The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) opposing an interim final rule that would permit national banks to establish interchange (swipe) fees through third‑party arrangements rather than through bank‑to‑bank competition. The rule revises 12 C.F.R. § 7.4002 and relates to the Illinois Interchange Fee […]
Category: National
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, National, News
Fresh Connect Expands Produce Card To Four Tailored Grocery Options
Fresh Connect has expanded its offering from a single produce card to four specialized medically supportive grocery cards, paired with a new companion app that gives cardholders clarity on what is approved under their program. Since its launch in 2020, Fresh Connect has helped health plans, healthcare providers and community partners deliver access to $12.3 […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Crossroads: Beyond The Store – Financial Balance In Independent Grocery
By Grant Fossum, AIF, RFC | ProWealth Financial Independent grocers understand diversification better than those in most other industries. Inside the store, balance is built into daily operations – meat and produce drive traffic, center store drives volume, service departments drive margin and the front end shapes the customer experience. Outside the store, that […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
DoorDash, Dollar Tree Partner For On‑Demand Delivery From 9K Stores
DoorDash and Dollar Tree have formed a partnership to offer on‑demand delivery from the discount retailer’s full U.S. store footprint, giving shoppers access to more than 10,000 products from 9,000 stores in 48 states. The partnership allows customers to order essentials, pantry staples, household supplies, party décor, balloons, craft items,and seasonal merchandise through the DoorDash […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
AWG CFO Koch Joins Breez AI Board; Stukus Named VP Sales
Breez AI has added Gary Koch, CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), to its board of directors and named David Stukus as VP of sales and customer success. The leadership additions come as Breez AI accelerates growth across retailers, prepares to deploy its next‑generation artificial intelligence platform and unlocks new monetization capabilities for independent grocers. […]
Posted inNew Products, Beverage News, National, News
Oikos Adds Strawberry, Caffeinated Mocha Latte to Protein Shake Lineup
Oikos, the Danone-owned high-protein yogurt brand, is expanding its ready-to-drink protein shake lineup with two new flavors: Strawberry and Mocha Latte. The additions bring the shelf-stable shake line to five varieties, joining Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel. Each shake delivers 30 grams of complete protein, 5 grams of prebiotic fiber and vitamins A and D, […]
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 inCorporate Store News, National, News
Family Dollar Shutters 350 Stores In 10 Months Under New Ownership
Family Dollar has closed at least 350 stores in the U.S. since July 7, 2025, a 4.69 percent reduction in the chain’s footprint, according to a new analysis by Local Falcon, a local AI search visibility platform. The closures amount to about one store per day over the 309‑day period ending May 12. The chain’s […]
Posted inDairy News, National, News
Kraft Natural Cheese Adds Lactose‑Free Line With Three Varieties
Kraft Natural Cheese has launched a Lactose‑Free product line, expanding its portfolio to meet growing demand for dairy options that support a range of dietary needs. Available in three varieties – Mild Cheddar Shredded Cheese, Mozzarella Shredded Cheese, and Mozzarella String Cheese – each product is made with real dairy and delivers Kraft flavor with […]
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 inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, Featured News, National, News
BJ’s Adding 5 Clubs In 3 States
BJ’s Wholesale Club has announced the locations of five new clubs set to open this year in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky – part of a push to add 12 stores nationwide in 2026. The stores will be located in: Lecanto, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Port St. Lucie, Florida; Portage, Indiana; and Frankfort, Kentucky The expansion strengthens […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, National, News
Grocers Fire Up Grills, Fuel Points, Military Support For Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend is nearly here, and grocers across the country are rolling out programs that blend savings, community support and a few hot-off-the-grill events. Whether shoppers are hosting a cookout, honoring service members or stocking up for summer, retailers are offering a range of options. Here’s a look at what some grocers are doing […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo Wraps Vegas Debut With Record Innovation Field
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo wrapped its first run in Las Vegas, drawing 17,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days of new product launches, education and category-level dealmaking. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the show ran May 18-21, with the Supplier Showcase serving as a […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
National Rural Grocery Summit Spotlights Solutions For Rural Food Access
More than 300 rural grocery operators, community advocates, policymakers, vendors and researchers gathered May 5-7 in Fargo, North Dakota, for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit – a biennial event focused on sustaining independent rural grocery stores and improving food access in small communities. Attendees representing 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada convened at what […]
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 inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, New Products, News
Mars Snacking Maps Category Playbook For Grocers At Sweets & Snacks
Halloween is no longer a six-week season, the meal is increasingly being replaced by the snack, and roughly two-thirds of in-store confectionery purchases still ride on impulse. Those were among the headline messages Mike Gilroy, VP of industry engagement at Mars Snacking, shared with The Shelby Report at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IDDBA’s CEO Search Signals Start Of Leadership Transition
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has launched a search for its next president and CEO, with the leadership transition coming at a pivotal time as the organization shapes innovation and commerce across the fresh food landscape. IDDBA’s board of directors has retained executive search firm Herd Freed Hartz to guide the selection process. 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 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Honors KS Senator With Spirit Of America Award At Fly-In
The National Grocers Association (NGA) presented U.S. Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) with its Spirit of America Award on May 19 during opening day of the 2026 Fly-In for Fair Competition in Washington, D.C. Established in 1982, the award recognizes those who have demonstrated outstanding leadership in community service and government relations on behalf of the […]