Retail sales grew for the seventh straight month in April despite rising gas prices and persistent inflation, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released May 13 by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose 0.34 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 5.73 percent year […]
Category: News
Expert Article
Why Retailers Should Lean Into Sweet Baked Goods Right Now – Don’t Pull Back
JTM Foods CEO Monty Pooley sees green shoots in Q1 2026 and a category that rewards merchandising intensity — not retreat — in noisy conditions. The first quarter of 2026 brought what Monty Pooley calls “green shoots” to the sweet baked goods category – early indicators that, after a difficult 2025, conditions are improving for […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, National, Natural Grocers, News
23 Natural Grocers Stores In 12 States Marking 10th Anniversary
Natural Grocers is celebrating the 1oth anniversary of 23 stores in 12 states across the country with exclusive discounts and in-store festivities. From May 17-23, customers can join the celebration with special {N}power member-only deals. Since opening the stores in 2016, Natural Grocers has become a source of high-quality affordable organic and natural groceries, supplements […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Featured News, Midwest, News
Hornbacher’s Marks 75 Years In ND’s Red River Valley
Hornbacher’s marked its 75th anniversary April 21 with a celebration honoring its roots in North Dakota’s Red River Valley and commitment to supporting communities, producers and organizations. The event featured a ribbon cutting, live entertainment and product samples. Since its founding in 1951, Hornbacher’s has been connected to the communities it serves. That commitment continues […]
Posted inBakery News, Executive News, Midwest, News
Rise Baking Co. Names Testa As Chief Commercial Officer
Rise Baking Co. has appointed Sarah Testa as chief commercial officer, leading its end-to-end commercial organization, setting strategic direction, driving market share growth and advancing initiatives that support long-term performance and a best-in-class customer experience. The announcement reflects Rise Baking Co.’s commitment to strengthening its customer partnerships as a leader in the bakery industry. Testa […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
Gopal Joins Ahold Delhaize USA To Lead Data, AI Strategy
Ahold Delhaize USA has appointed Vipin Gopal as SVP, serving as chief data and artificial intelligence officer for the U.S. businesses. Reporting to Chief Information Officer Ann Dozier, Gopal will lead data, analytics and AI strategy and advance Ahold Delhaize USA’s efforts to further embed data-driven decision-making and AI capabilities into its business. He will […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Association News, National, News
NCA Appoints Abbott VP Of Membership, Business Development
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has appointed Carrie Abbott as VP of membership and business development. Abbott will lead the organization’s efforts to grow member company engagement, strengthen industry partnerships and expand business opportunities across the confectionery industry. Abbott brings extensive industry experience as the founder and CEO of Newfangled Confections, where she built a […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, National, News
Amazon Now Expands Ultra-Fast Delivery Across The U.S.
Amazon has rolled out its ultra-fast delivery service, Amazon Now, to customers throughout the U.S. Amazon Now provides thousands of fresh groceries, everyday household essentials and locally-relevant items in about 30 minutes or less. It is widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia and Seattle, and is expanding in dozens more cities, including Austin and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, News, Southwest
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Open Location In Grand Prairie, TX
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open a new store May 15 at 1021 IKEA Way in Grand Prairie, Texas, marking another step in the company’s expansion into the state. In celebration, BJ’s Gas in Grand Prairie will offer members $2 per gallon on gas from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 13. The promotional price applies […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest
The United Family Donates 50K Pounds Of Apples For Hunger Program
As part of the 16th Take a Bite Out of Hunger program, The United Family donated more than 50,000 pounds of apples throughout April to food banks and food pantries in Texas and New Mexico. Thanks to the partnership between The United Family and FirstFruits Farms, more than 650,000 pounds of apples have been donated […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Featured News, News, Southeast
Kueffner: NC Grocers Maneuvering To Meet Regulatory Rules, Consumer Needs
Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, is in the midst of a busy legislative season in North Carolina that got under way April 21. Nevertheless, she took time to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Lorrie Griffith about the state’s grocery industry and some of the challenges […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Feature, Featured News, News, Southeast, Walmart
Walmart Blanketing Southeast With Remodeled Supercenters, Additional Locations
On April 16, Walmart announced its plans for remodels and new locations in markets across the country. A total of 650 remodels is planned, along with 20 new store locations this year and early into 2027. “This year, we are making a significant investment in our stores across the United States, reinforcing our commitment to […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Southeast
HFG Appoints English VP Of Retail Operations For Save A Lot
Houchens Food Group (HFG) has appointed Grant English as VP of retail operations for Save A Lot. English brings more than 36 years of retail management experience to the role, with a background in multi-unit operations, team leadership and driving operational excellence. English most recently served as director of operations at Food Lion, a role […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Market of Choice Completes Basics Market Acquisition, Plans Store Refresh
Market of Choice has completed its acquisition of Basics Market in Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood, adding a fifth location in the metro area and bringing the company’s total statewide footprint to 13 stores. The transition to Market of Choice is expected to take place June 23, with no store closure planned. The deal, announced in January, […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National, News
Vori Raises $22M Series B To Build Operating System For Grocery Stores
Vori announced a $22 million Series B funding round led by Cherryrock Capital, with participation from Greylock Partners and The Factory, including Stanford AI researcher Chris Ré. The company is building an operating system designed to manage a grocery store’s entire operations. It handles checkout and payments at the register, tracks every item on shelves, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
PepsiCo Foods Launches Good Warrior Snack Brand
PepsiCo Foods is introducing a new addition to the protein snack arena with Good Warrior, a new masterbrand built for people who demand more from their protein. The debut product, Good Warrior Beef Sticks, launches in March 2026 at select U.S. retailers. The beef sticks are made with grass-fed and finished beef and deliver 10 […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Northeast, ShopRite
Di Bruno Bros. Brings New Italian Snacks To ShopRite Shelves
Di Bruno Bros. is expanding its Italian-inspired collection with new products designed for spring and summer entertaining, the company announced April 20. The new items are rolling out now in ShopRite stores and other leading supermarket retailers nationwide. Founded in 1939 by Italian immigrant brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno, the company has grown from […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Giant Food, News, Northeast
Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Returns June 27-28 To Washington, D.C.
The 34th Annual Giant Barbecue Battle will take place June 27-28 between 3rd and 7th streets on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., featuring world-class barbecue, international flavors, celebrity chefs, live music and activities for all ages. Recognized by the U.S. Congress as the Official National Barbecue Championship, the event ranks as one of the country’s […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Feature, Featured News, News, Southeast
PWADC Food Show To Feature New Products, Education Sessions
Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co. (PWADC) is heading into its May food show and aims to build on recent gains in show performance, private label, fresh and digital participation. Tod Seiling, who joined PWADC as chief merchandising officer in October 2025 after executive roles with Lidl US and Save A Lot, said the co-op has […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Costco Wholesale, Featured News, National, News
5WPR Index Finds Costco Tops AI Citation Rankings, Walmart Trails
Costco emerged atop 5WPR’s 2026 U.S. Grocery Retail AI Visibility Index, the first to rank U.S. grocers by how frequently they are cited inside artificial intelligence-generated answers. The warehouse club retailer was cited most often when American shoppers ask ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity or Google AI Overviews where to buy their groceries. Trader Joe’s ranked second, […]