Natural Grocers has begun preparations for a new store in downtown Walla Walla, Washington, marking the family-operated chain’s sixth location in the state and first in the Walla Walla Valley. Ahead of the spring opening, the company is hosting a community meet-and-greet March 24 and a two-day hiring event March 25-26 at the Courtyard by […]
Category: West
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Oliver’s Market Plans Fifth Store In Santa Rosa, CA
Oliver’s Market, an employee-owned independent grocer, is under contract to purchase Farmer’s Lane Plaza at 1501-1591 Farmer’s Lane in Santa Rosa, California, where it will open a fifth location in a 35,500-square-foot space formerly occupied by Rite Aid. The deal is expected to close April 1, with construction beginning immediately and a 2027 opening targeted. […]
Posted inFrozen Food, News, Snacks Brands, West
Morinaga To Acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, Expanding U.S. Snack Portfolio
Morinaga & Co., a leading global confectionery manufacturer, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire My/Mochi Ice Cream, the largest mochi ice cream brand in the United States. The acquisition unites two businesses with strong brand heritage and complementary capabilities. My/Mochi will join Morinaga’s portfolio of brands, including HI-CHEW, HI-SOFT and Chargel. “In welcoming […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, News, West
Jackson’s Debuts First Avocado Oil Variety Pack At Expo West 2026
Jackson’s launched its first 30-count Avocado Oil Variety Snack Pack during Natural Products Expo West, marking the brand’s entry into the club and bulk retail format with a multipack designed for family-sized purchasing occasions. The variety pack combines three of the company’s snack formats – Sweet Potato Chips, Kettle Potato Chips and Super Veggie Straws […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, West
Grocery Outlet To Close 36 Stores Due To $224.9M Net Loss In Fiscal 2025
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. (NASDAQ: GO) reported a net loss of $224.9 million for fiscal 2025, a dramatic swing from the $39.5 million net profit posted the prior year, as the retailer absorbed $149 million in goodwill impairment charges, $113.8 million in non-cash asset impairment and $45.9 million in restructuring costs. Despite those headline losses, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, West
Good Earth Natural Foods To Open Third Location In San Rafael, CA
Good Earth Natural Foods has announced plans to add a third store in the Terra Linda neighborhood of San Rafael, California, with an expected spring 2027 opening. The independent, Marin, California-based natural and organic grocer will take over the free-standing building at 1500 Northgate – formerly occupied by Rite Aid – and will serve as […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, News, West
Simbe Becomes First Retail Robotics Company To Achieve Certification For Tally
Simbe is the first retail technology company to achieve UL 3300 certification from UL Solutions for Tally, its shelf-scanning autonomous mobile robot. UL 3300 is the standard for service, communication, information, education and entertainment robots. The certification showcases that Tally meets the requirements of the safety standard and helps set a new bar for trust and […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, West
WAFC Adds Leal As Senior Director Of Educational Programs
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has appointed Jaime Leal as senior director of educational programs. Leal has spent 34 years in the food industry, joining Costco Wholesale in 1989 at its location in City of Industry, California. In 1993, after the merger between Costco and Price Club, Leal left the warehouse to begin […]