Prices came down for fresh and shelf-stable seafood, according to the primary shopper survey presented by Circana, 210 Analytics and Elanco. Inflation for frozen seafood was below average, at 1.6 percent in September versus last year at the same time. In the 52-week look, total seafood prices are down 0.6 percent, however, at an average […]
Category: National
Posted inCenter Store, National
Campbell’s Report: Thanksgiving Side Dishes Gaining Popularity
Campbell’s has released its 2023 State of the Sides, a food-focused report on holiday trends, top side dishes and new recipes. In addition, chocolatier Phillip Ashley has released a Holiday Sides Collection, a six-piece, soup-infused set of truffles inspired by Campbell’s holiday recipes. Campbell’s ‘State of the Sides’ report From traditional tastes to trending flavors, […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI: Shoppers Optimistic Ahead Of Busy Holiday Meals Season
Despite ongoing concerns about high prices, shoppers are optimistic about their financial situations heading into the holidays and are finding ways to meet their holiday meal needs at the grocery store, according to FMI – The Food Industry Association’s new “U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends, Holiday Season” report. “While consumers are understandably concerned about their finances […]
Posted inProduce News, National
FPAA Inaugural Expo Proves Fruitful For Buyers, Exhibitors
The Fresh Produce Association of the Americas recently concluded its inaugural expo, an enhancement to the FPAA Convention, which was held for the 54th consecutive year. Known as the Southwest International Produce Expo, the gathering drew more than 500 attendees, buyers and exhibitors Nov. 2-4 to the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, Arizona. Over […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Announces 2023 Leadership Program Class
The International Fresh Produce Association announced the incoming class for its 2023 Leadership Program during the graduation of the previous year’s fellows. The program, now in its 28th year, is a year-long journey where participants develop essential leadership and business skills through a series of customized trips. These trips are packed with face-to-face meetings, hands-on […]
Posted inExecutive News, National
Ahold Delhaize’s De Groot Shares Retirement Plans
Jan Ernst de Groot, chief legal officer and chief sustainability officer of Ahold Delhaize, has announced his intention to retire on May 31. De Groot started as chief legal officer at Ahold Group in 2015, building on a career of executive and board level roles at companies such as TNT Express and KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. […]
Posted inCenter Store, National
Central Garden & Pet Acquires Pet Treat Company TDBBS
Walnut Creek, California-based Central Garden & Pet has acquired TDBBS from Bregal Partners. Based in Richmond, Virginia, TDBBS is a provider of premium natural dog chews and treats. The acquisition will expand Central Garden & Pet’s portfolio with bully and collagen sticks, bones and jerky and further strengthen Central’s e-commerce and digital capabilities. “We are […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Watermelon Board Reveals 2023 Retail Merchandising Contest Winners
The National Watermelon Promotion Board has named winners in its annual Retail Merchandising Contest, which garnered more than 115 entries from various retail chains, independent retailers and commissaries throughout the U.S. and Canada. This year’s contest – the 15th since its inception – continued to utilize mixed media marketing efforts in addition to in-store displays. […]
Posted inPackaging News, National, Sustainability News
Kraft Heinz Releases 2023 ESG Report
The Kraft Heinz Co. released its 2023 Environmental Social Governance Report, sharing progress toward its goals through new innovations and collaboration. The report highlights advancements across the company’s three key pillars – healthy living and community support, environmental stewardship and responsible sourcing. “As we work to lead the future of food, we strive to do so responsibly. […]
Posted inSustainability News, National
General Mills, Walmart Collaborate On Regenerative Agriculture
General Mills, Walmart and Sam’s Club have begun a collaboration to help accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture on 600,000 acres in the U.S. by 2030. This represents the approximate number of acres General Mills engages to source key ingredients for its products sold through Walmart and Sam’s Club. Projects will be supported through grants administered […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Chicken Lifts Meat Sales, Reports Strong September Growth
The average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds stood at $4.63 in September, which was virtually unchanged from the levels seen in September 2022. This is according to the annual Circana, 210 Analytics and Hillphoenix series. Processed meat tends to have higher prices, but its average price per pound […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Dunnhumby Report: One In Five U.S. Consumers Trust AI
Just 20 percent of American consumers “mostly” or “completely” trust artificial intelligence, according to the fifth wave of the dunnhumby Consumer Trends Tracker. Americans’ trust in AI is higher than other markets, such as the U.K., where that figure is 14 percent. The quarterly study – completing its fifth quarter – found that the level […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Walmart Hails Reopening Of 117 Remodeled Stores
In what the retail giant is billing as a “Second Best Day,” Walmart will hold re-grand openings for 117 stores across the country on Nov. 3. The largest single-day rollout of reopenings in company history, the projects represent more than half a billion dollars in capital investments across 30 states. Employees and customers will be […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Disappointed With New Joint Employer Rules
The National Grocers Association (NGA), the national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, issued the following statement from SVP and Counsel Chris Jones in response to the National Labor Relations Board’s new regulations on joint employer standards under the National Labor Relations Act: “This final rule considerably broadens the existing definition of a ‘joint […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Sales Of Fresh Produce Increased During September
Fresh produce prices continued to increase in September versus their year-ago levels, but much less so than total food and beverages, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. On a per-pound basis, fruit prices increased by 1.3 percent year-on-year whereas vegetable prices were nearly flat, with just a small increase of […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Help Consumers Better Understand Grocery Business, Full Impact Of Inflation
Independent grocers are more in tune than most businesses with the communities they serve. Grocers see folks every week – sometimes every day – to help them with their families’ needs. Grocers engage, communicate and commiserate, offering ideas and solutions amid challenging economic times. So, it may come as a surprise that, according to recent […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
NGAF Leads Charge On Produce Prescription Technology Solutions
The National Grocers Association Foundation (NGAF) has wrapped up the Point of Sale Produce Prescription (PPR) Workgroup, successfully creating a core functionality document for efficient and accurate produce prescription POS solutions. This will be added to the association’s collection of resources that guide grocers seeking to offer nutrition incentives and produce prescription programs in their communities. Produce […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Concludes Executive Conference, Public Policy Summit
More than 250 independent grocery executives convened this past week for analysis, insights and discussions about the future of their industry and influence of politics on their business at the NGA Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit. The event was held Oct. 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C. Attendance topped that of last […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, Snacks Brands
NCA Reports Confectionery Industry Remains Strong
The confectionery industry is as strong as it’s ever been, according to Carly Schildhaus, director of public affairs and communications for the National Confectioners Association. She said consumers are eager to find ways to add a little bit of sweetness to their lives, “whether enhancing holidays, brightening celebrations or making an ordinary day extraordinary.” In […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Reality Of U.S. Economy – Inflation, Stagflation, Disinflation, Economic Pessimism
How’s that for a headline? Or better yet, how’s that for a description of the current economic situation in the U.S.? Confused? You are in good company. American consumers may not know one “-flation” phase from the next. But they don’t have to be economists to know that the economy seems to be a lot […]