On Dec. 2, United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) reported first quarter fiscal 2026 results for the 13 weeks ended Nov. 1, with adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increasing 24.6 percent to $167 million despite a slight decline in net sales. The Providence, Rhode Island-based wholesaler posted net sales of $7.8 billion, […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National, News, Sustainability News
Building Resilience – Grocers Can Strengthen Insurability Through Climate Preparedness
What does it mean for a business to be resilient – and what is your business doing to get there? If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything, it’s how essential grocery stores are to the communities they serve. For many, it was the first time they fully recognized the critical role these businesses play – […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Guest Contributors, National, News
Tell Your Story, Tell Your Story, Tell Your Story
When it comes to sustainability and resource management, we typically think of workplace practices like energy efficiency, food waste diversion, recycling and refrigerant management. These aspects of food retail have the potential to provide significant benefits to the bottom line when managed resourcefully. But managing these aspects effectively provides another benefit – it helps the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National, News
NGA Petitions EPA To Reconsider HFC Management Rule Regulations
The National Grocers Association has petitioned the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to revise its Hydrofluorocarbon Management Rule, citing what it maintains are unrealistic timelines, excessive compliance costs and regulatory requirements that exceed congressional mandates. NGA’s petition argues that the HFC Management Rule imposes several impractical and overly burdensome requirements on food retailers, including drastically increasing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
Central Oregon Grocers Match $32.5K In Donations For Food Banks
Three employee-owned grocery stores in Central Oregon have launched their annual Food for February fundraiser, matching customer donations dollar-for-dollar up to $32,500 to support local food banks during a critical time of year. Newport Avenue Market, Oliver Lemon’s and Ollie’s Kitchen are collecting donations at checkout throughout December to benefit Family Kitchen and Sisters Kiwanis […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Donates $2.5K To The Forgotten Child Fund
Food City continued its support of the Annual Coats for Kids program sponsored by the Hamilton County (Tennessee) Police Department and Fire Department with a donation of $2,500 to The Forgotten Child Fund. The Forgotten Child Fund is made up of volunteers from firefighters in Chattanooga, Hamilton County EMS and sheriff’s employees and other volunteer […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Deli News, Guest Contributors, National, News, Produce News
Why Food Retailers Are Moving To Full Traceability – Turning Compliance Into Opportunity
by Ron Margulis / ReposiTrak Many of the country’s largest food retailers are actively embracing full traceability under FSMA 204 as both a regulatory mandate and a critical business strategy. Driven by major chains like Walmart, Kroger and Albertsons, the push for comprehensive recordkeeping is transforming the grocery industry, setting new performance standards for the […]
Posted inSustainability News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Midwest, News
Wilson Family Named Niman Ranch’s 2025 Sustainable Farm Of The Year
Niman Ranch named the Wilson family of Iowa’s Seven W Farm as its 2025 Sustainable Farm of the Year, an honor coinciding with World Soil Health Day. The recognition highlights the family’s leadership in restoring soil health, protecting waterways and demonstrating how small, diversified farms can address the state’s water quality challenges. “The Wilson family […]
Posted inAssociation News, News, Northeast
Coalition Launches Campaign For Beer, Wine Sales In Maryland Grocery Stores
The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition has launched a campaign to advocate for legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Maryland is one of just four U.S. states where grocery stores can’t sell alcohol, though the coalition said significant momentum has grown to pass legislation addressing the issue in 2026. “It’s past time that we […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, News, Northeast
Council President: Season Of Change Afoot Across Maryland Grocery Market
The Maryland grocery market is in a season of change, according to Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Food Industry Council. “New stores have opened, but many have closed this year as well,” said Locklair, who also serves as president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance and the Maryland Association of Chain Drug Stores. “Food is […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, News
Lidl US Launches Holiday Meal Deal For Customers
Lidl US is offering it first holiday meal deal from Dec. 10-24, helping shoppers build a feast that serves 12 people for less than $4 per person. “Lidl US is dedicated to making high-quality food accessible to everyone, especially during this time of year,” said CEO Joel Rampoldt. “We’re proud to introduce our new holiday meal […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation Awards $985K In Grants
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $985,000 in “Nourishing Our Neighbors” grants to 318 feeding partners across Food Lion’s 10-state operating region. According to the foundation, the grants will help participating nonprofits deliver food assistance – as well as education on meal planning, budgeting and cooking – that will help them […]
Posted inProduce News, Grocery Store Equipment, News, Northeast, Weis Markets
Weis Markets Completes Tech Upgrade With Toshiba ELERA Security Suite
Weis Markets has completed a full deployment of Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions’ ELERA Security Suite across its store network, advancing the company’s efforts to modernize its front-end operations and strengthen loss-prevention capabilities. The technology is active in the self-checkout lanes of all 199 Weis Markets stores, with plans to extend the system to dual-use and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger Reports Q3 Results, Takes $2.6B Impairment On Fulfillment Network
On Dec. 4, The Kroger Co. reported third quarter 2025 results that included an operating loss of $1.54 billion, driven by a $2.6 billion impairment charge related to its automated fulfillment network. Excluding the impairment and other one-time items, the Cincinnati-based retailer posted adjusted earnings of $1.05 per share and raised its full-year guidance. Total […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Association News, Midwest, News
PLMA’s 2025 Private Label Trade Show Draws 14K Attendees To Chicago
PLMA‘s 2025 Annual Private Label Trade Show, held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago, drew more than 14,000 attendees, including retailers, exhibitors, visitors and industry professionals from across the private label and retail sectors. The show featured hundreds of thousands of food and nonfood products across 3,000 booths with more than 1,900 exhibitors representing 63 countries. It […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Big Y Foods, News, Northeast
Big Y Plans New Store In Pembroke, MA
Big Y Foods Inc. has announced plans for a new store in Pembroke, Massachusetts, scheduled to open next spring or summer. The 38,000-square-foot store will be located in Pembroke Plaza, 24 Mattakeesett St., in a space that was formerly a Stop & Shop. The location marks Big Y’s continued growth in eastern Massachusetts, where stores […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, News, Northeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Open Three Clubs In December
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open three stores this month – Dec. 12 in Springfield, Massachusetts, and Sumter, South Carolina; and Dec. 17 in Casselberry, Florida. All three locations will feature on-site BJ’s Gas stations. The Springfield and Sumter stations opened in November, while Casselberry’s opened Dec. 3. BJ’s Wholesale Club in Casselberry, located in the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest, News, Produce News, Schnucks
Schnucks Expands ‘Hyper Local’ Sourcing With Farm Direct-to-Store Program
Schnuck Markets Inc., in partnership with Foodshed.io, is expanding a farm direct-to-store concept – increasing the number and types of farms customers experience, with the goal of increasing flavor and freshness. The pilot program began in fall 2024, with one farm supplying multiple Schnucks locations across the St. Louis metro region. It has since expanded […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast
Zallie Family Markets To Open New ShopRite In Clementon, NJ
On Dec. 7, Zallie Family Markets will open the ShopRite of Cherrywood Plaza, an 85,000-square-foot store at 1468 Blackwood Clementon Road in Clementon, New Jersey. The new location replaces the ShopRite of Laurel Hill, which had been in operation for 52 years at 1224 Blackwood-Clementon Road. The family-owned South Jersey retailer will hold a ribbon-cutting […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, News, West
Albertsons Cos. Introduces AI Assistant For Faster, Personalized Experience
Albertsons Cos. reports that it has reached a milestone in its digital transformation journey with the launch of the Albertsons AI shopping assistant, a web browser experience designed to make grocery shopping faster and more personalized. The Boise, Idaho-based retailer aims to reduce shopping time from an average of 46 minutes to four minutes. As […]