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 […]
Category: News
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 […]