KeHE Distributors released its 2026 macro trends forecast, highlighting five emerging market dynamics that reflect evolving consumer values and purchasing priorities across the natural and organic, specialty and fresh products sectors. The Naperville, Illinois-based distributor identified authenticity, protein innovation, global flavors, personalized wellness and data-driven shopping as the dominant forces reshaping how consumers will make […]
Category: News
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Midwest, News
Fareway Opens First Full-Service Meat, Grocery Store in KS
Fareway Meat & Grocery recently held a grand opening for its first full-service meat and grocery store in Kansas – a 21,000 square foot location at 15790 State Ave. in Basehor, Kansas. “We are thrilled to open our doors in Basehor and continue growing in the great state of Kansas,” said Fareway CEO Reynolds Cramer. “This […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, National, News
Food Club, McLean Collaborate On Hunger Relief Efforts For Thanksgiving
This Thanksgiving, Food Club, along with brand partner Feeding America, has teamed up with boy band celebrity AJ McLean to fight hunger in support of the brand’s 80th anniversary and his new EP release on Thanksgiving Day titled, “Hi, My Name is Alex.” Earlier this month, Food Club shoppers had the opportunity to win tickets […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Names Six Employees 2025 Legacy Award Recipients
Meijer has named the winners of its 2025 Legacy Awards, the retailer’s highest internal honors recognizing employees who demonstrate exceptional leadership and community service. The awards comprise the Fred Meijer Award, given annually to one person, and the Earl Holton President’s Award, which recognizes up to five employees. Toledo Market Director Randy Lewis received the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Market Profile, Midwest, News
Grocers Face Headwinds Amid Economic Uncertainty In Illinois
The Illinois economy may be “chugging along a little bit,” but uncertainty remains high – and retailers, especially grocers, are feeling the strain. “I think I would call it shaky, but we’re certainly not in a recession,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association. “But as it relates to retail, […]
Posted inExecutive News, Independent Store News, National, News
NCG Appoints Harvey As CEO, Succeeding Pugh
National Co+op Grocers (NCG), the business services cooperative for 167 retail food co-ops nationwide, has selected Tandy Harvey as its next CEO, effective Jan. 1. She succeeds C.E. Pugh, who will retire at the end of the year. Harvey brings more than 30 years of wholesale and retail food industry experience, including senior leadership roles […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News, Sustainability News
Meijer Marks 90th Anniversary With Corporate Impact Report
Meijer surpassed its 2025 carbon emissions target a year ahead of schedule, according to the retailer’s latest Corporate Impact Report released to mark the company’s 90th anniversary. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based chain achieved a 57 percent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions compared to 2018 levels, exceeding its original 50 percent goal. […]
Posted inBakery News, News, Southeast
Dave’s Killer Bread Launches Supreme Sourdough
Dave’s Killer Bread, the organic bread brand for Flowers Foods, is launching Supreme Sourdough loaf in West Coast markets to meet consumer demand. The organic loaf is made with an authentic starter and a special double-fermentation process. It is rolled in the brand’s signature Good Seed topping and sliced thick. Similar to other Dave’s Killer […]
Posted inCenter Store, National, News
Barilla Opens Innovation Center In Parma, Italy
Barilla Group has opened the Barilla Innovation & Technology Experience (BITE) in Parma, Italy, designed as a global hub to foster development across the company’s portfolio of pasta, sauces and bakery products The company said the 150,000-square-f00t center represents a more than $25 million investment, with an additional $2.3 million per year dedicated to equipment […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Beverage News, National, News
Swiftly, EG America Launch Alcohol Cashback In SmartRewards App
Swiftly has partnered with EG America to add a digital alcohol cashback feature to the SmartRewards app across the retailer’s convenience store brands. The new feature provides near-instant, supplier-funded cashback on beer, wine and spirits at stores including Cumberland Farms, Certified Oil, Fastrac, Loaf ‘N Jug, Kwik Shop, Turkey Hill, Quik Stop, Tom Thumb, Minit […]
Posted inProduce News, News, Sustainability News, West
Divert, General Produce Partner On Food Waste-to-Energy Plan
Divert Inc. and General Produce have formed a partnership that will convert unsold and non-donatable food into renewable energy and soil amendment for communities in Northern California. General Produce will send unused food from its Sacramento distribution center to Divert’s Integrated Diversion & Energy Facility in Turlock, California. There, the material will move through depackaging […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
Joe V’s Smart Shop Opens Third North Texas Location
H-E-B opened its third Joe V’s Smart Shop in the DFW Metroplex on Nov. 21, bringing the discount grocery format to Irving with a 57,920-square-foot store at 2407 W. Airport Freeway. The location occupies the site of a former 24 Hour Fitness gym that closed in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. H-E-B invested about $10 […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Wegmans
Wegmans’ Katakwar Joins GS1 U.S. Board Of Governors
GS1 US has elected Smita Katakwar, SVP of technology at Wegmans Food Markets, to its board of governors. Katakwar will help guide the organization’s strategy for cross-industry adoption of GS1 Standards across retail grocery, apparel, general merchandise, foodservice and healthcare sectors. Katakwar brings more than two decades of experience leading technology strategy, digital innovation and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
T&T Supermarket Plans For Third Bay Area Store In Millbrae, CA
T&T Supermarket will open a 52,000-square-foot location in Millbrae this winter, marking its third Bay Area store. The store will serve communities across the San Francisco Peninsula, including Millbrae, Palo Alto, San Bruno and San Mateo. It will create 350 jobs, with the company hiring for office and in-store positions across California. “Finding large retail […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Vallarta Supermarkets, West
Vallarta Supermarkets To Open New Store In Azusa, CA
Vallarta Supermarkets will open a new 39,295-square-foot store Dec. 10 at 273 E. Gladstone St. in Azusa, California, marking the family-owned chain’s continued expansion in the San Gabriel Valley. The first 300 customers at the grand opening will receive reusable grocery bags filled with food. Vallarta also is donating $7,500 to five local schools and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Enables SNAP EBT On Uber Eats Through Forage Partnership
Save A Lot has launched SNAP EBT payment acceptance on Uber Eats at more than 325 locations, expanding same-day grocery delivery access for benefit recipients across its footprint. The grocer partnered with Forage Technology Corp., a USDA-approved third-party payment processor, to enable the service. Save A Lot operates about 700 stores in 30 states. The […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, National, News
ReposiTrak Traceability Network Expands To Food Manufacturers
ReposiTrak is expanding its ReposiTrak Traceability Network to include food manufacturing companies as they prepare for growing demands from retail customers. The new manufacturing partners will use ReposiTrak to exchange FDA-required Key Data Elements (KDEs) for each Critical Tracking Event (CTE) in their supply chains. The food manufacturers joining the network include a leading contract […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Adds Naples Store To Growing FL Footprint
Publix opened a new 48,387-square-foot store Nov. 20 in The Shoppes at Orange Blossom, 1715 Oil Well Road in Naples, Florida. “We look forward to introducing [the community] to an array of new offerings and providing them with the service and quality products they know and love,” said Lindsey Willis, media relations manager for Publix. […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Feature, National, News
Private Label, Public Preference – How Diverse Consumers Are Shaping Store Brand Growth
Private label products have come a long way from their early reputation as plain, low-cost alternatives to national brands. Today, they represent a strategic pillar for retailers – offering differentiation, margin advantages and a way to build loyalty in an increasingly competitive grocery landscape. As inflation and economic uncertainty continue to influence consumer behavior, private […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National, News, Snacks Brands
NCA Adds Moss, Brandmeier To Scientific-Regulatory Affairs Team
The National Confectioners Association (NCA) has added Julie Moss as VP of food safety and scientific affairs and Sarah Brandmeier as director of nutrition policy and scientific affairs. According to the association, their experience across federal agencies and the food industry will help the $54 billion confectionery industry navigate a complex regulatory landscape. “It is […]