NRF Responds to Supreme Court Decision on OSHA Employer Vaccine Mandate

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French regarding the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to reimpose a stay of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 employer-based vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). NRF joined more than 26 other trade associations last week to present oral arguments before the court on the legality of the mandate.

“While NRF has maintained a strong and consistent position related to the importance of vaccines in helping to..."

This Week in Retail: Eyeing Prop 12, Pandemic Uncertainty in 2022

Rounding out the first week of 2022, uncertainty surrounding the ongoing pandemic continues to impact businesses and the overall wellbeing of the world’s population.

Retailers, along with other participants throughout the supply chain, are monitoring labor constraints, made worse by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Prolonged disruptions to the production, further processing, and distribution of consumer goods from worker absenteeism and potential further government restrictions remain key concerns for producers and buyers alike in the New Year.

Meanwhile, the second phase of California’s Proposition 12 went into effect on January 1. Under the law, veal calf producers are required to provide their animals with at least 43 square feet of usable floor space per calf. Sows must have a minimum of 24 square feet of usable space per animal. Laying hens are required to be cage-free. Proposition 12 prohibits the sale in California of veal, pork, and eggs not raised in compliance with these...

Omicron Could Contribute to Uncertainty and Inflation But is Unlikely to Bring Shutdowns, NRF Says

The COVID-19 omicron variant will bring uncertainty to the economy in 2022 and could contribute to inflation, but is unlikely to cause widespread shutdowns or slowdowns, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

“Even with the experience of the past two years, there is no model that can predict how the economy responds to a pandemic,” Kleinhenz said. “What we have learned is that each successive variant has slowed down the economy but that the degree of slowdown has been less...”

The Pandemic has Permanently Altered the Consumer-Restaurant Relationship, TD Bank Survey Finds

The pandemic has permanently altered the consumer-restaurant relationship with operators investing in technology and real estate to align with changing consumer preferences, according to the 2021 Restaurant Franchise Pulse survey, conducted by TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank®.

Early in the pandemic, 72% of operators invested in delivery and mobile/online ordering to boost revenue during mandated stay-at-home orders according to TD's 2020 survey, and it appears the popularity of these offerings is here to stay.

Investment in delivery and mobile ordering pays...

Foodservice Industry Recovery Slows in Recent Months Amid Myriad of Disruptions

With 2022 on the horizon, the U.S. foodservice industry has battled a pandemic, labor issues and supply chain disruptions for almost two full years. Although the industry has seen a significant recovery compared to its low point in 2020, recent findings indicate a slowdown as similar issues continue to cast a shadow on the sector.

Research firm Technomic unveiled its latest, TIndex, which represents the health of the foodservice industry and for the second straight month, the TIndex showed a decline...

UB Consulting: Assessing the Impact of Inflation on Protein Producers

Inflation. The subject is being discussed everywhere, from your favorite news station to the line in the grocery store. Prices for producers and consumers alike have increased. The pandemic has created a supply chain headache across sectors, including the food industry. With the flu season underway, concerns are growing over the OMRICON variant.

Like many others, protein producers struggle with increased input costs for production and transportation. This short analysis examines several key indexes, such as Producers Price Indexes (PPI), to illustrate such claims relative to recent developments of price accelerations over the past few years...

NRF Responds to Stay Lifted for OSHA Employer Vaccine Mandate

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French regarding the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals’ decision to lift the stay for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA) COVID-19 employer-based vaccination and testing Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS).

“NRF is disappointed that the Sixth Circuit has decided to lift the stay instituted by the Fifth Circuit. NRF will consider additional legal options. We will also continue to prepare our members to comply with this onerous mandate..."

Urner Barry's New Market Briefing Provides an In-Depth Look at the Protein Trade Before the Holidays

Urner Barry is the leading provider of protein market news and information in the food industry. Through daily canvasses of the trade and an unrivaled historical database, our analysts are uniquely positioned to report on the underlying conditions and significant disruptors to the market. In this Market Briefing, Urner Barry reporters outline the latest action in the commodity protein markets, highlighting seasonal factors, disruptors, and current supply and demand fundamentals...

FeedInfo: Is the Worst Over? Dissecting 2021 Supply Chain Crisis Impacts– Webinar Exclusive

“Shipping has gone from one of those costs you don’t really think about…to almost as valuable, if not in some instances more valuable, than the commodity itself that’s moving.”

That statement from S&P Global Platts Freight Editor George Griffiths helps explain why yesterday, professionals from across the agricultural sector, from grains to feed additives to meat, tuned in to an Agribriefing webinar hosted by Agrimoney Editor in Chief Mike Verdin to discuss the disruption being experienced across different agricultural commodity markets...

Rising Inflation, Relentless Pandemic Dampen U.S. Consumer Confidence

U.S. consumer confidence dropped to a nine-month low in November amid worries about the rising cost of living and pandemic fatigue, but that did not change expectations for stronger economic growth this quarter.

The survey from the Conference Board on Tuesday showed consumers less enthusiastic about buying a house and big-ticket items such as motor vehicles and major household appliances over the next six months, likely because of shortages, which have boosted prices. Consumers held strong views of the labor market, with the gap between those saying jobs are plentiful...

Waiver from Trucking Federal Rule Extended

The National Pork Producers Council today thanked the Biden administration, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Meera Joshi, deputy administrator of DOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for extending to Feb. 28, 2022, a waiver for commercial truckers from the federal Hours of Service regulation.

The HOS rule limits truckers to 11 hours of driving time and 14 consecutive hours of on-duty time in any 24-hour period and requires prescribed rest periods.

At the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 and prompted by NPPC’s efforts to ensure pork producers could...

NRF Issues Statement on Administration’s Vaccine Requirement for U.S. Employers

The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President for Government Relations David French in response to the issuance of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s new emergency temporary standard. The new federal rules will require all employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are vaccinated or tested weekly for COVID-19.

“Over the past 19 months, retailers across the country have taken extraordinary measures to keep their employees, customers and communities safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of these efforts..."

North American Meat Institute: Labor Shortage Driving Inflation

In Testimony submitted to the House Agriculture Committee, the North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today said the labor shortage continues to challenge the nation’s food supply chain raising the cost of all food for consumers.

“Just six weeks ago, the Biden Administration tried to blame the meat and poultry industry for the rising cost of food,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the North American Meat Institute. “Today, the Congress will hear from other food manufacturers, shippers, input suppliers, growers and retailers enduring the same labor shortages up and...

Dine-In Traffic Remains A Headwind for U.S. Restaurant Industry Recovery

The U.S. restaurant industry continues to recover from last year’s steep declines, although not yet back to pre-pandemic levels. Total restaurant online and physical visits were up 5% in the year ending September compared to the same period last year, and down 6% from September 2019. While restaurant visits continue to improve overall, dine-in or on-premises traffic continues to struggle compared to pre-pandemic levels, reports The NPD Group.

Dine-in visits to restaurants were down 48% in the 12 months ending September 2021 compared to...

Processed Meat Market to Reach $497.1 Bn, Globally, by 2030 at 4.8% CAGR: Allied Market Research

Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Processed Meat Market by Meat Type (Poultry, Beef, Pork, and Others), Product Type (Frozen, Chilled, and Canned), Application (Commercial and Residential), and Distribution Channel (HoReCa, Supermarkets/Hypermarkets, Convenience Stores, Independent Retailers, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast 2021-2030." According to the report, the global processed meat industry was estimated at $319.6 billion in 2020, and is anticipated to hit $497.1 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from...

Over 96% of Tyson Foods’ Active Workforce is Vaccinated

Tyson Foods announced today that it has achieved nearly full vaccination of its active workforce. President and CEO Donnie King released the news in a note to team members. The full note is below.

"Throughout the pandemic, your health and safety has been our top priority. We have used every tool at our disposal to help keep you safe. And getting vaccinated is the single most effective tool to protect you, your families, and our communities against the COVID-19 virus. That’s why we decided, in August, to require all..."

NAMI: COVID Protections Kept Case Rates 98% Lower Than in General Population

The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today released updated analysis of publicly available data on COVID-19 transmission, showing that comprehensive protections instituted since the spring of 2020 successfully lowered transmission among meatpacking workers and held case rates today to more than 98% lower than case rates in the general U.S. population. Responding to a hearing of the U.S. House of Representatives Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts commented:

“Frontline meat and poultry workers were among the first impacted..." 

Packaged Facts Analyst Comments on Home Chef Hitting the $1 Billion Mark

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19 as consumers continue to spend more time at home. In 2020, more consumers than ever before were deciding to order meal kits and other food and beverage items online to avoid grocery shopping in crowded stores, where they might be exposed to the COVID-19 virus.

Growth has continued through 2021 as consumers looked to meal kits and grocery e-commerce as a convenient alternative to conventional grocery shopping and meal planning...

U.S. Fast Casual Restaurant Visits Rebound After Steep Declines in 2020

U.S. fast casual restaurants didn’t fare as well as traditional quick service restaurants early in the pandemic, but their customers are returning, reports The NPD Group. Online and physical visits to fast casual restaurants in the year ending August 2021 were up +8% compared to a year ago, which keeps traffic on par or flat to pre-pandemic visits in August 2019. In the quarter ending June 2020, at the height of pandemic lockdowns and restaurant restrictions, fast casual visits were down -23% compared to the prior year...

Grubhub And Restaurant Strong Fund to Give $4 Million to Restaurants

Today, Grubhub, a leading global online food delivery marketplace, and The Greg Hill Foundation's Restaurant Strong Fund, announced they will be giving $4 million in grants to support restaurants across the country that have been working hard to survive the pandemic. Ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, the grants are part of the Restaurant Strong Fund's All Day campaign and will help restaurant owners fund indoor and outdoor dining improvements, equipment and technology maintenance and upgrades, marketing and promotion efforts, staff hiring and training, Covid-19...

NRF Economist: ‘Watch What Consumers Do, Not What They Say’ as Recovery Continues

Despite falling consumer confidence numbers amid the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, shoppers are continuing to spend, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.

“With consumer spending accounting for roughly two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product, all eyes are closely watching shoppers’ ability to drive the economy,” Kleinhenz said. “If consumer finances are any indication, there’s reason to be optimistic: Households remain in good shape, with consumers in the aggregate actually underspending relative to current income. Even though enhanced unemployment benefits have expired..."

Technomic’s Latest TIndex Release Reveals Reasons for Softening of Foodservice Industry Growth

Technomic’s August TIndex, Technomic’s index on the total foodservice industry, showed decelerated growth. The number dropped to 98.1 in August from 101.1 in July, meaning the industry declined 1.9% over a two-year basis but has grown by 28% compared to the same month in 2020.

“There are a few clear reasons for this softening,” explains Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic. “First, of course, is due to increased fears of the delta variant. This deceleration is also seen mostly within the travel and leisure segments..."

REPORTER: Egg Retailers Shift Focus as They Adjust Through Effects of the Pandemic

The retail landscape has changed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Not only are consumers shopping more online for groceries than ever before, but issues relating to higher costs, labor shortages, and resurgent foodservice demand appear to be impacting the way retailers operate and what they feature. Eggs have long been used as a loss-leader—an item that is promoted close to or below cost in order to get people into a store. Not only do eggs have over a 90% market penetration...

The Popularity of Golf Throughout the Pandemic is Driving Increases in Foodservice Shipments

As an outdoor sport that enables players to socially distance themselves from one another, golf has proven to be the perfect pandemic sport. Golf equipment dollar sales grew by +37% from January through August 2021 compared to the same period a year ago, reports The NPD Group. Often indicative of new players, year-over-year sales of golf club sets and balls grew by +37% and +27%, respectively. In addition to golf equipment manufacturers, foodservice operators at country clubs and golf courses...

Canada’s Foodservice Industry Recovery Overall Is Steady in August, But Has Some Declines

Canada’s commercial foodservice industry remained on a stable course to recovery in August, reports The NPD Group. In August, online and physical visits to restaurants and other foodservice outlets increased by +16% compared to August 2020 and were down -4% compared to the pre-pandemic level in August 2019. Consumer spending increased by +23% in August compared to the same month year ago and is up +1% from August 2019.

While total foodservice traffic and consumer spending continued to improve in August, the...

Jennie-O Turkey Store Shares 2021 Thanksgiving Trends And Predictions

Jennie-O Turkey Store, one of the most beloved turkey brands in the world, today announced its Thanksgiving survey results. The surprising answers revealed how people across the country feel about the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday, how they plan to celebrate, the dishes they find most intimidating and even how many pounds of food a single person plans to eat during the meal. The survey of 2,000 consumers was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Jennie-O.

CELEBRATION: To Be or Not To Be (In Person)
- The majority of those polled...

U.S. Restaurant Industry Continues Gradual Recovery in August While Dine-in Visits Remain Low

Despite bad weather and the delta variant spread, consumer online and physical restaurant visits in August continued to recover from last year’s steep declines, reports The NPD Group. U.S. restaurant traffic increased by +5% over the -10% decline in August 2020 and declined by -5% compared to the pre-pandemic level in August 2019. Larger average check sizes drove a +13% increase in dollars compared to a year ago and a +3% gain in dollars over the same month two years ago, according...

Better-for-You Snacks Market Rises to $39 Billion

The U.S. food and beverage industry has been impacted heavily by COVID-19. In 2020 especially, more people looked to improve their health to prevent or lessen the severity of illness. Consumers are buying more better-for-you snacks that have health claims or label claims perceived to be healthier to improve health and hopefully ward off illness. Snacks with claims that are better-for-you feature good taste, indulgence, and convenience while being healthier than standard snacks by virtue of nutrition or portion sizes.

In 2020, sales reached $39 billion on the strength of pandemic trends as reported by Packaged Facts' new report Better-for-You Snacks: Market Trends and Opportunities. Snack products in the scope of this report include...

August Retail Sales Rise Despite 'Trifecta of Macroeconomic Headwinds'

Retail sales increased during August as consumer demand outweighed the pandemic, supply chain disruptions and other factors affecting spending, the National Retail Federation said today.

“The increase in August retail sales reflects the continued strength of the American consumer and the resilience of our nation’s retailers,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “In spite of the ongoing challenges of the global pandemic, concerns about the delta variant, and supply chain and workforce constraints, the retail industry continues to do what it does best – serve customers and support communities..."

The Pandemic Lifted Average Retail Spending Per Shopping Occasion, Reports NPD

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increase in the average amount U.S. consumers spend on each shopping occasion, whether it is a trip to a physical store or a visit to an online shopping site. Since reaching $34 in March of 2020, average shopping occasion spending has remained elevated at or above that amount through July 2021, according to The NPD Group. This increase is partially due to a general shift toward online purchasing, where average selling prices (ASPs) and the amount spent on each transaction...

The Factors Propelling Retail Food Sales Forward

Sales spiked significantly in 2020 (+14% from 2019 levels) due to the impact of the coronavirus, according to the update of Packaged Facts' benchmark coverage of retail food sales in Food Market Outlook 2021: Grocery Shopping, Home Cooking, & Food Preferences in the Waning Pandemic Period.

Consumers sharply curtailed dining out or using school cafeterias and instead did more grocery shopping to prepare and eat most meals and snacks at home. Going forward, retail grocery sales are projected to increase at a significantly lower rate in 2021 from this high base as...

North American Meat Institute Statement on Consumer Prices for Meat and Poultry Products

The North American Meat Institute today issued the following statement about inflammatory statements regarding the meat and poultry industry and the price of consumer goods during a labor shortage and a global pandemic:

“As with almost every industry, meat and poultry packers and processors of all sizes have been, and continue to be, affected by the global pandemic and the inflationary trends that challenge the U.S. economy,” said Mark Dopp, Chief Operating Officer for the North American Meat Institute. “American consumers of most goods and services are..."

NPPC Asks Congress to Address Agricultural Labor Shortage Through Reconciliation Bill 

With a scheduled vote in the U.S. House set for Monday, the National Pork Producers Council today called on Congress to include in a budget reconciliation bill language to expand the existing H-2A visa to year-round agricultural workers.

Like many sectors of the economy, the U.S. pork industry is faced with a severe labor shortage. But even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the industry was having trouble filling jobs, a situation generally attributable to urbanization and an aging rural population. The tight labor market prompted the pork...

Record Value for July Beef Exports; Pork Value also Strong

U.S. beef exports set another new value record in July, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). July export value climbed 45% from a year ago to $939.1 million, while volume was the third largest of the post-BSE era at 122,743 metric tons (mt), up 14% year-over-year.

For January through July, beef exports increased 18% from a year ago to 822,830 mt, with value up 30% to $5.58 billion. Compared to the pace established in 2018, the record year for...

USDA Invests $700 Million in Grants to Provide Relief to Farm and Food Workers Impacted by COVID-19

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that $700 million in competitive grant funding will be available through the new Farm and Food Workers Relief (FFWR) grant program to help farmworkers and meatpacking workers with pandemic-related health and safety costs. The announcement was made in press call with United Farm Workers Foundation Executive Director Diana Tellefson Torres and United Food and Commercial Workers International President Marc Perrone. Additionally, to recognize the essential role and costs borne by front-line grocery workers, $20 million of this amount has been set aside for at least one pilot program to support grocery workers and test options for reaching them in the future. The new program is funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and is part of USDA’s Build Back Better efforts to respond and recover from the pandemic.

The program will provide relief to farmworkers, meatpacking workers, and front-line grocery workers for expenses incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This relief is intended to defray costs for reasonable and necessary personal, family, or living expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic, such as...

The Majority of Meals Will be Consumed at Home For the Foreseeable Future

Most analyses during the pandemic have focused on discerning its impact on consumer behavior and forecasting how this might change going forward. However, before the pandemic structural changes in the workforce and the aging population already contributed to a home-centric lifestyle, and COVID accelerated it, reports The NPD Group. These long-term trends will continue to influence consumer eating patterns and how they use their homes well into the future, according to NPD’s recently released 36th edition of Eating Patterns in America.

“Our life stage and workplace behavior has a lot to do with how, where, and when we consume foods and beverages, and what we buy to help us...

NCBA Secures Extension of Critical Exemption for Livestock Haulers

Today, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) announced an extension of the exemption from hours-of-service (HOS) requirements for livestock haulers. Livestock haulers continue to need this flexibility for the well-being of livestock during hauls, and to keep grocery stores stocked with beef during the continued disruption of COVID-19. This extension comes after consistent advocacy by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA).

Thanks in part to NCBA's continued push on this issue, livestock haulers have been operating under an HOS exemption since the beginning of the...

Consumer Confidence Fell in August to Lowest Level since February

The Conference Board Consumer Confidence Index® declined in August, following a decrease in July (a downward revision). The Index now stands at 113.8 (1985=100), down from 125.1 in July. The Present Situation Index—based on consumers’ assessment of current business and labor market conditions—fell to 147.3 from 157.2 last month. The Expectations Index—based on consumers’ short-term outlook for income, business, and labor market conditions—fell to 91.4 from 103.8.

“Consumer confidence retreated in August to its lowest level since February 2021 (95.2),” said...

APHIS: Confirmation of COVID-19 in Deer in Ohio

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) announced confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) in wild white-tailed deer in Ohio. These are the first deer confirmed with the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide, although earlier studies have shown both that deer can be experimentally infected with the virus and that some wild deer had antibodies to the virus.

Samples from the deer were collected between January and March 2021 by The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine as part of ongoing deer damage management activities. There were no reports of...

Foodservice Industry 1.1% Larger in July 2021 than July 2019

Technomic’s TIndex, the index on total foodservice industry reported monthly, was down slightly in July from June. However, this number still represents strong industry results versus 2019. The foodservice industry was 1.1% larger in July 2021 compared to 2019 and 31% larger compared to 2020.

“Softening in some noncommercial segments is the reason for the drop in the TIndex, but restaurant sales remain strong,” explains Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic. “As of the end of July, there has been...

ANALYSIS: Pondering the Potential of Chicken Wings and Boneless Breasts

Chicken market participants and football fans alike are on the edge of their seats as we inch closer towards the first kickoff of the year...

ANALYSIS: The Impact of Labor Issues on Hams

Ever since the first COVID-19 shutdowns, labor-related conversion issues have plagued the US ham market. As more and more bone-in hams couldn’t be...

New Acosta Report Details the Evolving Impact of COVID-19 on Consumer Behavior

Acosta, a global integrated sales and marketing services provider in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, today released its latest COVID-19 Shopper Insights report, COVID-19 Shopper Insights: Which Habits Are Sticking? The report examines pandemic-related shopping behaviors that are continuing to impact the CPG industry as COVID-19 evolves. According to Acosta's research, about 45% of consumers have increased their online grocery shopping and reduced trips to traditional CPG channels since pre-pandemic, indicating convenience and safety remain important considerations for consumers.

"COVID-19 has significantly impacted consumer behavior and accelerated trends we were seeing prior to March 2020," said Colin Stewart, Executive Vice President, Business Intelligence at Acosta. "While many believe we're headed towards normalcy, it is highly likely that...

Beef Quarterly Q3 2021: Déjà Vu Argentina

In May this year, the Argentine government imposed a 30-day suspension on beef exports. After those 30 days, new limitations were placed on the volume and type of beef that could be exported. In our feature article, we look at what impact this will have on the Argentine beef industry and the global market.

Covid-19

Global confirmed case numbers began rising again in mid-June, after falling from a peak in late April. Numbers in Europe, the Eastern Mediterranean region, Africa, and the Western Pacific region have seen large rises. Food retail figures remain strong, and foodservice sales were still...

USDA Updates Pandemic Assistance for Livestock, Poultry Contract Producers and Crop Growers

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2) for contract producers of eligible livestock and poultry and producers of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities. CFAP 2, which assists producers who faced market disruptions in 2020 due to COVID-19, is part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative. Additionally, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has set an Oct. 12 deadline for all eligible producers to apply for or modify applications for CFAP 2...

ANALYSIS: July Pork in Cold Storage Breakdown

July’s USDA Cold Storage report, released on August 23^rd, showed that while progress was made in restocking the freezers for a couple of categories of cuts, there are still...

Surging Delta Variant Continues to Impact the Way Consumers Shop

Just as normalcy appeared to be on the horizon, surges of COVID-19 cases brought by the Delta variant are once again leaving many Americans in fear of what’s to come. Thirty percent of shoppers are more worried about COVID as Delta cases continue to rise, and 40 percent report feeling the same level of discomfort as they did one month ago. Of those concerned Americans, 43 percent report that the Delta variant is impacting the way they shop, and nearly half (47 percent) are more worried about shopping...

Statement from Michael McCain, President and CEO of Maple Leaf Foods on Vaccinations

Keeping our people safe is Maple Leaf Foods’ priority. Public health experts in Canada and the U.S. have affirmed the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and their importance in protecting people as they return to their offices.

This virus has taken millions of lives in North America and globally, devastating families and communities. It is our moral obligation to do everything in our power to ensure the safety of our Team Members, and in turn our communities. That is why we will be requiring Maple Leaf Team...

Consumers Are Accessorizing Amplified Grilling and Outdoor Cooking Needs in 2021

After taking grilling to new levels last year, consumers now seem to be adapting to the growing needs of accessorizing their outdoor cooking activities. Between January and June 2021, consumer spending on grilling accessories consistently outperformed last year’s numbers, delivering a 28% increase in sales revenue, according to The NPD Group.

“The pandemic compelled consumers to spend on grilling and outdoor cooking, as a way to gather safely, create new experiences with family, and even learn new skills, during...

July Retail Sales Slow Amid Tight Supply Chain but Demand Continues

Retail sales slowed during July as retailers continued to face supply chain disruptions and increased COVID-19 vaccinations allowed consumers to shift some spending from goods to activities like going out to dinner and traveling despite the delta variant, the National Retail Federation said today.

“July retail sales showed slight deceleration in spending, but nothing to derail our outlook for a record year,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Though the delta variant is presenting health challenges while supply chain disruptions along with unfilled job openings are presenting..."