Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is rolling out two exclusive wellness brands – Wellwerks and Nüwerks – for its network of more than 1,100 member retailers and 3,500 retail locations in 33 states. AWG said the launch represents one of the most comprehensive private brand wellness sets introduced at retail, combining functional grocery formats with modern […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Big Y Foods, Featured News, News, Northeast
Big Y To Host Local Partner Outreach Event In Springfield, MA
Big Y Foods will hold a local partner information session from 2-4 p.m. May 13 at its store support center in Springfield, Massachusetts. The event, titled “Let’s Talk Local: Partner with Big Y,” is designed to connect area businesses with the family-owned grocer to explore supplier partnership opportunities. The session is part of Big Y’s […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Finance News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Opens New Supermarket In Spring Hill, FL
Publix Super Markets opened its newest location April 2 at 160 Mariner Blvd. in Spring Hill, Florida. The 48,387-square-foot store features full-service bakery, deli, seafood and pharmacy departments along with an upstairs seating area that is designed to encourage customers to dine on-site. “We’re excited to welcome customers to their new Spring Hill Publix and […]
Posted inFeatured News, Finance News, News, Southeast
Ingles Markets Urges Shareholders To Reject Sackler-Affiliated Director Nominee
Ingles Markets has filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission ahead of its April 30 annual meeting, urging shareholders to reject a director nominee affiliated with members of the Sackler family. The Asheville, North Carolina-based grocer is recommending that shareholders vote for its two independent director candidates, Dwight Jacobs and Rebekah […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
Main Street Competition Coalition Expands Into Permanent Advocacy Organization
The Main Street Competition Coalition (MSCC) is formalizing its structure as a permanent advocacy organization, expanding its mission beyond Robinson-Patman Act enforcement to challenge market power abuses across grocery, pharmacy and agriculture. The coalition – founded by the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the National Community Pharmacists Association – describes itself as the first business-backed […]
Posted inC-Store News, Grocery Store Equipment, National, News
Tote Deploys AI Employee Agent With Loop Neighborhood Markets
Tote, the AI-native point-of-sale platform built for fuel and convenience retail, has deployed its Genie AI agent with Loop Neighborhood Markets, a California-based convenience retailer operating more than 50 locations. Since launch, the tool has handled associate inquiries across customer service, POS operations, maintenance and payments with 100 percent first-contact resolution and zero escalations to […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, C&S Wholesale Grocers, Featured News, News, Northeast
PFMA Adds C&S Wholesale Grocers Exec To Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has appointed Joy Sgro, VP and general manager at C&S Wholesale Grocers, to its board of directors. Sgro brings more than 40 years of experience in food and beverage wholesale distribution, merchandising and independent grocer support. “Supporting independent grocers has been the focus of my career, and I appreciate […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Merchandising News, News, Northeast
UFCW Poll Finds Maryland Consumers Support Banning Electronic Shelf Labels
A new poll released by the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) found that 68 percent of Maryland voters support banning electronic shelf labels (ESLs) in grocery stores. The survey, conducted by GBAO Strategies, also found 69 percent believe the technology will cause grocery prices to increase. The poll comes as Gov. Wes […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
PepsiCo Begins Tostitos Brand Refresh, Introduces Updated Packaging
PepsiCo Foods U.S. is rolling out a comprehensive brand refresh for Tostitos, moving the tortilla chip and dip line beyond its traditional snacking identity with updated packaging, a revised logo and marketing that emphasizes ingredient quality and the traditional masa-making process behind the product. The refreshed packaging is hitting shelves now and will continue rolling […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Featured News, Finance News, National, News
Crossroads: How Cap Rates, Lease Terms Affect Grocery Store Property Value
In a previous column, we discussed building businesses to last and some of the factors that influence valuation. Today, we will take a closer look at one area that often creates confusion – the valuation of real estate in the grocery industry. Nerd alert: This one is a little more technical, but I believe it […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest, News
Marzetti Launches Protein Ranch Dressing, Dip Line
The Marzetti Co. is introducing Marzetti Protein Ranch, a line the company describes as a first-to-category innovation combining its traditional ranch with 3-4 grams of milk protein per serving and fewer calories. The lineup spans three SKUs: Protein Ranch Dressing (13 oz. bottle), Protein Ranch Veggie Dip (12 oz. tub) and Protein Ranch Veggie Dip […]
Posted inCenter Store, News, Southwest
Riviana Foods Launches Boil-In-Bag Sticky Rice Across Eastern U.S.
Riviana Foods Inc., the largest rice processor and distributor in the United States, is rolling out a new restaurant-style Sticky Rice under its Success Boil-in-Bag brand. The product is available for distribution across the eastern U.S., with nationwide expansion planned. The launch targets growing consumer demand for globally inspired meals that are easy to prepare […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Lands On Fortune’s Best Companies List For 29th Consecutive Year
Publix ranked 50th on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, marking its 29th consecutive year on the list. The Lakeland, Florida-based grocer is one of just four companies to appear every year since the rankings began in 1998. Eligible companies must hold a Great Place To Work Certification and employ at least 1,000 people […]
Posted inBeverage News, Executive News, Finance News, News, Southeast
Coke Florida Promotes Calhoun VP, Chief Of Staff To CEO
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida has appointed Reagan Calhoun as VP and chief of staff to Chairman and CEO Troy Taylor. Calhoun joins from The Coca-Cola Co., where she most recently served as VP of finance-marketing for the North America Operating Unit (NAOU). She has more than 20 years of experience across the Coca-Cola system spanning marketing, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Ohio Grocers Navigate Consolidation, Rising Costs, Changing Consumer
Ohio enters 2026 as one of the nation’s most economically competitive states, though a mix of national headwinds and shifting federal policy creates uncertainty in the year ahead. The state’s gross domestic product reached $979 billion in the third quarter of 2025 – the highest on record, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. […]
Posted inBakery News, Featured News, National, News
Grupo Bimbo Named A Most Ethical Company For 10th Consecutive Year
Grupo Bimbo, the world’s largest baking company, has been recognized for the 10th straight year by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. The 2026 class includes 138 companies from 17 countries and 40 industries. Ethisphere evaluates companies through its proprietary Ethics Quotient methodology, assessing ethics and compliance programs, organizational culture and governance […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, News, Produce News, Southeast
Food Lion Orange Bag Campaign Provides More Than 13M Meals In 2026
Food Lion customers and employees generated more than 13 million meals for those in need through the 2026 Orange Bag campaign, which ran Feb. 25-March 17 across the grocer’s 10-state footprint. Customers supported the effort by buying specially-marked bags of fresh navel oranges and making donations at the register or through Food Lion To Go. […]
Posted inInternational Foods, Center Store, Featured News, National, News
Goya Foods Donates 1M Pounds Of Food On 90th Anniversary
Goya Foods marked its 90th anniversary March 31 by hosting the annual Goya Gives Day, a coordinated effort that distributed 1 million pounds of food to families across the U.S., Puerto Rico and Spain. Alongside Goya facilities and employees, more than 100 community partners participated in food distribution and volunteer efforts. The date was chosen […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
IFPA Releases 2026 U.S. Policy Agenda To Advance Industry Priorities
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) has released its 2026 U.S. Public Policy Agenda, a six-pillar framework covering workforce, nutrition access, producer economics, trade, supply chain infrastructure and food safety. The agenda arrives amid heightened legislative and regulatory activity in Washington. “Every one of these priorities is grounded in what our members tell us they […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Passport Giveback Event Raises $14K For 7 Central TX Schools
H-E-B raised $14,000 for seven Central Texas public schools through its Passport Giveback Event at select stores in Williamson County, with H-E-B matching the funds generated by customers to double the total impact. During the event, customers received an “H-E-B Passport” featuring destinations across store departments – bakery, beauty, deli, grocery, healthy living, meat market, […]