The Kroger Co. on Aug. 23 announced it will phase out single-use plastic bags and transition to reusable bags across its family of stores by 2025. Seattle-based QFC will be the company’s first retail division to phase out plastic bags, and Kroger expects QFC’s transition to be completed in 2019. “As part of our Zero Hunger […]
Tag: National
Posted inNational, Deli News, Food Service News, Grocery News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry
Chicken Presents Opportunity For Sales Growth Across The Store
The old saying warns us not to count chickens, but for the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) industry, measuring chicken sales is essential to the bottom line. From the meat department to deli to dairy and more, chicken is an important product driving a total of $26.2 billion in annual sales in the U.S. But chicken’s […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Aldi, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News, Sustainability News
Whole Foods, Hy-Vee, Aldi Top Seafood Sustainability Rankings
Greenpeace recently released its 2018 “Carting Away the Oceans” (CATO) report, ranking Whole Foods, Hy-Vee and Aldi the top three retailers out of the 22 largest supermarket chains in the U.S. for their seafood sustainability efforts. Target came in at No. 4, rounding out the retailers in this year’s “best” category. Since 2008, Greenpeace has evaluated […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Shelby Content
HR & Benefits News: Key To Success—Hire & Keep The Best People
HR & Benefits News is a monthly column by Chris Cooley, co-founder of MyHRConcierge and SMB Benefits Advisors. It’s no secret, hiring and keeping workers has significant impact on independent grocers. Its impact is second only to “competition from other retailers” say independent grocers who participated in the 2018 Independent Grocers Financial Survey prepared by […]
Posted inIndustry News, Grocery Store Equipment, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Latest News, National
Long Lines, Slow Checkout Lower Shopper Satisfaction And Revenue
Technology company Digimarc Corp. has released findings from a commissioned survey revealing that long lines and poor checkout experiences reduce shopper morale, and are significant reasons for why consumers would shop elsewhere or shift to buying groceries online. Key findings from study include: Line length and the checkout experience has become as important as price […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, New Products, Suppliers
S.Pellegrino Rolling Out Canned Sparkling Water
S.Pellegrino Sparkling Natural Mineral Water is introducing cans to its product lineup. “Delivering the same refreshing mix of gentle bubbles and fine mineral balance customers know and love, the new S.Pellegrino cans are a fun and tasteful new way to enhance any dining occasion, from an alfresco dinner to a sunset picnic,” the company says. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National
Release Of Retailer SNAP Data Imminent
The Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals has denied the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) request to withhold annual individual store SNAP redemption information. Following this decision, FMI immediately filed an application for a stay in the U.S. Supreme Court. “Given the significant case load of the Court, we believe it is highly unlikely the stay will […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Store News
Albertsons And Rite Aid Terminating Their Merger Agreement
Albertsons Cos. Inc. and Rite Aid Corp. have mutually agreed to terminate their previously announced plans to merge. In a statement, Albertsons said it believes that the strategic rationale of the Rite Aid combination was compelling, including the $375 million of cost synergies and $3.6 billion of identified revenue opportunities. “We disagree with the conclusion […]
Posted inDeli News, Aldi, Bakery News, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Merchandising News, National, Produce News, Store News
Aldi Growing Its Fresh Offerings By 40 Percent
Aldi announced Aug. 9 its plan to deliver more of the fresh products customers want most, including fresh, organic and easy-to-prepare options. By the time the nationwide fresh product rollout is completed in early 2019, about 20 percent of products in every Aldi store will be new compared to the previous year. Aldi is increasing […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Equipment & Technology, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Shelby Content
The Top Four Reasons Self-Checkout Fails In Grocery
(And why line-free mobile checkout is the future) by Will Hogben/ CEO, FutureProof Retail The first iteration of what we now call “self-checkout” in the grocery industry was launched at the Food Marketing Institute’s annual convention in 1987. The “Automatic Checkout Machine” was unveiled by a Florida company called CheckRobot, and it was received well, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National
National Chicken Council Launches Virtual Reality Chicken Production Tour
As per capita chicken consumption breaks a new record in 2018 and consumers express a growing interest in where their food comes from, the National Chicken Council (NCC), which represents the U.S. broiler chicken industry, has developed a series of 360° virtual reality videos showing the various stages of a chicken’s life during modern, commercial production. The […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National
NAMI Scholarship Foundation Establishes Ron Gustafson Scholarship
The North American Meat Institute (NAMI) Scholarship Foundation in late June established the Ron Gustafson Scholarship, a $5,000 award honoring Scholarship Foundation Founding President and meat industry leader Ron Gustafson. Each year, the foundation awards scholarships to eligible sophomores, juniors and seniors attending accredited four-year colleges or universities who are enrolled in an approved animal, […]
Posted inGrocery News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Produce News
Double Up SNAP Incentives Expand To Grocery Stores In Five States
Nonprofit organization Fair Food Network has received $1.5 million in new federal support to expand the Double Up Food Bucks produce incentive program to grocery stores in five states, reaching nearly 1 million SNAP recipients. Produce incentives boost the value of SNAP benefits when spent on fruits and vegetables. This funding will launch Double Up at independent […]
Posted inDeli News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
The Real Reason Shoppers Don’t Connect With Deli
Sponsored content by Tyson Foods Inc. Shoppers say dinner is the most important meal of the day, but they also admit when the clock is ticking into the later afternoon and there’s no dinner plan, deli rarely enters into their consideration sets. Changing deli’s focus from foods to meals According to Eric LeBlanc, director of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Suppliers
Bar-S Helps Provide One Million Meals To Hungry Children
No Kid Hungry is providing one million meals to hungry children thanks to a donation by Bar-S, a brand of franks, and its “Fighting Childhood Hunger” campaign, which helps provide meals to children nationwide during the summer—often the hungriest time of the year for many children. “Summer—what should be a time of fun and relaxation […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Nonfood Items, Store News
Western Union Expands Network To Albertsons Cos. Stores Nationwide
The Western Union Co. is strengthening its presence across the U.S. after signing a deal with Albertsons Cos. The agreement will enable consumer access to international and domestic money transfer and money order services, as well as bill payment services at Albertsons Cos. banners including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, Acme, Tom Thumb, Randalls, United Supermarkets, […]
Posted inDairy News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, New Products, Store News, Suppliers
Bubbies Debuts New Summer Mochi Flavors At Whole Foods
Bubbies Homemade Ice Cream & Desserts is introducing Strawberry Rhubarb and Meyer Lemon mochi—bite-sized ice creams wrapped in a sweetened rice dough—at select Whole Foods Market stores for a limited time. The new flavors join Bubbies’ growing line of more than 25 varieties, including fan favorites like Triple Chocolate, Blueberry, Blood Orange and Green Tea. “As demand and […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Northeast, Suppliers
Ocean Spray Cranberries Appoints Three New Executives
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has appointed three new executives: Joseph Vanderstelt as SVP, CFO; Brian Schiegg as SVP, chief commercial officer; and Jamie Head as chief information officer. “Joe, Brian and Jamie are all seasoned leaders with strong track records and significant experience in consumer goods,” said Bobby Chacko, president and CEO of Ocean Spray. “As we look to the future […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Dairy News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
Plant-Based Food Sales Up 20 Percent, Report Finds
The Plant Based Foods Association (PBFA), a trade association representing 114 plant-based food companies, has released new data showing robust sales in the plant-based foods industry with dollar sales growth of 20 percent over the last year and sales topping $3.3 billion. “The plant-based foods industry has gone from being a relatively niche market to […]
Posted in, Costco Wholesale, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Store News
Costco, Publix Named Top-Rated Workplaces By Indeed
Costco and Publix have been named among Indeed’s 2018 Top-Rated Workplaces. Out of 50 companies, Costco ranked No. 5, and Publix ranked No. 19, moving up from number 23 last year. Indeed compiled the list from ratings and reviews of the companies featured on this year’s Fortune 500 list. One review of Costco highlighted by Indeed cites […]