The Kraft Heinz Co.’s board of directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into two independent, publicly traded companies through a tax-free spin-off designed to enable stronger performance while preserving the scale to compete in today’s environment. The separation aims to maximize Kraft Heinz’s capabilities and brands while reducing complexity, allowing both […]
Category: News
Posted inBakery News, Feature, National, News
Bimbo Bakehouse Unveils Bakery Innovations To Meet Everyday Occasions
Bimbo Bakehouse is expanding its innovation pipeline to meet the needs of younger consumers and drive growth in the in-store bakery. The Griffin Report recently caught up with Mollie Crudden, senior director of marketing for Bimbo Bakehouse, and Dana Strain, senior marketing manager at Bimbo Bakeries USA, about additions to the company’s lineup. “We have […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast
Winn-Dixie Celebrates 100th Anniversary With Special Pricing, Donations
Winn-Dixie is celebrating its centennial anniversary in September with nostalgic pricing, special celebrations and a renewed commitment to fighting hunger through monetary donations. “Reaching 100 years is an extraordinary milestone that belongs to everyone who has been part of Winn-Dixie’s journey – our associates, our customers and the communities we call home,” said Anthony Hucker, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Remodels 33 Food Pantries For Hunger Action Month
As part of its annual Great Pantry Makeover initiative, Food Lion Feeds – Food Lion’s hunger-relief platform – is remodeling and restocking 33 food pantries to better serve their communities. The effort is held every September in recognition of Hunger Action Month, a time when Food Lion Feeds strengthens its partnership with Feeding America to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, IGA, National, News
IGA, Flipp Offer Tech Solutions To Support Independent Grocers
The Independent Grocers Alliance is partnering with Flipp, a merchandising and media platform that powers the digital shopping experiences for more than 1,600 retailers and brands, to give IGA’s 7,500 global independent grocers a competitive edge in today’s evolving shopper landscape. “This partnership brings together two organizations deeply committed to supporting local communities and empowering […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Marketing News, Merchandising News, Midwest, News
AWG Brands Adds 36 New Private Label Products
AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has introduced a lineup of new grocery items. The wave of products, developed to align with the latest consumer and category trends, is helping member retailers capture sales and gain a competitive edge. “The AWG Brands items that launched in July are strategically […]
Expert Article
If This Happened In Your Store Today, Could You Stop It?
Your store is busy. A cart loaded with merchandise rolls past checkout – calm, confident, no hesitation. Gone. What used to be rare is now disturbingly routine for many grocers. Pushout Theft on the Rise Pushout theft – when unpaid merchandise is wheeled straight out the front doors – is one of the fastest-growing loss […]
Expert Article
Coming Soon To A DC Near You: Fully Automated, AI Assisted Banana Ripening
When Thermal Tech pioneered the TarpLess ripening room system back in the mid 1990s, it changed the way bananas are handled at retail distribution centers (DC’s), allowing truckloads of palletized fruit to be uniformly ripened to a predictable color with precision control for the very first time. The resulting increase in ripening efficiency and […]
Expert Article
Labor Pressures Rising: How Independent Grocers Can Control Costs Without Cutting Corners
Labor has always been essential to operations and one of the biggest factors influencing the bottom line. However, in fiscal 2024, labor and benefits costs climbed to new highs, putting even more pressure on already thin margins. According to the 2025 Independent Grocers Financial Study by FMS and NGA, total expenses increased to 25.8 percent […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, News, West
Retail Trends Reshaping Produce Ahead Of IFPA Show
As the fresh produce industry prepares for the IFPA Global Produce & Floral Show Oct. 16-18 in Anaheim, California, evolving forces are shaping what success will look like for the store perimeter. In an environment defined by rapid change, inflationary pressures and increasingly discerning shoppers, suppliers and retailers alike are under pressure to pivot fast […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest, News
ECRS Celebrates Innovation, Community At Ignite 2025
ECRS is celebrating the success of its annual Ignite Retail Success Conference, where more than 300 independent retailers, 53 ECRS staff and some 20 industry partners gathered to explore the future of retail technology, connect with peers and experience the CATAPULT community. This year’s event in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was filled with immersive learning, keynotes and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers To Celebrate Store Remodel In Centennial, CO
Natural Grocers will hold a remodel celebration Sept. 12 for its store at 6774 S University Blvd. in Centennial, Colorado. The upgrades to the Cherry Knolls store, which opened in 2010, will offer customers a brighter, more open atmosphere and a contemporary layout for a faster checkout experience. The location has been upgraded using sustainable […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast
Market 32/Price Chopper Raises $57K For Muscular Dystrophy Association
Market 32 and Price Chopper’s recent in-store round-up campaign raised $47,313 in support of the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA). The total, which included an additional $10,000 from the grocer, was revealed during a check presentation at the Market 32 in Slingerlands, New York. Through the campaign, which ran from July 1-31, customers could round up […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Names 10 Finalists In Annual Quest For Texas Best Competition
H-E-B has named the 10 finalists in its 12th annual Quest for Texas Best competition, a search for the best products made in-state. The small businesses will compete for a share of $100,000 in cash prizes and the chance to have their products featured on H-E-B shelves across the state. Over the past few months, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, News, West
Ray’s Food Place Filling Grocery Needs Of Happy Camp, CA
Happy Camp, California, sits about as far north in California as one can go. The Siskiyou County town – population about 900 – sits in the middle of the Klamath National Forest, on the banks of the Klamath River. The memorable name of the town, legend has it, was bestowed by a prospector who found […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
PFMA Fall Legislative Conference Set For Oct. 7-8
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) will hold its 2025 Fall Legislative Conference Oct. 7-8 at the Hershey Country Club, bringing together leaders from the state’s food and beverage industry for two days of policy discussion, strategic updates and networking. This year’s conference will feature Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday as the keynote speaker during […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Names 2025 LEAP Participants
Whole Foods Market has named the participants for its latest cohort in the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP), celebrating brands selected for the program’s Early Growth track. Launched in 2022, LEAP highlights Whole Foods Market’s commitment to fostering mutually beneficial relationships with local and emerging brands through specialized, educational programming and individual mentorship. Participants […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast
The Fresh Market To Support Feeding America During Hunger Action Month
The Fresh Market is holding a donation checkout campaign for Feeding America during Hunger Action Month in September. Shoppers at the grocer’s 171 stores can round up their totals at the register to the nearest dollar or make donations of their choice. Every dollar donated helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Organic Natural, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Opens New Market In McKinney, TX
On Aug. 27, Whole Foods Market opened a 47,918-square-foot store at 8701 W. University Drive in McKinney, Texas. The store’s product assortment features more than 600 items from Texas and neighboring states, each meeting Whole Foods Market’s quality standards. “Our team is passionate about great food and great service, and this store brings an exciting […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Ahold Delhaize, National, News
Ahold Delhaize USA Enhances Made-To-Order Capabilities With FoodStorm
Ahold Delhaize USA has expanded its partnership with Instacart to leverage the FoodStorm order management system. The technology will enable participating Ahold Delhaize USA brands to elevate the shopping experience when customers request made-to-order items like fresh bakery platters, customizable deli meat and cheese trays, dessert flights, floral arrangements and balloons. The FoodStorm solution is […]