On May 8, Meijer will open three supercenters – each totaling 159,000 square feet – in the northeastern Ohio cities of Austintown, Medina and Richmond Heights, increasing its store count in the state to 58. The stores will feature an assortment of fresh produce and grocery staples, including bakery, meat, seafood and deli departments, floral area, garden center, […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Hometown Market Committed To Community, Family Connection
Independent grocery stores play a vital role in rural communities, but inflation, competition from big-box retailers and other challenges are putting increasing pressure on their operations. Blake Schwartz, owner of Hometown Market in St. Paul, Nebraska, said labor issues specifically are greatly impacting independents in his state. With Nebraska’s minimum wage set to rise to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, New Seasons Market, News, West
New Seasons Market To Open Second Store In Hillsboro, OR
The store New Seasons Market is preparing to open April 9 in the Tanasbourne Town Center in Hillsboro, Oregon, will be its second in the city and 22nd overall. Located at 10940 N.E. Evergreen Pkwy., the new store will serve as one of the primary full-service grocers in an area that features many local businesses. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Topco Honors Members With Awards, Recognizes Anniversaries
Topco Associates LLC recently held its Annual Membership Conference, where the cooperative honored several members that achieved significant sales and volume growth across its programs during 2024, while also introducing a new award. “The membership experienced a record year in growth, not only through the performance of Topco and member own brands but in key […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B To Open New Location In Denton, TX
As H-E-B continues its expansion across North Texas, the retailer has shared plans to open its first store in Denton. The store will be built on a 20-plus-acre site at Interstate 35 West and Robson Ranch Road that is part of Hillwood’s Landmark development. While the purchase of the property is not yet finalized, construction […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Market 32/Price Chopper Expands Fresh Produce Access Through DUFBNY Program
Market 32/Price Chopper is extending a partnership with Field & Fork Network to add its nutrition incentive program, Double Up Food Bucks NY (DUFBNY), to select locations in New York’s Schenectady and Onondaga counties. Field & Fork Network is a nonprofit that works to alleviate food insecurity across the state. “Our collaboration with Field & […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National, News
FMI Report: Seafood Sales Struggle Despite Perception As Healthy Option
FMI – The Food Industry Association released its Power of Seafood 2025 report during Seafood Expo North America, which runs March 16-18 at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center. The seventh edition of the report explores shifting consumer attitudes, purchasing behaviors and untapped opportunities for the seafood department despite lackluster category performance. The reasons for the […]
Posted inBeverage News, National, News
PepsiCo To Acquire Prebiotic Soda Brand Poppi
PepsiCo has entered into an agreement to acquire poppi, a fast-growing prebiotic soda brand, for $1.95 billion, including $300 million of anticipated cash tax benefits, for a net purchase price of $1.65 billion. The transaction also includes an additional potential earn-out consideration subject to the achievement of certain performance milestones within a specified period after closing of […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Northeast
Utz Brands Adds New Sour Cream, Onion Flavor To Mixed Minis Pretzels
Inspired by the brand’s top-selling flavored potato chip, Utz has introduced a sour cream and onion flavor to its Mixed Minis Pretzel line. Available in 12-ounce pretzel packages, Utz’s Sour Cream and Onion Mixed Minis join two other flavors – Garlic Butter and Mike’s Hot Honey. “At Utz, we are always looking for ways to […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Executive News, News, Northeast
The Hershey Co. Names Taffet As Chief Growth Officer
The Hershey Co. has named Stacy Taffet as its chief growth officer, effective April 14. In this role, she will be responsible for driving transformative growth strategies across the company’s expanding snacks portfolio. Taffet is a seasoned marketing executive with 20 years of leadership experience, including 15 years in consumer-packaged goods (CPG) and a PepsiCo […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
NJFC Prepares For Trade Relations Conference, Shares Speaker Lineup
For its annual Trade Relations Conference on April 8 at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino, The New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) is presenting a lineup of industry experts to speak on the theme “Emerging Technologies & Emerging Opportunities.” The conference will feature a chat with Joe Fantozzi, president of Allegiance Retail Services (ARS), that […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City, Sioux Honey Partner For Record Honey Donation
The Sioux Honey Association Co-op, in partnership with Food City, participated in a Coalition For Kids after-school program’s interactive lesson on honey and honeybee pollination. The event March 12 at the Johnson City, Tennessee, nonprofit was part of a broader effort to make a record donation of honey by the Sioux Honey Association Co-op, a group of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Opens New Location In Doylestown, PA
Whole Foods Market opened a 43,617-square-foot store March 13 at 1745 South Easton Road in Doylestown, Pennsylvania. The store’s product assortment includes more than 500 locally sourced items from the Mid-Atlantic region, each meeting Whole Foods Market’s quality standards. “My family and I have called Doylestown home for almost 20 years, and I am excited […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Bristol Farms, News, West
Bristol Farms Fundraises For California Wildfire Relief, Local Charities
As part of its ongoing support of communities impacted by recent wildfires, Bristol Farms has begun fundraising campaigns for California Fire Foundation, World Central Kitchen and Pasadena Humane. The L.A. Strong effort is a “give at the registers” program in all 13 Bristol Farms locations. From March 1-14, shoppers could donate $1, $5 or $10 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Amid Mounting Issues, Nebraska Legislation Seeks To Support Rural Independent Grocers
Nebraska’s rural grocery stores are facing increasing financial and logistical hurdles, but new legislative efforts seek to provide targeted support to sustain these essential businesses. Carlie Jonas, policy associate at the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons, Nebraska, has been involved in addressing these challenges. “We worked with one of the senators, Teresa Ibach, at […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National, News
IGA CEO: ‘It’s the price of groceries, Stupid.’
Famously, Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign used the phrase, “It’s the economy, Stupid” as a point of focus for Bill Clinton when he ran for his first term in office. Meant to ensure the campaign didn’t get distracted from the key message, the polls and market research clearly showed that the number one issue facing voters […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Exceeds Goal During Gift Of Warmth Clothing Drive
Tops Friendly Markets collaborated for the second year with M&T Bank and The Salvation Army for the Gift of Warmth campaign, a winter clothing drive. The 39th annual campaign collected 4,848 items – hats, gloves, mittens and scarves – in bins at 53 Tops locations and 84 M&T branches in the Buffalo-Rochester, New York, region. […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, National, News
NFRA Report: How Frozen Foods Support Evolving Cooking Habits
The way Americans cook is evolving, and the freezer aisle is leading the charge. Once seen as just a place for convenience meals, today’s frozen options provide fresh-tasting ingredients, chef-inspired meals and budget-friendly solutions for every lifestyle. And with March as Frozen Food Month, it’s a great time to explore everything it has to offer. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Independent Grocers’ 2025 Policy Priorities: Fairer, More Competitive Marketplace
As independent grocers navigate an ever-evolving retail landscape, policy decisions in Washington loom large over the future of our industry. From leveling the playing field with power buyers to protecting consumer choice and addressing rising operating costs, the National Grocers Association is committed to advocating for policies that ensure a vibrant, competitive grocery marketplace. With […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, West
Country Archer Provisions Rebrands As Archer
San Bernardino, California-based Archer, formerly known as Country Archer Provisions, has introduced a new brand identity – including a streamlined name, new logo and refreshed packaging – in an effort to increase recognition for the meat snack brand. The branding debuted at the recent Natural Products Expo West Show. The new packaging will begin rolling […]