Holiday sales during November and December increased 5.5 percent over the same period in 2016 to $691.9 billion as growing wages, stronger employment and higher confidence led consumers to spend more than had been expected, according to the National Retail Federation. The number, which excludes restaurants, automobile dealers and gasoline stations, includes $138.4 billion in […]
Category: National
Posted inEquipment & Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology
Visa To Pilot Payment Cards With On-Card Fingerprint Sensors
Visa, with Mountain America Credit Union and Bank of Cyprus, soon will begin piloting a new EMV dual-interface (chip- and contactless-enabled) payment card that uses an on-card fingerprint sensor. According to the company, these will be the first commercial pilots of an on-card biometric for contactless payments. With biometric authentication gaining momentum and the EMV […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News
Walmart To Raise Wages, Provide One-Time Bonus & Expand Benefits
Walmart today announced plans to increase the starting wage rate for all hourly associates in the U.S. to $11, expand maternity and parental leave benefits and provide a one-time cash bonus for eligible associates of up to $1,000. The company also is creating a new benefit to assist associates with adoption expenses. The combined wage and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, National
NGA Staff Changes Bring Promotions And New Hires
The National Grocers Association (NGA), a national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, has promoted key staff and added new staff members. According to the organization, the changes will help it expand its member benefits and advocate policies to better serve America’s independent grocers. “The grocery business is changing faster than ever, and we’re […]
Posted inAssociation News, C-Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Merchandising News, National, Store News
NACS: Sales Of Healthy Foods & Beverages Expected To Keep Growing In 2018
Healthy food and beverage sales growth led to positive overall sales at convenience stores in 2017, and retailers expect the momentum to continue in 2018, according to a survey of retailers recently released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). A total of 103 member companies participated in the December 2017 survey. More than […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Grocery News, National
Houseware Brands Spectrum Diversified Designs, Tovolo Merge
In November, leading houseware brands Spectrum Diversified Designs and ICI USA (Tovolo) merged their businesses in an effort to create a company that will deliver more value and creative product solutions for housewares retailers, the companies say. ICI’s knowledge of kitchen tools, gadgets and food prep, combined with Spectrum’s knowledge of storage and organization items […]
Posted inNonfood Items, Amazon Fresh, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Whole Foods
New Year’s Projections For Last Year’s Hottest Non-Food Products
by Naomi Sleeper/Imperial Distributors Identifying the staying potential of trends and fads of this past year can shed light on what products to expect (or not) in 2018. Here are reflections on some of the hottest items that dominated the non-foods business in 2017 and projections for their performance this year. 1. Fidget Spinners Trend: […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, Grocery News, Industry News, National
Report: Green Fiber Bottle Will Drive The Global Beer Packaging Market
Technavio’s latest market research report on the global beer packaging market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017 to 2021. Technavio, a global technology research and advisory company, defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or […]
Posted inEquipment & Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology
Vuzix And Powershelf Partner For Smart Glasses That Aid Stocking
Vuzix Corp., a supplier of smart glasses and augmented reality (AR) technologies for the consumer and enterprise markets, has entered into a strategic partnership with Powershelf to deliver a “comprehensive wearable Internet of Things (IoT) smart glasses solution for stocking retail store shelves.” The “Powershelf Stock-to-Sight and Pick-to-Sight, powered by Vuzix” solution uses AR technology […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, National
New Prepaid2Cash App Can Scan And Cash Out Prepaid Cards
Prepaid2Cash, a service that converts network-branded (Visa, MasterCard, Amex and Discover) prepaid cards into cash, now is available as iOS and Android apps. After initial setup, the Prepaid2Cash app allows users to scan their prepaid card and receive payment via direct deposit, usually within three business days. Prepaid2Cash says it is the first company and […]
Posted inNational, Dairy News, Frozen Food, Home Page Latest News, New Products, Snacks Brands, Specialty, Suppliers
My/Mo Mochi Cashew Cream Lineup Coming Soon
My/Mo Mochi Ice Cream soon will debut a non-dairy and vegan line of Cashew Cream Frozen Dessert items made with a scoop of frozen cashew cream wrapped in soft rice dough. The four additions will hit retail shelves in early 2018, with flavors including Strawberry, Vanilla, Chocolate and Salted Caramel. Each ball has 100 calories. “The need […]
Posted inGrocery News, Dairy News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Organic Natural, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Organic Valley Commits To Be Renewably Powered By 2019
Organic Valley, a national cooperative of organic farmers and an organic brand, has announced a first-of-its-kind community partnership that will enable Organic Valley to source 100 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. “Our future demands bold, new thinking about our sources of energy, and there is nothing more natural to a farmer than harnessing the […]
Posted inEquipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Suppliers, Supply Chain News
FDA Observational Data Shows Most Common Food Safety Violations
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released its inspectional observation data for fiscal 2017—an overview of violations cited by FDA during routine food facility inspections from October 2016 through September 2017. FDA consulting firm Registrar Corp. firm compiled the most commonly cited food safety violations: Lack of Effective Pest Exclusion/Screening–The facility does not take effective measures to […]
Posted inGrocery News, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National, Snacks Brands, Suppliers, Whole Foods
Hydrox Cookies Become ‘Amazon Choice’ Product In Two Days
According to a Dec. 19 news release from Hydrox manufacturer Leaf Brands, it started selling its non-GMO sandwich cookies on Amazon in early December, and it already has become the No. 1 new sandwich cookie on the site. It also has been designated as an “Amazon Choice” product, which means Amazon recommends Hydrox as a […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Grocery News, National
‘Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.’ Holiday Campaign Targets Young Consumers
Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. is giving consumers the “tips and recipes they need to make beef the star of those big family meals,” all while rolling out the next phase of the brand’s relaunch. “Beef is the one thing that won’t be debated this holiday season,” said Alisa Harrison, SVP, global marketing and research at the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Amazon Fresh, Grocery News, National, Whole Foods
Midan Marketing’s Top Meat Industry Headlines Of 2017
by Danette Amstein/Principal, Midan Marketing Oh 2017—what a news-filled, exciting year you have been! Here at Midan we work hard to stay on top of news and trends in the meat industry. As this year wraps up, I wanted to reflect with you on some of 2017’s prominent trends that we believe will impact 2018. The […]
Posted inIndustry News, Equipment & Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Content
The Right Coin Management Strategy For Grocers: Turn Hidden Costs Into Profits
by Jim Weaks/ VP, Cummins Allison The grocery industry is constantly changing. Grocers must adapt to changes in consumer behaviors and expectations, online competitors luring away once-loyal shoppers and economic uncertainty that threatens already razor-thin margins. With that in mind, the pressure is on to control costs and find new ways of increasing profitability. Fortunately, […]
Posted inAssociation News, C-Store News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News
FDA Launches Smoking Cessation Campaign For C-Stores
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a new smoking cessation campaign aimed at encouraging smokers to quit with messages that highlight the health benefits of not smoking. The FDA says these messages will be displayed in and around gas stations and convenience stores. “Tobacco companies have long used advertisements at convenience stores and gas […]
Posted inC-Store News, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News
Good News For Holiday Sales: Low Gas Prices & Consumer Optimism
Low gas prices continue to push consumer optimism to high levels, and this optimism will likely translate into more holiday travel and shopping, according to the December 2017 NACS Consumer Fuels Survey. Low gas prices—which dropped 3 cents per gallon to $2.47—are a big reason for the optimism: 72 percent of drivers say that gas […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Supervalu, Instacart Expand Partnership, Launch New E-Commerce Sites
Grocery wholesaler and retailer Supervalu Inc. has entered into an exclusive multiyear contract with on-demand delivery service Instacart. Under the agreement, Supervalu recently launched refreshed e-commerce sites “Powered by Instacart” for four of its retail banners across the nation: Cub, Farm Fresh Food and Pharmacy, Shop ‘n Save, and Shoppers Food and Pharmacy. Supervalu and […]