Kent’s Market commemorated Armed Forces Day by hosting its annual Meals for Military event in partnership with Operation Homefront, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and dozens of national and local vendors. On May 16, volunteers lined up to greet more than 400 military families, many of whom are lower-income service members stationed at nearby Hill Air […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Donates $200K Towards Ohio Hunger Relief
Meijer has donated $200,000 to the 2026 Harvest for Hunger Campaign, an annual springtime effort that assists four food banks that serve 21 counties in northeastern Ohio. The donation will support the Akron‑Canton Regional Foodbank, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank of North […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, News, Northeast
Aldi Sets Date For First Midtown Manhattan Store
Aldi will open its first Midtown Manhattan location June 19 at 311 West 42nd St., placing the German discount retailer in the shadow of Times Square. The opening is part of Aldi’s broader push to reach 3,200 U.S. stores by the end of 2028. On opening day, the first 200 customers will receive bags containing […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Featured News, News, Northeast
UNFI Foundation Charity Classic Raises Record $1.1M For Food Access Grants
The UNFI Foundation hosted its annual golf Charity Classic, raising a record $1.1 million to advance the organization’s mission of empowering people to create more sustainable and equitable food systems across North America. UNFI suppliers and industry partners came together on the course, learning about the foundation’s mission and engaging with organizations making a difference […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Featured News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Garners Blue Zones Project Approval
Six The Giant Co. stores have become Blue Zones Project Approved, making the grocer the first in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to receive the distinction and marking a step toward improving community well-being in the region. The approved stores are located at: 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown; 3070 Tilghman St., Allentown; 3926 Linden St., Bethlehem; 2174 West […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, National, News
Grocers Fire Up Grills, Fuel Points, Military Support For Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend is nearly here, and grocers across the country are rolling out programs that blend savings, community support and a few hot-off-the-grill events. Whether shoppers are hosting a cookout, honoring service members or stocking up for summer, retailers are offering a range of options. Here’s a look at what some grocers are doing […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo Wraps Vegas Debut With Record Innovation Field
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo wrapped its first run in Las Vegas, drawing 17,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days of new product launches, education and category-level dealmaking. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the show ran May 18-21, with the Supplier Showcase serving as a […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, National, News
FMI, NGA Applaud Trump Administration’s Rollback Of Refrigeration Rules
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced revisions to two commercial refrigeration rules May 21, drawing praise from FMI – The Food Industry Association and the National Grocers Association (NGA), which said the changes will spare grocery retailers – especially independent operators – from an estimated $144 billion in compliance costs. The final EPA […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
National Rural Grocery Summit Spotlights Solutions For Rural Food Access
More than 300 rural grocery operators, community advocates, policymakers, vendors and researchers gathered May 5-7 in Fargo, North Dakota, for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit – a biennial event focused on sustaining independent rural grocery stores and improving food access in small communities. Attendees representing 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada convened at what […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Featured News, Midwest, News
Balls Food Stores Converts Former Schulte’s To Hen House Market
Balls Food Stores held a grand opening May 15 for its Hen House Market at 1904 Southwest Blvd. in Jefferson City, Missouri – marking the next chapter for the former Schulte’s Fresh Foods location. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, family activities, food samples and community festivities celebrating the store’s transition. The location became part […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Opens 12th DFW Store In Euless, TX
H-E-B has opened its 12th H-E-B store in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Located at 2105 Rio Grande Blvd. in Euless, Texas, it features the company’s 50th True Texas barbecue restaurant. The 126,000-square-foot Mid-Cities site joins 11 other H-E-B stores and three Joe V’s Smart Shop locations the retailer has opened in the area since 2022. […]
Posted inFinance News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart U.S. 1Q Comps Up 4.1%, E-Comm 26%
Walmart characterized the first quarter of fiscal 2027 for its U.S. division as one of “strong sales, with broad-based share gains, reflecting accelerated customer transactions led by e-commerce growth.” Reporting results May 21 for the quarter ended April 30, Walmart said its U.S. comparable store sales increased by 4.1 percent, excluding fuel. U.S. net sales […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
State Of Treating 2026: What’s Driving Confectionery Consumers
Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]
Posted inSoutheast, Featured News, Independent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets
South Florida Publix Now Open After Tornado-Related Delay
Following a months-long delay, Publix Super Markets has opened its new store at The Avenir Town Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The 48,387-square-foot store at 12535 Northlake Blvd. was just days from opening last October when an EF3 tornado caused significant damage to the roof and walls, delaying the opening until repairs could be […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, New Products, News
Mars Snacking Maps Category Playbook For Grocers At Sweets & Snacks
Halloween is no longer a six-week season, the meal is increasingly being replaced by the snack, and roughly two-thirds of in-store confectionery purchases still ride on impulse. Those were among the headline messages Mike Gilroy, VP of industry engagement at Mars Snacking, shared with The Shelby Report at this week’s Sweets & Snacks Expo in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest, Supply Chain News
H-E-B Planning $700M Supply Chain Expansion Over Next Decade
H-E-B plans to invest $700 million to expand its supply chain operations, a project expected to create 720 jobs by 2028 and more than 1,200 new full-time positions over the next decade. While not yet finalized, the retailer has identified its Foster Road campus on San Antonio’s east side as a potential location for the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IDDBA’s CEO Search Signals Start Of Leadership Transition
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) has launched a search for its next president and CEO, with the leadership transition coming at a pivotal time as the organization shapes innovation and commerce across the fresh food landscape. IDDBA’s board of directors has retained executive search firm Herd Freed Hartz to guide the selection process. The […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Featured News, Food City, News, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
For ‘Experience-Based Retailer’ Food City, Every Element Of Store Matters
Walk into a Food City store and the first thing you see is a thank-you note. A tribute to the town – whatever one it happens to be – right there in the lobby, where the company has made a habit of saying thank you to the community before asking anything of it. “I just […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, Featured News, National, News
FMI Report Finds Shoppers Visit More Than 5 Grocery Banners Per Month
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released the U.S. Grocery Shopper Trends 2026 report, outlining elements of the evolving physical grocery shopping experience that build consumer loyalty and repeat visits. “In an effort to fulfill their unique definitions of value, consumers visit more than five separate grocery store banners on average per month despite growing […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Snacks Brands, West
NCSA Recognizes Candy Execs At Sweets & Snacks Expo
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) presented Anton Vincent, president of Mars Snacking North America and Global Ice Cream at Mars Inc., with the 2026 Kettle Award May 19 during the awards’ 80th anniversary celebration during the Sweets & Snacks Expo. The NCSA also recognized Elaine Wu, co-founder of Amos Sweets and SVP of Amos […]