The Independent Grocers Alliance honored a host of members and partners from across the globe at events during The NGA Show Feb. 26-27 in Las Vegas, Nevada. IGA presented innovation awards to independent grocery retailers, manufacturing and service provider partners and licensed distribution centers, which highlighted a range of best practices and innovations, including excelling […]
Category: National
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Firework, The Fresh Market Awarded Best Live Video Strategy
San Mateo, California-based Firework, in partnership with The Fresh Market, has been recognized with the Best Live Video Strategy Award at the Digiday Video and TV Awards. The partners were awarded for their Thanksgiving Video Commerce Campaign, the duo’s livestream and shoppable video campaign. “Firework takes great pride in helping forward-facing brands like The Fresh Market bring their […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
Industry Predictions Include Housing, Shopper Behavior, China
It’s still early in 2023, and I can’t help but think how strange the last few years have been. Just three years ago, Americans were hearing about a virus in China, but perhaps not thinking much about how it would impact their lives. My, how things have changed. Decades from now experts will talk about […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
February Online Grocery Sales Rose From Last Year To $8.8B
The U.S. online grocery market finished last month with $8.8 billion in total sales, up 1.5 percent compared to last year, according to the monthly Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery shopping survey fielded Feb. 26-27. Excluding ship-to-home sales, the core online segments of delivery and pickup slipped 1.2 percent compared to last year, reflecting a drop of 9 […]
Posted inMarketing News, National
Circana Welcomes New Cohort For Diversity Advantage Program
Circana, the new combined company name and brand identity for IRI and The NPD Group, have announced its new participants in the company’s Diversity Advantage Program, which empowers company owners from underrepresented groups to drive business growth. “We are pleased with the significant impact we have made in our community through the DAP program so far, and with […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, National
BJ’s Expands Into Alabama, Plans Five Openings In 2023
Massachusetts-based BJ’s Wholesale Club is adding five clubs to its portfolio across the U.S., including plans for a new location in Madison, Alabama. This will increase BJ’s retail footprint to 20 states. BJ’s will also open clubs in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee; Johnson City, New York; Lewis Center, Ohio; and North Jacksonville, Florida. These clubs will add to […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National
Jacobs Named Chair Of NCA’s Board Of Trustees
The National Confectioners Association announced March 9 that Tony Jacobs, president of Bazooka Candy Brands, will assume the role of chair of the NCA Board of Trustees for a two-year term. Jacobs most recently served as vice chair and will take over for departing board chair Barry Rosenbaum, president of Nassau Candy Distributors. “I am honored to take […]
Posted inFeature, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Marketing News, National, Whole Foods
Experts Share Ways Market Can Keep Profitability Post Pandemic
During the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference, two experts discussed how the grocery market can sustain its profitability as the nation moves further from the COVID-19 pandemic. Karen Short is managing director for Credit Suisse, while Scott Moses serves as managing director and head of food retail and restaurants investment banking for Solomon Partners. The […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
IRI, NPD Share New Name, Brand Identity As Circana
Following their merger in August, Information Resources Inc. and The NPD Group have unveiled a new combined company name and brand identity: Circana. Circana is an advisor on the complexity of consumer behavior. Through technology, advanced analytics, cross-industry data and expertise, Circana helps clients take action and unlock business growth. “We are proud to begin […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Feature, National
Official: Transactions ‘Winning Now’ For Consumers, Retailers
The year 2023 is shaping up to be one of the most challenging economic environments in more than two decades. Deborah Weinswig, founder and CEO of Coresight, tackled the topic and possible avenues for retailers to overcome it during an Insights speaking engagement at the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference. Weinswig was introduced by Scott Moses, […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Unfold, GoodLeaf Partner To Develop Leafy Greens
California-based Unfold, a seed and digital solutions company, and GoodLeaf Farms, a Canada-based commercial vertical farm, has announced their partnership to commercialize premium lines of vertically-farmed spinach and other leafy greens through Unfold’s Innovation Partner Program. “We’re very excited to collaborate with GoodLeaf to unlock the potential for improved quality and yield for their indoor growing operations,” […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Report Shows Meat Purchases Rise Above Pre-Pandemic Levels
Americans are buying more fresh meat than before the COVID-19 pandemic and are seeking value in terms of price, convenience and better-for attributes in meat purchases, according to the annual “Power of Meat” report released March 6 by the Meat Institute and FMI–The Food Industry Association. Self-described “meat eaters” comprise 78 percent of Americans, compared to 7 percent who […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IGA Honors Retailers Of The Year
The Independent Grocers Alliance honored retailers at the IGA Awards of Excellence Ceremony on Feb. 27 at Area 15 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event was sponsored by The Coca-Cola Company. The Alliance named one IGA USA International Retailer of the Year. The award was bestowed upon the IGA retailer who, based on IGA’s globally applied […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National
Association Names 2023 Candy Hall Of Fame Inductees
The National Confectionery Sales Association has announced the Candy Hall of Fame class of 2023. The inductees are representatives from several disciplines in the confectionery industry, from sales and marketing to engineering and research and development professionals, as well as brokers, distributors, retail buyers and category managers and suppliers. The 2023 class will be formally […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
Birdzi, LOC Software Integrate To Improve Digital Couponing
Birdzi has announced a new partnership with LOC Software, a retail software firm that improves the frequency and profitability of transactions. Grocers, like Highland, Indiana-based Strack & Van Til, that utilize Birdzi and LOC Software’s integration will benefit from enhanced digital coupon redemption and rewards capabilities powered by real-time transaction data. Birdzi has reimagined how grocers […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Largest NGA Show Since 2017 Wraps Up In Las Vegas
Nearly 3,300 grocery professionals attend annual conference after 3 days of education, networking and sold-out expo hall The National Grocers Association and Clarion Events announced the successful conclusion of the 2023 NGA Show, which brought nearly 3,300 grocery industry professionals to the Caesars Forum Convention Center from Feb. 26-28 in Las Vegas for networking and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National
Scholarships Help Foster Leadership, Drive Diversity, Promote Inclusion
NGA is committed to nurturing the independent grocery industry’s next generation of leadership. Under the direction of the NGA Foundation, our career-development initiatives start with college-age people, include store-level associates and management and extend up through the executive level. By the time of this publication, we will have announced the winner of our annual Student […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Auburn University Wins Student Case Study Competition
Student team takes top honors at 2023 NGA Show in Las Vegas Alabama’s Auburn University was named the winner of the National Grocers Association’s 2023 Student Case Study Competition. The annual competition featured teams competing in multiple rounds over the course of the 2023 NGA Show, held Feb. 26-28 at the Caesars Forum Convention Center […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, Organic Natural
Association Names Whittel As President, Board Of Directors
Organic & Natural Health Association has promoted Naomi Whittel as president of the board of directors, while transitioning founding president and Venable partner, Todd Harrison, to a new position as board counsel. “This is a very exciting development for Organic & Natural Health Association as it shows how far we have grown and matured under Karen Howard’s leadership,” Harrison […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Produce Consumptions Unchanged Despite Price Increases
FMI – The Food Industry Association released the “Power of Produce 2023” report March 3 at the Southeast Produce Council’s annual Southern Exposure event, revealing produce department sales grew 4.8 percent to $74.5 billion in 2022, even as inflation increased the price of fruits and vegetables. More consumers are turning to valued-added produce – pre-cut and washed – and packaged […]