Missouri’s grocery retailers are navigating a period of uncertainty shaped by federal trade disputes, state-level legislation, labor shortages and shifting consumer demand. “I would say we’re pretty much like the rest of the country, in that we’re a little nervous,” said Dan Shaul, executive state director of the Missouri Grocers Association. “Everybody wants it to […]
Tag: grocery news
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Birdzi Launches DataScope Analytics Suite With Tops Friendly Markets
Birdzi has unveiled DataScope, a suite of retail-specific data analytics tools that were developed in close collaboration Tops Friendly Markets. Blending operational clarity with shopper-centric analytics, DataScope goes beyond traditional flat reports to offer merchandising and analytics teams a unified, multi-dimensional view of their business across products, stores and customer groups. It is now available […]
Posted inProduce News, Affiliated Foods, Independent Store News, Lowes Markets, News, Southwest
Lowe’s Markets, EmpowerFresh Expand Produce Partnership
Lowe’s Markets, a Texas-based grocery chain, has expanded its partnership with EmpowerFresh, an AI-powered ordering and analytics platform built for independents’ produce departments. Building on the success of an initial six-store pilot, the rollout will extend EmpowerFresh’s solutions to 68 locations across Texas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona and Kansas. The produce department – often considered […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Dairy News, News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Friendly Markets, Garelick Farms Partner On Milk Donation Program
Throughout September, for every gallon of Garelick Farms’ milk purchased at 10 participating Tops locations, a carton of Giving Cow milk will be donated to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. The donations come in cartons featuring playful cow characters. The single-serve, 8-ounce packs of ultra-high temperature (UHT) pasteurized milk have a shelf-life […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Recognized As A 2025 Best Workplace By Fortune
Publix Super Markets has been named to the Best Workplaces in Retail list by Fortune for the 12th consecutive year, ranking third of the 20 best large retail workplaces for 2025. Employees reported that the company’s welcoming and promote-from-within culture, customer service and dedication to community outreach are some of the reasons they enjoy working […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, National, News
FMI Report: E-Commerce Fueling Growth, Innovation In Private Brands
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released its latest report, “The Power of Private Brands 2025: Industry Strategies to Sustain Momentum,” detailing how e-commerce is reshaping private label and how food retailers are leveraging digital tools to differentiate, build shopper loyalty and grow sales. Among the report’s findings – nearly 85 percent of private […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Preps To Open Store In Parker, CO
The new 43,000-square-foot store Whole Foods Market is opening Oct. 9 at 8665 Kings Point Way in Parker, Colorado, will feature more than 700 products from across the state. Features of the Parker store include: An array of certified organic, conventional and Sourced for Good local options such as carving pumpkins from Hirakata Farms, hard […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, West
Market of Choice Expands Support For Oregon’s Emerging Food Brands
Independent grocer Market of Choice continues to strengthen Oregon’s reputation as one of the nation’s most collaborative food innovation hubs by opening doors for emerging brands through its MOJO program and statewide partnerships. “Oregon’s food culture thrives on connection and collaboration,” said John Boyle, chief merchandising and marketing officer for Market of Choice. “By building connections between makers […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southeast
The Fresh Market Dominates USA TODAY’s 10Best Grocery Awards
In a first for the company, The Fresh Market was named the top grocery store across all categories in USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. According to the publication, The Fresh Market took first place in the Best Grocery Store category, in addition to Best Store Bakery, Best Store Deli, Best Store for Produce and […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Association News, National, News
Grocery Associations React To MAHA Policy Report
The Make America Healthy Again Commission has released its “Make Our Children Healthy Again” policy strategy, which aims to address childhood chronic disease but also has potentially heavy impacts on farmers, sound science and healthy food in the food and beverage industries. These impacts remain a concern, but the strategy shows signs of progress from […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Applauds House Committee For Encouraging Antitrust Enforcement
The National Grocers Association (NGA) praised the House Appropriations Committee for including language in its fiscal year 2026 budget report urging the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to enforce antitrust laws more aggressively within the food, pharmacy and retail sectors. The report accompanied the committee’s approval of legislation that funds the FTC’s budget. The committee language […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
August Online Grocery Sales Hit Record High Of $11.2B
U.S. online grocery sales totaled $11.2 billion in August, climbing nearly 14 percent year over year to reach a new monthly high, according to the latest Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, sponsored by Mercatus. The study attributed the growth to YOY gains in household penetration, order frequency and average order values (AOVs). Results by […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Donates $548K To Breakthrough T1D
Food City donated more than $548,000 to Breakthrough T1D (formerly Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) on Sept. 3 at its store at 123 West Hwy. 25-70 in Dandridge, Tennessee. Each year, Food City hosts a company-wide “sneaker” fundraising campaign to benefit Breakthrough T1D. The 2025 promotion ran from April 30-May 27. Food City shoppers could make […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Dairy News, Natural Grocers, News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Introduces Private Label Organic Yogurt
Natural Grocers has introduced private label organic yogurt in three flavors from a proprietary recipe that is packed with probiotics and offers 6-7 grams of protein per serving. The new additions to the company’s house brand are certified organic, non-GMO and made without artificial sweeteners, flavors and preservatives (as defined by its standards). “Good yogurt […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Northeast
ASG Opens Kalam’s Bazaar, Shop Fresh Food Supermarket In NY
Associated Supermarket Group (ASG) has added Kalam’s Bazaar and Shop Fresh Food Supermarket to its family of independent grocers in New York City. The stores are backed by ASG’s full suite of support services, ranging from marketing and merchandising to distribution and store financing. Kalam’s Bazaar Located in the Ozone Park neighborhood of Queens, the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, News, Stater Bros. Markets, West
McNiff To Succeed Van Helden As Stater Bros. CEO
Stater Bros. Markets President and COO Greg McNiff has been appointed CEO and president of the company while his predecessor, Pete Van Helden, will remain in the role of executive chairman of the board of directors. Both appointments will be effective on Sept. 29. All functional areas of the company will report to McNiff. “I’ve […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Anniversary Issues, Associated Grocers, Inc., News, Southeast
Outgoing EVP: From Get-Go, Associated Grocers Has Been ‘All About Service’
Carl Marks, EVP and chief strategy officer at Associated Grocers, will retire in October, marking the close of 27 years with the company across two distinct tenures. Marks initially joined Associated Grocers in 1988, having started his career in the grocery industry “sort of accidentally” at a small wholesaler in Alexandria, Louisiana, followed by a […]
Posted inAssociation News, National, News
IGA, Flashfood Partner To Help Independents Reduce Shrink, Feed Communities
The Independent Grocers Alliance has begun a Red Oval partnership with Flashfood, an app-based marketplace that will allow IGA retailers to offer fresh groceries in surplus or nearing their best-by date at significant discounts to shoppers. Through the partnership, IGA retailers can integrate Flashfood’s digital platform into their stores, gaining access to technology that reduces […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, IGA, News, Southeast
Azalea Fresh Market Opens As Atlanta’s First Municipal Grocery Store
Atlanta, in partnership with Invest Atlanta and Savi Provisions, has opened Azalea Fresh Market, a first-of-its-kind municipal grocery store in the city’s downtown. Located in the historic and repurposed Olympia Building, Azalea officially opened to the public Sept. 8. On that first day, the store welcomed 728 customers and brought in several thousands of dollars […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, News, Southeast, Supply Chain News, UNFI
UNFI Debuts Distribution Center In Sarasota, FL
As part of a strategy to deliver more value for its partners through improved operational effectiveness and efficiency, UNFI has opened the Sarasota North Distribution Center in Florida. Employees from UNFI’s former Sarasota facility have transitioned to the 1 million-square-foot facility, where they benefit from a more advanced and associate-centered environment. Sarasota North is UNFI’s first […]