The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday revoked the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and beverage products, as well as in ingested drugs. The FDA is amending its regulations in response to a 2022 color additive petition, which sought agency review on whether the Delaney Clause applied […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Shares Several Staff Promotions
The National Grocers Association has announced several promotions among its staff and the NGA Foundation. Stephanie Johnson Johnson has been promoted as NGA’s group VP of government relations and political affairs. In this expanded role, Johnson is responsible for managing NGA’s advocacy and political affairs, including policy development and management. She will manage the association’s […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
Instacart Accelerates Caper Cart Adoption With DUMAC, TRUNO
Instacart has begun new partnerships with two point-of-sale (POS) providers –DUMAC Business Systems and TRUNO Retail Technology Solutions – to offer Caper Carts to their grocer networks, providing end-to-end POS integration from sales through implementation. Caper Carts, Instacart’s artificial intelligence-powered smart carts, allow customers to scan items as they shop, track spending for budget management […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Customers Donate 67K Food Bags To Charities
With the help of its customers, Save A Lot donated 67,252 bags of food to organizations fighting hunger as part of its Bags for a Brighter Holiday effort. Throughout November and December, shoppers at 480 Save A Lot stores across the country bought pre-assembled bags of food that were donated to food charities and pantries. […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Executive Perspectives: Jena Sowers
A summer internship led to a 20-year career in the CPG industry for Jena Sowers, who then seized the opportunity to more directly help independent grocers serve their communities. Now the CEO of Hendersonville, Tennessee-based Alliance Retail Group, Sowers shares her thoughts on leadership, management and working with family-owned businesses with NGA’s Independent Grocer magazine. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
December Online Grocery Sales Climb 19% Versus Last Year
The U.S. online grocery market ended December with $9.6 billion in monthly sales, an 18.7 percent increase over last year, as all three fulfillment methods posted year-over-year (YOY) sales gains, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus grocery shopper survey fielded Dec. 30-31. December marks the fifth straight month of online grocery sales above $9.5 billion […]
Posted inExecutive News, National, Snacks Brands
The Hershey Co. President, CEO Shares Retirement Plans
Michele Buck, chairman of The Hershey Co. Board of Directors, president and CEO, has informed the company of her intention to retire, effective June 30, 2026. Buck will retain her roles until her successor is appointed, at which time she plans to resign from the board and transition to a senior advisor role until retirement. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Report: Shoppers, Retailers See Benefits From AI In-Store
Seven in 10 consumers are familiar with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at the retail locations where they shop, and more than half have a positive impression of the technology, according to a new SPAR Group survey. The report found that consumers are looking for wider deployment of AI-supported services like in-aisle promotions, product […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
DoorDash, Ibotta Partner To Help Customers Save Money
Ibotta and DoorDash have begun a multi-year partnership to provide DoorDash customers with access to Ibotta’s catalog of digital promotions. In joining the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN), DoorDash is helping consumers save more through personalized promotions and coupons on items in a range of categories, including grocery, health and beauty, home improvement and alcohol. For […]
Posted inExecutive News, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
ROFDA President, CEO Pedersen Stepping Down
Jeff Pedersen, president and CEO of Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA), plans to step down after the organization’s spring conference to pursue a new opportunity. ROFDA praised Pedersen, who was appointed to the position in February 2022, for his impact and bringing visionary leadership, fostering strategic partnerships and championing collaboration across the grocery […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Shares New Strategic Plan, Executive Changes
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) kicked off the new year by beginning its 2025-27 strategic plan, which includes new leadership roles. The plan was announced during Tammy DeBoer’s remarks at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta. DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter and 2025 chair of IFPA’s board of directors, will focus much of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Ahold Delhaize USA Partners With Inmar For Digital Coupons
Ahold Delhaize USA has announced another move to continue to improve personalization and value for omnichannel shoppers at its five brands – Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Co., Hannaford and Stop & Shop. Through new partnerships with Inmar Intelligence on digital coupons, Ahold Delhaize USA brands will have access to increased capacity for offers […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Study: Consumers Turn From Retailers Not Offering Discounts
Dunnhumby has released the eighth annual Retailer Preference Index (RPI), a comprehensive, nationwide study that examines the about $1 trillion U.S. grocery market. The annual study, that includes a survey of 11,000 U.S. consumers, found that “saving customers money” – through price, promotions, and rewards – is the most important predictor for retailers to have stronger, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Study: Retailers Deploying Mobile Apps Will Double By 2026
The “2025 Connected Retail Experience Study: Mobility is Driving Associate Productivity” by Incisiv, conducted in collaboration with Verizon Business and Cisco, shows that retailers are shifting their priorities to focus on digital solutions to help improve associate productivity and offset ongoing macroeconomic factors like labor shortages and pressure on supply-and- demand efficiencies. The annual study, now […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Grocers, Brands Recognized On HRCF’s Annual Corporate Equality Index
The Human Rights Campaign Foundation has released its 2025 Corporate Equality Index list, honoring several grocers and brands with the Equality 100 Award. The HRCF Corporate Equality Index is a benchmark survey and report measuring corporate policies and practices related to LGBTQ+ workplace equality. The Corporate Equality Index rates companies on detailed criteria falling under […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
What Presidential Election Means For Independent Grocers In 2025
The past several years have brought a host of policy wins for independent grocers. From progress toward antitrust enforcement and credit card reform to protection of federal nutrition programs, NGA’s advocacy efforts have made historic leaps. While we have been building momentum on these issues, there is still plenty to do. With the results of […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Ask The Experts, Frozen Food, National
How Refrigeration Regulations Are Impacting Retailers And How To Prepare
Sponsored content Hussmann spent the last half of 2024 on the road bringing its traveling roadshow “The Evolve Experience” to retailers’ doorsteps to share education and training on refrigeration regulations impacting how they manage their refrigeration and plan new stores and remodels. The approach has been designed to provide retailers and technicians across North America […]
Posted inMerchandising News, Independent Store News, Industry Leaders Speak, National
Winning the Shrink Battle – How Independent Grocers Can Maximize Their Margins
Sponsored content Shrink silently chips away at profits through outdated product, theft, overstocking, damage and errors. These losses aren’t just missed revenue – they lead to dissatisfied customers and reduced reinvestment opportunities. Reducing shrink isn’t just about cutting losses – it’s about gaining clarity, control and profitability in a competitive industry. Shrink is the difference […]
Posted inBakery News, Ask The Experts, National
How Merchandising To Elevate The Shopper Experience Will Help Retail Win In 2025
Sponsored content Jake Huber, U.S. sales director for St Pierre, discusses how – and where – consumers will be spending their money in 2025, after 12 months marked by rising costs of living, disrupted with an election and five years post the pandemic that changed the world. Whilst value for money is paramount for retailers […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National
Exec From nCountR: Reaching Shoppers At Store Level Vitally Important
As popular as e-commerce has become, about 80 percent of retail transactions still take place in the real world, at the store. “Every retailer, including some of the largest on the planet, see more foot traffic than they do digital traffic by a very large factor,” noted Hans Fischmann, VP and GM of the nCountR […]