Save‑A‑Lot has launched a Fresh Cut Meat campaign, spotlighting the retailer’s commitment to providing customers with fresh, quality meat cut in-store. The campaign highlights a key point of difference from other national grocery chains: Save‑A‑Lot cuts meat fresh in‑store. At stores nationwide, trained meat cutters prepare select beef and pork products daily. “At Save‑A‑Lot, we […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, ShopRite
Wakefern Awards $2M To 73 Organizations During ShopRite LPGA Luncheon
ShopRite recently held its annual LPGA tournament powered by Wakefern Food Group, hosting a week of charitable initiatives that included a community luncheon where a record $2 million in grants was awarded to more than 70 organizations. The community luncheon took place May 29 as the three‑day ShopRite LPGA got under way. Two days later, […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, National, News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AWG, RSA America Expand Digital Commerce, Retail Media Platform
RSA America, a marketing solutions provider for independent grocers, has partnered with Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. to expand integrated digital commerce and retail media platform offerings across AWG’s network of more than 1,100 member companies and 3,500 stores. RSA provides digital infrastructure to 430 AWG retail locations, connecting with 2.5 million shoppers. The partnership gives […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National, News
FMI Names 12 Finalists For 2026 Store Manager Awards
FMI – The Food Industry Association has named the 12 finalists for the 2026 Store Manager Awards, recognizing outstanding grocery retail leaders from across the U.S. and around the world. The annual recognition honors store managers who demonstrate operational excellence, innovation, leadership and community impact while delivering exceptional experiences for shoppers and associates. Finalists for […]
Posted inFinance News, Grocery Research, National, News
Survey: ‘Reward Stacking’ Becomes Essential Tool As Inflation Squeezes Households
More than 165,000 U.S. consumers surveyed by KashKick show that “reward stacking” – using cashback and micro‑earning apps alongside grocery and gas purchases – has become a popular strategy for coping with persistent inflation. The data arrives as March recorded its largest monthly consumer price increase in four years. Cashback and rewards app usage now […]
Posted inAssociation News, Dairy News, Featured News, National, News
NFRA Touts Flavor-Forward, Functional Products For Dairy Month
From Greek yogurt and grab-and-go snacks to globally inspired flavors and probiotic offerings, the refrigerated dairy aisle is evolving well beyond traditional staples, according to NFRA.
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Coming To Philadelphia’s Andorra Neighborhood
The Giant Co. will open a new store June 19 in the Andorra Shopping Center at 701 Cathedral Road in Philadelphia. The nearly 50,000‑square‑foot store will add more than 160 full‑ and part‑time jobs to the community. “The opening of our newest Giant in the City of Brotherly Love reflects our continued commitment to serving […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Rouses Market, Southeast
Rouses Reveals Plans For First Store In Chalmette, LA
Rouses Markets has announced plans for its 77th store – and first in Louisiana’s St. Bernard Parish – at 8700 W Judge Perez Drive in Chalmette. Expected to open in the second quarter of 2027, the 47,694‑square‑foot store will fill spaces once occupied by Big Lots and Sav‑A‑Lot, transforming a dormant commercial corridor. As part […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, Featured News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News, Produce News
Circana, FMI Webinar: Digital Demand Reshapes Fresh Food Shopping
Fresh food sales are navigating a complex consumer landscape shaped by gas price pressures, affordability concerns and accelerating e-commerce adoption, according to insights shared during a recent webinar hosted by Circana and FMI. The online session, “Fresh Perspectives: Demystifying Demand in the Digital Age,” brought together Jonna Parker, VP of fresh foods at Circana; Kelly […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta’s Central CA Growth Continuing In Merced
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 […]
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 inMarket Profile, Association News, Featured News, Independent Store News, 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 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Featured News, Midwest, News
Balls Food Stores Names Campbell President
Balls Food Stores has named Ryan Campbell president as David Ball, third-generation leader, transitions to the role of chairman of the board of directors, where he will focus on growth through acquisitions and mergers. Balls Food Stores is a 100 percent teammate-owned company and one of the largest locally owned grocery retailers in the Kansas […]
Expert Article
Non-Food For Thought: Home Field Advantage
By Naomi Sleeper, President, Imperial Distributors Inc. Non-Food for Thought is back. After a few-year hiatus, we are relaunching this column as a forum for sharing perspective on the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping non-food merchandising in the grocery channel. There may not be a more relevant time to renew these discussions than Summer 2026 […]
Expert Article
Know Your Numbers: The Financial Habits Behind Independent Grocery’s Top Performers
Jon Cline knows the grocery business from the ground up. He started bagging groceries at Safeway in high school, managed a 7-Eleven while earning his accounting degree at the University of Oklahoma, and went on to build a career spanning some of the industry’s biggest names: Arthur Andersen, Scrivner, Fleming and Supervalu. At FMS Solutions, […]