The Retail Rundown: Grocers Push Promotions to Drive Summer and Back-to-School Baskets

As grilling season nears its peak, retailers are competing for consumer dollars with promotions aimed at increasingly value-conscious shoppers willing to switch proteins, or trade down within a protein category, to stretch grocery budgets.

Beef, along with several premium seafood products, command the highest retail prices, consistent with historical norms. However, price premiums have widened noticeably for several red meat and seafood categories, including steaks, shellfish, and finfish.

Retailers have limited flexibility to aggressively promote beef amid historically tight cattle supplies and elevated wholesale beef prices. While ground beef remains one of the strongest...

CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor Shows Ninth Month of Sales Growth in June

Retail sales climbed for the ninth month in a row during June as positive factors overcame challenges to the economy, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor, powered by Affinity Solutions, released today [July 13, 2026] by the National Retail Federation.

“The summer shopping season got off to a strong start in June,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Consumers took advantage of summer sales events, and many got an early jump on back-to-school shopping. The willingness to spend on retail goods has been supported by the retail industry’s laser focus on affordability as well...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers See Early Back-to-School Spending Amid Price Concerns

While some students are already back in class, others are squeezing in the last stretch of summer before Labor Day. Either way, grocers are bracing for busy aisles as parents juggle back-to-school supplies and grocery lists. This week’s ads highlight plenty of lunchbox staples, including snacks and deli items. 

The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that two-thirds of shoppers had already begun back-to-school purchases by early July, with more than half starting earlier than last year. Concerns about higher prices linked to tariffs...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Tops Retail Ads as Grocers Prepare for Labor Day

With Labor Day just under three weeks away, grocers are preparing for summer’s last big grilling rush. Most holiday orders have already been locked in, and meat and prepared food departments are expected to see strong traffic as shoppers savor the last days of summer.

Beef has overtaken seafood as the most advertised protein this week, representing 27.0% of retail buying opportunities. Pork is close behind at 26.6%, while seafood has eased to 23.3%. Chicken remains steady at 18%, and turkey ads inched up to 3%...

The Retail Rundown: Summer’s Last Stretch Drives Seasonal Promotions

August has arrived, bringing a sense of urgency to make the most of summer’s final weeks. With Labor Day fewer than four weeks away and just seven weeks remaining until the season’s official end, retailers are already diving into back-to-school promotions.

Seafood claims the top spot among protein features again this week, making up 30.3% of all retail ads, followed by beef at 26.2%, pork at 20.8%, and chicken at 18.9%. Egg promotions remain minimal, comprising less than 1% of features—consistent with last week’s light showing. The Midwest led in egg advertising, while the Northeast and South Central regions showed more moderate activity...