U.S. online grocery sales in May finished at $8.7 billion, a 27 percent increase compared to last year, with delivery driving nearly all the gains, according to the Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, fielded May 30-31, and sponsored by Mercatus. While this marks the first month since August 2024 when total monthly sales have […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Independent Grocers Make Their Voices Heard In Washington At NGA’s Fly-In
Every spring, the National Grocers Association’s Fly-In for Fair Competition reminds me of something simple yet powerful – when independent grocers come together and speak with one voice, we can move mountains. The 2025 Fly-In was no exception. More than 125 independent operators, wholesalers and state association partners from 38 states converged on Capitol Hill […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Grupo Bimbo Reports Progress In Environmental Sustainability Strategy
In celebration of World Environment Day, Grupo Bimbo has presented its 2024 annual report, Actions that Transform, which outlines business progress and advances toward its 2030 and 2050 sustainability strategy goals. As part of its “Nourishing a Better World” sustainability strategy, Grupo Bimbo has established a plan to protect and preserve natural systems through its […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Names 2025 Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest Winners
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has named the winners of its annual “Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest,” created to spotlight up-and-coming brands in the frozen and refrigerated aisles. Following a competitive review process, eight finalists were selected to submit product samples and promotional materials for evaluation by a panel of industry judges: […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA, FMS Solutions Partner On Policy, Profit Summits
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has partnered with FMS Solutions for this year’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit (Oct. 20-21) and the inaugural FMS Profit Summit (Oct. 22-24), two events featuring sessions focused on policy, technology and profit strategies for independent grocers. “NGA’s Executive Conference & Public Policy Summit has been a must-attend event […]
Posted inPackaging News, Deli News, National, News
Lacerta Introduces New Seal N’ Flip Packaging Design
Lacerta Group has announced a new innovation: Seal N’ Flip packaging. Coming at a time when food retailers and brands are focused on their bottom line, the Seal N’ Flip design is estimated to reduce packaging costs by up to 25 percent. The new design places the lidding film on the bottom. Company officials noted […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News
Study Finds Consumers Cutting Grocery Spend Due To Tariff Concerns
New tariffs may not be in place just yet, but a survey found consumers already are adjusting their spending habits, including what they buy at the grocery store. Consumer insight platform Zappi surveyed 1,000 shoppers and found 91 percent of those polled are already making tradeoffs to manage rising prices. Nearly half say they are […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
IFPA Shares Retail Produce Manager Award Recipients
At The Retail Conference and Golf Tournament, the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) announced the 20 recipients of the 2025 Retail Produce Manager Awards, recognizing their dedication to fresh produce, inventive merchandising, community engagement and exceptional customer service. The 20 winners represent the produce industry to the consumer and work to increase sales and consumption […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Foundation Empowers Independent Grocers Through ELDP
The National Grocers Association (NGA) Foundation has completed its four-day Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP). Held June 1-5 at Cornell University, the program features a blend of learning experiences, lectures and collaborative group activities designed to develop and enhance leadership skills. “ELDP continues to educate, inspire and empower talented professionals who are driving growth and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
FMI Names 2025 Store Manager Awards Winners
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced the winners of the 2025 Store Manager Awards, honoring those in grocery retail who demonstrate outstanding leadership, elevate store performance and inspire teams across the industry. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the awards program, celebrating two decades of excellence in food retail management. “For the […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
NGA Leads Call For Increased Antitrust Enforcement Funding
A coalition of more than 40 business organizations and associations, led by the National Grocers Association (NGA), sent a letter to Congress making the case for robust funding for the Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission. The letter, addressed to Congressional appropriators, urges immediate investment in the federal agencies responsible for enforcing U.S. […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Feature, National, News
American Bakers Association Offers Optimistic Outlook
Despite inflation and economic uncertainty, the American Bakers Association (ABA) forecasts steady, slow growth in the retail and foodservice space over the next few years. Acknowledging that 94 percent of consumers are concerned about their current financial situation due to inflation, ABA President and CEO Eric Dell still sees some positive signs. “The good news […]
Posted inFeature, Bakery News, National, News
St Pierre Groupe Goes All Out For ‘Biggest And Most Important’ Show
St Pierre Groupe brought a big team to New Orleans to staff a big booth for IDDBA 2025. Sarah Boddy, UK-based managing director of St Pierre Groupe, said the show is the only one where the brioche pioneer brings this large a booth, which is modeled after the famous French neighborhood Montmartre and the café […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Report: eGrocery Sales Growth To Outpace In-Store By 5x Through 2029
A new five-year forecast from Brick Meets Click reveals that eGrocery sales growth in the U.S. will far exceed in-store sales through 2029. While overall grocery spending is projected to slow, online grocery sales – including pickup, delivery and ship-to-home – are forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8.9 percent, compared […]
Posted inAssociation News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National, News
IDDBA 2025 Photo Gallery
IDDBA 2025 wrapped up June 3 in New Orleans, showcasing the latest information, trends and products in the dairy, deli and bakery industries. Academy Award-winning director, producer and actor Kevin Costner headlined the General Session speaker lineup, which also included Michael Strahan, TV host, entrepreneur and philanthropist; Carla Hall, a Food Network star; and author […]
Posted inAssociation News, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National, News
Expert: ‘Just-in-time Shopping’ Favors Dairy, Deli, Bakery Space
Keyed by a rise in “just-in-time” shopping, dairy, deli and bakery departments are outpacing general food sales for both the first five months of this year and the past 52 weeks. In addition, they are boosted by the growth of special occasions, some 32 billion annually, and a focus on convenience and new flavors. These […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
Wonderful Pistachios Launches Campaign In Advance Of Record Nut Season
Los Angeles-based Wonderful Pistachios has launched its new marketing campaign, “The Don’t Hold Back Snack.” Designed to drive demand in anticipation of a record-setting California pistachio harvest this fall, the campaign features the message: “Wonderful Pistachios is the craveable snack that’s too good to be ‘good’ for you.” Through five new advertising spots directed by […]
Expert Article
Navigating Bakery Trends
The Shelby Report recently chatted with Charlie Wood, VP of sales and marketing at Bake’n Joy Foods, to learn more about the trends and opportunities in the bakery category. What top factors are impacting the bakery category? Grocers, and the bakery industry at large, are facing a variety of challenges this year but two that […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery Taps Into Mini Dessert Trend
Sara Lee Frozen Bakery is offering a new dessert trend – Cyrus O’Leary’s Mini Cheesecakes. The portioned desserts come in three flavors: original, featuring a graham crumb crust and crumbled graham topping; salted caramel truffle, topped with salted caramel and brownie pieces; and a strawberry-topped mini cheesecake made with real strawberries and a graham crumb […]
Posted inSustainability News, Beverage News, National, News
PepsiCo Refines Sustainability Goals With Updated Targets
PepsiCo has refined its long-term sustainability goals across critical areas including climate, packaging, agriculture and water. The updated targets, which build on about four years of efforts under the company’s “PepsiCo Positive” (pep+) business strategy, aim to create a more resilient business and drive scalable positive impact amidst evolving global realities. Since launching pep+ in […]