Have you ever considered how pest movement can impact food safety? We live in a world of movement, and food and food products are no exception, traveling along channels of production, processing, packaging and distribution. Food and ingredients can move thousands of miles from their source until they find their way onto store shelves. Keeping […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
NGA Foundation Scholarships Offer Boost To Students Who Are Our Future
The future of the independent grocery industry largely depends upon having talented leadership that can steer it through changing times and dynamic market conditions. Part of cultivating that leadership is encouraging today’s students to become tomorrow’s leaders by demonstrating the opportunities and benefits of working in a business that uplifts communities and feeds the nation. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National
AFFI-CON 2024 Posts Record-Setting Attendance
Nearly 1,600 professionals from more than 500 different companies attended AFFI-CON 2024, the frozen food industry’s premier annual event Feb. 24-27 in San Diego. “AFFI is committed to fostering industry growth through data, insights and programming such as AFFI-CON,” said Alison Bodor, president and CEO of The American Frozen Food Institute “This event provides a […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Ahold Delhaize USA Joins White House Challenge To End Hunger
Ahold Delhaize USA and its local brands – Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop – have announced new commitments to support nutrition education for children as part of the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. As part of this commitment, which is in addition to […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Research Identifies Opportunities For Consumer Eating Occasions
Insights revealed from FMI – The Food Industry Association, Oliver Wyman and Circana highlight new opportunities for food industry trading partners to cater to shoppers’ expanding definitions of value. The research, “Finding Growth for Food & Beverage at Retail: Winning Eating Occasions throughout the Day,” supports go-to-market strategies and ways in which grocers can attract more shopper relevance regarding needs, experiences, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, National
Electronic Shelf Labels – Small In Size, Big In Features
In a business based on penny margins, retailers are perpetually searching for ways to optimize their pricing strategy. Lately, grocers have been turning to electronic shelf labels as part of the solution. According to FMI’s SPEAKS 2023 report, as retailers look for more ways to use technology to improve operations and customer experience, electronic shelf […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Association News, National
NGA Praises FTC’s Freeze On Kroger-Albertsons Merger
The National Grocers Association (NGA) issued the following response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) decision Feb. 26 to challenge the merger between Kroger and Albertsons. “Every day, America’s local independent supermarkets face economic challenges due to the influence of massive power buyer chains who use their leverage over suppliers at the expense of smaller […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Preparing For The USDA’s New Organic Enforcement Rule
The deadline for USDA’s “Strengthening Organic Enforcement” (SOE) final rule is barely a month away. More robust recordkeeping, audits and traceability of organic certifications will be required of more businesses throughout the food supply. The National Grocers Association, as part of its traceability partnership with ReposiTrak, hosted a recent webinar that explained what the rule […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
SQFI Names 2024 Excellence Awards Finalists
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has announced six finalists for the 2024 SQF Excellence Awards in anticipation of 2024 SQF Unites in New Orleans. Excellence in Auditing The Excellence in SQF Auditing award is presented to an SQF auditor who demonstrates exceptional performance and dedication […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
FTC Sues To Block Kroger, Albertsons Merger
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has sued to block the proposed merger between The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Cos., alleging that the deal is anticompetitive. The FTC charges that the proposed deal will eliminate competition between Kroger and Albertsons, leading to higher prices for groceries and other essential household items for millions of Americans. The […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
Ready Or Not, AI Is Ready To Reinvent, Disrupt Grocery Industry
It’s been said that technology is the great enabler. Used correctly, it can transform a business or an experience more quickly and efficiently than any method before it. “In today’s climate, it’s all about have the right products in the right place at the right time,” said Doug Baker, VP of industry relations, FMI – […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
WGA Welcomes Coca-Cola As Top-Tier Sponsor
The NGA Foundation has announced that Coca-Cola Co. has signed on as the top-tier sponsor of Women Grocers of America (WGA), making a multiyear commitment for $50,000 annually in support of the grocery industry’s female leaders. “Coca-Cola is proud to continue our longtime support of Women Grocers of America,” said Pamela Stewart, chief customer officer […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, National
Instacart, Pack Health Seeking To Boost Healthy Habits
Instacart and Pack Health, a Quest Diagnostics company specializing in patient engagement, are working to improve food access and healthy eating habits in underserved communities. By integrating Instacart into Pack Health’s programs, the companies will deliver a complementary suite of services aimed at increasing access to the food, nutrition education and coaching support people need […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
U.S. Grocers Celebrating Their Employees Today
FMI – The Food Industry Association launched Supermarket Employee Day on Feb. 22, 2021, to recognize the work supermarket employees do every day. “Supermarket employees are the bedrock sustaining our communities in times of crisis, whether it be a natural disaster, a pandemic or other unforeseen challenges,” the association shared in a newsletter. “They uphold […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
January Online Grocery Sales Total $8.5B
The U.S. online grocery market finished January with $8.5 billion in total sales, up 1.8 percent compared to 2023, according to the recent Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopper Survey. Despite a jump in the number of households buying groceries online during the month, January’s overall sales growth was moderated year over year by a downward […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. To Acquire United Grocery Outlet
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. has agreed to acquire United Grocery Outlet from affiliates of Gen Cap America Inc. and current and former UGO management. With 40 stores and a distribution center, the acquisition of UGO will expand Grocery Outlet’s presence into Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Kentucky and Virginia. “United Grocery Outlet is a natural […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Report: Food Industry Committed to Health, Well-Being Initiatives
As Americans’ interest in nutrition and healthy eating has increased in recent years, companies across the food industry have implemented numerous initiatives to support consumers’ health needs and priorities, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s new “Food Industry Contributions to Health and Well-Being 2024” report. The survey, conducted in October, includes insights from retailers and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Shop ’n Save Using Upside To Lift Loyalty Initiatives
Upside has partnered with about 80 independently owned Shop ’n Save locations in western Pennsylvania, Maryland, New York, Ohio and West Virginia to connect the retailers with the digital marketplace’s users, who will be incentivized with personalized promotions to spend more money with them. “Our partnership with Upside is a testament to our commitment to […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
Self-Checkout Meets Top Shopper Priorities
For more than two decades, self-checkouts have played an important role in shaping the retail landscape. Initially created as a tool to enable retailers to deploy team members to perform more high-touch tasks in the store, self-checkouts have taken on a much larger role. As retailers look to create a frictionless POS system and a […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Kroger Says It Will Lower Prices If Albertsons Merger OK’d
The Kroger Co. is sharing additional insights about how the company lowered prices via previous mergers and plans to do the same through its proposed deal with Albertsons Cos. “We believe the way to be America’s best grocer is to provide great value by consistently lowering prices and offering more choices. When we do this, […]