. The deal connects Barrows’ ConnectOS-powered in-store digital video network with QSIC’s intelligent audio platform, enabling synchronized multi-sensory campaigns measured against real-world transaction data. The core problem the partnership addresses is straightforward: […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Executive News, National, News
Ravyx Promotes Desroches To Chief Technology Officer
Ravyx has promoted Francis Desroches to chief technology officer, overseeing customer outcome initiatives, managing strategic vendor partnerships and expanding collaboration efforts across North America. Desroches has been with the company since 2015, joining when it operated under the SIR Solutions name. During his tenure, he has helped build the company’s operational infrastructure, led development of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta To Celebrate New Supermarket In Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Vallarta Supermarkets will open a 60,000-square-foot store April 1 at 9040 Foothill Blvd. in Rancho Cucamonga, California, marking the chain’s sixth Inland Empire location and its second store opening of 2026. The Rancho Cucamonga store is the first in the Vallarta network to feature Costa de Oro, a new in-store seafood restaurant concept the company […]