Latest News From Retail

Retail citrus sales showed mixed trends
Retail citrus sales showed mixed trends

Retail citrus sales showed mixed trends in 2023, according to a report from the International Fresh Produce Association. 

Trader Joe’s reveals customers’ top produce picks
Trader Joe’s reveals customers’ top produce picks

Episode 70 of the Trader Joe’s Podcast reveals the winners of its 15th Annual Customer Choice Awards, including the top 5 picks in the produce category.

ShopRite store adds cooling totes to enhance grocery fulfillment
ShopRite store adds cooling totes to enhance grocery fulfillment

ShopRite says it is the nation's first grocery retailer to implement Phononic’s second-generation Active Cooling Solutions totes, which are used to pick, store and stage online orders and save space in-store.

Survey examines shopper behavior and bagged avocados
Survey examines shopper behavior and bagged avocados

The Hass Avocado Board survey shares insight into shopper behavior and the opportunities for bagged fruit in the retail space.

NGA Show to feature 30 educational sessions, workshops aimed at indies
NGA Show to feature 30 educational sessions, workshops aimed at indies

With more than 30 educational workshops and sessions led by industry experts, the National Grocers Association says its 2024 show will offer highly specialized content designed specifically for independent grocers.

Sunkist offering limited-edition Year of the Dragon carton
Sunkist offering limited-edition Year of the Dragon carton

With the Lunar New Year approaching, Sunkist says the themed 10-pound carton will help keep the citrus category at the forefront of longstanding celebrations domestically and across Asia.

Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge honorees revealed
Seeding The Future Global Food System Challenge honorees revealed

The awards provide a total of $1 million annually for innovations that can transform food systems to be more equitable and lead to safe, nutritious and trusted food using sustainable practices.

Nominations open for IFPA Retail Produce Manager Awards
Nominations open for IFPA Retail Produce Manager Awards

This year the International Fresh Produce Association will honor 20 top retail produce managers for their dedication to boosting fresh produce sales, innovative merchandising, community service and shopper satisfaction.

Albertsons seeks applicants for Supplier Diversity Program
Albertsons seeks applicants for Supplier Diversity Program

The Boise, Idaho-based grocer says the program is designed to discover, support and give diverse-owned suppliers the opportunity to expand their business with Albertsons Cos. and its stores.

How can fresh produce reach the conscious consumer?
How can fresh produce reach the conscious consumer?

The Packer spoke with Barbara Connors of The Kroger Co.'s 84.51° to learn more about shifts in shopper behavior, trends for the year ahead and where the conscious consumer fits into the evolving retail landscape.

Paradise Salad debuts at ShopRite store
Paradise Salad debuts at ShopRite store

Three Meadows Farm's new Paradise Salad debuted at the ShopRite of Chester, N.J. The salad was grown by students with autism who are part of the Somerset Hills Learning Institute’s hydroponics career training program.

How fruit and vegetables are driving snacking occasions and sales
How fruit and vegetables are driving snacking occasions and sales

Today’s consumer is snacking more than ever, and produce and produce-focused snacks are coming into the limelight with shoppers looking for healthy and convenient options.

Flashfood readies for growth with new direction, leadership
Flashfood readies for growth with new direction, leadership

The Toronto-based app marketplace that seeks to reduce food waste and food insecurity recently revealed a new brand identity and leadership changes it says will better position the company for growth.

GrubMarket acquires JC Cheyne, expands West Coast footprint
GrubMarket acquires JC Cheyne, expands West Coast footprint

JC Cheyne sells over 70 different items, including a variety of potatoes and onions, to more than 80 retail, foodservice and wholesale establishments throughout California.

Kroger CIO discusses digital innovation trends at NRF Big Show '24
Kroger CIO discusses digital innovation trends at NRF Big Show '24

Yael Cosset, The Kroger Co.'s chief information officer and senior vice president, discussed digital transformation at the National Retail Federation Big Show 2024.

Meijer opens Fairfax Market in Cleveland
Meijer opens Fairfax Market in Cleveland

The store is the retailer's fifth neighborhood market, and it aims to bring fresh, local and convenient food to the city's Fairfax neighborhood.

Idaho Potato Lovers retail display contest seeks eye-catching entries
Idaho Potato Lovers retail display contest seeks eye-catching entries

The Idaho Potato Commission’s annual retail display contest will award three grand prize winners a Traeger Meat Smoker and complete smoking kit.

Natural Grocers to promote organic produce in 21-day health program
Natural Grocers to promote organic produce in 21-day health program

Natural Grocers and its team of nutritional health coaches are kicking off the new year with “21 Days to a Healthier You,” a free three-class series from Jan. 22 to Feb. 11.

NGA Government Relations Committee sets 2024 policy agenda
NGA Government Relations Committee sets 2024 policy agenda

The annual meeting in Washington, D.C., brought grocers from across the country to finalize policy priorities aimed at strengthening the independent supermarket industry.

Publix opens its first Kentucky store
Publix opens its first Kentucky store

The Lakeland, Fla.-based grocer has opened its first store in Kentucky, entering its eighth state of operation, with a 55,701-square-foot Louisville store.

Caruso USA launches Caruso Foods
Caruso USA launches Caruso Foods

The new subsidiary will provide fresh, prepared food and assembled goods for retailers, businesses and industry customers.

U.S. digital grocery sales fell 1% in 2023, survey finds
U.S. digital grocery sales fell 1% in 2023, survey finds

The year-end results highlight the challenge facing regional grocers in growing e-commerce in today’s competitive environment.

Inflation pushes higher in December
Inflation pushes higher in December

Though retail prices for fresh produce were down compared with a year ago, the inflation rate for all consumer prices ticked higher in December, the Commerce Department reports.

Upside debuts new dashboard
Upside debuts new dashboard

The new and improved Upside Dashboard redefines measurement, giving retailers data needed to make decisions regarding industry changes.

5 food trends The Fresh Market bets will be big in 2024
5 food trends The Fresh Market bets will be big in 2024

The Greensboro, N.C.-based grocer has named five food and beverage trends it predicts will be hot in the year ahead, with produce playing a role in each.

Edible Garden expands company’s distribution network
Edible Garden expands company’s distribution network

Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace will carry Edible Garden’s products in its retail locations throughout New York and New Jersey.

Report explores retail produce manager training and job satisfaction
Report explores retail produce manager training and job satisfaction

Retailers looking to better support and equip their produce managers have a new resource to explore.

Albertsons reports net sales, revenue increases in Q3
Albertsons reports net sales, revenue increases in Q3

The Boise, Idaho-based company reported that digital and identical sales helped buoy its third-quarter results for fiscal year 2023.

Honeybear Brands is touting EverCrisp as a late-season star for retailers
Honeybear Brands is touting EverCrisp as a late-season star for retailers

Honeybear Brands says it is delighting retailers and shoppers with its growing supply of the late-season EverCrisp variety. 

Albertsons Cos. to reward shoppers who achieve nutrition, activity goals
Albertsons Cos. to reward shoppers who achieve nutrition, activity goals

The Boise, Idaho-based company said it will offer double rewards for healthy choices and quadruple rewards for Own Brands purchases during January.

Inside Morton Williams’ west side glory
Inside Morton Williams’ west side glory

With an emphasis on local produce, the specialty supermarket — boasting 15 stores in New York and one in New Jersey — sources the majority of its produce from Hunts Point Market in the Bronx, N.Y.

Plenty of room to grow mushroom sales
Plenty of room to grow mushroom sales

Giving consumers more options is a good way to promote mushroom sales, marketers say.

Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans
Fresh From Florida shares strawberry promotion plans

Print, digital and retail promotions such as grocery cart ads, weekly circulars, social media campaigns, shoppable ads and more will be used to spread the word about the Sunshine State’s juicy red strawberries.

Iconic Holiday Road Trip Stop Returns to Its Georgia Pecan Farm Roots
Iconic Holiday Road Trip Stop Returns to Its Georgia Pecan Farm Roots

A few decades back, stopping at a Stuckey's during a holiday road trip wasn't uncommon. Today the company is eyeing a business comeback by focusing on its farming roots and leveraging quality Georgia pecans.

Kanzi apples show explosive growth
Kanzi apples show explosive growth

CMI Orchards said this managed variety shows a 613% growth in volume for the 13 weeks ending Dec. 2, according to Nielsen scan data.

Survey: Nearly 1 in 3 artichoke consumers report buying organic only
Survey: Nearly 1 in 3 artichoke consumers report buying organic only

The Packer’s Organic Fresh Trends 2024 data shows younger shoppers, higher-income households, those with more kids at home were among those reporting the highest organic artichoke purchase rates.

Heritage Grocers Group gives back, spreads fun this holiday season
Heritage Grocers Group gives back, spreads fun this holiday season

The Ontario, Calif.-based Hispanic food retailer says it’s brightening the holidays for residents in the communities where Heritage banner grocery stores operate.

Fresh Trends: Consumers turn to potatoes to battle inflation
Fresh Trends: Consumers turn to potatoes to battle inflation

The versatile potato is one fresh produce commodity that consumers turn to when they are faced with grocery price inflation, The Packer's Fresh Trends 2024 survey reveals.

Fairway Market launches 30-minute delivery service powered by Instacart
Fairway Market launches 30-minute delivery service powered by Instacart

Instacart and Fairway Market have announced the launch of "Fairway Now," a new fast home delivery service powered by Instacart.

Lowes Foods, Healthy Family Project partner to integrate health-conscious brands across store
Lowes Foods, Healthy Family Project partner to integrate health-conscious brands across store

This holiday season, Healthy Family Project and Lowes Foods partnered with 21 health-conscious brands for the first-ever Season of Sharing, providing 525,000 meals to local Feeding America food banks.

Whole Foods introduces new pollinator policy for fresh produce and floral
Whole Foods introduces new pollinator policy for fresh produce and floral

In a move to support pollinators and the critical role they play in the food system and the environment, the Austin, Texas-based grocer has introduced a new pollinator policy.

Tops Friendly Markets to host citrus extravaganza
Tops Friendly Markets to host citrus extravaganza

A California-based citrus brand is gearing up for a zestful celebration Dec. 20-23 at Tops Friendly Markets as part of its nationwide "Peelz on Wheelz" Citrus Road Tour.

Online grocers posted $8.1B in sales for November 
Online grocers posted $8.1B in sales for November 

In its November grocery shopping survey, Brick Meets Click/Mercatus found more U.S. households turned to mass retailers for major grocery purchases.

Products that can help enhance retailers' avocado category
Products that can help enhance retailers' avocado category

Retailers can add to the excitement of the Super Bowl by enhancing their avocado categories with some innovative product tie-ins.

Inside Wegmans' world-class Astor Place market
Inside Wegmans' world-class Astor Place market

From the moment shoppers enter the 87,500-square-foot Astor Place Wegmans — the Rochester, N.Y.-based grocer's newest store — the fresh produce storytelling begins.

Inflation slows again in November
Inflation slows again in November

Consumer retail prices in November were up 3.1% compared to a year ago, down slightly from the 3.2% annual inflation rate reported in October.

How Avocados From Mexico is supporting Super Bowl promotions
How Avocados From Mexico is supporting Super Bowl promotions

The trade organization says it recognizes the dominance of Mexican avocados during this time of year and goes all out to help retailers score big returns by promoting the fruit.

Avocado suppliers and retailers kick off Super Bowl plans
Avocado suppliers and retailers kick off Super Bowl plans

It’s still December, but suppliers of avocados and avocado-related products say it’s not too early to start making plans for 2024 Super Bowl promotions.

Fresh Del Monte and Mann Packing want you to build a produce snowman
Fresh Del Monte and Mann Packing want you to build a produce snowman

The contest challenges contestants to build a snowman out of Fresh Del Monte Produce and Mann Packing Co. fruits and vegetables, with a chance to win a prize.

Heritage Grocers Group to expand its Nevada footprint
Heritage Grocers Group to expand its Nevada footprint

Heritage Grocers Group, an Ontario, Calif.-based Hispanic food retailer, is expanding its Las Vegas footprint with a new Cardenas Markets location slated to open Dec. 6.