NPD Group Reports U.S. Consumers Will Host or Visit Family and Friends During the Holidays

Expect sales of barware tools and sets, alcohol-related beverageware, and appetizer serve ware to increase

COVID-19 put a damper on holiday entertaining the past two years, but this year is likely to be different. According to a survey conducted by The NPD Group, 52% of consumers are less concerned about COVID-19 this year compared to a year ago, up 20 pts from last year, and 55% said they plan to host or visit family/friends during the holiday season...

Record 158 Million Shoppers Expected During Super Saturday

More than 158 million consumers are expected to shop on the last Saturday before Christmas this year, according to the annual survey released today by the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics. This figure is approximately 10 million more than last year’s expected number of Super Saturday shoppers and the highest number since NRF first started tracking this data in 2016.

“Consumers have been shopping in record numbers this year, purchasing holiday items for friends and loved ones,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “With Super Saturday falling eight days..."

Einstein Bros. Bagels Launches "Good for Groups" Lineup in Time For The Holidays

Einstein Bros. Bagels understands that hosting holiday get-togethers brings a lot of joy, but menu planning and cooking isn't for everyone. Just in time for your holiday gatherings, "Good for Groups" breakfast boxes will please any crowd, small or large. Best of all, kitchen clean-up is a breeze.

The "Good for Groups" breakfast selections include:

• Classic Half Dozen Egg Sandwich Breakfast Box, the perfect spread for groups young and old. Fresh-baked bagels, seasoned cage-free eggs, and classic flavors like bacon and cheddar make...

Imports Winding Down as Holiday Season Nears Finish Line

With most holiday merchandise already on retailers’ shelves or in their warehouses, December cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports should be significantly below records set earlier this year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Retailers are in the middle of the annual holiday frenzy but ports are headed into their winter lull after one of the busiest and most challenging years we’ve ever seen,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said...

Consumers Plan to Let Restaurants Do the Cooking During the Holidays

With just a few weeks left in the year and the season of celebration in full swing, the National Restaurant Association finds that 77% of consumers will cope with holiday demands by letting restaurants do some of their cooking during the coming weeks.

According to a new survey, 57% of consumers plan to go out to eat at a restaurant, while 50% plan to order takeout or delivery for a gathering at home during the holidays. One in four consumers plan to do both. When asked about why...

Celebrate the Ho-Ho-Holidays this Season With a Feast From Boston Market

The iconic family-oriented brand Boston Market, is decking the halls this season with multiple holiday meal options available nationwide starting at $11.99 per person, prices may vary by market. With over 36 years of placing convenient home-style meals and creating cherished family moments by the dinner table, Boston Market has options to suit every family for the holidays.

The "Holiday Experts" are offering guests multiple choices to take the guesswork out of cooking this year. Customers can order ahead chilled and fully-cooked Heat...

Blue Apron Launches a Fireside Feast Box as Its Next Limited-Time, Seasonal Meal Kit

Blue Apron launches a Fireside Feast Box as its next limited-time, seasonal offering. Available to order now, the meal kit is part of the company’s occasion-based offerings designed to provide customers with everything they need to make entertaining easier, with minimal effort.

Blue Apron’s Fireside Feast Box was designed as an elevated dinner party solution for cozy winter nights spent indoors. The French-inspired recipes feature a duck confit and slow-cooked pork belly cassoulet with a variety of sides, including a bright...

Instacart Launches Community Carts

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, today announced Community Carts, a new feature that reimagines traditional food drives, making it easy for consumers to donate groceries that food banks need most with the Instacart App. Just in time for Giving Tuesday and the holiday season, Community Carts gives consumers the opportunity to participate in crowdsourced cart building for good by donating groceries to more than 100 local Feeding America member food banks across the United States, with delivery and service fees waived on every donation order. Starting today through December 4, Instacart will...

Casey’s Brings Offers and Excitement to Guests During ‘24 Days of Casey’s Rewards’

Amidst the holiday frenzy, Casey’s is spreading cheer, today announcing the return of “24 Days of Casey’s Rewards” to help bring joy to its guests looking for a reason to treat themselves this holiday season.

Each day from December 1 through December 24, Casey’s will reveal surprise offers for its Rewards members. Guests who participate in the program will find free and exclusive offers to unwrap daily in the Casey’s app, including some of its guests’ favorites – a variety of candy, drinks, snacks, and...

Bojangles Wants You to Celebrate “12 Days of Bo*” This Holiday Season

Can you hear the Bo-jingle bells? The holiday season has officially begun, and this year, Bojangles is encouraging fans to celebrate “12 Days of Bo*” with a series of fun promotions to go along with its delicious – and convenient – meals perfect for a family gathering or on-the-go life.

To celebrate the most wonderful time of year and help customers stretch their holiday budgets, Bojangles’ “12 Days of Bo*” features surprise and delights for its most loyal fans, rewards for app users and a fun celebrity...

ezCater Survey Reveals Free Meals Help Retain Hard-Working Employees During the Busy Holiday Season

The holiday season is here, and 4 out of 5 (84%) onsite workers at stores, warehouses, factories, call centers, and transit hubs anticipate working overtime this holiday season, according to a recent survey by ezCater. The National Retail Federation expects retailers will hire between 450,000 and 600,000 seasonal workers in 2022. With the unemployment rate hovering around a 50-year low, the competition for talent is fierce.

ezCater, the most trusted provider of corporate food solutions, recently surveyed over 1,100 onsite workers across a variety...

Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys Expands to Major Texas Airports

Antone’s Famous Po’ Boys has ramped up operations ahead of the holiday season, expanding its Texas footprint and is well on its way to feeding thousands of Texans and beyond. The Houston-based brand has officially partnered with operators at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) and Dallas Ft. Worth Airport (DFW) making it easier for travelers to take home Antone’s popular po’ boys to loved ones.

IAH travelers can find the freshly pre-wrapped po’ boys at Peet’s Coffee in terminals B and D, Pink’s Pizza...

KFC® Gives The Gift of $5 Famous Bowls and Limited-Edition Holiday Buckets This Season

Just in time for the holiday season, Kentucky Fried Chicken^® is debuting new bargains and buckets to make it even easier to enjoy all of your celebrations. Whether you are looking to sneak away for a quick bite to fuel your holiday shopping, in search of comfort to cope with holiday-related stress or seeking a meal for your holiday gathering, KFC has you covered.

Starting today, KFC is bringing back its popular offer of Famous Bowls for only $5*, a...

Kroger Promises a Thanksgiving Fresh for Everyone

The Kroger Co., America's grocer, today shared its efforts to cushion customers from the impacts of inflation as they prepare holiday meals, including a zero-compromise shopping guide with meal options that can feed 10 people for as little as $5 per person. The grocer, who estimates the cost of turkey has risen 20 cents per pound this year, will not shift the rising cost to customers.

"At Kroger, we are committed to making the holiday season memorable and accessible for everyone," said Stuart Aitken, Kroger Senior Vice President and Chief Merchant...

With Retailers Well Stocked, Imports are Slowing as Holiday Season Ramps Up

Retailers expect a busy holiday season the next two months but imports at the nation’s major container ports should continue to slow from records set earlier in the year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Cargo levels that historically peak in the fall peaked in the spring this year as retailers concerned about port congestion, port and rail labor negotiations and other supply chain issues stocked up far in advance of the holidays,” NRF Vice President...

The Honey Baked Ham Company® Launches New Loyalty Program Helping Shoppers Earn Rewards

To celebrate the holiday season, The Honey Baked Ham Company® is not only saving families time in the kitchen with tasty, easy-to-serve meals, but they're also helping them get more with myHoneyBaked Rewards, a new loyalty program that lets you earn more on all your purchases.

The new loyalty program offers rewards on purchases, special offers, brand news and more! And when customers sign up, $9 in HoneyBaked Cash will automatically be added into their account after their first purchase...

SpartanNash, Shipt Announce Expansion of Same-Day Delivery Partnership

Food solutions company SpartanNash today announced its growing partnership with same-day delivery service Shipt. Shipt users will now be able to shop nearly 90 Company-owned grocery stores across Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota and Ohio and have groceries and essential household items delivered in as soon as an hour.

Since April 2021, Shipt has served as a last-mile delivery provider for SpartanNash, delivering grocery orders placed directly with Fast Lane to consumers’ homes. With the holidays approaching, shoppers can now purchase groceries from Shipt’s digital marketplace...

SpotOn Finds Most Restaurant Operators Making Operational Changes to Capitalize 2022 Holiday Season

As restaurants gear up for the holidays, SpotOn, the top-rated software and payments partner for restaurants, is helping owners and operators maximize revenue and streamline operations for a memorable—and profitable—season. According to SpotOn’s State of Restaurant Tech Report, restaurant operators say that the holiday season accounts for up to 20% of their annual sales, with fine dining operators putting that figure at nearly half (49%). With a significant portion of annual revenue on the line, restaurants are turning to technology to drive operational efficiencies... 

Imports Headed to Lowest Level Since Early 2021 But Retailers Are Well Stocked for Holidays

Imports at the nation’s major container ports are expected to fall to their lowest level in nearly two years by the end of 2022 even though retail sales continue to grow, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“The holiday season has already started for some shoppers and, thanks to pre-planning, retailers have plenty of merchandise on hand to meet demand,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said...