El Florido Boosts Its Supply Chain with Infor WMS

Infor®, the industry cloud company, today announced that El Florido supermarket chain has chosen Infor WMS (Warehouse Management System) solution to optimize its operating times throughout the supply chain. The solution will be implemented by Infor partner Cerca Technology, a leader in cutting-edge technology for supply chains in Latin America.

The supermarket chain, located in Baja California Norte in Mexico, dedicated to the commercialization of meat-based products and groceries, aims to streamline the times for the assortment in stores...

Kroger Health Announces Collaboration with Performance Kitchen® to Offer Medically Tailored Meals

Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR), is announcing its collaboration with Performance Kitchen® to offer medically tailored meals (MTMs). This will be the first time Kroger Health is offering evidence-based, registered dietitian approved meals that will offer nutrition intervention for people who are living with various health conditions including diabetes, heart disease and cancer. MTMs are created to meet the specific needs of individuals and may significantly improve a person's overall health and wellness while providing access to nutritious foods...

Volpi Foods Announces Product Launch in Target in Midwest and Southern U.S.

Volpi Foods, the fourth-generation family-owned charcuterie company based in St. Louis, is excited to announce its new partnership with Target in the Midwest and Southern U.S. regions. The company's line of high-quality charcuterie products will now be available in Target stores, offering customers a taste of traditional Italian dry-cured meats made with Raised Responsibly™ Midwest pork and packaged in the Eco-Pack™, Volpi's eco-friendly packaging that reduces plastic use by 80%. Plus, Volpi is a WBENC-certified business, the gold standard...

WinCo Foods Partners with Invafresh to Optimize Their Fresh Retail Operations

Invafresh, the industry leading fresh grocery platform, today announced that WinCo Foods has selected Invafresh to optimize their fresh operations across multiple departments, starting with their deli, food service and seafood divisions, to reduce shrink, improve in-stocks and deliver a fresher experience to their customers.

WinCo was looking for a solution to automate production planning to deliver optimal on-shelf availability for their customers and empower their employee owners with an easy-to-use solution to provide them with real-time, actionable data. WinCo required a solution that...

Bobak’s Sausage Adds Chicago's Favorite Flavors to Your Home Cooking

Enjoy the best of Chicago sausage in your own home as Bobak Sausage Company unveils a delectable new lineup of six sausage flavors at grocery stores in the greater Chicagoland area. Elevate your culinary adventures with the tantalizing selection of Bobak’s Maxwell Polish, Bobak’s Smoked Polish, Bobak’s Smoked Brat, Bobak’s Smoked Cheddar, Bobak’s Mild Italian, and Bobak’s Beef Polish.

The Bobak story takes root in the vibrant tapestry of Chicago's culinary history beginning in 1964 when Frank Bobak, an immigrant to Chicago from Poland, began making sausage in his Southside...

DoorDash Broadens Grocery Selection with Multiple New Partners

DoorDash (NYSE: DASH), the local commerce platform, today announced multiple new grocery partners, continuing its swift acceleration in the category. From the largest national grocery partners to beloved local favorites and specialty shops, DoorDash creates more opportunities for retailers of all sizes to reach consumers online.

“We’ve made significant progress in investing in long-term partnerships with grocers of all sizes, all while remaining focused on improving quality and execution. The grocers announced today recognize DoorDash as a source of incremental growth, accelerating what we believe to be the fastest-growing platform...

Albertsons Companies Unveils New Digital Innovations to Meal Plans Tool

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE: ACI) today unveiled the latest digital enhancements to its shoppable Meal Plans and Recipes tool available within the retailer’s grocery apps and websites, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s, ACME and Tom Thumb banners. Designed to provide customers with culinary inspiration throughout the week while saving time and money, the meal plan feature includes a budget tracker, an expanded library of more than 8,000 exclusive recipes, shoppable ingredient lists and hands-free cooking mode with step-by-step timer.

“This all-in-one tool empowers...

Albertsons Companies Launches 30-Minute Grocery Pickup and Delivery with New Flash™ Service

Albertsons Companies, Inc. (NYSE:ACI) today announced the launch of its Flash grocery service, allowing customers to receive their DriveUp & Go™ and delivery orders in as little as 30 minutes. Available now at more than 2,000 locations, including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw's, ACME and Tom Thumb banner stores, this service further expands the retailer’s digital leadership and commitment to providing customers fast, convenient grocery essentials without compromising on quality.

“Shoppers today want fast pickup and delivery, and Albertsons is meeting this expectation with...

SOMOS Launches in Target Nationwide with Two Exclusive Burrito Bowl Kits

SOMOS, the Mexican food brand that brings vibrant heritage and real Mexican flavors to ready-to-eat foods, will roll out in all 1,800+ Target locations nationwide beginning this month. SOMOS launches in Target with two Target-exclusive Burrito Bowl Kits, designed to deliver two servings of protein-packed, plant-based Mexican meals in under five minutes. SOMOS will also bring several products within their existing portfolio to Target shelves including rices, beans, veggie sides, and their newest product, Salsa Macha, the "Mexican chili crisp" condiment...

C&S Wholesale Grocers Enters Agreement to Purchase 413 Stores from the Kroger and Albertsons Merger

&S Wholesale Grocers, LLC, (C&S) an industry leader in wholesale grocery supply and supply chain solutions in the United States, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase 413 stores, eight distribution centers and two offices that have become available due to The Kroger Co. and Albertsons Companies Inc. merger. C&S will acquire QFC, Mariano's and Carrs brand names and the exclusive licensing rights to the Albertsons brand name in Arizona, California, Colorado and Wyoming. C&S will also add five...

Dickey’s Barbecue and Safeway Grocery Stores Partner Up

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit, continues to expand their retail partnerships by teaming up with Safeway Denver Division.

In September 2023, the Texas-style barbecue brand will begin its fantastic partnership with Safeway’s Denver Division offering shoppers their famous Original Polish smoked sausage links, Jalapeno Cheddar smoked sausage links, and Hot Links. This division of Safeway operates 143 supermarkets in five states including Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, South Dakota, and Wyoming.

To celebrate this exciting new partnership, from September 6th – 12th the barbecue brand will offer shoppers a special promotion of $3.99/unit...

Oscar Mayer Enters On-The-Go Refrigerated Breakfast Category with New Scramblers Innovation

Today, Oscar Mayer®, the brand known for uniting millions around a love of meat, announces its first-ever on-the-go refrigerated breakfast offering: new Oscar Mayer Scramblers. The innovation comes after uncovering that only 23 percent of people are currently eating a full breakfast1 due to limited hearty options available. Here to transform the convenient breakfast game, Oscar Mayer Scramblers are made by using two fresh eggs and are available in three delicious and filling varieties – including Bacon & Velveeta, Ham & Colby Jack and Wiener & Cheddar...

The Retail Rundown: Seasonal Shifts in September

From back-to-school shopping to the return of NFL season, September ushers in a flurry of buying occasions for the retail sector as seasonal shifts in consumer buying behaviors begin to take hold. 

Purchases for school lunches, snacks, and extracurricular activities lift sales at the deli counter and prepared and frozen foods sections of the grocery store. Last week, the lunchmeat category earned $95.9 million in total sales, up from $67.4 million the week prior. Roasted turkey continued to drive deli service sales and retailed at $10.64 discounted, up 79 cents from...

75 French Food Producers and Retailers Agree on Price Freezes and Cuts

French finance minister Bruno Le Maire has reached a deal with domestic food retailers and manufacturers to freeze or cut prices for approximately 5,000 everyday products, which represents a quarter of all products available on French supermarket shelves on average.

Le Maire, who had spent two days of talks with executives and representatives from 75 big retailers and producers, shared the claims during a lunchtime television interview with France 2 on 31 August.

Le Maire had previously announced a deal with the top retailers and manufacturers to cut...

Festival Foods Pairs AI-Powered Price Optimization With Omnichannel Competitive Intelligence

Award-winning Wisconsin Grocery Retailer Debuts Customer Perception-Based Price Optimization with Engage3's Price Image Optimization Suite

Engage3 Powered By Dexi, which helps retailers and brands profitably grow revenue and drive store trips by tracking and optimizing their Price Image, today announced the renewal and expansion of its partnership with Festival Foods. The expanded partnership adds Engage3's Price Image Management capabilities to a successful omnichannel competitive intelligence program.

Festival Foods has been serving Wisconsin shoppers since 1946 and operates 40 locations across the state. Known for an...

Bill Artman Appointed Chief Executive Officer of Giant Eagle, Inc.

Giant Eagle, Inc., one of the nation’s leading regional food, fuel, and pharmacy retailers, is pleased to announce that Bill Artman has been appointed Chief Executive Officer after having been named Interim CEO in March. During his nearly 40-year tenure with the company, Mr. Artman has served in various executive leadership roles, including President of Supermarkets, Executive Vice President and Senior Vice President Retail Operations. As a result, he has developed a deep and unique understanding of Giant Eagle’s multifaceted business and has built strong and trusting relationships with...

Texas Tradition and Innovation Come Together in the Sausage Aisle at H-E-B

When Hardcore Carnivore®, a Texas company that produces cult-favorite meat seasonings and rubs, was offered the chance to produce an exclusive line of real hardwood smoked sausages for Texas retailer H-E-B, they called on the meat science experts at Fort Worth-based Standard Meat Company to create a product that truly honors Texas barbecue heritage.

Jess Pryles, the “hardcore carnivore” who developed the sausage recipes, is a renowned live-fire cook, author, and self-proclaimed “total meat nerd...

FMI: FMI: Parents’ Grocery Shopping Habits Reveal Evolving Shopper Behaviors

The most recent survey of grocery shoppers’ spending habits and attitudes by FMI – The Food Industry Association reveals surprising differences between the shopping habits of parents and those of consumers as a whole.

With summer vacation winding down and families returning to their normal routines, FMI’s 2023 U.S. Grocery Shopping Trends 2023 series “Back to School” report found that busy parents are utilizing online grocery shopping more than most consumers to help manage their busy schedules...

Egglife Foods Launches New Garden Salsa Egg White Wraps

Egglife Foods, Inc., a Chicago-based innovator harnessing the power of eggs to disrupt the food industry with simple, delicious and nutritious egglife® egg white wraps, is launching its new garden salsa flavor nationally in ALDI stores and on egglifefoods.com. After testing the new flavor in select ALDI stores at the beginning of 2023 and receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, egglife garden salsa wraps are available immediately and exclusively at ALDI nationwide.*

"As a leader in flavor innovation, we are committed to delivering new and interesting wrap flavors that we...

The Retail Rundown: Looking Towards Labor Day

Labor Day weekend is drawing near and grocers are busy securing orders for the final major retail buying occasion of the summer season. For this week's retail rundown, we'll take a look at wholesale price action and how it may influence holiday promotions at retail.

In the wholesale beef market, Urner Barry's Choice beef cutout has advanced by nearly 4% so far in August following a correction from seasonal all-time highs in mid-June and throughout July. The Choice cutout is currently down about 6.5% from its summer peak but is nearly 16%...

Wakefern Expands Engagement with Simbe, Bringing Proven Inventory Solution to Additional Stores

Simbe Robotics, Inc., the company leveraging AI and robotics to elevate retail with real-time insights into inventory and operations, today announced that Wakefern Food Corp. will expand Simbe’s business intelligence solution to additional ShopRite stores after a successful pilot.

Over the past several months, Wakefern fully vetted Simbe’s comprehensive platform in more than 20 stores to ensure that its technology solution seamlessly integrated into store environments and optimized inventory management. After a highly productive pilot, the stores were able to leverage Simbe’s real-time insights to meaningfully...

Stock Futures Rebound Early Thursday Following Fed Minutes from July Meeting, Walmart Earnings 

On Wednesday, the Federal Reserve released minutes from its latest policy meeting that took place on July 25-26, contributing to a lower close in stock futures at midweek as traders weighed the potential for additional interest rate hikes. The next FOMC meeting is scheduled for September 19-20. 

"In their discussion of current economic conditions, participants noted that economic activity had been expanding at a moderate pace. Job gains had been robust in recent months, and the unemployment rate remained low. Inflation remained elevated," said the minutes...

ALDI to Acquire Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket to Continue Growth in the Southeast

ALDI today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket as part of a larger divestiture of Southeastern Grocers to various entities. The acquisition continues the growth of ALDI, expanding its ability to serve the region with great products at the lowest possible prices.

"Like ALDI, Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket have long histories and many loyal customers in the Southeast and we look forward to serving them in the years to come," said Jason Hart, CEO, ALDI. "The...

Uber Offers Exclusive NFL Experience to Launch Hy-Vee for On-Demand Grocery Delivery

Today, Uber Technologies, Inc. announced its new partnership with grocery chain Hy-Vee to offer on-demand and scheduled grocery delivery to customers across the Midwest, strengthening Uber Eats' grocery selection in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Now, more than 260 Hy-Vee grocery and liquor storefronts will be available to shop through Uber and Uber Eats. Just in time for the upcoming tailgating season, customers will be able to order their...

Kroger to Bring More Resources to 700,000+ Associates

The Kroger Co. announced today a commitment to offer more resources to more associates following the completion of its proposed merger with Albertsons Companies.

As part of this commitment, Kroger will provide 700,000+ part-time and full-time associates access to its continuing education benefit, which offers up to $21,000 of reimbursement toward higher learning or continued development. The combined company will also expand access to its Goldman Sachs Ayco financial coaching tool. These programs build on the previously stated commitment that the combined company will invest $1... 

Grocery Outlet Says Its Seeing Strength Across All Income Levels

• Net sales increased 12.5% and achieved first quarterly $1 billion net sales performance in Company's history
• Comparable store sales increased 9.2%
• GAAP net income increased 21.8% with diluted EPS of $0.24
• Adjusted EBITDA(1) increased 22.7% to $70.5 million
• Company raises key guidance for fiscal 2023

Grocery Outlet Holding Corp., today announced financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2023 ended July 1, 2023.

Highlights for Second Quarter Fiscal 2023 as compared to Second Quarter Fiscal 2022:

• Net sales increased by 12.5% to $1.01 billion...

Weis Markets Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

Weis Markets, Inc. today reported its financial results for the 13-week second quarter and 26-week year-to-date period ended July 1, 2023.

"In the second quarter, we generated solid results due to the hard work and commitment of our associates at every level of our company," said Weis Markets, Inc.'s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan H. Weis. "We continue to make strategic investments for long-term profitable growth which benefits our associates, customers, communities, and shareholders. We are keenly aware that our customers are looking for value and...

The Retail Rundown: Most Protein Indices Are Below Last Year

A breakdown of this week's retail buying opportunities shows that seafood features make up about 30% of total protein ad volume this week, while beef claims about 25%. Pork follows with 18.2%, down about two points from the week prior. Chicken features account for 16.1% of total protein ads, compared to 17.5% last year. Boosted by back-to-school buying, egg feature volume more than doubled from the week prior to 7.2%.

For this week's retail rundown, we'll take a look at how the various protein indices are performing in...

Save A Lot Sells Remaining Corporate Stores, Completes Transition to 100% Licensed Wholesaler

Save A Lot, one of the largest discount grocery chains in the U.S., announced the re-licensing of its remaining 18 company-operated stores, finalizing its ongoing strategy to shift ownership and operations of all Save A Lot locations to independent, licensed ownership and to foster continued brand growth as a licensed wholesaler.

“As we’ve made a strategic shift to become a licensed wholesaler, it’s clear that our long-term growth momentum must be rooted in the success of our strong network of Retail Partners,” said...

Instacart Unveils Enhanced Capabilities for Retailers to Customize E-commerce Storefronts

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced new capabilities for its enterprise e-commerce solutions that make it easier for retailers to customize their storefronts and launch shoppable campaigns for holidays or special occasions. Retailers can now modify their homepages, create custom landing pages, and build shoppable campaigns from a user-friendly dashboard in Instacart Storefront and Storefront Pro. Stew Leonard's is already using these capabilities to offer engaging e-commerce experiences for customers, and Gelson's Markets will be introducing them on their online storefronts...

Publix Reports Second Quarter 2023 Results

Publix’s sales for the three months ended July 1, 2023 were $14.1 billion, an 8.9% increase from $12.9 billion in 2022. Comparable store sales for the three months ended July 1, 2023 increased 6.2%.
Net earnings for the three months ended July 1, 2023 were $1.1 billion, compared to $628 million in 2022, an increase of 74.7%. Earnings per share for the three months ended July 1, 2023 increased to $0.33 per share, up from $0.18 per share in 2022. Excluding the impact of net...

The Retail Rundown: The August Outlook

August is here and the end to the dog days of summer is in sight—a much-needed pick me up for the protein industry following what is typically a sluggish period for sales post-July 4th.

Grocers are gearing up for Labor Day weekend, roughly four weeks out and the first major retail buying occasion since Independence Day. In the meantime, circulars are already showcasing back-to-school staples including breakfast items and sandwich ingredients as some students begin to return to the classrooms. 

According to the latest Circana data for the week...

Salmonella Outbreak Linked to Ground Beef

Investigators are working to identify the source of the ground beef sick people ate in this outbreak. Any ground beef can have germs, like Salmonella. Always cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160°F.

Fast Facts

• Illnesses: 16
• Hospitalizations: 6
• Deaths: 0
• States: 4
• Recall: No
• Investigation status: Active

Source of the Outbreak
All of the people who remembered the type of ground beef they ate and where they bought it reported eating 80% lean ground beef purchased from ShopRite locations in Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York...

Get Lost in Flavor, Not Sauce: Pilgrim's Garlic Parm Chicken Wings Promise Plenty of Taste

According to a recent report, Americans eat more than 28 million chicken wings per year. That's a lot of wings! Pilgrim's is helping wing lovers "Get Lost in Flavor, Not Sauce" with the introduction of its new no-sauce, full-flavor Garlic Parm Chicken wing to shake up your summer menu.

These new "mega meaty" wings arrive just in time for National Wing Day (July 29) and will be available at Costco locations throughout the northeast United States. The wings are marinated and seasoned with...

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Features Swim to the Top

Closing out the last full week of July, seafood features make up 32.7% of total protein ad volume, marking the fourth consecutive week that they have claimed the top spot. Beef comes in second with 25.4% of retail buying opportunities. Pork takes third with 21%, followed by chicken at 16.6%. Eggs claim 2.6% of total ad space, down from 3.2% last week.

Fresh/frozen fillets account for the bulk of seafood feature volume, with swai fillets making up 24.6%. According to the latest IRI data, fresh swai averaged $4.82 discounted last week, while its frozen counterpart was featured at $5.43 discounted...

Mood Media 's Vibenomics and Stingray Advertising Create Largest US In-Store Retail Media Network

Mood Media's Vibenomics advertising division, a leading experiential technology and retail media solutions provider, and Stingray Advertising, a prominent provider of innovative retail audio advertising solutions, today announced an agreement to combine their respective networks creating the largest U.S. retail media in-store network. This groundbreaking collaboration will provide advertisers with an unmatched national presence, reaching over 800 million monthly shoppers through in-store digital audio advertising across 25,000+ brick-and-mortar locations nationwide. The expansive network encompasses major players in key retail verticals...

Dollar General Puts ‘Food First’ Through Investment in Private Brands

Dollar General is expanding its private label brand, Clover Valley, to include new on-trend national brand alternatives, debuting more than 100 new items for 2023 including a wider selection of sauces, condiments, entrees, sides, snacks and more at affordable price points with many featuring stylish new packaging designs.

“We have made significant enhancements to our private brands in 2023, and we know how important these value offerings are for our customers,” said Emily Taylor, executive vice president and chief merchandising officer at Dollar General. “We believe these products will...

Albertsons Companies, Inc. Reports First Quarter Fiscal 2023 Results

Albertsons Companies, Inc. today reported results for the first quarter of fiscal 2023, which ended June 17, 2023.

First Quarter of Fiscal 2023 Highlights

• Identical sales increased 4.9%
• Digital sales increased 22%
• Loyalty members increased 16% to 35.9 million
• Net income of $417 million, or $0.72 per share
• Adjusted net income of $546 million, or $0.93 per share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $1,319 million

Vivek Sankaran, CEO commented, "Our first quarter results demonstrate the resilience of our business, and the effectiveness of our Customers for Life transformation...

Schnucks and Instacart Expand Omnichannel Partnership with Smart Carts

Schnuck Markets, Inc. and Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced the companies will expand their omnichannel partnership by deploying Caper Carts, Instacart's smart carts, in select stores. Caper Carts automatically identify items as they are added to the cart using computer vision and artificial intelligence (AI), allowing customers to bag as they shop, skip the line and seamlessly checkout on the Cart from anywhere in the store. Caper Carts will first roll out at select Schnucks St. Louis stores this fall, with a broader planned...

Conagra Brands Announces Sizzling Summer Line-up of New Products

Conagra Brands, Inc., one of North America's leading branded food companies, has unveiled more than 50 new products this summer across the company's frozen, grocery and snacks divisions. As consumer needs evolve, Conagra's iconic brands have crafted new recipes that deliver contemporary, flavorful food in dynamic ways.

"Innovating to meet the needs of consumers is a top priority for our team," said Burke Raine, President, Frozen & Refrigerated, Conagra Brands. "Our newest food features on-trend recipes and relevant formats that deliver great taste, quality and value. We're...

Boost by Kroger Plus Members Saved more than $115 Million in Program's Inaugural Year

The Kroger Co. today announced that in the first year of its paid membership program, Boost by Kroger Plus, members saved more than $115 million. The retailer is celebrating with a special anniversary offer, sharing that new members who enroll in a new annual membership from July 19 through August 8, will automatically receive 1,000 bonus Fuel Points.

"Boost by Kroger Plus is making grocery delivery accessible to more customers through the industry's most affordable membership program," said Stuart Aitken, senior vice president and...

Sam’s Club Member Access Platform Demonstrates Significant Return on Ad Spend 

After announcing the release of in-club attribution for search and sponsored product ads, Sam's Club®, a division of Walmart Inc. and a leading membership warehouse club, is sharing data from Sam’s Club Member Access Platform (MAP) that shows it is already generating significant results for those using the solution. Fueled by this success, Sam’s Club MAP is rolling out additional design, targeting and usability features for its omnichannel advertisers.

Now advertisers have the ability to see exactly what revenue is generated by which ads, demonstrating measurable return...

USDA FNS Certifies Wynshop for SNAP/EBT Payments Online

Wynshop, the leading provider of digital commerce and fulfillment solutions for local store-based retailers, announced today that it is now a USDA Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) approved SNAP/EBT payments processing partner, through Aurus. Wynshop can now facilitate expedited processing of FNS procedures for any retailers who wish to offer EBT benefits through Wynshop.

The USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides more than 42 million economically disadvantaged Americans with food subsidies that they can redeem at grocery stores. FNS's electronic benefits transfer system (EBT)...

FoodStory Brands and Paramount Consumer Products Bring Paramount's "Yellowstone" to Supermarkets

FoodStory Brands and Paramount Consumer Products today announced a new Yellowstone line of elevated Western cuisine, which brings the hit television series to life in American kitchens. The line embodies the rustic, authentic experience of the Yellowstone universe and includes premium coffee, seasonings and rubs, meat snacks, and Angus beef chili. Breakfast meats, proteins, and beyond are planned for this line's ongoing expansion. Products are now available at Walmart, Kroger, Amazon, H.E.B., and in select Safeway and Albertsons stores with many more retailers to come. Yellowstone cuisine is perfect...

National Convenience Distributors Announces Acquisition of Colonial Wholesale Distributing, Inc.

National Convenience Distributors (“NCD”), the 4th largest wholesale distributor to the convenience industry, today announced the acquisition of Colonial Wholesale Distributing, Inc., one of the Southeast region's largest full-line wholesale distributors to the convenience and grocery store industries. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Colonial Distributing, founded in 1998 and located in Tampa, Florida, will join NCD as a newly created division and expand NCD’s geographical reach along the east coast from Maine to Florida. National Convenience Distributors now services thirteen (13) states...

The Retail Rundown: How Did This Year's July 4th Protein Sales Perform? 

This year's July 4th celebration boosted protein sales across the board as consumers commemorated the final holiday of the summer with cookouts and gatherings. For this week's rundown, we'll take a look at how the various proteins performed at retail in the lead-up to Independence Day.  

The latest Circana data indicated that total beef sales volume swelled to $214.9 million during the week ended July 2, accelerated by late-minute buying for the holiday. This was up 73.3% from the week prior and 27.8% more the same week...

Beyond Steak, the #1 New Plant-Based Meat Item in Retail, is Now Available at Nearly 14,000 Stores 

Beyond Meat, Inc., a leader in plant-based meat, today announced that following a successful initial rollout, Beyond Steak®, the #1 selling new plant-based meat item in retail1, is expanding distribution to include Whole Foods Market, Publix, Wegmans, Meijer and Stater Bros. Markets. This new distribution joins existing availability of Beyond Steak at Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons, Ahold, Target and Sprouts Farmers Market, and supports Beyond Meat’s mission of making delicious, nutritious and sustainable plant-based meat products...

Southeastern Grocers Introduces New Private Label Product Line, Know & Love

Southeastern Grocers Inc. (SEG), parent company and home of Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie grocery stores, announces its new, exclusive store brand product line – Know & Love – designed to offer customers a wide range of affordable, clean label products made with ingredients they “know,” to create the everyday products they’ll “love.”

SEG’s new Know & Love line builds upon the grocer’s commitment to provide its customers with quality products and services that stretch their wallets. The thoughtfully curated selection prioritizes value and...

The Retail Rundown: Navigating the Summer Doldrums

With July 4th behind us, the summer doldrums are beginning to settle in and major retail buying opportunities remain scarce until Labor Day. During this period, grocers will attempt to encourage protein sales with attractive promotions as summer grilling and other activities remain in play. 

Beef saw robust protein feature volume throughout June and remains at the forefront of ad space with 27.3% of retail buying opportunities this week. Steaks currently take up about 65.4% of beef's feature volume, followed by ground beef with 18.2%. London Broil and roasts follow, each with about... 

BranchOut Food Inc. Focuses Business Strategy on Private Label

BranchOut Food Inc., an international food-tech company renowned for its natural snacks and superfood ingredients, announces its primary emphasis on the private label channel as a key business strategy. While the Company will continue to support and grow its robust brand portfolio, it believes that private label offers the most advantageous path for growth and profitability.

With rising grocery prices, the demand for affordable alternatives has driven the popularity of private label products. BranchOut Food Inc. strategically aligns itself with the private label market to capitalize on this trend...

Dollar General Corporation Expands Board of Directors

Dollar General Corporation today announced the appointment of David Rowland, former Executive Chairman of Accenture plc, to its board of directors effective August 5, 2023.

“We are pleased to welcome David to our board of directors,” said Michael Calbert, Dollar General’s Chairman of the Board. “David brings a deep knowledge of the global marketplace and vast experience in finance, operations, strategy and risk management, which will be an asset to Dollar General as we focus on driving value to our customers, employees and shareholders.”

With Rowland’s election, Dollar General’s board of directors now...

The Retail Rundown: Which Proteins Dominate Holiday Features?

Leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, seafood and pork feature volume dominate retail buying opportunities. Seafood features account for 28.5% of total protein features while pork comes in with 26.7%. Beef falls to third with 25.3%, followed by chicken with 17.1%.

According to the National Retail Federation's annual Independence Day survey, 87% of consumers plan to celebrate the Fourth of July this year and spend an average of $93.34 on food items. Total spending is expected to reach a record $9.5 billion, up from $7.7 billion in 2022. Of those celebrating, 65%...

Real Good Foods Announces Expansion of Breaded Chicken & Asian Entrees into 4,000+ Walmart Stores 

The Real Good Food Company, Inc., a leading health and wellness frozen food company, today announced the expansion of their innovative Breaded Chicken and Asian Entrees platforms into Walmart stores nationwide. By the end of June 2023, 4,000+ Walmart stores nationwide will now carry these items.

With over 90% of all Americans living within ten miles of a Walmart store, this new distribution is a meaningful step forward to our goal of improving the lives of millions of people by making nutritious foods more...

Adoption of AI Will Drive $113 Billion In Value for Grocers by 2025

Grocery Doppio, an independent source of grocery insights and data designed by Incisiv and Wynshop to help grocers jumpstart, accelerate, and sustain digital growth, today unveiled "The Impact of AI in Grocery," the debut report of a strategic new research partnership with FMI—The Food Industry Association. The report is a part of a multi-year program of quarterly insights and community engagement to help grocers navigate new technologies and meet evolving shopper expectations.

The Impact of AI in Grocery
The first report in the research...

Campaign Underway to Promote Chilled U.S. Pork Back Ribs in Korea

As the South Korean government works to rein in rising prices, another duty-free tariff rate quota (TRQ) for imported pork was recently announced. Because pork imports from the U.S., EU and Chile enter Korea duty-free under free trade agreements, pork TRQs primarily benefit Canadian, Brazilian and Mexican pork.

With competitors gaining greater access to the high-value Korean market, USMEF efforts to promote and differentiate U.S. pork quality with the Korean trade and consumers are accelerating.

“We talked with U.S. suppliers and key accounts in the trade,”...

The Retail Rundown: Bring "Fourth" the Deals

Retailers are bringing "fourth" the deals for shoppers this week and next ahead of Independence Day, or the third leg of summer grilling occasions (the first two being Memorial Day and Father’s Day). 

The Fourth of July is the last major buying occasion of the summer until Labor Day, meaning grocers are actively promoting protein sales before we enter the dog days of summer. While the weather will influence sales for the upcoming holiday, retailers are also considering that this year’s holiday falls on Tuesday. This could potentially affect consumers' plans for cookouts...

Saffron Road Spices Up Summer with Four New Frozen Entrees

Today, Saffron Road Foods adds four new recipes to its lineup of delicious, frozen entrees: Moroccan-Inspired Chicken & Potatoes, Coconut Cauliflower Curry, Chickpea Masala and Chicken Enchiladas Al Chipotle. The dishes are inspired by the flavors of Morocco–a new region for the brand–India and Mexico respectively, and offer eaters the opportunity to travel around the world via their plate with each microwaveable entree, ready in six minutes or less.

"We're very excited to introduce Morocco as the latest stop on our culinary Journey to Better®, and... 

BJ’s Wholesale Club Names Steven L. Ortega and C. Marie Robinson to Board of Directors

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc., a leading operator of membership warehouse clubs, today announced that Steven L. Ortega and C. Marie Robinson have been named to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Mr. Ortega and Ms. Robinson will fill the recent vacancies in the company’s board.
“We are pleased to welcome Steve and Marie as they bring strong industry expertise and unique perspectives to our board,” said Bob Eddy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Steve is an accomplished executive with decades of retail and... 

Kroger Beats Profit Estimates on Easing Costs, Steady Grocery Demand

Supermarket chain Kroger topped Wall Street estimates for first-quarter profit and same-store sales on Thursday, helped by steady demand for groceries and household essentials even as food prices remain high and easing supply chain costs.

Big-box retailers such as Kroger and Walmart have used their extensive nationwide operations to negotiate better deals with suppliers, which allowed them to keep prices substantially lower than competition and lure more people.

Kroger also profited from shoppers - including higher-income consumers looking for more economical options amid persistent inflation...

GSF Promotes Stephen Wetterau to Corporate VP and Shane Blanchette to Group VP

Golden State Foods (GSF), one of the largest diversified suppliers to the foodservice and retail industries, is pleased to announce two leadership promotions. Based in GSF’s Irvine, California corporate headquarters, Stephen Wettera will serve as Corporate Vice President, Strategy and Innovation, while Shane Blanchette has earned a promotion to the Frisco, Texas-based role of Group Vice President, Operations, Quality Custom Distribution (QCD).

A GSF associate since 2009, Wetterau will broaden his exposure and interaction with all facets of the company’s global enterprises, partnering with the GSF...

United Natural Foods Announces Regional Restructuring

United Natural Foods, Inc. today announced actions it is taking to enhance profitability, speed decision-making and reduce administrative layers, primarily by consolidating from four operating regions to three. The three new regions will be called East, Central, and West. In total, the Company will eliminate approximately 150 roles as part of this announced restructuring effort, primarily in management or supervisory positions.

In March, UNFI named Erin Horvath as Chief Operating Officer and Louis Martin as President of Wholesale to better align leadership teams and resources to drive the Company’s customer-centric strategy and...

Uber Health Expands First-of-its-kind Platform, Launching Grocery and Over-the-Counter Item Delivery to Patient Homes Nationwide

Uber Health Expands First-of-its-kind Platform, Launching Grocery and Over-the-Counter Item Delivery to Patient Homes Nationwide

Comprehensive platform reimagines the logistics of healthcare, unlocking seamless benefit coordination by enabling access to transportation, same-day prescription delivery, and now groceries

 Uber Health, Uber's healthcare arm, today announced it will soon add grocery and over-the-counter (OTC) item delivery to its centralized HIPAA-enabled platform. Payers and providers nationwide...

Walmart to Invest $257 Million in Beef-Packing Plant in Kansas

Walmart said on Tuesday it would invest $257 million to open a beef-packing plant in Olathe, Kansas in 2025, which would create more than 600 jobs.

The facility will package and distribute cuts of the higher grade Angus beef from Sustainable Beef LLC. Walmart had acquired a minority stake in the ranch-based beef processing plant last year, which is expected to be functional in late-2024.

The company's investment plans come at a time when...

The Retail Rundown: Higher Priced Steaks This Father's Day

Heading into Father's Day weekend, beef features climbed to the top spot with 29.6% of total retail buying opportunities. Pork followed with 26.2% of total protein ad space. Seafood features came in at 23.3%, while chicken features account for 13.2%. 

According to the National Retail Federation and as reported by Urner Barry’s Ryan Doyle, spending for Father’s Day this year is expected to reach a record-high $22.9 billion, up from last year’s $20 billion. The previous record was held by 2021 at $20.1 billion...

Grocers Expect AI to Impact Staffing and Software but are Slow to Implement

Incisiv, a next-generation industry insights firm that helps retailers and brands navigate digital disruption, and Wynshop, the leading provider of digital commerce and fulfillment solutions for local store-based retailers, today revealed the findings from their State of Digital Grocery Performance Scorecard for May 2023. The Performance Scorecard reflects the latest analysis of shopper orders, plus interviews of grocery shoppers and executives about their current plans and expectations for AI in grocery.

After first interviewing grocers about AI in February 2023, Grocery Doppio followed up on...

Albertsons Companies Consolidates its Signature Family of Brands Under Signature SELECT®

Albertsons Companies, Inc. announced today that it will rebrand its Signature Farms®, Signature Care™ and Signature Cafe® products under one master brand, Signature SELECT, which features a refreshed, modern logo, bold packaging and a new marketing campaign designed to build an emotional connection with customers. The transition to Signature SELECT is currently underway across stores including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and more, and is expected to be complete in early 2024.

“Signature SELECT is our flagship brand offering shoppers an incomparable assortment of...

MamaMancini’s to Launch Mama’s Creations, a New International Deli Foods Platform Brand

MamaMancini's Holdings, Inc. a leading national marketer and manufacturer of fresh Deli prepared foods, today announced the launch of Mama’s Creations, a new international deli foods platform brand, at IDDBA 2023 taking place June 4-6, 2023 in Anaheim, California.

The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association (IDDBA) is a nonprofit trade association for food retailers, manufacturers, wholesalers, brokers, distributors, and other industry professionals. The IDDBA annual tradeshow attracts more than 10,000 attendees and serves as a vital networking for the industry.

Mama’s Creations is a new platform brand...