Lisa Bednar, president of the Arizona Food Marketing Alliance, took time out of her busy legislative season to respond to questions from The Shelby Report of the West’s Lorrie Griffith about what’s happening in the state’s grocery industry. We’re coming out of a year that saw a new administration in the White House, a […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest, Sustainability News
Natural Grocers Releases 2025 Sustainability Report
Natural Grocers has released its fiscal year 2025 Sustainability Report, marking 70 years of industry leadership and highlighting more than $7 million invested in nutrition education services during the fiscal year. The Lakewood, Colorado-based family-operated organic and natural grocery retailer emphasized its differentiated nutrition education program in this year’s report. It showcases free one-on-one coaching, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, News
Downy, Meijer Partner To Distribute Winter Coats In MI, OH
Downy, Meijer and Operation Warm kicked off a partnership with in-person distribution events in Grand Rapids, Michigan, followed by Cincinnati, Ohio, where employee volunteers help deliver winter coats and essential items to children in need. Through the collaboration, Downy and Meijer are contributing $100,000 to support Operation Warm’s programs, in-store initiatives and providing essential winter […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Finance News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Names Barton 2025 Store Manager Of The Year
Amelia Barton, store manager of the Food Lion at 2201 W. WT Harris Blvd. in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been named the grocer’s 2025 Ralph W. Ketner Store Manager Excellence Award winner. Barton was selected from more than 1,100 store managers across the retailer’s 10-state operating area. Named after one of Food Lion’s founders, the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Finance News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Appoints Foran As CEO, Ends Interim Leadership
The Kroger Co. has appointed Greg Foran as CEO, effective immediately, ending Ron Sargent’s tenure as interim CEO that began in March 2025. Foran, who brings more than 40 years of experience leading large consumer businesses, will also join Kroger’s board of directors. The Cincinnati-based grocer made the announcement Feb. 9, following an extensive search […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Ahold Delhaize, Merchandising News, National, News, Packaging News
Ahold Delhaize USA, Circana Expand Guiding Stars Nutrition Data Access
Ahold Delhaize USA has renewed its collaboration with Circana to expand access to Guiding Stars nutrition data within Circana’s Attribute Marketplace, giving suppliers greater insight into health and nutrition trends. Suppliers participating in Circana’s Attribute Marketplace will have access to aggregated Guiding Stars data to analyze trends in star-earning foods and beverages, identify category opportunities […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Deli News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News, Produce News
DeltaTrak Introduces FlashLink NOW Real-Time Loggers
Pleasanton, California-based DeltaTrak has introduced a new generation of its FlashLink NOW real-time loggers, giving fresh product suppliers expanded visibility into cold chain conditions as requirements for accepting shipments continue to tighten across the U.S. grocery sector. Inbound shipment requirements increasingly go beyond temperature data alone. When used with the UBQ Network, FlashLink NOW loggers […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Natural Grocers, News
Natural Grocers Celebrates Iowa Day With Free Totes, Coupons
Natural Grocers will celebrate Iowa Day Feb. 8-10 at its six stores in the state with free reusable tote bags and $5-off coupons for {N}power members. The celebration honors Iowa Statehood Day and marks the Colorado-based company’s decade-long presence there. Natural Grocers expanded to Iowa in February 2016, opening a store in Clive, followed by […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
AppCard Launches Ask Pinky AI Reporting Agent For Independent Grocers
New York-based AppCard has launched Ask Pinky, an artificial intelligence business partner that allows independent grocers to query business data using natural language through a conversational interface, The tool builds on AppCard’s Pinky 2.0, which delivers digital coupons and promotions to shoppers based on individual spending and behavior. While Pinky 2.0 continues to drive shopper […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, News, West
Harmons Grocery Shares Several Executive Promotions
Harmons Grocery has promoted several executives following retirements within the Utah-based company. Lori Nigh The grocer has promoted Lori Nigh to EVP and COO following the retirement of Paul Adamson, who served 22 years as EVP of operations at the West Valley City, Utah-based grocer. Nigh most recently served as VP of sales, where she […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, Natural Grocers, News
Natural Grocers Plans First Wisconsin Store In Lake Geneva
Natural Grocers plans to open its first store in Wisconsin this spring, located off North Edwards Boulevard in Lake Geneva. Lakewood, Colorado-based organic and natural grocery retailer will host a community meet-and-greet Feb. 17 and a two-day hiring event Feb. 18-19 at The Geneva Inn conference rooms, about 10 minutes from the new store location. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Schnucks
Schnucks Urban League Round Up Returns For Sixth Year
Schnuck Markets is offering customers the opportunity to round up their purchases at the register to support the Urban League through Feb. 17, marking the sixth consecutive year the St. Louis-based grocer has run the Black History Month campaign. One hundred percent of donations in Schnucks’ home area of St. Louis will support the Urban […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway’s Toys For Tots Campaign Raises $288K
Fareway Meat & Grocery donated $288,869.96 to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation through customer round-up purchases between Nov. 24-Dec. 24. The total reflects an increase of more than $13,000 compared to the previous year’s campaign. The annual toy drive also collected 20,381 new toys across participating Fareway locations for distribution to children across Iowa. […]
Posted inDeli News, News, Southeast
Boar’s Head Reopens Jarratt Facility Following Comprehensive Safety Upgrades
Boar’s Head reopened its Jarratt, Virginia, facility Feb. 2 following a series of facility enhancements and implementation of enhanced product manufacturing protocols. The reopening brings increased employment opportunities back to the Jarratt community, where the Sarasota, Florida-based delicatessen foods provider has operated for more than 35 years. “Since I joined Boar’s Head in May 2025, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Anniversary Issues, Finance News, News, Retailer of the Year, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Moving To Broader Appeal – ‘We’ve Got To Give Everybody Something’
In 1985, the Gonzalez family opened a small market in Van Nuys, California, called Carnicería Vallarta. The family focused on selling traditional cuts of meats popular in their native Mexico. They worked hard to build a name for themselves by offering high-quality authentic products, providing a high level of customer service and treating employees as […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Finance News, Ingles Markets, News, Southeast
Ingles Markets Reports 6.6% Sales Increase In Annual Report
Ingles Markets reported net sales of $1.37 billion for the first quarter of fiscal 2026 ended Dec. 27, a 6.6 percent increase compared with $1.29 billion for the same period last year, the Asheville, North Carolina-based grocer announced Feb. 5. Net income totaled $28.1 million for the first quarter compared with $16.6 million for the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Center Store, Midwest, News
Pearson To Join Post Consumer Brands As President, CEO
Greg Pearson will join Post Consumer Brands as president and CEO on April 1, succeeding Nicolas Catoggio, who assumed the role of Post Holdings’ EVP and COO in January. Pearson joins the Lakeville, Minnesota-based cereal company from Compana Pet Brands, a global pet care and nutrition company based in St. Louis, where he has served […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, News, West
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Wins NGA’s Student Case Study Competition
The National Grocers Association Foundation shared that Cal Poly San Luis Obispo won the NGA Foundation Student Case Study Competition following presentations at The NGA Show in Las Vegas. This year’s case study, “Keeping Shelves Relevant and Customers Inspired,” challenged students to develop innovative, practical solutions for Nugget Markets, a 16-location independent grocer across Northern […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Frozen Food, Hy-Vee, Midwest, News
Hy-Vee Introduces Dietitian Dishes Frozen Meal Line
Hy-Vee has launched Dietitian Dishes, a line of frozen medically tailored meals developed by the West Des Moines, Iowa-based retailer’s registered dietitians to support heart- and diabetes-friendly diets. The frozen meals, available in Hy-Vee’s HealthMarket department and online, come in more than 15 varieties of nutrient-dense, single-serve options. Flavors include Egg Roll in a Bowl, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast, Walmart
Walmart Opens Next-Generation Supercenter In Jacksonville, FL
Walmart opened a new supercenter Feb. 4 at 10000 Omni Drive in Jacksonville, Florida, the latest step in its plan to build or convert more than 150 stores in the coming years. The news follows the recent openings in Florida of a supercenter (Apollo Beach) and a neighborhood market (Ocala). The Jacksonville store features a […]