The Retail Rundown: Grocers Turn Up the Heat 

Grocers are turning up the heat in this week’s circulars, leaning into classic summer grilling staples—ribs, burgers, and barbecue fixings—signaling early excitement for the season even with Memorial Day still a few weeks away.

Seafood tops this week’s retail protein promotions, claiming roughly 28% of total ad space. Beef follows with 24.7%, trailed by pork at 23.1% and chicken at 20.2%. Turkey ads were slashed by half compared to last week, now accounting for just 3% of circular space.

Retailers are also highlighting festive favorites ahead of Cinco de Mayo. Ground beef in the 78–84% lean range averaged $4.89 per...

Dollar Tree Names New Chief Supply Chain Officer

Dollar Tree, Inc. has announced the retirement of Chief Supply Chain Officer Mike Kindy, who joined the company in May 2023.

“From overseeing complex distribution networks to modernizing our supply chain strategy, his contributions have been instrumental in positioning our company for long-term success. We are grateful for Mike’s service and wish him all the best in his upcoming retirement,” said Mike Creedon, the company's Chief Executive Officer.

Kindy will be succeeded immediately by Roxanne Weng.

Weng brings over 30 years of experience in the retail industry...

The Retail Rundown: Post-Easter Pause Sets Stage for Protein Push

With Easter now in the rearview, retailers will largely tread water, positioning themselves for a seasonal surge in demand ahead of the start of summer.

Grilling demand is beginning to build toward a Memorial Day crescendo, prompting grocers to build inventory and plan aggressive promotions to jumpstart the season. 

But first up is Cinco de Mayo. While it's a smaller holiday, it can still drive foot traffic. Proteins like pork, steak, and chicken are expected to see solid movement as shoppers make tacos, burritos, enchiladas, and other festive fare...

Walmart Opens New Distribution Center in Florida

Walmart cut the ribbon on its newest distribution center. The facility is located at 1511 Zoo Parkway in Jacksonville, Florida. It will receive and process items for delivery to 18 Sam's Club locations across Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and 7 other clubs in Puerto Rico. It was will also store and sort imported goods for delivery to four distribution centers across the Southeast.

“Jacksonville is continuing to build its reputation as a logistics hub and the place to be to reach customers throughout the Southeast...

The Retail Rundown: Protein Adds to Holiday Price Gains

Easter week has arrived and grocers are tapping into the holiday's spending momentum. But for consumers, Easter dinner is shaping up to be pricier than last year, with many holiday staples seeing year-over-year price increases.

According to Expana’s latest US Easter Index—which tracks price changes in key holiday-related commodities—overall prices rose 11.8% year-over-year, driven largely by higher costs in the protein and bakery categories.

Expana’s Easter Protein Index, which covers lamb, beef, pork, salmon, cod, and eggs...

The Retail Rundown: Easter Momentum Builds

In the final full week of Lent, seafood accounts for 35% of all protein retail promotions, gaining ground on pork, which holds 23% of ad space. Beef promotions slipped to 20%, while chicken has 15%. Lamb and veal promotions, though still minimal, doubled from the previous week, rising to 2% ahead of Easter.

Notably, Easter falls late this year—on April 20—affecting year-over-year (YOY) comparisons. Ham promotions last week were offered at premium price points compared to 2024. Discounted boneless smoked hams averaged...

The Retail Rundown: Spring Sizzle Fuels Protein Demand

Spring promotions are in full bloom at retail, with holiday-themed ads ramping up. Circulars showcase produce and snacking items alongside grilling staples, aiming to entice shoppers with vibrant displays and seasonal appeal. Beyond holiday preparations, schools and universities are approaching spring break season, likely driving an uptick in foodservice in the coming weeks. 

In some regions, grocers are leveraging hams as loss leaders ahead of Easter. Last week, discounted bone-in ham averaged $2.56 per pound, while spiral-sliced varieties stood at $2.61 per pound—steady to lower than last year’s levels...

Kroger Responds to Albertsons’ Lawsuit, Files Counterclaims

Kroger has announced that it has filed its formal answer and counterclaims in response to Albertsons' lawsuit, which was brought before the Delaware Court of Chancery following the termination of the proposed merger.

On December 11, 2024, Albertsons called off its bid to merge with Kroger after a two-year effort, subsequently filing a suit alleging breach of contract in connection with the collapse of the deal. 

Today, Kroger issued a statement revealing that it had filed its answer and counterclaims. The company asserts that while it was diligently working to secure regulatory...

The Retail Rundown: 20th Power of Meat Report Reveals Record-Breaking Meat Sales

The 2025 Power of Meat Study was unveiled this week at the Annual Meat Conference in Orlando, Florida, where Anne-Marie Roerink, Principal at 210 Analytics, shared key insights into shoppers' evolving meat and poultry purchasing habits. Here are some key takeaways from the study's 20th edition: 

Meat sales reach new heights 

This year’s report, released by the Meat Institute and The Food Industry Association (FMI), revealed that the meat department set a new sales record in 2024, reaching $105 billion in total...

ANALYSIS: Cage-Free Price Slows Descent, First Signs of Consumer Relief Underway

Expana’s cage-free large quotation has continued to decline this week, albeit at a slower pace to last, dropping to $5.83/dozen Thursday. This marks a 41% decrease since the market peaked at $9.86/dozen in late February.

Weak retail demand remains the primary force behind declining wholesale values, as inflation-weary consumers continue to push back against high shelf prices. In response, grocers have scaled back their orders to better align with sluggish sales, leaving suppliers scrambling to offload surplus inventory. As recently as... 

Hormel Foods Strengthens Retail Division with Key Executive Promotions

Hormel Foods Corporation has unveiled strategic promotions within its executive team, with a focus on enhancing its leadership in the retail sector.

Scott Weisenbeck has been promoted to Vice President of Marketing – Retail. A key driver in the expansion of the company’s bacon category, Weisenbeck will now oversee a broader portfolio of brands. He has been with Hormel Foods for over 30 years and previously served as Assistant Vice President.

Joe O’Connor has been promoted to Vice President of Emerging Brands – Retail. O’Connor, who joined the company...

The Retail Rundown: Fresh Buying Opportunities in Bloom

Tomorrow marks the official start of spring, and retailers are seizing fresh opportunities to capture increased spending with occassions like Easter and peak grilling season soon approaching.

However, for some residents, spring still feels distant as a late-season storm sweeps through the Central US today and tomorrow, potentially impacting purchasing and consumption patterns in affected regions. 

With roughly a month remaining in Lent, seafood remains a focal point in retail promotions, accounting for 33% of protein advertisements, primarily driven by fresh/frozen fillets as well...

DoorDash and Dollar General Expand SNAP/EBT Access to 16,000+ Stores

DoorDash and Dollar General announced a new offering to bring SNAP/EBT payment capabilities to more than 16,000 of Dollar General’s stores on the DoorDash Marketplace. With the addition of Dollar General, DoorDash’s network of stores that accept SNAP/EBT online payments on the DoorDash Marketplace nearly doubles to over 35,000 stores.

“Unlocking the ability for SNAP/EBT recipients to shop online and have groceries delivered straight to their door through DoorDash provides even more accessibility and convenience,” said Tony Rogers, SVP and...

Unlocking Market Opportunities: Key Takeaways From Agri-Food Europe 2025

Held from February 26th to 27th at the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam, Expana’s Agri-Food Europe 2025 brought together key stakeholders from global agrifood markets for two days of learning, collaboration and forward-thinking discussions...

With a timely agenda addressing critical issues such as commodity pricing, where markets are headed and emerging agrifood disruptors, the event served as a key gathering for businesses looking to gain a competitive edge. Agri-Food Europe also included market-specific breakouts for categories including animal products, tropical softs, grains, oilseeds, packaging and animal...

Dollar General Corporation Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Financial Results

Dollar General has reported financial results for the fourth quarter and the 2024 fiscal year.

“We were pleased with the underlying performance of the business in the fourth quarter, including improved execution and solid top-line results,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s chief executive officer. “As we reflect on our full fiscal 2024 year, we believe our Back to Basics work is resonating with customers, as demonstrated by higher customer satisfaction scores and healthy market share gains.”

The company reported net sales...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Leverage Seasonal Trends; Inflation Update

As temperatures rise across much of the US, grocers are highlighting seasonal offerings for springtime occasions and grilling essentials.

Retailers are refining their marketing strategies to align with shifting demand, appealing to sports fans to boost traffic in the meat department. However, securing lower year-over-year protein prices remains a challenge, as factors like animal disease continue to affect availability across key categories.

The wholesale chicken market is gaining traction with baseball season on the horizon, driving demand for boneless items. Expana reports that buyers are scrambling to secure supply...

General Mills Enters Growing Ramen Space with Latest Launch

Instant ramen noodles have long been a pantry staple in kitchens across the country. Recently, it has exploded on TikTok, with over 174 million posts showcasing creative recipes and new twists on the classic dish.

The enduring popularity of ramen is no surprise since it's affordable, comforting, and convenient, while still offering plenty of room for culinary creativity.

The internet buzzed in January when news broke that General Mills would be entering the instant ramen market.

Next month, the company will...

The Retail Rundown: Key Buying Occasions on the Horizon 

March presents key retail buying opportunities as spring holidays approach and Lent influences shopping and dining habits.

With Lent beginning today, meat sales typically decline as participants shift toward seafood. This week, seafood promotions rose to 28% of total retail features, up from 26% last week. Currently, 31% of seafood ads highlight fresh or frozen fillets, with options like salmon, cod, and catfish averaging $9.30 per pound on discount—nearly 9% higher than a year ago.

Elsewhere in the retail landscape, beef and pork each account for nearly 25% of featured promotions...

Publix Sees Solid Growth in Q4 and FY 2024 Results 

In its latest financial results, Publix has seen robust growth in quarterly and fiscal earnings.

For the fourth quarter of 2024, the company reported sales of $15.5 billion, reflecting a 5.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023.

Net earnings for the quarter totaled $1.1 billion.

For the full year, Publix achieved sales of $59.7 billion, a 4.6% increase over fiscal 2023.

Comparable store sales rose by 2.9% year-over-year.

Net earnings for the year amounted to...

Hormel Foods Unveils FONTANINI® Hot Honey Sliced Sausage 

Hot honey has long been a relevant talking point for pizzaiolos, as more and more pizza establishments are incorporating hot honey into their menus and offerings. Hormel Foods, a known innovator in the pizza space, naturally took notice of this increasingly "hot" trend, and the company's Foodservice team took it from there with the development of FONTANINI® Hot Honey Sliced Sausage, which debuts later this month at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas.

Bold and deliciously simple, this new product is "taking heat somewhere sweet," bringing...

Dollar Tree Appoints Three New Board Members

Dollar Tree, Inc. today announced that effective immediately, William (Bill) W. Douglas, III and Timothy (Tim) Johnson have been appointed to the Company’s Board of Directors. In addition, Chief Executive Officer Michael C. Creedon, Jr. has joined the Board.

“Bill and Tim are both esteemed financial leaders with a strong understanding of today’s competitive retail landscape,” said CEO Mike Creedon. “We look forward to their many contributions and support in driving long-term value for our associates, customers, and shareholders.”

Chairman of the Board Edward (Ned) J. Kelly, III stated...

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Rides the Lenten Wave

With March just around the corner, the first signs of spring and warmer days are emerging—welcome news for both consumers and grocers.

Seafood leads this week's protein advertisements, accounting for 26% of total features, closely followed by beef and chicken at 23% each. Pork ads make up 22%, while turkey holds a 3.5% share. Egg promotions remain scarce, extending a two-week trend.

In the seafood complex, fillet promotions are ramping up ahead of the Lenten season, now making up 33.5% of the category’s volume. Ads for both raw and cooked...

Get Dinner on the Table Fast with Express Delivery from Kroger

The Kroger Co. today shared how its Express Delivery service can help customers in a pinch by bringing items they need from the store to a customer's door and fast. From a missing ingredient for dinner to cold remedies on a sick day or ingredients customers might have forgotten in their grocery haul, Express Delivery powered by Instacart—the retailer's fastest same day delivery service—can be shopped directly from Kroger's website and digital app, boasting the same great prices, savings and rewards found in-store... 

The Retail Rundown: Cold Weather Influences Demand

As February winds down, grocers are looking ahead to the arrival of spring and warmer weather, which typically sparks renewed retail demand after a slower start to the year.

For now, wintry weather remains in full blast, with record-breaking cold temperatures and heavy snow impacting the Central and Eastern US this week. These conditions could support continued retail demand for items like eggs, which are seeing strong consumer interest despite rising shelf prices. However, the extreme cold may not be as favorable for meat consumption, especially in southern regions accustomed to year...

The Retail Rundown: Valentine’s Day Brings Foodservice Gains 

The grocery segment received a boost from last weekend’s pro-football championship game, with strong movement at the meat case. According to Circana data, retail chicken wing sales ahead of the game reached about $8.7 million, up from $8.5 million the previous week. Pork ribs brought in nearly $7 million, rising from $6.7 million, while ground beef sales totaled approximately $76 million, compared to $74.7 million the prior week. 

Looking ahead, February is typically a slower month for retail and overall meat demand. However, Valentine’s... 

Applegate Farms, LLC Launches New Ready-to-Heat-and-Eat APPLEGATE NATURALS® Breakfast Sandwiches

The makers of APPLEGATE®, the nation’s leading natural and organic meat brand, are continuing their foray into the breakfast conversation with the launch of their fourth breakfast-product innovation in the last 19 months. Introducing, APPLEGATE NATURALS® Breakfast Sandwiches.

With 58% of U.S. adults eating breakfast at home and 18% eating on the road or at work3, this is Applegate’s fourth breakfast innovation in two years, building on the brand’s commitment to provide high quality, protein breakfast options...

HORMEL® Pepperoni Is Spreading The Love This Valentine’s Day With  Heart-To-Heart Pizza Kits

The first come first serve kits feature the brand’s first-ever heart-shaped pepperonis and everything you need to satisfy a romantic’s taste for love

Roses are red, and pepperonis are too; this Valentine’s Day, the makers of HORMEL® Pepperoni are bringing dinner to you. For the first time ever, the makers of HORMEL® Pepperoni are releasing limited edition Heart-to-Heart kits, the ultimate at-home Valentine’s Day pizza kit with every ingredient needed to celebrate accordingly, featuring...

The Retail Rundown: Record Championship Game Viewership Expected to Drive Food Sales

As January comes to a close, grocers are actively preparing for the year's first major food-buying event, the pro-football championship game in New Orleans.

With a record-breaking audience expected to tune in to the big game on Sunday, February 9, retail and foodservice sectors anticipate a boost in sales as consumers indulge in game-day finger foods.

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), an estimated 203.4 million U.S. adults will tune in with total spending projected to reach $18.6 billion...

PERDUE® Is ‘Winging It’ With Wayne Brady During This Year's Big Game

Perdue® is taking this year’s Big Game viewing experience in an unexpected (and unpredictable) direction by combining the irresistible flavor of Perdue Air Fryer Ready ™ Crispy Wings with five-time Emmy Award-winner and two-time Grammy nominee, Wayne Brady.

Inspired by key game moments, commercials, commentary and requests from viewers and, of course, the mouthwatering goodness of Perdue Air Fryer Ready Crispy Wings, Brady will “wing it” to create songs, jokes, sketches and…who knows what else!

“Winging It” performances...

The Retail Rundown: Arctic Blast Supports Egg Demand While Seafood Leads Ads

Seafood continues to lead the retail protein category for the fourth consecutive week, accounting for 29% of all featured advertisements. Beef comes in second with 25%, while pork and chicken are tied at 20% each.

Arctic air across much of the country and an unusual winter storm in the South have influenced product movement and demand this week. Expana reports that the frigid conditions have boosted egg demand as consumers stock up on essentials.

Wholesale egg prices have ascended to a fresh all-time high, with Expana’s Midwest large quotation at...

NRF Says Holiday Season Was a Notable Success as ‘Consumers Came Out to Spend’

Data released today by the U.S. Census Bureau shows that core retail sales during the 2024 holiday season grew an unexpectedly high 4% over 2023 to a record $994.1 billion, coming in ahead of the National Retail Federation’s forecast, NRF said. Sales for the full year grew 3.6% over 2023 to a record $5.28 trillion.

“Consumers came out to spend this holiday season and clearly underscored the solid growth in the US economy,” NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said. “The spending...

Marcel Regis Appointed as President, West and East Emerging Markets by Kraft Heinz

The Kraft Heinz Company has announced the appointment of Marcel Regis as President of West and East Emerging Markets, effective February 3, 2025. Based in Brazil, Regis will be responsible for overseeing Kraft Heinz's operations in Latin America, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Marcel recently worked for Loft, a tech company in Latin America, and has 25 years of experience at Anheuser-Busch InBev, where he held leadership roles, including President of Colombia and South Africa, as well...

The Retail Rundown: Weekly Protein Recap; CPI Update

Seafood leads protein advertising for a third consecutive week, accounting for nearly 31% of total ad space. Pork follows with nearly 23% and beef makes up 21%. Chicken represents 19% of the advertising share, while eggs capture less than 1%.

The seafood category shows mixed price trends year-over-year (YOY), with fresh cod fillets discounted to $8.37 per pound last week—down 53 cents from the previous year. Prices for catfish and tilapia remained steady YOY, each averaging about $6.60 discounted...

The Retail Rundown: Post-Holiday Slowdown Influences January Spending 

January typically marks a slowdown in consumer spending as households transition from the holiday season to their regular routines.

Early in the month, retailers experience a short-lived boost in sales, driven by replenishment efforts after the holiday food rush. As schools reopen and guests leave, families restock essentials for breakfast, lunch, and weeknight meals.

This restocking coincides with New Year’s resolutions, especially those focused on healthier eating. Consequently, shoppers gravitate toward the perimeter of the stores where fresh items, including produce, proteins, and dairy, are featured. Although retail...

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ Expands its Footprint Nationally with Locations in Walmart

Crave Hot Dogs and BBQ is making significant strides in expanding its presence across the United States with select sites inside Walmart stores. Known for its 100% all beef grilled specialty hot dogs and a variety of barbecue dishes, Crave offers diverse menu options such as Chicago Dogs, Mac N Brisket Bowls, Ribs, and more. The concept also features local craft beers on tap and activities like axe throwing and events such as trivia and karaoke, fostering a family-friendly...

Restaurants and Grocers Gear Up for 2025: A Focus on Tech, Value, and Wellness

Against the backdrop of a turbulent economic landscape, 2024 saw the food industry grappling with rising inflation, geopolitical uncertainties, and the US presidential election's impact on key global commodity markets. For consumers, tighter budgets drove a heightened focus on value, with many turning to private-label brands, budget-friendly meal solutions, and bulk purchasing. Simultaneously, the demand for transparency, sustainability, and innovation continued to shape purchasing decisions, even as affordability took center stage. 

As we look ahead to 2025, value remains...

Ingles Markets, Incorporated Reports Results for Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2024

Ingles Markets, Incorporated (NASDAQ: IMKTA) today reported results for the three and twelve months ended September 28, 2024.

Robert P. Ingle II, Chairman of the Board, stated, “After Hurricane Helene impacted our communities, I am proud of how not only our associates came together, but our entire region. We are truly thankful for all the volunteers and the outpouring of support for our region.”

Impact of Hurricane Helene

On September 27, 2024, Hurricane Helene severely impacted western North Carolina, including the area where the Company’s headquarters are located...