Harps Food Stores will deploy SmartMeals, AWG’s artificial intelligence-powered shopping assistant built by Breez AI, across its network of more than 150 stores. The announcement came during the AWG Innovation Showcase, where independent grocers gathered to explore technologies shaping the future of grocery retail. The rollout makes Harps one of the largest operators in the […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National, News, Nonfood Items
Inspired Home Show 2026 Draws Buyers From More Than 100 Countries
The Inspired Home Show 2026 wrapped its three-day run at Chicago’s McCormick Place on March 12, bringing together more than 1,000 exhibitors, thousands of brands and attendees from some 100 countries. U.S.-based buyers represented more than 100,000 retail locations and nearly $75 billion in buying power. The show, produced annually by the International Housewares Association […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Frozen Food, National, News
Hillphoenix Launches Next Generation Flex Mini CO2 Refrigeration System
Hillphoenix, part of Dover Food Retail and Dover, has launched the Next Generation Flex Mini, a CO2 transcritical refrigeration system designed for food retail and industrial applications. Built around serviceability and energy efficiency in a compact footprint, the Flex Mini platform supports two compressor brand configurations, giving operators flexibility to match existing technical standards or […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Barrows Connected Store, QSIC Synchronize In-Store Audio, Video Retail Media
Barrows Connected Store and QSIC announced a strategic partnership designed to unify in-store audio and digital video into a single, data-driven retail media platform. The deal connects Barrows’ ConnectOS-powered in-store digital video network with QSIC’s intelligent audio platform, enabling synchronized multi-sensory campaigns measured against real-world transaction data. The core problem the partnership addresses is straightforward: […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Executive News, National, News
Ravyx Promotes Desroches To Chief Technology Officer
Ravyx has promoted Francis Desroches to chief technology officer, overseeing customer outcome initiatives, managing strategic vendor partnerships and expanding collaboration efforts across North America. Desroches has been with the company since 2015, joining when it operated under the SIR Solutions name. During his tenure, he has helped build the company’s operational infrastructure, led development of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, National
National Rural Grocery Summit Focusing On Innovation
The National Rural Grocery Summit will be held May 5-7 in Fargo, North Dakota. The event was created by the Rural Grocery Initiative out of Kansas State University, with the first summit held in 2008 in Kansas. Since then, the summit has grown to attract rural grocers, community leaders, food suppliers, academic researchers, healthy food […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Featured News, National, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Begins ‘Bacon For A Year’ Sweepstakes
Save A Lot is running a Bacon for a Year sweepstakes through March 31, offering one winner a $500 gift card – the equivalent of a 12 months’ supply of the chain’s Farmington bacon brand. Customers can enter through the Save A Lot app or by mail. No purchase is necessary. A winner will be […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Featured News, National
Leadership, Math And Power Of Perspective
The leadership lesson this month is part math and part perspective lesson. It’s one of those ideas that, once we truly see it, permanently changes how we think about the grocery business. We may even look back later and realize it was one of those moments that quietly – but decisively – turned the tide […]