The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has elected three industry leaders to its board of directors. Cody Heinz with Bell Flavors & Fragrances joins the board for the first time; Peter Kempton Jr. of b.a. Sweetie Candy Company has been re-elected for a second three-year term; and Brandon Sagotz from Ferrara Candy Co. returns after […]
Category: National
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National, News, Sustainability News
Building Resilience – Grocers Can Strengthen Insurability Through Climate Preparedness
What does it mean for a business to be resilient – and what is your business doing to get there? If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s how essential grocery stores are to the communities they serve. For many, it was the first time they fully recognized the critical role these businesses play – […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Tell Your Story, Tell Your Story, Tell Your Story
When it comes to sustainability and resource management, we typically think of workplace practices like energy efficiency, food waste diversion, recycling and refrigerant management. These aspects of food retail have the potential to provide significant benefits to the bottom line when managed resourcefully. But managing these aspects effectively provides another benefit – it helps the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National, News
NGA Petitions EPA To Reconsider HFC Management Rule Regulations
The National Grocers Association has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revise its Hydrofluorocarbon Management Rule, citing what it maintains are unrealistic timelines, excessive compliance costs and regulatory requirements that exceed congressional mandates. NGA’s petition argues that the HFC Management Rule imposes several impractical and overly burdensome requirements on food retailers, including drastically increasing […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Deli News, Guest Contributors, National, News, Produce News
Why Food Retailers Are Moving To Full Traceability – Turning Compliance Into Opportunity
by Ron Margulis / ReposiTrak Many of the country’s largest food retailers are actively embracing full traceability under FSMA 204 as both a regulatory mandate and a critical business strategy. Driven by major chains like Walmart, Kroger and Albertsons, the push for comprehensive recordkeeping is transforming the grocery industry, setting new performance standards for the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News
Lidl US Launches Holiday Meal Deal For Customers
Lidl US is offering it first holiday meal deal from Dec. 10-24, helping shoppers build a feast that serves 12 people for less than $4 per person. “Lidl US is dedicated to making high-quality food accessible to everyone, especially during this time of year,” said CEO Joel Rampoldt. “We’re proud to introduce our new holiday meal […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
FreshDirect Shares Top Food Predictions For 2026
FreshDirect’s 2026 food trends and predictions report reflects a growing demand for an expanded flavor palate, shift in consumer drinking habits, desire for products made in the U.S. and an expansion of chefs making meals for the home kitchen. In 2025, FreshDirect strengthened its customer connections through experiential events and activations in New York City, the […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, Grocery Research, National, News
Winter Holiday Confectionery Demand Remains Strong, NCA Reports
According to a new survey from the National Confectioners Association (NCA), 95 percent of Americans plan to celebrate the winter holidays with chocolate and candy, reflecting the category’s continued strength as a holiday staple. The “big four” seasonal moments – Valentine’s Day, Easter, Halloween and the winter holidays – remain key for the $54 billion […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Dynamics Of Grocery Leadership Rooted In Fast-Paced, People-Driven Environment
by Paulo Goelzer For over three decades, I have lived and breathed the dynamic world of grocery retail – an industry where leadership is forged not in corner offices, but in backrooms, front ends and produce aisles. In those 30 years, I have had the opportunity to work with store management that navigated chaos on […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National
Mars, Hershey Roll Out Seasonal Candy Lineups With New Innovations, Returning Favorites
Mars and Hershey release 2025 holiday candy lineups featuring new seasonal items including M&M’S Winter Blend, TWIX Snowmen and Hershey’s Kisses Snickerdoodle Cookie.
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
Honoring Uncle’s Legacy Of Leadership, Gratitude
Thanksgiving is a season of gratitude, reflection and intentional recognition of the people who have shaped our lives. As families gather around tables filled with food and laughter, we pause to remember not just for what – but whom – we are thankful. This year, my heart turns to one man whose life embodies leadership, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National, News
There IS A Future For Independent Grocery
Editor’s note: This is the third of a three-part series of articles intended to provide a view of the path to a brighter future for independent grocery as a whole and to independent grocers. Independent grocery is not in decline – it is in transition. The future will not belong solely to the largest players […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, National, News
Vitaminwater Debuts Packaging Redesign, New Flavors
Vitaminwater has debuted a revitalized packaging design and introduced two new flavors to help the brand stand out in the increasingly crowded enhanced water category. The updated packaging, which started rolling out in March, features a cleaner, bolder label design with flavor-forward colors, an enlarged and stacked logo with modernized typography, and flavor descriptions channeling […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News, Private Label Brands, Stop & Shop
Survey: 55% Of Americans Prefer Canned Cranberry Sauce
Stop & Shop released survey results revealing that 55 percent of Americans prefer canned cranberry sauce with ridges at Thanksgiving, compared to 31 percent who favor homemade versions. The Quincy, Massachusetts-based retailer surveyed adults ages 18 and older across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey to gauge cranberry sauce preferences. The survey […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, KeHE Distributors, National, News
KeHE Identifies Five Macro Trends Shaping 2026 Food, Beverage Market
KeHE Distributors released its 2026 macro trends forecast, highlighting five emerging market dynamics that reflect evolving consumer values and purchasing priorities across the natural and organic, specialty and fresh products sectors. The Naperville, Illinois-based distributor identified authenticity, protein innovation, global flavors, personalized wellness and data-driven shopping as the dominant forces reshaping how consumers will make […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, National, News
Food Club, McLean Collaborate On Hunger Relief Efforts For Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, Food Club, along with brand partner Feeding America, has teamed up with boy band celebrity AJ McLean to fight hunger in support of the brand’s 80th anniversary and his new EP release on Thanksgiving Day titled, “Hi, My Name is Alex.” Earlier this month, Food Club shoppers had the opportunity to win tickets […]
Posted inExecutive News, Independent Store News, National, News
NCG Appoints Harvey As CEO, Succeeding Pugh
National Co+op Grocers (NCG), the business services cooperative for 167 retail food co-ops nationwide, has selected Tandy Harvey as its next CEO, effective Jan. 1. She succeeds C.E. Pugh, who will retire at the end of the year. Harvey brings more than 30 years of wholesale and retail food industry experience, including senior leadership roles […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, News
Barilla Opens Innovation Center In Parma, Italy
Barilla Group has opened the Barilla Innovation & Technology Experience (BITE) in Parma, Italy, designed as a global hub to foster development across the company’s portfolio of pasta, sauces and bakery products The company said the 150,000-square-f00t center represents a more than $25 million investment, with an additional $2.3 million per year dedicated to equipment […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Beverage News, National, News
Swiftly, EG America Launch Alcohol Cashback In SmartRewards App
Swiftly has partnered with EG America to add a digital alcohol cashback feature to the SmartRewards app across the retailer’s convenience store brands. The new feature provides near-instant, supplier-funded cashback on beer, wine and spirits at stores including Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Loaf ‘N Jug, Kwik Shop, Turkey Hill, Quik Stop, Tom Thumb, Minit […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Enables SNAP EBT On Uber Eats Through Forage Partnership
Save A Lot has launched SNAP EBT payment acceptance on Uber Eats at more than 325 locations, expanding same-day grocery delivery access for benefit recipients across its footprint. The grocer partnered with Forage Technology Corp., a USDA-approved third-party payment processor, to enable the service. Save A Lot operates about 700 stores in 30 states. The […]