ANALYSIS: A Seasonal Snapshot of Christmas and Easter's Boost to Lamb Leg Sales

As Easter approaches, the demand for lamb legs in retail stores noticeably rises, spurred by holiday traditions. Consumers, particularly those of the Catholic faith, often buy lamb legs for Easter as a symbol of renewal. Similarly, lamb is a popular choice during Christmas for some households. This trend leads to a significant uptick in both discounted and non-discounted sales at the retail level, highlighting the cultural impact of these occasions on the protein markets. To meet this surge in demand, suppliers and retailers diligently ensure an...

Whole Foods Market Forecasts Top 10 Food Trends for 2024

Today, Whole Foods Market’s Trends Council unveiled their top 10 anticipated food trends for 2024 in the retailer’s ninth-annual Trends predictions report. Caffeine with added benefits, going back to basics in the plant-based category, complex heat from global peppers, and water conservation and stewardship are all among the food trends expected to rise in popularity across the industry in the next year.

Each year, the Trends Council – a collective of more than 50 Whole Foods Market team members, including foragers, buyers and culinary experts...

Despite ‘One Thing’ or ‘Another,’ NRF Economist Says U.S. Economy Still Shows Resilience

The U.S. economy is continuing to grow even as labor disputes across the country and uncertainty created by Congress add to the ongoing challenges of inflation and high interest rates, NRF Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

”As Gilda Radner used to say on Saturday Night Live, ‘If it’s not one thing, it's another,’ ” Kleinhenz said. “This is certainly one of those times when that expression fits well with what is going on in the economy.”

“New turbulence from the expanding autoworkers strike and the threat of...

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...

Retail Sales Rose Sharply in July Amid Prime Day, Back-to-School Sales and Rising Wages

Retail sales reversed their downward trend in July as Prime Day and major promotions by other brands prompted increased shopping while wage increases gave consumers more money to spend, the National Retail Federation said today.

“July retail sales show consumers continue to drive the economy through this period of economic pressure with robust spending supported by steady job growth and wage gains,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Retailers remain focused on providing essential items at competitive prices for families and students as...