Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News

Report: 19 States To Restrict SNAP Soda, Candy Purchases By End Of 2026

By the end of 2026, 19 states will have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food restriction waivers in place, affecting about one‑third of program participants and putting up to $830 million in soda, candy and energy drink sales at risk, according to a new report from Numerator, a consumer data and technology company. The report, […]

Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, News, Southwest, Supply Chain News, Walmart

Walmart Revamps First‑Mile Supply Chain To Speed Inbound Shipments

Walmart is overhauling its first‑mile logistics with a new Prepaid Consolidation Program, designed to get products onto store shelves faster while reducing complexity for suppliers. The program allows vendors to send products under a single national purchase order to one location. From there, Walmart combines the inventory and distributes it to 42 regional distribution centers […]

Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, Merchandising News, National, News, The Kroger Co.

Kroger SVP Jabbar Retires After 38 Years

The Kroger Co. has announced that Valerie Jabbar, SVP of retail divisions, retired in May after 38 years of service. Jabbar began her career with Kroger’s Fry’s division in 1987 as a clerk. Over the decades, she held a range of leadership roles, including assistant store director, category manager, drug/general manager coordinator, general office seasonal […]

Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, National, News

FMI, NGA Applaud Trump Administration’s Rollback Of Refrigeration Rules

President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced revisions to two commercial refrigeration rules May 21, drawing praise from FMI – The Food Industry Association and the National Grocers Association (NGA), which said the changes will spare grocery retailers – especially independent operators – from an estimated $144 billion in compliance costs. The final EPA […]

Posted inFinance News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart

Walmart U.S. 1Q Comps Up 4.1%, E-Comm 26%

Walmart characterized the first quarter of fiscal 2027 for its U.S. division as one of “strong sales, with broad-based share gains, reflecting accelerated customer transactions led by e-commerce growth.” Reporting results May 21 for the quarter ended April 30, Walmart said its U.S. comparable store sales increased by 4.1 percent, excluding fuel. U.S. net sales […]

Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News

State Of Treating 2026: What’s Driving Confectionery Consumers

Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest, Supply Chain News

H-E-B Planning $700M Supply Chain Expansion Over Next Decade

H-E-B plans to invest $700 million to expand its supply chain operations, a project expected to create 720 jobs by 2028 and more than 1,200 new full-time positions over the next decade. While not yet finalized, the retailer has identified its Foster Road campus on San Antonio’s east side as a potential location for the […]

Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, Featured News, National, News

FMI Report Finds Shoppers Visit More Than 5 Grocery Banners Per Month

FMI – The Food Industry Association has released the U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026 report, outlining elements of the evolving physical grocery shopping experience that build consumer loyalty and repeat visits. “In an effort to fulfill their unique definitions of value, consumers visit more than five separate grocery store banners on average per month despite growing […]