The U.S. convenience store count increased to a record 154,958 stores as of Dec. 31, 2017, a 0.3 percent increase (423 stores) from the year prior, according to the 2018 NACS/Nielsen Convenience Industry Store Count. “Our continued store growth suggests that the convenience and fuel retailing industry’s core offer of convenience continues to resonate with […]
Category: National
Posted inRecommended Reading, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Shelby Content, Store News, Whole Foods
Recommended: To battle Amazon, Kroger Eyes Alibaba Alliance
Kroger may have found a way to counter Amazon. The country’s No. 1 supermarket chain is exploring an alliance with Jack Ma’s Alibaba — the China-based e-commerce giant, The Post has learned. Alibaba is similar to Amazon in that it operates supermarkets that use Amazon Go-like technology that allows cashier-less stores. Senior Kroger executives met […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Deli News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News, Supply Chain News, Sustainability News
Albertsons Cos. Commits To Responsibly Sourcing Sushi By 2022
As part of its ongoing efforts to advance the sustainability of the seafood offerings at its approximately 2,300 stores, Albertsons Cos. is making a public commitment that guarantees its sushi will be sourced sustainably and responsibly. The company’s sushi commitment is focused on ensuring the top five wild and farmed-raised seafood species used for sushi […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Grocery News, National
‘Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.’ Highlights New Cuts For The New Year
The annual “What’s Hot” culinary forecast released by the National Restaurant Association named “new cuts of meat” as the top trend for 2018, so the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” culinary center chefs and meat scientists have put together a list of their top five innovative cuts. While many of these cuts are available to the home […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Equipment & Technology, Grocery News, Grocery Store Equipment, Industry News, National, Packaging News
Case Study: Mettler Toledo Auto Wrapper Saves Space And Time
Smaller grocery stores are on the rise, with markets taking up less than 20,000 s.f. popping up throughout the nation in recent years. And with the added advantage of fitting into any neighborhood, even grocers known for their large stores or supercenters are attempting to shrink their stores down. When an entire grocery store shrinks, […]
Posted inC-Store News, Association News, Grocery News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Merchandising News, National, Snacks Brands, Store News
Studies Find Low-Cost Strategies Can Boost Better-For-You Snack Sales
Two separate case studies provide insights into how retailers can increase sales of better-for-you snacks in c-stores. The studies, “Healthy Checkout Pilot Test” and “Better-for-You Planogram Pilot Test,” were developed by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) in conjunction the Project on Nutrition and Wellness (PNW) and the Cornell Food and Brand Lab (CFBL). […]
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Holiday Retail Sales Increased 5.5 Percent In 2017
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 […]
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]