The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the slate of new officers and directors for the 2024 IFPA Board of Directors. The volunteer leaders will be confirmed by a ballot shared with membership. This group will begin its board service at the 2023 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show on Oct. 19-21 in Anaheim, California. […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Shares Agenda For Executive Conference, Public Policy Summit
A forward-looking education agenda driven by top industry leaders is the centerpiece of this year’s National Grocers Association Executive Conference and Public Policy Summit, the annual gathering of executives from the independent grocery industry. The summit, scheduled for Oct. 22-25 at the Grand Hyatt in Washington, D.C., offers retail, wholesale and supplier executives and their […]
Posted inProduce News, Ask The Experts, National
Emerging Trends In Retail Ripening
Sponsored content We’re talking with Dennis Kihlstadius and Gary Campisi, aka The Produce Guys, two of the most experienced and well-known experts in fruit conditioning for the retail produce industry. Dennis has more than 35 years of experience as a ripening consultant. Current and former clients include the Pear Bureau Northwest, the National Mango Board, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Independent Store News, National
Liviri Launches Independent E-Grocer Grant Program
Fort Collins, Colorado-based Liviri is launching its first Independent E-Grocer Grant Program. It is an initiative that will award resources to an independent grocer. Liviri is committed to supporting grocers in driving operational excellence and optimizing supply chain management for the ever-evolving eGrocery sector. To apply, grocers can submit an application here. “Liviri’s primary focus is to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, National
Walmart’s Online Grocery Sales Reach Record High
Walmart captured nearly 36 percent of all U.S. eGrocery sales in the second quarter of 2023, up more than 5 percentage points from the prior year and its highest share to date, according to the new report, “Measuring the Online Grocery Market: eGrocery Share in the U.S.,” created by Brick Meets Click and sponsored by […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
AWG, AppCard Partner For Digital Coupon, Marketing Technology
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. has partnered with New York-based AppCard to offer digital coupon, personalized marketing technology and shopper analytics to its independent AWG member retailers. AppCard’s platform and expertise in leveraging data-driven insights will enable AWG member retailers to offer targeted promotions and personalized offers to its customers. With this partnership, AWG member retailers will […]
Posted inAssociation News, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National
FMI Announces 2023 Community Uplift Award Recipients
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced recipients of the 2023 Community Uplift Awards. Out of 18 nominations, three community uplift programs were selected by a panel of judges as recipients for their standout efforts in addressing food insecurity and neighborhood health needs and programs that influence social impact. The 2023 Community Uplift Award recipients include The Giant Co., Hy-Vee Inc. and Brookshire Grocery […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Are Mighty Contenders In Evolving Grocery Landscape
by Christopher Greco / President and CEO, Storewise Recent narratives about the supermarket industry are painting an unnecessarily pessimistic picture of the future for supermarkets. The industry is changing, and smaller stores have seen a marginal dip in market share. But that’s only half of the story, and not the most exciting half. Instead of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Report: Strong Meat Sales During July Fourth Holiday Week
According to the annual report by Circana, 210 Analytics and Hillphoenix, the average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds stood at $4.60 in July, which was unchanged from the levels seen in July 2022. Pricing was slightly higher for fresh meat but processed meat prices came down 1.9 percent […]
Posted inBeverage News, National, Southwest
BuzzBallz To Sponsor USA Today Wine & Food Experience Tour
Carrollton, Texas-based BuzzBallz is hitting the road, stopping in 11 cities for 11 installations of the USA Today Wine & Food Experience tour. Through Nov. 4, BuzzBallz will be sponsoring every event on USA Today’s tour. The USA Today Wine & Food Experience tour will feature a variety of local cuisine from new and established chefs, […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Seafood Trends Downward In June By 3.2%
Seafood prices reflected below-average inflation across the board, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and Elanco. Fresh seafood prices were lower in June than last year by 3.2 percent. This was driven by deflation in shellfish and finfish. Frozen seafood prices were also lower in June 2023 compared with June 2022, whereas shelf-stable only had a mild […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
Scholarships Send Family-Owned Produce Firms To D.C.
The International Fresh Produce Association has announced the recipients of the Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship Program. The scholarship provides airfare, hotel and registration for representatives from family-owned businesses to attend the IFPA Washington Conference for the first time. This year’s winners are: Billy Itule, senior management, Willy Itule Produce Inc. in Phoenix; Amanda […]
Posted inAssociation News, Marketing News, Merchandising News, National
FMI Report: Parents Buying Groceries Online More Often
The most recent survey of grocery shoppers’ spending habits and attitudes by FMI – The Food Industry Association found that parents are using online grocery shopping more than most consumers. According to FMI’s “Back to School” report, 42 percent of parents noted a year-over-year increase in frequency for buying groceries online. As a group, they […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Sprouts’ Garden Program Grows To 24 More Schools
Two dozen schools in 23 states across the U.S. will receive a new or refreshed learning garden as part of Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation’s “24 Gardens in 24 Hours in 24 Communities” contest. Launched in April to celebrate Earth Month, the three-month process drew more than 3,000 nominations from customers. A list of the 24 […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Benchmarking And Upgrades Via The USDA REAP Grant
Sustainability and store benchmarking can drive operational efficiencies and profit for independent grocers. Infrastructure projects designed to enhance a grocer’s energy efficiency may be eligible for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants. The Ratio Institute’s benchmarking process can provide insights into existing best sustainability workplace practices and potential practices to employ. A recent […]
Posted inOrganic Natural, Association News, National
Association Urges Vitamin D Addition To SNAP Farm Bill
In an effort to enhance the nutritional support provided through the Farm Bill’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Organic & Natural Health Association has launched the “All for Vitamin D: Building Stronger Families in a SNAP” campaign. This initiative calls on voters to reach out to their respective members of Congress, especially those on […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, National
Report: Independents Holding Their Own In Marketplace
The 2023 edition of the Independent Grocers Financial Study, joint research between the National Grocers Association and FMS Solutions, documents small grocers’ operational and financial performance in a continued complex marketplace. Reflecting record participation, 521 independent grocers representing about 2,000 stores shared their results for fiscal year 2022, which ran through March 31. “Independent grocers’ […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, Guest Contributors, National
Exploring How Retail Grocery Can Tap Into Coming Benefits Of AI
Remember when the buzz was all about category management? E-commerce? Block chain? Big data? Well, the new chatter is all about artificial intelligence, or AI. But this time the breakthrough tech is traveling through everything – business, consumers, governments and even artists. Unlike those other transformative technology waves, AI is something we can experience and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, National
Instacart Campaign Helps Parents Prep For School Year
Instacart has begun a six-week back-to-school campaign that spans more than 1,400 retail banners in the U.S. and Canada. The “You’ve Got This, Parents” program covers fresh groceries for breakfast and lunch, school supplies, sports equipment, backpacks, kids’ clothing, electronics and other everyday essentials. The effort, which marks Instacart’s biggest back-to-school campaign, includes brands such […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Unveils Online Toolkit To Help Independents Accept Healthy Benefit Cards
Healthy benefit cards, offered by some private health insurers and Medicare Advantage plans, provide a convenient way for eligible individuals to purchase groceries and over-the-counter drugs using their healthcare benefit. More than 30 million Americans are now enrolled in Medicare Advantage programs, and at least 5 million participants are currently receiving hundreds of dollars on […]