The Illinois economy may be “chugging along a little bit,” but uncertainty remains high – and retailers, especially grocers, are feeling the strain. “I think I would call it shaky, but we’re certainly not in a recession,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “But as it relates to retail, […]
Category: Midwest
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News, Sustainability News
Meijer Marks 90th Anniversary With Corporate Impact Report
Meijer surpassed its 2025 carbon emissions target a year ahead of schedule, according to the retailer’s latest Corporate Impact Report released to mark the company’s 90th anniversary. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based chain achieved a 57 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2018 levels, exceeding its original 50 percent goal. […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Midwest, News
AWG Best Choice Wins Big During PLMA Salute To Excellence Awards
Best Choice, the flagship private brand of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), received four 2025 Salute to Excellence Awards from the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). The awards, which recognize innovation and quality in private label products, were announced Nov. 16-18 during PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show in Chicago. The four items are: Best Choice […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest, News
MGA Names Minnesota Grown Retailers Of The Year
The Minnesota Grocers Association, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Minnesota Grown program, has named eight retailers as 2025-26 Minnesota Grown Retailer of the Year winners. Created by the agriculture department, the program promotes products grown and raised in Minnesota. For more than 40 years, it has connected consumers with local farmers, markets […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Midwest, News
Coborn’s Market & Table To Add Restaurant Concepts
Coborn’s has begun a culinary partnership with Twin Cities Chef David Fhima, who will introduce three food-court-style restaurant concepts inside the Coborn’s Market & Table store opening in March in Plymouth, Minnesota. In addition, The Buttered Tin will have a full standalone restaurant within the store. The offerings are key components of Coborn’s “grocerant” model, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest, News, UNFI
Cub Foods Donates $200K To MN Food Banks, Nonprofits
Cub Foods, a wholly-owned subsidiary of UNFI, will contribute more than $200,000 during the holiday season in monetary and in-kind support to more than 50 Minnesota food banks and nonprofits. “At Cub, we believe in doing more than just providing great food at a great value – we believe in strengthening the communities we call […]
Posted inDairy News, Grocery Research, Midwest, News, Private Label Brands, SpartanNash
SpartanNash Introduces Flavored Butter Products For Thanksgiving
SpartanNash has introduced four varieties of flavored butter to help customers prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. In addition, it partnered with Talker Research on a new survey, finding that butter is essential for holiday cooking. SpartanNash stores – including Family Fare, Martin’s Super Markets and D&W Fresh Market – and select independent wholesale customers are […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Midwest, News
Chester’s Chicken Chuck Returns To Much Fanfare In Spencer, IN
A community event from 1940 was brought back recently as the Owen County Chamber of Commerce and Babbs Supermarket in Spencer, Indiana, hosted the Chester’s Chicken Chuck. The event, also held in partnership with the Owen County Community Foundation, Smithville and other local sponsors, took place on the courthouse lawn Sept. 6. In 1940, local […]