San Francisco-based Forage has partnered with Adyen to power EBT payments in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program for the retailer’s merchants in the United States. The collaboration enables retailers to accept SNAP benefits from the 42 million Americans who rely on them. The integration provides grocery, convenience and restaurant meal program merchants with a streamlined, compliant […]
Category: News
Posted inGuest Contributors, Finance News, National, News
Crossroads: Built-To-Last Factors Impacting Value
As we have discussed before, understanding the value of a business is important at every stage of its life. By tracking value over time, we can see its trajectory. By understanding the factors that impact value, we can better identify where to focus our time, energy and investment. In the grocery industry, there are multiple […]
Posted inBeverage News, Marketing News, News, Southeast
Coke Florida Surpasses $1M In Black History Month Investments
Coca-Cola Beverages Florida has invested more than $1 million to support technology access programs across Florida since launching its efforts in 2018, the Tampa-based bottler announced Feb. 11. As one of the largest Black-owned businesses in the United States, Coke Florida marks the 100th anniversary of Black History Month by continuing investments in education, technology […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Fresh Thyme, Midwest, News
Fresh Thyme Market Extends Health, Hunger Relief Partnerships Into 2026
Fresh Thyme Market is continuing its partnerships with Vitamin Angels and Feeding America in 2026 while extending its Price Lock initiative, the Downers Grove, Illinois-based grocer announced Feb. 13. The retailer marked a decade-long partnership with Vitamin Angels in 2025, helping provide essential vitamins and minerals to more than 7 million women and children in […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast, Walmart
Walmart Supporting Southeast Winter Storm Relief
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation have invested more than $1 million in grants, product donations and e-gift cards to support communities across the Southeast following winter storms that caused damage and power outages across the region. The combined investment has provided support to more than 30 city governments and local organizations through $500,000 in grant […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News
Mom’s Organic Market To Enter Chicago With Naperville, Mount Prospect Stores
Mom’s Organic Market will enter the Chicago market with stores in Naperville and Mount Prospect, Illinois, scheduled to open by the end of 2026, marking the organic grocer’s expansion into the Midwest. The Rockville, Maryland-based retailer will open a location at 1163 E. Ogden Ave. in Naperville this fall, with a Mount Prospect store to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Finance News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Independent Grocers Face Pricing Pressures, Rural Store Closures In ND
Independent grocers across North Dakota face mounting pressure from several directions, according to John “Jiggs” Dyste, president of the North Dakota Grocers Association. “Independent grocers are being squeezed by big-box stores and food manufacturers,” Dyste said. “Unfair pricing is the main problem driving consumers to big-box stores.” The challenges come as North Dakota’s economy undergoes […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National, News
UFCW Launches Campaign To Ban Surveillance Pricing On Groceries
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union on Feb. 12 launched the “Affordable Groceries and Good Jobs Campaign,” a national effort to ban surveillance pricing and electronic shelf labels in grocery stores while targeting artificial intelligence-driven technology encroachment. The campaign arrives alongside federal legislation introduced by Sen. Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Sen. Jeff […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Joins OpenAI Advertising Pilot To Test ChatGPT Ad Formats
Albertsons Companies will be participating in the OpenAI Ad Pilot Program, testing how new advertising formats in ChatGPT can create personalized experiences for consumers ahead of Valentine’s Day. The Boise, Idaho-based grocer will explore how relevant ads unlock value for users and brands in conversational experiences as an early pilot partner for the program, which […]
Posted inExecutive News, Center Store, Finance News, National, News
J.M. Smucker Eliminates COO Role, Expands CFO, Supply Chain Leadership
The J.M. Smucker Company has announced a leadership restructuring that eliminates the chief operating officer position and expands responsibilities for its chief financial officer and newly created chief product supply officer. The Orrville, Ohio-based food manufacturer said the changes, effective Feb. 9, are designed to advance long-term growth strategy, further momentum among its brand portfolio […]
Posted inGrocery Research, National, News
Tastepoint Identifies 10 Flavor Trends Expected To Shape 2026 Market
Philadelphia-based Tastepoint by IFF has identified 10 flavors expected to trend in the North American retail and foodservice throughout 2026, based on data-driven market analysis, menu tracking, social listening and changes in consumer behavior. “To continue delivering product development solutions that meet consumers’ unique and changing needs, we stay attuned to industry and market trends, keeping […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hannaford Supermarkets, News, Northeast
Hannaford Charitable Foundation Commits $1.16M To Northeast Nonprofits
Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets’ charitable foundation committed $1.16 million in 2025 to nonprofits across Maine, New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The funding reflects the foundation’s focus on combating food insecurity, supporting learning and workforce readiness and promoting healthier lifestyles across the Northeast. “At Hannaford, we understand food, health and opportunity are critical to building strong […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Big Y Foods, News, Northeast
Big Y Sack Hunger Campaign Provides 1M Meals To Food Banks
Big Y Food’s annual Sack Hunger campaign donated 1 million meals to food banks across Massachusetts and Connecticut, a milestone it said reflects collective support from customers, employees and partners during the holiday season. Springfield, Massachusetts-based Big Y has operated the campaign since 2010, with the effort evolving into a cornerstone of its year-round hunger-relief efforts. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Finance News, National, News
NRF Reports Retail Sales Post Fourth Monthly Gain
Retail sales showed moderate monthly growth and strong year-over-year gains in January, marking the fourth consecutive month of increases, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, were up 0.2 percent seasonally adjusted month over month and up 5.72 percent unadjusted year […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Finance News, Lipari Foods, Midwest, News
Lipari Foods Selects RELEX Solutions For Supply Chain Planning
Lipari Foods has selected RELEX Solutions to transform its supply chain planning and improve replenishment operations across its distribution center. The Midwest distributor will use RELEX’s artificial intelligencer-driven platform and Advanced Diagnostics to manage more than 23,000 SKUs across grocery, deli, bakery, natural and specialty categories. Lipari Foods supplies thousands of retailers with fresh, natural, […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
AFS Receives Instacart’s Wholesaler Partnership Award
Associated Food Stores received the Wholesaler Partnership Excellence Award at Instacart’s 2026 Independent Grocer Award Winners ceremony held during the recent NGA Show. The Salt Lake City-based wholesaler was recognized for its collaboration with Instacart throughout the onboarding process and hands-on approach to supporting the transition to Storefront Pro and Storefront platforms. Onboarding a retailer […]
Posted inCenter Store, Finance News, National, News
Kraft Heinz Pauses Company Split, Commits $600M To Turnaround Plan
The Kraft Heinz Company announced Feb. 11 it is pausing work on its planned separation into two independent companies, instead committing $600 million to accelerate growth efforts as the food manufacturer reported a 15 percent decline in full-year 2025 adjusted earnings. CEO Steve Cahillane, who joined the Pittsburgh and Chicago-based company Jan. 1, said its […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Northeast
Lidl To Open Kips Bay Store As Manhattan Expansion Continues
Lidl US will open a new store Feb. 25 at 460 Third Ave. in the Kips Bay neighborhood of Manhattan, marking the German discount grocer’s continued push into New York City. The Arlington, Virginia-based retailer will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 7:40 a.m. Free croissants and coffee will be available at the grand opening. The […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
Publix Associate Prevails In Best Bagger Championship
The National Grocers Association (NGA) awarded a $10,000 cash prize to Rocco Cammarota of Publix Super Markets in Georgia after he finished first in the Best Bagger Championship on Feb. 2. Sponsored by PepsiCo, the competition took place during the second day of The NGA Show at Caesar’s Forum in Las Vegas. The annual gathering brings […]
Posted inBakery News, National, News
Rise Baking Co. Identifies 5 Trends Shaping 2026 Bakery Category
Rise Baking Co. released its outlook for the bakery sector in 2026, highlighting five consumer behaviors and market dynamics expected to influence in-store bakery and foodservice operations throughout the year. The Minneapolis-based manufacturer – which supplies cakes, cookies, muffins and pies to grocery chains, convenience stores and foodservice operators – identified indulgence, portion variety, flavor […]