With more than 50 years of combined experience in grocery POS and retail technology, Farrell McKenna and Ed Sepelak have worked closely with independent grocers, navigating everything from changing consumer expectations to rapidly evolving store technology. With decades of hands-on experience supporting independent grocery retailers, they share a practical perspective on why integration, operational simplicity, […]
Category: News
Expert Article
The Fresh Bakery Renaissance: Why In-Store Bakeries Are Grocery’s Secret Weapon In 2026
Fresh FMI data shows the in-store bakery is one of grocery’s strongest growth engines — and a clear roadmap for retailers heading into 2026. The in-store bakery is having a moment. According to FMI’s Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025 report, in-store bakery sales reached $21 billion in the 52 weeks ending Aug. 9 — […]
Posted inCenter Store, Featured News, Health & Wellness, News, Northeast
Unilever Investing $270M For R&D Hub In New Haven, CT
Unilever has unveiled plans to develop a new Global Innovation Center in New Haven, Connecticut, representing a $270 million investment. The facility, set to open by spring 2029, will serve as a hub for the company’s research and development (R&D) for personal care, beauty and well-being businesses in the U.S. and worldwide. The center will […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Brings 30-Minute-Or-Less Delivery To 33 U.S. Markets
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart is expanding its ultra‑fast delivery capabilities, bringing 30‑minute‑or‑less delivery to 33 U.S. markets. In the first quarter of 2026, Walmart completed millions of deliveries in 30 minutes or less to more than 19,000 zip codes across the country. The service is available in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, Tampa, […]
Posted inFinance News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Opposes OCC Rule Allowing Banks To Set Swipe Fees Via Third Parties
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) opposing an interim final rule that would permit national banks to establish interchange (swipe) fees through third‑party arrangements rather than through bank‑to‑bank competition. The rule revises 12 C.F.R. § 7.4002 and relates to the Illinois Interchange Fee […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods To Open New Market In Seekonk, MA
Whole Foods Market will open a new 40,000‑square‑foot store June 25 at 940 Fall River Ave. in Seekonk, Massachusetts. The location’s product assortment features more than 1,000 items from New England, sourced with the help of John Lawson, forager for local and emerging brands at Whole Foods Market. The store’s design features dimensional typography and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Community Hits 150K Participants
Sam’s Club has grown its private brand Member’s Mark community to more than 150,000 participants nationwide, a threefold increase in just two years. The community gives members the ability to try, test, taste and recommend hundreds of exclusive Member’s Mark products. “Membership is about more than access and savings. It’s about giving members a voice,” […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, National, News
Fresh Connect Expands Produce Card To Four Tailored Grocery Options
Fresh Connect has expanded its offering from a single produce card to four specialized medically supportive grocery cards, paired with a new companion app that gives cardholders clarity on what is approved under their program. Since its launch in 2020, Fresh Connect has helped health plans, healthcare providers and community partners deliver access to $12.3 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Honors 18 Hunger-Relief Volunteers With Gift Cards, Donations
Meijer has named 18 community volunteers as recipients of its annual Hunger Relief Hero Award, a program that recognizes those who have made significant contributions to fighting food insecurity in the Midwest. Each honoree receives a $500 Meijer gift card and a commemorative plaque. The hunger-relief nonprofit that nominated them also gets a $5,000 donation […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS Collects 165K Pounds Of Food In UT Statewide Drive
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and its network of independent retailers played a pivotal role in the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, collecting 165,443 pounds of food – more than half of the statewide total. The fifth annual drive, held in March, brought communities across Utah together to fight hunger. Food insecurity affects one in five […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, News, Southwest
Tyson Foods Names Schomburger Next CEO, Succeeding King
Tyson Foods has named Jeff Schomburger president and CEO, effective Oct. 4. Following a transition period beginning in July, Schomburger will succeed Donnie King, who is retiring after a 43‑year career with the company. Schomburger has been a member of the Tyson Foods board of directors since 2016, which has given him a strong understanding […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Crossroads: Beyond The Store – Financial Balance In Independent Grocery
By Grant Fossum, AIF, RFC | ProWealth Financial Independent grocers understand diversification better than those in most other industries. Inside the store, balance is built into daily operations – meat and produce drive traffic, center store drives volume, service departments drive margin and the front end shapes the customer experience. Outside the store, that […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
DoorDash, Dollar Tree Partner For On‑Demand Delivery From 9K Stores
DoorDash and Dollar Tree have formed a partnership to offer on‑demand delivery from the discount retailer’s full U.S. store footprint, giving shoppers access to more than 10,000 products from 9,000 stores in 48 states. The partnership allows customers to order essentials, pantry staples, household supplies, party décor, balloons, craft items,and seasonal merchandise through the DoorDash […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast
Uncle Giuseppe’s Brings Seasonal Italian Pop‑Up Back To Fire Island, NY
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace is reopening its seasonal pop‑up inside Ocean Beach Trading on Fire Island and offering online ordering for next‑day delivery by ferry. Fire Island is a barrier island off the south shore of Long Island, New York, accessible only by ferry, with no cars allowed. This geography makes grocery shopping a logistical challenge […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Impact Report: Rewards Surpass 750K Users, $1.7M In Savings
St. Louis-based Save A Lot has released its 2025 “A Lot of Good Report,” detailing progress in loyalty, private label innovation, store network investment and community support. “Customers are feeling squeezed, and winning loyalty today requires real engagement and focus,” said Save A Lot CEO Bill Mayo. “The stories in this report are examples of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Midwest, Natural Grocers, News
Natural Grocers To Debut First Wisconsin Store In Lake Geneva
Natural Grocers will open its first Wisconsin store June 10 at 600 N. Edwards Blvd. in Lake Geneva, serving the southeastern part of the state and northern Illinois. The grand opening celebration will begin at 8:15 a.m. with a $2,500 donation to the Lake Geneva Food Pantry, followed by a ribbon‑cutting ceremony with Visit Lake […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Parent K-VA-T Selects Homesome For Digital Commerce Platform
K‑VA‑T Food Stores Inc., parent company of Food City, has selected Homesome to power its digital commerce transformation. K‑VA‑T will deploy Homesome’s full platform suite across its 140 Food City locations, delivering a retailer‑branded, end‑to‑end digital experience to customers across Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee and Virginia. Homesome’s enterprise, fulfillment and AI platforms give Food City […]
Posted inC-Store News, News, Southwest
Yesway Continues Oklahoma Expansion With New Allsup’s Store
Yesway Inc. has opened a new Allsup’s store at 1604 South Dewey Ave. in Wagoner, Oklahoma, continuing its expansion in the state. The store spans 6,277 square feet and operates 24 hours a day. It offers Allsup’s World Famous Burritos, Yesway private‑label snacks, fresh bread, milk and eggs, a beer cave, Western Union services and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
AWG CFO Koch Joins Breez AI Board; Stukus Named VP Sales
Breez AI has added Gary Koch, CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), to its board of directors and named David Stukus as VP of sales and customer success. The leadership additions come as Breez AI accelerates growth across retailers, prepares to deploy its next‑generation artificial intelligence platform and unlocks new monetization capabilities for independent grocers. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Midwest, News
Hy‑Vee-Organized Honor Flight Flying Veterans To Washington, D.C.
Hy‑Vee is organizing the first Honor Flight from Des Moines since 2019, taking about 70 Iowa veterans to Washington, D.C., later this year so they can see their respective war memorials. Set for Oct. 7, the flight will be provided at no cost to veterans who have applied and are on a waiting list. They […]