How Summer 2026 is Reshaping Seasonal Opportunity By Naomi Sleeper, President, Imperial Distributors Inc. Non-Food for Thought is back. After a few-year hiatus, we are relaunching this column as a forum for sharing perspective on the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping non-food merchandising in the grocery channel. There may not be a more relevant time […]
Category: News
Expert Article
Know Your Numbers: The Financial Habits Behind Independent Grocery’s Top Performers
Jon Cline knows the grocery business from the ground up. He started bagging groceries at Safeway in high school, managed a 7-Eleven while earning his accounting degree at the University of Oklahoma, and went on to build a career spanning some of the industry’s biggest names: Arthur Andersen, Scrivner, Fleming and Supervalu. At FMS Solutions, […]
Expert Article
Independent Grocers Don’t Need More Technology, They Need Better Integration
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, […]
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 […]