Specialty food and beverage industry professionals from around the world gathered Jan. 19-21 for the Specialty Food Association’s (SFA) 49th Winter Fancy Food Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Sponsored by Italy, the event drew some 1,100 exhibitors from around the world – across nearly 50 specialty food and beverage categories – and 12,000 participants. In addition […]
Category: National
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Association News, Feature, National
ROFDA Maintains Relevance By Adapting To Trends, Technologies, Challenges
Retailer Owned Food Distributors and Associates (ROFDA) has been around for more than 60 years, but the group has never been one to sit idle. From growing membership and expanding their conference to adjusting bylaws, ROFDA leaders continue to demonstrate they have independent grocers’ best interests at heart. “Our end goal is helping independent retailers […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, The Kroger Co.
Kroger, PepsiCo Win Gold Mitt Award At FMI’s Culinary Competition
The Kroger Co. and PepsiCo Inc. team of chefs took home a Gold Mitt Award for Chef’s Choice in the FMI Foundation’s Stir it Up! culinary event held during the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. Celebrating 10 years of National Family Meals Month, and to support food security within communities, retailers and suppliers were tasked with […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Upshop Appoints New CRO, COO To Drive Global Growth
Upshop has appointed Chris Renda as chief revenue officer and Patrick Eichen as chief operating officer to drive global expansion and accelerate customer adoption of its enterprise operating platform for food retail. Renda joins Upshop with a record of driving revenue growth for software companies. As the former CSO at Richardson Sales Performance, he led significant […]
Posted inBeverage News, C-Store News, National
Capri Sun Offering Three Flavors In Single-Serve Bottles
For the first time in more than 20 years, The Kraft Heinz Co. is offering three flavors of Capri Sun in single-serve bottles. The bottles allow consumers to enjoy the same taste on the go, meeting the evolving needs of today’s families. Joining Capri Sun’s portfolio of products, the bottles feature 12 ounces of juice […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Consumer Trends Present New Opportunities To Leverage Fresh, Health, Wellness
Consumer trends in 2025 highlight a growing focus on health and wellness, presenting significant opportunities for independent grocers to adapt and thrive. Shoppers are increasingly prioritizing fresh, nutritious products and personalized solutions, driving a shift in how food retailers approach their offerings. Independent grocers, with their deep community connections and agility in meeting changing preferences, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Association News, National
FMI, NielsenIQ Report: Shoppers Blend In-Store, Online Experiences
As grocery shopping enters a new era of digital transformation, FMI – The Food Industry Association and NielsenIQ have released a new report, “Digital Engagement Transforms Grocery Shopping,” which premiered at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference. The report found that more than 90 percent of shoppers participate in both online and in-store shopping. “Consumers are seamlessly […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
AppCard Introduces Pinky 2.0 For Independent Grocers
AppCard has introduced Pinky 2.0, an innovation that aims to boost the relevance of coupons and optimize consumer behavior tracking by using artificial intelligence for independent grocers. The advancements are designed to enhance grocery shopping experiences, driving higher customer retention and stronger coupon redemption rates. Pinky 2.0’s new capabilities are grounded in personalized, data-driven insights, […]