Leaders who consistently win understand one simple truth: performance is never evenly distributed across the day, week or year. Some moments matter more than others, and what a team does in those windows separates average operations from extraordinary ones. What is ‘prime time’ in leadership? In operations-heavy environments, prime time is the predictable window when […]
Category: Industry News
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Finance News, Midwest, News, Supply Chain News
Smithfield Foods Plans $1.3B Processing Facility In Sioux Falls, SD
Smithfield Foods has initiated the approval process to build a packaged meats and fresh pork processing facility in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, representing a preliminary investment estimate of up to $1.3 billion over the next three years. The facility, subject to permitting and regulatory approvals, will be built in Foundation Park, a 1,000-acre heavy industrial […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Finance News, Frozen Food, National, News
AFFI Promotes Seiling To COO, Head Of Strategic Initiatives
The American Frozen Food Institute has promoted Adrienne Seiling to COO and head of strategic initiatives, expanding her role on the executive leadership team. Seiling most recently served as SVP of industry affairs and member services. In her new role, she will oversee core operations and lead advancement of key organization priorities, including events and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, News, Northeast
Redner’s Markets Triples Charitable Donations Using Pin Pad Prompts
Redner’s Markets more than tripled charitable donations by shifting from cashier-initiated requests to pin pad prompts at checkout, ECRS announced Feb. 4. The Reading, Pennsylvania-based independent grocer recorded $10,507.71 in donations over nine days using the pin pad prompt, compared to $3,219.62 over 18 days with cashier prompts during its September round-up campaign. The pin […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Ahold Delhaize, Featured News, News, Southeast, Supply Chain News
Ahold Delhaize USA Breaks Ground On $860M DC In Burlington, NC
Ahold Delhaize USA recently broke ground on a new distribution center in Burlington, North Carolina, marking an $860 million investment in supply chain expansion. The facility, which will be the largest in the company’s network, will add more than one million square feet of fresh and frozen distribution capacity to support Food Lion and other […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Top Baking Trends Shaping In-Store Bakeries In 2026
In 2026, in-store bakery is becoming a “solution department” more than a “nice-to-have case.” Shoppers still buy baked goods with their senses, taste and price remain the top two purchase drivers, but the bar for what counts as a good indulgence is rising. Recent consumer research continues to show that taste drives purchase decisions first, […]
Posted inC-Store News, Grocery Store Equipment, News, Southeast
Spinx Selects Tote.AI For POS, Foodservice Technology
The Spinx Company has selected Tote.AI to provide point-of-sale, self-service kiosks and foodservice technology across all 96 convenience stores in the Carolinas, the Greenville, South Carolina-based retailer announced in early February. The AI-native platform will unify Spinx’s ordering, checkout and kitchen technology into a single system. The rollout will begin in the second half of […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Finance News, National, News
Registrar Corp. Acquires TechniCAL, Expands Safety Capabilities
Registrar Corp has acquired TechniCAL, an independent process authority for low-acid and acidified foods. The acquisition combines Registrar Corp’s global regulatory compliance expertise with TechniCAL’s thermal processing validation and testing capabilities. Together, the companies provide complete regulatory and safety support for producers of shelf-stable packaged foods and beverages. Market drivers Consumer demand for convenience and […]
Posted inProduce News, Finance News, National, News
Shore Capital Forms Produce One Through Partnership, Acquisition
Shore Capital Partners has formed Produce One, a specialty produce distribution platform, through a partnership with Premier ProduceOne and the acquisition of Native Maine Produce. The platform combines Premier ProduceOne’s statewide distribution coverage across Ohio with Native Maine’s Northeast-focused distribution network across Maine, Connecticut and New York. Shore Capital plans to partner with additional produce […]
Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, Finance News, Independent Store News, Midwest, News, Southeast, Southwest
Second Annual HFG Awards Program Honors 15 Store Managers From 6 States
Houchens Food Group continued its Store Manager Appreciation Awards for the second year, culminating with the announcement of the 2025 HFG Store Manager of the Year. The company recently hosted 15 lunch banquets divided by region and banner. The events included individual recognition of store managers, as well as a selection of other awards. In […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Marketing News, National, News
NGA Supports SNAP Modernization, EBT Fee Ban In House Farm Bill
The National Grocers Association announced that it supports provisions in the House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill text to modernize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, strengthen its integrity and expand food access. The legislation includes a five-year ban on EBT transaction fees, improvements to the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, permanent nationwide SNAP online purchasing and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Forage, Adyen Partner To Enable SNAP EBT Payments For Retailers
San Francisco-based Forage has partnered with Adyen to power EBT payments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the retailer’s merchants in the United States. The collaboration enables retailers to accept SNAP benefits from the 42 million Americans who rely on them. The integration provides grocery, convenience and restaurant meal program merchants with a streamlined, compliant […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Crossroads, Finance News, National, News, The Grocer's Playbook
Crossroads: Built-To-Last Factors Impacting Value
As we have discussed before, understanding the value of a business is important at every stage of its life. By tracking value over time, we can see its trajectory. By understanding the factors that impact value, we can better identify where to focus our time, energy and investment. In the grocery industry, there are multiple […]
Posted inBeverage News, Marketing News, News, Southeast
Coke Florida Surpasses $1M In Black History Month Investments
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida has invested more than $1 million to support technology access programs across Florida since launching its efforts in 2018, the Tampa-based bottler announced Feb. 11. As one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States, Coke Florida marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month by continuing investments in education, technology […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Independent Grocers Face Pricing Pressures, Rural Store Closures In ND
Independent grocers across North Dakota face mounting pressure from several directions, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “Independent grocers are being squeezed by big-box stores and food manufacturers,” Dyste said. “Unfair pricing is the main problem driving consumers to big-box stores.” The challenges come as North Dakota’s economy undergoes […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Joins OpenAI Advertising Pilot To Test ChatGPT Ad Formats
Albertsons Companies will be participating in the OpenAI Ad Pilot Program, testing how new advertising formats in ChatGPT can create personalized experiences for consumers ahead of Valentine’s Day. The Boise, Idaho-based grocer will explore how relevant ads unlock value for users and brands in conversational experiences as an early pilot partner for the program, which […]
Posted inExecutive News, Center Store, Finance News, National, News
J.M. Smucker Eliminates COO Role, Expands CFO, Supply Chain Leadership
The J.M. Smucker Company has announced a leadership restructuring that eliminates the chief operating officer position and expands responsibilities for its chief financial officer and newly created chief product supply officer. The Orrville, Ohio-based food manufacturer said the changes, effective Feb. 9, are designed to advance long-term growth strategy, further momentum among its brand portfolio […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Tastepoint Identifies 10 Flavor Trends Expected To Shape 2026 Market
Philadelphia-based Tastepoint by IFF has identified 10 flavors expected to trend in the North American retail and foodservice throughout 2026, based on data-driven market analysis, menu tracking, social listening and changes in consumer behavior. “To continue delivering product development solutions that meet consumers’ unique and changing needs, we stay attuned to industry and market trends, keeping […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, National, News
NRF Reports Retail Sales Post Fourth Monthly Gain
Retail sales showed moderate monthly growth and strong year-over-year gains in January, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.72 percent unadjusted year […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Finance News, Lipari Foods, Midwest, News
Lipari Foods Selects RELEX Solutions For Supply Chain Planning
Lipari Foods has selected RELEX Solutions to transform its supply chain planning and improve replenishment operations across its distribution center. The Midwest distributor will use RELEX’s artificial intelligencer-driven platform and Advanced Diagnostics to manage more than 23,000 SKUs across grocery, deli, bakery, natural and specialty categories. Lipari Foods supplies thousands of retailers with fresh, natural, […]