Tokyo Central, operated by Marukai Corporation, has opened its 15th U.S. location in Emeryville, California. The new store spans 40,635 square feet and includes a 1,625-square-foot sushi bar called Handroll Factory. It is Tokyo Central’s second Northern California location, adding to its network of 12 stores in California and two in Hawaii. Situated between Oakland […]
Category: Industry News
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Finance News, Lipari Foods, Midwest, News
Lipari Foods Debuts Evolved Strategy, Brand Refresh As ‘Global Food Experts’
Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods has launched an evolved customer-first strategy, refreshed master brand identity, owned brand refresh, new insights publication and expanded retail services designed to help retailers navigate today’s faster-moving food landscape. The company is positioning itself as “Global Food Experts,” offering a refined, connected approach to bringing global and specialty foods to retail […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, News, Vallarta Supermarkets
NationsBenefits Launches Fintech Integration At Giant Eagle
NationsBenefits launched a retail technology integration with Giant Eagle, enabling eligible health-plan members to pay for produce, pantry staples and over-the-counter wellness items at more than 200 Giant Eagle supermarkets using their health benefits. Through NationsBenefits’ real-time Basket Adjudication Service and the NationsBenefits Benefits Mastercard Flex Card, item-level eligibility is validated at checkout in milliseconds. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Health & Wellness, National, News
FMI Applauds Congressional Passage Of Landmark PBM Reforms
FMI – The Food Industry Association applauded final passage of HR 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, by a 217-214 vote Feb. 3, securing the most consequential pharmacy benefit manager reforms to date and representing a major step forward for patients, pharmacies, employers and the communities they serve. “These bipartisan reforms represent a major step […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, West
Bringing Public Company Discipline To Longtime Family-Owned Business
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Corporate Store News, Finance News, National, News
Grocery Outlet Launches First Shoppable Livestream Series
Emeryville, California-based Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. will debut its first shoppable livestream series, “The Grocery Outlet Xtreme Value Stock Up Show,” on Facebook and Instagram at 12 p.m. PST/3 p.m. EST on Feb. 4. Designed to bring bargain hunting to shoppers’ screens, the series offers an interactive Treasure Hunt experience for customers to shop Grocery […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Finance News, News, Southeast
C&S Wholesale Grocers Signs Supply Agreement With Sedano’s Supermarkets
Keene, New Hampshire-based C&S Wholesale Grocers has signed an agreement with Sedano’s Supermarkets, becoming the primary supplier for the 32-store Hispanic grocery chain based in Hialeah, Florida. The deal includes distribution, transportation, procurement, merchandising and retail services for all Sedano’s locations, with C&S supplying an expansive assortment and mix. “We’re excited for our partnership with […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, News, West
Ridley’s Family Markets To Acquire Terrel’s Markets In UT
Ridley’s Family Markets, a family-owned grocery retailer serving the Intermountain West, has entered into an agreement to acquire Terrel’s Markets. The transaction is expected to close on or near the first week of April. All six Terrel’s Markets locations – in Fillmore, Gunnison, Mount Pleasant, Nephi, Payson and Santaquin, Utah – will transition to the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News, Online Grocery Technology
DoorDash Adds 5 Grocers, Expands SNAP/EBT Access Across 7 Chains
DoorDash added five grocery partners and expanded SNAP/EBT payment capabilities to seven additional merchants on Feb. 2, broadening access to on-demand grocery delivery across multiple categories, regions and payment options. The new partners include Berkeley Bowl, Cermak Fresh Market, Harmons Grocery, JONS Fresh Marketplace and Pete’s Market. Consumers who have uploaded their SNAP cards to […]
Posted inExecutive News, Finance News, National, News, Snacks Brands
Rise Baking Co. Names McNeil As CEO
Rise Baking Co. has appointed Mark McNeil as CEO, succeeding Brian Zellmer, who led the Minneapolis-based manufacturer over the past five years. McNeil is a seasoned food and beverage executive with more than 30 years of cross-functional leadership experience across retail, foodservice and manufacturing. He most recently served as CEO of Shearer’s Foods, the largest […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Opens New Store In Locust Grove, GA
Publix opened a new store Jan. 28 in the Shops at Indian Creek, 4518 Hwy 42 S. in Locust Grove, Georgia. The 48,387-square-foot store features traditional departments, including a full-service deli counter with a variety of meats and cheeses, an international selection of olives, antipastos, hummus and more than 200 artisan cheeses from the United […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, Independent Store News, National, News
NGA Honors Hugo’s Magnuson Nelson With Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award
The National Grocers Association named Kristi Magnuson Nelson, president of Grand Forks, North Dakota-based Hugo’s Family Marketplace, as the 2026 recipient of the Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. One of the most prestigious honors in the independent grocery industry, the award honors the legacy of Zaucha, NGA’s first president and CEO, whose career was […]
Expert Article
Ask The Experts: Ryan Draude, Giant Food
Ryan Draude has spent nearly 15 years building nationally-recognized loyalty programs at brands like Choice Hotels, RITE AID, and now Giant Food — where he currently serves as the head of loyalty. But as cross-shopping, value-seeking behavior becomes the norm, earning loyalty from grocery shoppers is getting harder every day. We spoke with Ryan about […]
Expert Article
How Independent Retailers Can Maximize Refrigeration Performance, Profitability
Independent retailers face tight budgets and rising operational costs. These pressures are felt even stronger these days as consumers remain hyper-focused on grocery prices and affordability. Refrigeration equipment – critical for merchandising fresh and frozen products – represents a significant investment for retailers. Getting the most out of that investment starts with investing in the […]
Expert Article
Relationship Advice For Independent Grocers
How many times have you had an interaction and left feeling misunderstood? Experts say, communication and finances are the top downfalls in relationships. Now you may be thinking, this only applies in our personal lives. Your relationship with shoppers could be suffering here as well. For example, Craig never buys chocolate and is not likely […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
SoCal-Based Vallarta Supermarkets Charts Path Of Growth, Change
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, News, Northeast
Albertsons Media Collective Opens NYC Office, Unveils Brand Refresh
Albertsons Media Collective has opened its first New York City office in Midtown Manhattan and launched a brand refresh as part of the retail media network’s expansion strategy. The new office positions the retail media division at the center of the advertising industry to enable closer collaboration with agency partners, advertisers and industry leaders. It […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Equipment & Technology, National, News
LOC Software, Local Express Partner On Unified Commerce Solution For Grocers
LOC Software and Local Express launched a unified commerce solution allowing grocers to manage in-store, online and marketplace sales through one platform, the companies announced Jan. 29. The partnership addresses a key operational challenge for grocers struggling with labor shortages and inventory management. According to research for LOC’s 2026 Exploring Grocery Technology Trends Survey, 57 […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Midwest, News
RSA America Expands Support Team, Previews AI Platform At The NGA Show
RSA America has strengthened its retail customer support operations, introduced new artificial intelligence-driven capabilities and will debut a fully integrated in-store kiosk at The NGA Show Feb. 1-3 in Las Vegas. The Chicago-based digital marketing solutions provider also promoted Mark Osborne from VP to SVP of retail execution. Osborne leads customer launch strategy, ad planning, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, News, Sustainability News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Smartway Deploys AI Waste-Reduction Tech Across 39 Vallarta Supermarkets
Smartway, a France-based food waste technology provider, completed deployment of its artificial intelligence-powered waste management system across 39 Vallarta Supermarkets locations in six months, marking the company’s entry into the North American market. The rollout included 34 stores in five weeks across center store grocery, deli, frozen and dairy departments. The deployment followed a three- […]