Vallarta Supermarkets will open a new 52,000‑square‑foot store – its third of 2026 and 65th overall – June 10 at 851 W Olive Ave. in Merced, California. The store will be the second location to feature Marisquería Costa de Oro, known for fresh ceviches, made‑to‑order seafood tacos, coctel de camarón and tostadas, including the Burnt […]
Category: News
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Acosta Study: Fresh Categories Put Brand Loyalty To The Test
Acosta Group has released a new Fresh Insights study exploring how shoppers evaluate fresh products across bakery bread, cheese, salsa and refrigerated pasta. The main takeaway: While freshness and quality get products considered, trusted brands often get them chosen – especially in categories where consistency is harder to judge. “What we found is that shoppers […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Featured News, National, News
Grocery TV Study: Shopper Receptivity To In-Store Ads Hits All-Time High
Nearly two‑thirds of grocery shoppers say they have purchased a product after seeing it advertised on an in‑store screen, according to Grocery TV’s 2026 In‑Store Shopper Perception Report. The study, co‑published with independent analyst Andrew Lipsman, surveyed more than 1,000 grocery shoppers on in‑store media receptivity, shopper behavior and creative preferences. The report found that 95 […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Corporate Store News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Completes 1M Drone Deliveries Across The U.S.
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has completed more than one million drone deliveries to hundreds of thousands of customers, a milestone the retailer announced May 29. What started as a pilot program a few years ago has expanded to 66 stores in four states serving five metro markets. Walmart said the service is designed for everyday “uh‑oh” […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
EIA Finds Affordability Not A Barrier To Top Marks In Supermarket Scorecard
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released its 2026 Climate‑Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard, tracking major U.S. food retailer efforts to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), superpollutant refrigerants used across the food retail sector. The release comes one week after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled back requirements on refrigerant use in a move condemned by environmental and industry […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Indiana Grocers, C-stores See ‘Iffy’ Future Amid Taxes, SNAP Limits
Indiana grocery and convenience retailers are facing mounting pressure from state tax policies, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program restrictions and transportation regulations, according to Joe Lackey, president of the Indiana Grocery & Convenience Store Association. Lackey said while the state is financially stronger this year – “they’re suddenly finding money all kinds of places” – legislators […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Awards $1M In Grants To 280 Partners
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in “Nourishing our Neighbors” grants to more than 280 nonprofits during its 2026 spring/summer grant cycle. Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has distributed more than $25 million in grants to support community feeding partners in the grocer’s 10‑state operating area. “Our local feeding […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, Northeast
PFMA Adds Altria Group’s Akhand To Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has appointed Abir Akhand, industry engagement manager for Altria Group Distribution Co., to its board of directors. Akhand, who leads Altria’s advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania and the Northeast, brings eight years of industry experience, including recent work efforts in the Midwest. He previously managed retail and wholesale accounts based […]