Independent Natural Food Co-Op INFRA Tops 400 Members
The Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) has surpassed 400 member stores, covering more than 650 U.S. communities. In 2025 the cooperative’s members generated $3.4 billion in sales, an 8 percent year‑over‑year increase. INFRA is rolling out a more personalized field‑support model to turn scale into actionable value for each retailer. The organization targets 1,000 communities by 2028, positioning cooperatives as a growth engine for independent natural‑food grocers.
Food Lion Honors Employees For 30-45 Years Of Service
Food Lion honored over 400 associates who reached 30 to 45 years of service at its April 30 Service Awards ceremony. The honorees collectively represent more than 14,000 years of tenure, underscoring deep employee loyalty. President Greg Finchum highlighted that...
Leadership: Be The Leader People Want To Work For
Steve Black argues that effective leadership is rooted in simple fundamentals: doing your job, living your values, and providing clear expectations. He stresses that credibility and consistency, not titles or slogans, earn trust and inspire followership. By modeling behavior, clarifying...
NGA Welcomes USDA’s Final SNAP Stocking Standards
The National Grocers Association (NGA) welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final SNAP stocking standards, which aim to expand the variety of nutritious foods available to program participants. NGA’s government‑affairs head, Stephanie Johnson, highlighted the pivotal role independent grocers play...
Ahold Delhaize Names Garnier As CEO Nominee, Muller To Retire In 2027
Ahold Delhaize’s supervisory board has nominated Thierry Garnier to become president and CEO, succeeding Frans Muller at the April 2027 Annual General Meeting. Garnier, currently CEO of Kingfisher and former Carrefour executive, will join the management board pending shareholder and regulatory approval....
Giant Eagle Taps Ibotta As Exclusive Digital Promotions Partner
Giant Eagle has appointed Ibotta as its exclusive digital promotions partner across more than 200 stores. The deal integrates Ibotta’s Performance Network, expanding the retailer’s digital offer gallery and delivering performance‑based promotions for CPG brands. The partnership aligns with Giant...
Grocers Roll Out Mother’s Day Specials, Events, Savings
Mother’s Day has become the top gifting day for Instacart in 2025, with orders placed 18 times more often than the average day, overtaking Valentine’s Day. Shoppers are increasingly buying premium food items—lobster tails, filet mignon and cheesecake all surged...
Meijer Opens Stores In 3 MW States
Meijer opened three new stores on May 6, adding a 47,000‑sq‑ft grocery‑only format in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and two 159,000‑sq‑ft supercenters in Brownsburg, Indiana, and Bainbridge Township, Ohio. The Rochester Hills location is the retailer’s fourth Meijer Grocery format in the...
Greene, Slagle Take On New Roles At Food City
Food City announced two senior leadership moves in its Knoxville division. Joe Greene, a Knoxville native with over 45 years in retail, was promoted to executive vice president of operations, taking charge of 51 stores. Bucky Slagle, who has served...
Viva Fresh 2026 Shares Roadmap To Future-Proof The Produce Industry
The Texas International Produce Association (TIPA) used its 2026 Viva Fresh Expo to unveil a forward‑looking strategy for the $100 billion fresh‑produce sector. Futurist economist Richard Kottmeyer introduced “consumomics,” a framework that ties policy, health, and consumer behavior to demand, and...
IFPA Names Second Cohort For Packaging Innovation Program
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) and the Foundation for Fresh Produce announced the second cohort of its Packaging Innovation Program, a $5 million USDA‑funded effort to accelerate sustainable packaging for U.S. specialty crop exports. Seven companies will receive non‑dilutive grants...
Braswell Family Farms, Food City Partner To Support Coalition For Kids
Braswell Family Farms has partnered with Food City to donate ten cents for every dozen Natural Choice cage‑free white eggs sold at participating stores, with the campaign running through March 2027. The initiative aims to raise more than $200,000 for...
Stop & Shop Expands Grocery Delivery With Uber Eats
Stop & Shop has partnered with Uber Eats to launch on‑demand grocery delivery across Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Rhode Island. More than 350 stores are now live on the Uber Eats marketplace, offering same‑day delivery of fresh...
RSA America, URM Stores Begin Digital Transformation Partnership
RSA America has partnered with URM Stores, a Spokane‑based wholesaler serving roughly 265 independent grocery retailers, to roll out a centrally managed loyalty, digital marketing, retail media and AI‑enabled commerce platform. More than 60 URM‑affiliated stores are already live, with...
Publix Executive Chairman Jones To Retire After 46 Years Of Service
Publix announced that Executive Chairman Todd Jones will retire effective May 31, after a 46‑year career that began as a front‑service clerk in 1980. Jones will stay on as chairman of the Publix board of directors, preserving his influence on governance....
Dear Marketers: There’s No ‘Average’ Grocery Shopper Today
Schaefer’s new research divides U.S. grocery shoppers into three distinct groups—social‑first, TV‑first and streaming‑first—each demanding its own media mix, creative style and measurement approach. Brands are currently over‑spending on linear TV, under‑spending on streaming, and mis‑measuring social impact by focusing...
FMI Appoints Visioni As Director Of Health, Well-Being
The Food Industry Association (FMI) has named Kim Visioni as its new director of health and well‑being. Visioni will steer FMI’s strategy to turn grocery stores into health‑focused destinations, covering nutritious foods, wellness products, and credible guidance. Her appointment comes...
Brookshire Grocery Co. Celebrates 3 Store Remodels In Louisiana
Brookshire Grocery Co., the parent of Brookshire’s and Super 1 Foods, celebrated the grand re‑openings of three remodeled stores in northwest Louisiana—two in Shreveport and one in Bossier City. The ribbon‑cutting events featured the company’s 13‑foot‑tall Big Grocery Cart and...
ECRS Launches Retail Success Story Contest
ECRS has opened its Retail Success Story Contest for all CATAPULT community members with active support contracts. Retailers must submit an 800‑1,500‑word narrative by May 31 describing how ECRS technology improved operations, customer experience, or profitability. The winner, announced June 17, will...
NGA, FMI Welcome House Passage Of Farm Bill
The U.S. House approved the 2026 Farm Bill, delivering a permanent ban on EBT processing fees, making the SNAP online purchasing pilot nationwide, and expanding the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program to include frozen fruits and vegetables. The National Grocers...
Save Mart Adds Sushi Chef, Butcher To Remodeled Store In Ripon, CA
The Save Mart Companies unveiled a remodel of its Ripon, California store, adding a full‑service butcher block, on‑site sushi chef, expanded deli, bakery, and a larger wine and spirits selection. New self‑checkout stations and grab‑and‑go options aim to speed the...
Performance Driven And The Power Of One
Jill Blanchard, president of OSMG America, explains how national grocery‑brand coverage has shifted from a fragmented network of sales agencies to a handful of consolidated partners offering single‑source management. She highlights the time‑intensive challenges of juggling multiple agencies and stresses...
MRA Pushes Back On MD Governor’s Pricing Comments
The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) is contesting Governor Wes Moore’s description of the new Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, saying it mischaracterizes the law’s scope. Moore claimed the legislation bans individualized grocery pricing based on personal data, but MRA points...
Ibotta Outlook: Shoppers Reallocate Spend Heading Into Summer 2026
Ibotta’s 2026 Summer Outlook reveals shoppers are moving spend from convenience and discretionary items toward staples and at‑home consumption before Memorial Day. A 25.1% rise in gas prices has led 20.9% of consumers to cut grocery budgets, yet overall basket...
AL Grocers Face State Tax Holiday As National Rollback Accelerates
Beginning May 1, Alabama will suspend its 2% state sales tax on SNAP‑eligible groceries for two months, while city and county taxes remain in effect. Retailers must reconfigure point‑of‑sale and online systems to apply a split‑rate tax structure and continue...
South Dakota Grocers Navigate Market Shifts, Trends
South Dakota’s grocery sector is experiencing an "average year," with consumers trading down from beef to chicken and shifting toward store brands. Convenience stores are adding fresh items, eroding traditional grocery sales, while big‑box retailers deliver groceries to rural areas...
Albertsons Expands Free Curbside Prescription Pickup Nationwide
Albertsons Companies has rolled out its DriveUp & Go free curbside prescription pickup to more than 1,700 stores nationwide, letting shoppers order online, prepay and receive medications directly at their vehicle. The service can be added to grocery DriveUp & Go orders...
Breez AI Appoints Former AWG CEO Smith Board Chairman
Breez AI Corp., a white‑label AI platform for independent grocery retailers, appointed former AWG CEO David Smith as chairman of its board. The move coincides with the platform’s transition from pilot to commercial scale, now operating in more than 100...
HFG Appoints Bryant, West To Leadership Roles
Houchens Food Group (HFG) announced two senior leadership appointments: Misty Bryant as director of retail operations and Boyd West as senior director of fresh merchandising. Bryant, a HFG employee since 2007, rises from merchandising assistant to a role overseeing store‑wide...
D&W Fresh Market Brings Wellness Activation Into Local Community
D&W Fresh Market in Grand Rapids teamed with nearby Spoke Cycle and Strength to host free yoga and cycling sessions as part of its Spring Refresh campaign. After the workouts, participants visited a curated Fuel Station and left with a...
NGA Urges Congress To Reject New SNAP Restrictions In Farm Bill
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and a coalition of retail groups sent a letter to Congress on April 28 urging rejection of proposed amendments to the 2026 Farm Bill that would impose new federal SNAP food restrictions. The coalition, representing independent...
84.51° Report: Online Shopping Grows But In-Store Remains The Default
84.51°’s new Consumer Digest report shows that while 90% of shoppers are increasing their online grocery activity, 74% of trips still happen in physical stores. Digital research tools are now a key part of the purchase journey, but the final...
Town & Country Markets Introduces Limited-Edition Artist Mug Collection
Town & Country Markets is launching a limited‑edition insulated mug collection in partnership with Seattle‑based B Corp MiiR and five Pacific Northwest artists. Each of the six designs reflects the history, landmarks, or cultural vibe of a specific store location...
OGA Names Ewig Executive Director Following Mullins’ Retirement
The Ohio Grocers Association (OGA) announced Joe Ewig as its new executive director, succeeding longtime president and CEO Kristin Mullins, who retires after 36 years with the organization. Ewig brings more than 13 years of government‑affairs experience in the retail...
Crossroads: Beyond Value – Factors Impacting Decision To Sell
The Shelby Report column explores the multifaceted decision to sell a business, emphasizing that financial health, personal well‑being, legacy goals, and timing all play critical roles. It argues that building durable value and diversifying assets boost buyer interest, while health...
Four Regional Grocers Join DoorDash Platform
DoorDash announced that four regional grocery chains—Brookshire Grocery Co., FreshDirect, Harps Foods and Market of Choice—are now available on its platform, adding more than 200 new stores to its marketplace. The partners span Texas to Oregon, expanding DoorDash’s grocery selection...
Keurig Dr Pepper, Nestlé USA Extend Strategic Partnership
Keurig Dr Pepper and Nestlé USA have renewed their strategic partnership, extending the manufacturing and distribution agreement for Starbucks K‑Cup pods across the United States and Canada. The deal builds on the 2020 collaboration and adds new programs aimed at...
Community Coffee Promotes Crump As SVP, Chief Commercial Officer
Community Coffee has elevated Kristi Crump to senior vice president of brand, retail and e‑commerce and chief commercial officer. In her expanded role she will direct the company’s commercial strategy, integrating consumer insights, digital growth and product innovation. Crump, who...
Tom Thumb Touts New Store Opening In North TX
Tom Thumb opened a 59,000‑square‑foot grocery store at 4221 FM 1387 in Midlothian, Texas, drawing overnight lines on April 24. The grand opening featured local school performances, free bags for the first 300 shoppers, and a $35,000 charitable donation. This...
Whole Foods Market Preps New Store In Downtown Jacksonville, FL
Whole Foods Market is set to launch a 38,432‑square‑foot store on May 21 at 1 Riverside Ave in downtown Jacksonville, Florida. The new location will carry more than 800 products sourced from over 115 Florida‑based suppliers, emphasizing local produce, seafood,...
Kroger Celebrates $2.2M Store Remodel In Pekin, IL
On April 23 Kroger completed a $2.2 million renovation of its Pekin, Illinois store, modernizing the layout while keeping prices affordable. The 30‑year‑old location now employs 124 staff, and long‑time associate Tony Bennett was honored for 46 years of service. Kroger...
Wakefern Food Corp. Welcomes Earth Month Challenge
Wakefern Food Corp., the cooperative behind ShopRite, launched the 2026 Greener Stores, Greener Communities Earth Month Challenge, a four‑week program urging its family‑owned stores to adopt practical sustainability actions. The initiative spotlights recycling, waste reduction, energy and water conservation, community...
NGA Foundation ELDP – Leadership For A Changing Grocery Industry
The National Grocers Association Foundation’s Executive Leadership Development Program (ELDP) launches May 31‑June 4 at Cornell, sponsored by PepsiCo. Targeting rising leaders in independent grocery, the immersive five‑day curriculum blends academic theory with industry expertise. Participants receive a 360‑degree leadership assessment and...
B&R Stores Acquires Family Fare Store From SpartanNash
B&R Stores Inc. announced an agreement to purchase SpartanNash’s Family Fare location at 1815 Court St. in Beatrice, Nebraska, with a closing target of April 30. The store will be renovated and rebranded as a Russ’s Market, joining an existing...
Report: Specialty, Discount Grocers Outperform As Supermarkets Lose Ground
Consumer Edge’s U.S. Grocery Outlook 2026 shows overall grocery spend fell about 3% YoY, but shoppers are reallocating dollars toward specialty and discount retailers. Trader Joe’s led the specialty segment, posting over 3% growth and a 35% four‑quarter retention rate, while...
Charlie’s Produce Breaks Ground On New Facility In Spokane, WA
Charlie’s Produce, an employee‑owned fresh‑food distributor, broke ground on a 66,000‑square‑foot facility in Spokane, Washington. The new site will house 56,000 sq ft of warehouse space and 10,000 sq ft of offices, with completion slated for April 2027. Featuring 17 loading docks, multiple temperature zones,...
Grocers Mark Earth Day With Operational Shifts, Community Giving
Major regional grocers used Earth Day 2026 to showcase sustainability programs that blend operational changes with community giving. H‑E‑B distributed 276,000 reusable bags and led a school recycling challenge that collected 8.4 million plastic bags, while its Recycling for Texans grants...
Food Affordability Among Many Pressing Concerns For CT Grocery Industry
Connecticut’s grocery sector is grappling with rising food costs that outpace stagnant wages, leaving one in ten residents food‑insecure and 100,000 children without reliable nutrition. Governor Ned Lamont has earmarked $1.55 million for the Local Food Purchase and Assistance Grant program,...
Market Of Choice Celebrates 10 Years Of MOJO Program
Market of Choice, Oregon’s largest independent grocer, is marking the 10th anniversary of its MOJO incubator program, which has helped hundreds of local makers launch thousands of products. Today, MOJO‑sourced items account for about 15% of the retailer’s shelves, roughly...
ARS Launches Pathmark Daily Small Format Grocery Store
Allegiance Retail Services (ARS) launched a new small‑format grocery banner, Pathmark Daily, with its first store opening on May 1 in East Meadow, New York. The concept targets time‑pressed shoppers by offering a curated assortment of fresh produce, meats, seafood and everyday...