Posted inAssociation News, National, News, Nonfood Items

Inspired Home Show 2026 Programs Focus On AI, Consumer Trends

The Inspired Home Show 2026 will offer four keynote sessions and two days of targeted education programming March 10-12 at McCormick Place in Chicago, the International Housewares Association announced. Sessions will focus on market opportunities, business strategies and consumer insights covering artificial intelligence (AI), growth through disruption, marketplace trends and color forecasting. The education programming […]

Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, News, Northeast

Redner’s Markets Triples Charitable Donations Using Pin Pad Prompts

Redner’s Markets more than tripled charitable donations by shifting from cashier-initiated requests to pin pad prompts at checkout, ECRS announced Feb. 4. The Reading, Pennsylvania-based independent grocer recorded $10,507.71 in donations over nine days using the pin pad prompt, compared to $3,219.62 over 18 days with cashier prompts during its September round-up campaign. The pin […]

Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, Northeast

NJFC Names 2026 Leadership Development Class

During its annual meeting Jan. 28, the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC) named its 2026 Leadership Development class, comprising 10 young professionals poised to chart the future for the “beyond essential” industry of which 9.5 million New Jerseyans rely. Since 2014, the program has educated NJFC members who have a passion for working in the […]

Posted inExceptional Independents, Featured News, National, News

60-Plus Grocers Honored At Annual Exceptional Independents Awards

LAS VEGAS – Shelby Publishing presented its annual Exceptional Independents Awards on Feb. 2 during the NGA Show at the MGM Grand Las Vegas Convention Center, recognizing more than 60 independent grocery operators from across the country for their innovation, dedication and community leadership. Now in its fourth year, the awards program showcases grocers whose […]

Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast

ASG To Open New Met Fresh Store In NYC

Independent supermarket owner Danny Hamdan and Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) will open a new Met Fresh supermarket Feb. 20 at 7 Madison St. in Lower Manhattan, not far from New York City Hall. The 16,000-square-foot store will serve residents and thousands of clerks, municipal employees and first responders supporting city hall and nearby government offices. […]

Posted inCorporate Store News, Ahold Delhaize, Featured News, News, Southeast, Supply Chain News

Ahold Delhaize USA Breaks Ground On $860M DC In Burlington, NC

Ahold Delhaize USA recently broke ground on a new distribution center in Burlington, North Carolina, marking an $860 million investment in supply chain expansion. The facility, which will be the largest in the company’s network, will add more than one million square feet of fresh and frozen distribution capacity to support Food Lion and other […]

Posted inBakery News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News

Top Baking Trends Shaping In-Store Bakeries In 2026

In 2026, in-store bakery is becoming a “solution department” more than a “nice-to-have case.” Shoppers still buy baked goods with their senses, taste and price remain the top two purchase drivers, but the bar for what counts as a good indulgence is rising. Recent consumer research continues to show that taste drives purchase decisions first, […]

Posted inC-Store News, Grocery Store Equipment, News, Southeast

Spinx Selects Tote.AI For POS, Foodservice Technology

The Spinx Company has selected Tote.AI to provide point-of-sale, self-service kiosks and foodservice technology across all 96 convenience stores in the Carolinas, the Greenville, South Carolina-based retailer announced in early February. The AI-native platform will unify Spinx’s ordering, checkout and kitchen technology into a single system. The rollout will begin in the second half of […]