GLP-1 ‘Halo Effect’ Reshapes Consumer Behavior
Acosta Group’s new research shows that users of GLP‑1 receptor agonists are creating a “halo effect” that reshapes purchasing across grocery, foodservice, health‑beauty and omnichannel retail. About 55% report buying more fresh produce and protein‑focused items, while indulgent snacks and sugary drinks decline. Nearly half say their healthier habits influence the whole household, and Gen Z and Millennials are the most vocal drivers, favoring high‑protein, high‑fiber and functional nutrition products. Retailers that align assortments, messaging and innovation with these evolving preferences stand to capture long‑term growth.
CRN Backs New House Supplement Registry Bill
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has endorsed Rep. Maxine Dexter’s House version of the Dietary Supplement Listing Act, a bill that would create a federal registry of supplement labels. The legislation mirrors a similar Senate proposal, indicating growing bipartisan...
Make Time Wellness Expands Product Line and Retail with Launch in Target Stores
Make Time Wellness, the women’s brain‑health supplement brand founded by Emma Heming Willis and Helen Christoni, is launching its products in select Target stores nationwide this April. The rollout follows the introduction of three new formulas—Menopause & Brain Health, NAD+ & Rhodiola,...
Sweets & Snacks Expo Draws Convenience Focus
The Sweets & Snacks Expo returns to the Las Vegas Convention Center May 19‑21, hosted by the National Confectioners Association. The three‑day event gathers thousands of retailers, suppliers and brand leaders to showcase candy and snack innovation, with a pronounced...
Shoppers Shift Food Spend to C-Stores
Retail research from Tillster shows convenience stores are gaining a larger share of food‑service occasions as diners cut back on restaurant spending. The 2026 Phygital Index surveyed 2,144 U.S. consumers, finding 33% now visit c‑stores more often while 29% and...
NACS CEO Frank Gleeson on the Next Phase of C-Store Growth
Frank Gleeson, newly appointed NACS president and CEO, says the convenience‑store sector is moving beyond its historic reliance on fuel and tobacco toward foodservice, fresh offerings and digital engagement. He describes the change as rapid evolution rather than disruption, with...
Yesway Files for Nasdaq IPO
Yesway, a fast‑growing convenience‑store chain, filed for a Nasdaq IPO pricing shares at $20 and raising $280 million by selling 14 million Class A shares. The proceeds will fund the purchase of LLC interests from its parent, redeem preferred equity, cut debt and...
Old El Paso Celebrates Rare "Taco Totality" With Exclusive Merch and Tacos for Fans Nationwide
Old El Paso is marking the first "Taco Totality" since 2020—a rare convergence of Cinco de Mayo and Taco Tuesday that won’t recur until 2037—by launching a limited‑edition Taco Totality Gear Box. The box bundles new TABASCO‑flavored taco shells, a...
Domino Sugar Rings in America's 250th Anniversary with Commemorative Packaging
Domino Sugar is rolling out limited‑edition commemorative packaging to mark the United States’ 250th anniversary of independence. The new designs appear on the 4 lb Premium Pure Cane Granulated Sugar bag and a series of six collectible single‑serve packets, each featuring...
Aldi Eliminating an Additional 44 Ingredients From Private Label Food Assortment by End of 2027
Aldi announced it will eliminate an additional 44 ingredients from its private‑label food, vitamin and supplement lines by December 2027, bringing the total banned substances to 57. The purge focuses on artificial preservatives, colors, flavors and sweeteners, extending a decade‑long...
Walmart Is the Clear Choice in the U.S. Supermarket Sector According to Conjointly Data
Conjointly’s Brand Tracker has added U.S. supermarket chains, revealing Walmart’s overwhelming lead across all core brand metrics – 86% aided awareness, 69% consideration, 70% six‑month purchase rate, and 31% preferred brand. ALDI, Costco and Target trail but still post strong...
GIANT Announces Grand Opening Dates for Two New Bedford County, Pa. Stores
The GIANT Company will open its first Bedford County locations, a Saxton store on May 1 and an Everett store on May 15, 2026. Both stores have been remodeled after acquiring the former Everett Foodliner and Saxton Market, adding fresh departments, self‑checkout,...
Kroger Dives Into What’s Driving Online Shopping Ahead of Deal Days
Kroger is launching its Online Deal Days promotion from April 22 to May 5, offering $30 off first pickup or delivery orders over $75 and unlimited free delivery on orders above $50. The event adds digital coupons with 25% discounts on...
Amazon’s Summer Beauty Event Returns April 27
Amazon is reviving its Summer Beauty Event for a fourth consecutive year, running from April 27 through May 10. The two‑week promotion arrives ahead of Mother’s Day and the peak summer shopping window, positioning the retailer to capture heightened demand for skincare,...
AGNE Deploys GoSpotCheck to Noost Shelf Visibility
Associated Grocers of New England (AGNE) is rolling out Form’s GoSpotCheck mobile platform across its network of more than 630 independent supermarkets in the Northeast. The tool captures real‑time shelf data during field visits, feeding instant analytics on planogram compliance,...
Kroger Launches Pearl Street Academy
Kroger announced the launch of Pearl Street Academy, a unified career‑development platform for associates across its stores, supply chain and corporate functions. The academy bundles leadership training, skill‑building courses and links to Kroger’s tuition‑reimbursement program, which has already funded more...
Sheetz Named to Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For List
Sheetz has been placed at No. 32 on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For, marking its highest ranking in an 11‑year run. The convenience retailer also earned the Convenience Retailer of the Year award from Mass Market Retailers, underscoring its...
The GIANT Company Honors Team Members During Annual Business Meeting
The GIANT Company held its annual business meeting on April 8, honoring 27 employees and stores across its West and East divisions. Awards ranged from Store of the Year and Category of the Year to individual recognitions such as Retail Team...
Aldi Testing New Store Format in Florida
Aldi began testing a unified global store format at the Promenade Shoppes in Aventura, Florida, in September 2025. The modular design emphasizes operational efficiency, a broader private‑label assortment, and a consistent brand experience across markets. The pilot runs alongside a...
Hershey U.S. President Andrew Archambault to Depart
Andrew Archambault, who became U.S. president of The Hershey Co. in early 2025, will leave the role on May 1, a little more than a year after his appointment. Hershey disclosed the departure in a Form 8‑K filing and said a search...
CRN Welcomes New Member Companies
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) announced a new cohort of voting and associate members in Q1, highlighting a surge in data‑driven, AI‑enabled and next‑generation product development within the dietary supplement and functional food sector. New voting members include Dream...
Kimberly-Clark Discloses Post-Closing Leadership Structure
Kimberly‑Clark disclosed the post‑closing leadership structure for its pending acquisition of Kenvue, slated to close in the second half of 2026 pending regulatory approval. The combined company will operate four geographic segments—North America, Asia‑Pacific Focus Markets, EMEA, and Enterprise Markets—each...
Fujifilm Introduces the Next Generation in Photo Printing Experiences
Fujifilm North America unveiled the instax SPOT, a next‑generation instant‑photo hub designed for high‑traffic venues such as retail stores, museums and amusement parks. The freestanding solution offers two engagement modes—a tabletop AR photobooth and a QR‑code‑driven wireless print hub—printing on...
Electrolit Adds Strawberry Kiwi to 12-Oz 6-Pack Line
Electrolit has launched a 12‑oz Strawberry Kiwi six‑pack, now available at Kroger, H‑EB and Publix. The new multipack joins the brand’s existing line that debuted in March 2025 with Grape, Blue Raspberry and Strawberry Banana Zero. By offering a bulk...
Sheetz Targets Indiana with 100-Store Plan
Sheetz announced a ten‑year, 100‑store rollout in Indiana, backed by a near‑$1 billion investment that is expected to generate more than 3,000 long‑term jobs. The first locations will open in the greater Indianapolis area as early as next year, with site...
Albertsons Posts Q4 Results, Outlines Opioid Settlement and Dividend Hike
Albertsons reported Q4 net sales of $20.3 billion, up 7.9% year‑over‑year, with digital sales climbing 16% and loyalty members reaching 51.2 million. A $773.8 million charge for a nine‑year opioid settlement pushed the reported loss to $480.8 million, though adjusted earnings were $251.7 million and...
CRN and Radicle Science Announce 2026 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award Nominations
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and health‑tech firm Radicle Science have opened nominations for the 2026 Annette Dickinson Trailblazer Award, recognizing leaders who advance scientific rigor, innovation, and advocacy in the dietary supplement and functional food sectors. Nominations close...
EXTRA Intros New SOURS by EXTRA Gum and Launches Cheworkout Sweepstakes with Dancer Hailey Bills
EXTRA Gum, a Mars brand, introduced SOURS by EXTRA, a new sweet‑and‑sour gum line available nationwide in Blue Raspberry and Strawberry. The launch is anchored by a social‑first partnership with TikTok dancer Hailey Bills, who fronts the #CheworkoutSweepstakes. Consumers can...
GIANT Announces Plans for New Ephrata Store
The GIANT Company announced plans for a new 39,000‑square‑foot grocery store in Ephrata, Pennsylvania, located at the intersection of W. Main Street/Route 322 and Hackman Road. The outlet will be the second GIANT location in the borough and part of a...
NRF: Tax Refunds Help Offset Gas Prices as Retail Sales Grow in March
U.S. retail sales grew 0.4% month‑over‑month and 6.59% year‑over‑year in March, according to the NRF‑CNBC Retail Monitor. The surge was driven by larger tax refunds—averaging $3,521, up 11.1% from a year earlier—that helped cushion higher gasoline prices. Core retail sales,...
Little Debbie Expands Donut Lineup with New Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts
Little Debbie, America’s No. 1 snack cake brand, announced the launch of Chocolate Old Fashioned Donuts, expanding its donut portfolio. The treat is sold in a six‑pack “Big Pack” for families and a 3‑oz individually wrapped single‑serve for on‑the‑go snacking. The...
Pet Honesty Expands Retail Presence at Walmart Stores
Pet Honesty announced a nationwide expansion of its products into Walmart stores, raising its total U.S. retail footprint to almost 13,000 locations. The brand will feature a permanent in‑store display that highlights its clean‑label, science‑backed supplements for dogs and cats....
Dollar General Expands AI-Powered In-Store Audio Network
Dollar General is expanding its retail media footprint by launching an AI‑enabled in‑store audio network in roughly 6,000 stores, with a goal to reach 12,000 locations by Q2 2026. The system blends point‑of‑sale data, curated music and AI‑generated ads to deliver...
GIANT and MARTIN’S Feeding School Kids Initiative Raises $1.2M to Fight Food Insecurity in Local Schools
The GIANT Company and MARTIN’S launched a Feeding School Kids campaign that collected more than $1.2 million from customers between January and March, complemented by a $100,000 corporate match. The funds were distributed to ten public school districts in Pennsylvania, Virginia,...
Kraft Mac & Cheese Unveils Restaurant Edition
Kraft Heinz has introduced Kraft Mac & Cheese Restaurant Edition, a premium line that adds 30% more food per box and offers three upscale flavors—Parmesan Pesto, Romano Cacio e Pepe, and Monterey Jack Caramelized Onion. Each 9.5‑oz box sells for...
C-Store Operators Shift Focus From Fuel to In-Store Conversion
Convenience‑store operators are moving beyond fuel as the primary traffic driver, focusing instead on converting pump visits into higher‑margin in‑store sales. Analysts note that foodservice, beverages and ready‑to‑eat items now generate the bulk of profit and customer loyalty. Leaders such...
FMI Releases Statement on March CPI Food Price Numbers
The Food Industry Association (FMI) highlighted the March Consumer Price Index, showing a 0.2% month‑over‑month dip in food‑at‑home prices while overall grocery inflation remains 1.9% higher than a year ago. Core staples such as beef, poultry, fish, eggs, cereal, bakery...
Walmart Unveils Limited-Time The Devil Wears Prada Scoop Collection
Walmart has launched a limited‑time "The Devil Wears Prada" Scoop Collection, a fashion collaboration that blends the film’s iconic style with the retailer’s value proposition. The line, priced between $16 and $54, is available for pre‑order now and will ship...
Circana Report Shows What Drives CPG Growth in 2025
Circa’s 14th annual 2025 U.S. CPG Growth Leaders report examined over 700 manufacturers ranging from $100 million to $8 billion in sales. It found that growth is increasingly powered by consumer trust, value and relevance, with food‑beverage sales up 3% and non‑food...
Dollar General’s 7 Days of Beauty Starts April 12
Dollar General announced its 7 Days of Savings beauty event, running April 12‑18, 2026, with daily discounts on leading personal‑care brands such as L’Oréal, Maybelline, BIC and Suave. The promotion offers $5 off $15 purchases, buy‑one‑get‑one deals and free items, extending...
Seven & I Delays North America IPO
Seven & i Holdings has pushed back the IPO of its North American convenience‑store unit from the second half of 2026 to at least April 2027. The delay reflects deteriorating macro conditions, notably U.S. gasoline prices above $4 per gallon...
Unilever Buys Grüns, Expanding U.S. Supplements Push
Unilever announced it will acquire Grüns, a rapidly expanding U.S. vitamins, minerals and supplements brand known for its gummy‑based greens products. Founded in 2023, Grüns has secured shelf space at major retailers such as Target, Walmart, Costco, Sam’s Club and...
PepsiCo Brings Dirty Soda Trend to Shelves with Dirty Mountain Dew
PepsiCo has rolled out Dirty Mountain Dew and its Zero Sugar variant, a ready‑to‑drink take on the booming dirty‑soda craze. The beverages combine Mountain Dew’s signature citrus with a smooth, creamy finish and are available nationwide in 20‑ounce bottles and...
Barilla Confirmed as the World’s Leading Food Company for Reputation - Ranking 9th Overall Globally
Barilla has been named the top‑ranked food company for reputation in the 2026 Global RepTrak® 100, climbing to 9th place overall – a 16‑spot jump from 2025. The Italian group operates in more than 100 countries, runs 30 production sites...
Video Forum: Natalie Ryan, The Emerson Group
Natalie Ryan, vice president of data strategy, insights and analytics at Emerson Group, highlighted the critical role of timely, actionable information for retailers and their CPG partners. She examined current shopper trends, noting how AI is reshaping demand forecasting and...
BJ’s Wholesale Club Extends Hours
BJ’s Wholesale Club announced that all its stores will stay open until 10 p.m. Monday‑Saturday and 9 p.m. Sunday, aligning its hours with rivals Costco and Sam’s Club. The change is part of a broader effort to meet evolving shopper expectations for...
Oscar Mayer Unveils First Bacon Innovation in Five Years with Maple Bourbon Bacon
Oscar Mayer has introduced its first bacon innovation in five years, unveiling Maple Bourbon Bacon cured with Evan Williams bourbon and finished with a 12‑hour slow smoke. The thick‑cut, maple‑kissed slices blend vanilla‑caramel notes from barrel‑aged bourbon, targeting the surge in...
Industry Groups Expand #WearSunscreen Campaign
The Consumer Healthcare Products Association, its Health In Hand Foundation, and the Personal Care Products Council have expanded the #WearSunscreen campaign to promote daily sunscreen use nationwide. Backed by the Melanoma Research Foundation and the Skin Cancer Foundation, the initiative...
Hannaford Refreshes Private Label Packaging Across Portfolio
Hannaford Supermarkets is rolling out a refreshed private‑brand packaging design, beginning in select markets in 2026 with a full portfolio rollout slated for 2027. The new look, driven by customer feedback, aims to make products easier to spot, convey clearer...
Amazon Reaches New Deal with U.S. Postal Service
Amazon has signed a new agreement with the United States Postal Service that preserves roughly 80% of the parcels the carrier delivers for its biggest client. The deal provides USPS with essential revenue as it battles yearly deficits, while allowing...