In 2026, in-store bakery is becoming a “solution department” more than a “nice-to-have case.” Shoppers still buy baked goods with their senses, taste and price remain the top two purchase drivers, but the bar for what counts as a good indulgence is rising. Recent consumer research continues to show that taste drives purchase decisions first, […]
Category: National
Posted inSupply Chain News, Finance News, National, News
Registrar Corp. Acquires TechniCAL, Expands Safety Capabilities
Registrar Corp has acquired TechniCAL, an independent process authority for low-acid and acidified foods. The acquisition combines Registrar Corp’s global regulatory compliance expertise with TechniCAL’s thermal processing validation and testing capabilities. Together, the companies provide complete regulatory and safety support for producers of shelf-stable packaged foods and beverages. Market drivers Consumer demand for convenience and […]
Posted inProduce News, Finance News, National, News
Shore Capital Forms Produce One Through Partnership, Acquisition
Shore Capital Partners has formed Produce One, a specialty produce distribution platform, through a partnership with Premier ProduceOne and the acquisition of Native Maine Produce. The platform combines Premier ProduceOne’s statewide distribution coverage across Ohio with Native Maine’s Northeast-focused distribution network across Maine, Connecticut and New York. Shore Capital plans to partner with additional produce […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Marketing News, National, News
NGA Supports SNAP Modernization, EBT Fee Ban In House Farm Bill
The National Grocers Association announced that it supports provisions in the House Agriculture Committee Farm Bill text to modernize the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, strengthen its integrity and expand food access. The legislation includes a five-year ban on EBT transaction fees, improvements to the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, permanent nationwide SNAP online purchasing and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Forage, Adyen Partner To Enable SNAP EBT Payments For Retailers
San Francisco-based Forage has partnered with Adyen to power EBT payments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the retailer’s merchants in the United States. The collaboration enables retailers to accept SNAP benefits from the 42 million Americans who rely on them. The integration provides grocery, convenience and restaurant meal program merchants with a streamlined, compliant […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Finance News, National, News
Crossroads: Built-To-Last Factors Impacting Value
As we have discussed before, understanding the value of a business is important at every stage of its life. By tracking value over time, we can see its trajectory. By understanding the factors that impact value, we can better identify where to focus our time, energy and investment. In the grocery industry, there are multiple […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News
UFCW Launches Campaign To Ban Surveillance Pricing On Groceries
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union on Feb. 12 launched the “Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign,” a national effort to ban surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels in grocery stores while targeting artificial intelligence-driven technology encroachment. The campaign arrives alongside federal legislation introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Sen. Jeff […]
Posted inExecutive News, Center Store, Finance News, National, News
J.M. Smucker Eliminates COO Role, Expands CFO, Supply Chain Leadership
The J.M. Smucker Company has announced a leadership restructuring that eliminates the chief operating officer position and expands responsibilities for its chief financial officer and newly created chief product supply officer. The Orrville, Ohio-based food manufacturer said the changes, effective Feb. 9, are designed to advance long-term growth strategy, further momentum among its brand portfolio […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Tastepoint Identifies 10 Flavor Trends Expected To Shape 2026 Market
Philadelphia-based Tastepoint by IFF has identified 10 flavors expected to trend in the North American retail and foodservice throughout 2026, based on data-driven market analysis, menu tracking, social listening and changes in consumer behavior. “To continue delivering product development solutions that meet consumers’ unique and changing needs, we stay attuned to industry and market trends, keeping […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, National, News
NRF Reports Retail Sales Post Fourth Monthly Gain
Retail sales showed moderate monthly growth and strong year-over-year gains in January, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.72 percent unadjusted year […]
Posted inCenter Store, Finance News, National, News
Kraft Heinz Pauses Company Split, Commits $600M To Turnaround Plan
The Kraft Heinz Company announced Feb. 11 it is pausing work on its planned separation into two independent companies, instead committing $600 million to accelerate growth efforts as the food manufacturer reported a 15 percent decline in full-year 2025 adjusted earnings. CEO Steve Cahillane, who joined the Pittsburgh and Chicago-based company Jan. 1, said its […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
Publix Associate Prevails In Best Bagger Championship
The National Grocers Association (NGA) awarded a $10,000 cash prize to Rocco Cammarota of Publix Super Markets in Georgia after he finished first in the Best Bagger Championship on Feb. 2. Sponsored by PepsiCo, the competition took place during the second day of The NGA Show at Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas. The annual gathering brings […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Rise Baking Co. Identifies 5 Trends Shaping 2026 Bakery Category
Rise Baking Co. released its outlook for the bakery sector in 2026, highlighting five consumer behaviors and market dynamics expected to influence in-store bakery and foodservice operations throughout the year. The Minneapolis-based manufacturer – which supplies cakes, cookies, muffins and pies to grocery chains, convenience stores and foodservice operators – identified indulgence, portion variety, flavor […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Finance News, National, News
Swiftly Converts Static Circulars Into Interactive Digital Format
Swiftly has launched SmartCircular, an artificial intelligence-powered tool that transforms grocery retailers’ PDF circulars into interactive digital experiences with engagement tracking. The Seattle-based retail technology company’s new product uses proprietary AI to convert static weekly ads into clickable formats that allow shoppers to browse deals, zoom in on products and add items to shopping lists. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Bill To Make SNAP Online Purchasing Permanent Introduced In U.S. House
Rep. Mark Messmer (R-IN) and Rep. Adam Gray (D-CA) introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives Feb. 10 to permanently authorize Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) recipients to buy groceries online, converting a pilot program launched in 2019 into a permanent feature of the federal nutrition assistance program. The SNAP Online Access Act would […]
Posted inNational, Finance News, News, Store News
LocalDutch Brings Urban Farm Shop Model To U.S.
LocalDutch, a Netherlands-based agri-tech and food retail company, has announced plans to roll out its Urban Farm Shop concept in the United States and other markets. The model integrates on-site controlled-environment food production with direct-to-consumer retail and local delivery in a single location. The company, headquartered in The Hague, calls the concept the “LocalDutch Shop” […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, IGA, National, News
IGA Centennial USA Retailers Of The Year Recognized
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has announced its 2026 Centennial USA Retailers of the Year, recognizing a group of independent grocers whose leadership, innovation and commitment to their communities exemplify the values that have defined IGA for the past 100 years. The retailers were announced during the welcome reception at The NGA Show 2026, marking […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, National, News
Organic & Natural Health Association Honors SENPA’s Short With Champion Award
The Organic & Natural Health Association presented Debra Short, executive director of the Southeast Natural Products Association, with its Champion Award Jan. 22 at the conclusion of its 11th annual conference in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Short was honored her commitment to advocacy, education and support of independent natural products retailers. She opened the conference, “The […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Posts Largest Gain On Customer Satisfaction Study
Save A Lot achieved the largest customer satisfaction increase among supermarkets in the latest American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) Retail and Consumer Shipping Study, climbing 4 percent to a score of 78 between 2025 and 2026. The St. Louis-based discount grocer was one of just three grocers to see an improvement in the 2026 ACSI […]
Posted inSuppliers, Albertsons, Center Store, H-E-B, Home Page Latest News, National, News, Southwest, Walmart
Dutch Bros Expands Its CPG Coffee Launch
Dutch Bros Inc. (NYSE: BROS) is capitalizing on the cult following it has developed through its more than 1,000 drive-thru locations by expanding its consumer packaged goods footprint across major retail channels. The company’s “Dutch Bros at home” assortment now is available through Amazon and grocery partners such as Walmart, H-E-B and Albertsons, with additional […]