Sprouts Farmers Market has added eight new individual Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) deals with college athletes in women’s sports as a deeper commitment to its PowHERed by Sprouts program. “Sprouts is on a mission to power women both on and off the field, fueling performance through nutrition and partnering with athletes who are changing […]
Category: National
Posted inSnacks Brands, National, News
NCSA Names 2025 Candy Hall Of Fame Inductees
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) has introduced its 11-member Candy Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The class will be formally inducted during the association’s annual event Oct. 23-26 at Signia by Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek in Orlando, Florida. Candy Hall of Fame inductees are: John Brooks Jr., Adams & Brooks Inc.; Jim Dodge, Mars […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, National
Smucker Introduces Hostess ‘We Speak Snackie’ Campaign
The J.M. Smucker Co. is continuing its work to re-energize the iconic Hostess brand by introducing a new marketing campaign. Created in partnership with PSOne, Publicis’ Power of One solution for The J.M. Smucker Co., creatively led by BBH USA, “We Speakie Snackie” is designed to bring a fun, playful new voice to the snacking […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Upshop Promotes Kennedy, Weber To Drive Strategic Growth
Upshop, a provider of retail technology solutions, has made two strategic promotions within its executive leadership team. Lauren Kennedy has been named SVP of strategic accounts, while Mike Weber has been appointed to the newly created position of chief growth officer. These leadership changes reflect Upshop’s commitment to strengthening its market position and accelerating growth […]
Posted inMarketing News, Merchandising News, National
The Price Optimization Edge Independent Grocers Need
Sponsored content You’re up against some big challenges. Grocery pricing is tough. Rising costs are squeezing margins, competition is heating up, and shoppers are expecting great value and an exciting assortment. How can you stay on top? The answer’s simpler than you might think. Price optimization powered by competitive intelligence. It’s your secret weapon to […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, National
Report Reveals Opportunities For Private Label, Branded Product Growth
NielsenIQ has released “Finding Harmony on the Shelf: 2025 Global Outlook on Private Label & Branded Products,” a new report that offers an analysis of shifting global consumer attitudes around private label and branded products, catalysts driving these trends and insights for retailers to reach consumers within a fast-moving macroeconomic environment. According to NIQ’s report, […]
Posted inSustainability News, Beverage News, National
PepsiCo’s Watershed Projects Aim To Replenish Millions Of Gallons Of Water
PepsiCo’s more than $1.8 million investment in four watershed replenishment programs in the U.S. last year aims to provide multi-pronged benefits to land and communities in high water-risk areas. Replenishing water in high water-risk areas is integral to PepsiCo’s broader pep+ (PepsiCo Positive) ambition of becoming Net Water Positive by 2030. The projects take specialized approaches […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Instacart Introduces Store View, Second Store Check Options
Instacart has added two additional technology features to its platform, Store View and Second Store Check, which are made possible due to integrations with retailers’ inventory systems and millions of weekly orders placed across more than 100,000 locations. “Keeping track of inventory is one of the biggest challenges in grocery. A single store carries more […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Fresh Del Monte Acquires Majority Stake In Avolio
In line with its initiative to expand into high-value specialty ingredients, Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc. has acquired a majority stake in Avolio, an Ugandan supplier of bulk crude and edible avocado oil. Avocados are one of the few fruits from which oil can be extracted from the pulp. Avolio leverages this to create value […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Expands International Footprint With New U.K. Market
Whole Foods Market opened its first new U.K. location since 2014 on March 25 at 120 King’s Road, SW3 in the Chelsea area of London. “I am thrilled to open the doors of our first Whole Foods Market in the U.K. in more than 10 years here on King’s Road, an iconic street and London […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Files Legal Response, Levels Counterclaims Against Albertsons
The Kroger Co. has filed an answer and counterclaims to the complaint brought by Albertsons in the Delaware Court of Chancery, in connection with the previous merger agreement between the two companies, which was terminated in December. The court filing that Kroger issued stated that while “[it] was working diligently to seek regulatory approval and […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
FMI Report: Meat Sales High As Americans View Meat As Part Of Healthy Lifestyle
Meat sales hit a record high of $104.6 billion in 2024, pounds sold increased 2.3 percent compared to 2023, and consumers on average buy meat more than once per week (Circana) – keeping meat the largest fresh department in grocery, according to the 20th annual “Power of Meat” report released March 24 at the Annual […]
Posted inProduce News, National, News
Colombian Avocados On Track For Record 2025 Season
Colombia is set to deliver 130 million pounds of avocados during the 2025 spring-summer traviesa season. Maturing orchards, strategic investments in region-specific rootstock and a growing shift toward East Coast ports are driving Colombia’s role as a year-round supply partner for the expanding U.S. market. Year-round harvest Main season (September-February): Recently concluded with a 50 […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
USDA Accepts Pasturebird’s Petition To Update Pasture-Raised Definition
Pasturebird has successfully petitioned the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to update its definition of “pasture-raised” meat and poultry. After years of advocating for a clear and common-sense definition, Pasturebird and Perdue Farms helped shoppers distinguish “free range” from “pasture-raised” chicken. The new animal-raising labeling guidelines require that “pasture-raised” animals must be on pasture […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Deli News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News, Produce News
FDA Extends Date For FSMA 204 Compliance
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has shared its intention to extend the compliance date for the Food Traceability Rule (FSMA 204) by 30 months. The FDA will extend the compliance date using appropriate procedures at a later time, including publishing a proposed rule in the Federal Register. The FDA stated that it is […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Dunnhumby Introduces AI-Powered Retail Media Solution
Dunnhumby has introduced an offering within its retail media ecosystem, partnering with Osmos, a specialist in advanced ad-serving technology, on the dunnhumby Retail Media Platform. The integration comes at a time when retailers are seeking to maximize the value of retail media networks. By incorporating Osmos’ capabilities into its retail media offering, dunnhumby offers retailers […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, Feature, National, News
Beyond Organic: CEO On Redefining Health, Industry Honesty
Karen Howard has served as CEO and executive director of Organic & Natural Health Association in Washington, D.C., since its inception in 2014. She has championed causes such as defining the term “natural,” promoting quality manufacturing, ensuring traceable sourcing, advancing regenerative farming, advocating for sustainable practices, addressing nutrient deficiencies and propelling vitamin D research and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Feature, National, News, Private Label Brands
FMI Committees Doing Important Work On Private Brands, AI, Asset Protection
Doug Baker, VP of industry relations for FMI – The Food Industry Association, spoke to The Shelby Report during the association’s recent Midwinter Executive Conference on Marco Island, Florida. Baker touched on three topics that are of interest to FMI’s membership and the food industry as a whole – private brands, technology advancements and asset […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
Instacart Adds AI-Powered Smart Shop Technology
Among the new features Instacart has recently introduced to its platform is Smart Shop, which leverages generative AI and machine learning to create a more personalized grocery shopping experience. With Smart Shop, Instacart analyzes customer habits and dietary preferences to find the most relevant products faster. In addition, Instacart unveiled new AI-powered Health Tags, which […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Introduces Fair Markets, Fresh Choices Advocacy Campaign
During The NGA Show in Las Vegas, the National Grocers Association (NGA) introduced Fair Markets, Fresh Choices, an advocacy campaign that spotlights and demands a level playing field in the food retail industry for independent grocers. Independent community supermarkets – many of them family or employee owned – are the backbone of neighborhoods across America, […]