Latest News From Retail

Gelson's Markets adjusts executive leadership
Gelson's Markets adjusts executive leadership

Encino, Calif.-based Gelson’s Markets has promoted longtime executive John Bagan to president.

Chasing carrots
Chasing carrots

There’s a reason why dangling a carrot in front of a horse is a classic motivation tool.

How discount grocers do digital cherry picking
How discount grocers do digital cherry picking

Learn what Aldi and Lidl do to market cherries online.

Kroger, Chef José Andrés and many others provided perspective on hunger, nutrition and health at national convening
Kroger, Chef José Andrés and many others provided perspective on hunger, nutrition and health at national convening

The Bipartisan Policy Center hosted the National Convening to Inform White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health on July 14.

American Mushroom Institute: Data shows mushrooms offer consumers value
American Mushroom Institute: Data shows mushrooms offer consumers value

The retail price of mushrooms is up, but inflation hasn’t hit the category as hard as most other produce, the American Mushroom Institute reports.

How more diverse-owned suppliers can get into these supermarkets
How more diverse-owned suppliers can get into these supermarkets

Produce suppliers who may qualify as diverse have a new program to get into some big supermarket chains.

Customer loyalty programs increasingly important for retailers
Customer loyalty programs increasingly important for retailers

In order to save consumers money and maintain loyalty, major grocery retail brands have been making more of an effort to offer diversified incentive programs.

Chelan Fresh unveils Joyfully Grown tree fruit brand
Chelan Fresh unveils Joyfully Grown tree fruit brand

Joyfully Grown is the new tree fruit brand for Chelan, Wash.-based Chelan Fresh.

Natural Delights Mini Medjool dates win Good Housekeeping award
Natural Delights Mini Medjool dates win Good Housekeeping award

The Yuma, Ariz., based date broker, grower and wholesaler's Sweet and Salty Almond Mini Medjools won Good Housekeeping Healthy Snack Award for "Best Dates".

Hass avocados post four-year record high sales in Q1
Hass avocados post four-year record high sales in Q1

Hass avocado sales kicked off 2022 with four-year record highs through key holidays in the first quarter, including the Super Bowl, Valentine’s Day and St. Patrick’s Day.

Schnucks adds 20 DoorDash-delivery-capable stores for salads and more
Schnucks adds 20 DoorDash-delivery-capable stores for salads and more

The service will deliver ready-to-eat meals from the grocer’s deli to customers in as little as 30 minutes.

Can ultra-rapid grocery delivery companies maintain momentum?
Can ultra-rapid grocery delivery companies maintain momentum?

NEW YORK — A helmeted e-bike rider with a black backpack full of groceries bolted from a building’s double doors on a Thursday morning on the Lower East Side.

Historical slideshow: Bashas' for the last 90 years, plus celebrations today
Historical slideshow: Bashas' for the last 90 years, plus celebrations today

To celebrate its 90th anniversary, the Chandler, Ariz.-based supermarket chain will try to break a Guinness World Records title, hold a Community Choice Charity Challenge, host grocery gift-card giveaways and more.

Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds
Rhode Island expands SNAP access with major investment of state funds

Rhode Island lawmakers are creating a program that will invest $11.5 million in a pilot program to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.

Stop & Shop's $140 million NYC store remodels will have more culturally relevant items
Stop & Shop's $140 million NYC store remodels will have more culturally relevant items

Stop & Shop Supermarket Co.’s $140 million capital investment in New York City stores will have thousands more items from around the world and highlight value for local customers. Plus, the Flashfood app launches.

Local produce marketing efforts fresher than ever
Local produce marketing efforts fresher than ever

State agriculture boards, retailers and produce companies work together to meet increasing consumer demand for locally grown.

Midwestern vendors: Hy-Vee wants new local brands
Midwestern vendors: Hy-Vee wants new local brands

Hy-Vee hosts a quarterly local summit Sept. 7-9,  inviting Midwestern vendors to submit products for potential Hy-Vee distribution.

Sunkist celebrates new packaging and merchandising program for Valencia oranges
Sunkist celebrates new packaging and merchandising program for Valencia oranges

Valencia, Calif.-based Sunkist Growers has launched ‘The Official Orange of American Summers’ campaign to celebrate the exclusive California-grown orange variety this time of year. 

This is what The Giant Co.'s new Richboro fresh department is like
This is what The Giant Co.'s new Richboro fresh department is like

The Giant Co. opened a 50,340-square-foot store in Richboro, Pa., with the company’s signature fresh departments, including its farm-fresh produce.

Entries wanted for watermelon retail merchandising contest
Entries wanted for watermelon retail merchandising contest

Winners will get $10,000 in cash and prizes for this contest by the National Watermelon Promotion Board, running July through August.

Target refreshes produce departments, entire stores
Target refreshes produce departments, entire stores

Through its ambitious remodel program, Target is on a mission to elevate the shopping experience in its produce departments and entire stores. See the before and after.

Store check slideshow: Food Lion in Raleigh, N.C.
Store check slideshow: Food Lion in Raleigh, N.C.

A produce professional was stocking the department shelves on a summery mid-morning Monday at Food Lion in Greystone Village in North Raleigh, N.C.

Simplifying the sustainable packaging message
Simplifying the sustainable packaging message

Consumer confusion abounds when it comes to what can and can’t be recycled, industrial versus home composting and the end-of-life reality for different types of packaging. 

Walmart launches four pollinator habitat guides for farmers, ranchers
Walmart launches four pollinator habitat guides for farmers, ranchers

In support of National Pollinator Week 2022, the retailer introduced four new regionally specific guides to help its agricultural suppliers to protect and promote pollinators.

Food inflation smoking, 11.9% higher than a year ago
Food inflation smoking, 11.9% higher than a year ago

Grocery food prices in May were up 11.9% above year-ago levels, the USDA reported in the June 24 Food Price Outlook report.

Meijer, Lidl are giving away Tesla cars for Avocados from Peru promotion
Meijer, Lidl are giving away Tesla cars for Avocados from Peru promotion

What do avocados imported from Peru, brand-new Tesla cars, and retailers Meijer and Lidl have in common?

Kroger to expand fresh delivery with new fulfillment center
Kroger to expand fresh delivery with new fulfillment center

Through the Ocado-powered facility, the company expects to expand Denver's access to produce and other fresh food.

Walmart installs intuitive tablets in freight trucks for more communication
Walmart installs intuitive tablets in freight trucks for more communication

As the driver approaches a store, the geolocation feature detects the driver’s location, sending push notifications to the store associate’s handheld device, allowing them to plan for a quick unload and turnaround.

Send us photos of your beautiful summer produce displays
Send us photos of your beautiful summer produce displays

PMG is once again showcasing great seasonal displays through its Produce Artist Award Series contest. All produce merchandisers, specialists and produce managers are welcome to participate.

The Giant Co. creates buzz, welcomes 30,000 honeybees to headquarters
The Giant Co. creates buzz, welcomes 30,000 honeybees to headquarters

The Carlisle, Pa.-based grocer aims to add to the colony over the next several months with the goal of housing 450,000 honeybees in nine beehives by next year.

Slideshow: Who made connections at IFPA's Retail Conference
Slideshow: Who made connections at IFPA's Retail Conference

Did you miss it? See who at the Retail Conference hosted by International Fresh Produce Association made important retail connections and learned the latest market research as well as solutions for today's challenges.

Kroger reveals first-quarter 2022 results — including fresh program
Kroger reveals first-quarter 2022 results — including fresh program

The Kroger Co., Cincinnati, released its first quarter 2022 financial results to investors and the general public — with details on how fresh produce and digital initiatives are panning out.

Fresh Del Monte and Jewel-Osco banana display breaks Guinness World Record
Fresh Del Monte and Jewel-Osco banana display breaks Guinness World Record

The produce supplier and supermarket chain create a display with more than 77,000 pounds of bananas in Westmont, Ill.

Produce retail data shows entertaining is back, but it’s complicated
Produce retail data shows entertaining is back, but it’s complicated

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Produce retail data from the first half of 2022 show trends in the marketplace that can be used as opportunities for growth — as well as solutions for the industry’s ongoing challenges.

Apollo to acquire Cardenas Markets, combine with Tony’s Fresh Market
Apollo to acquire Cardenas Markets, combine with Tony’s Fresh Market

Apollo Funds has agreed to acquire Cardenas Markets, an Ontario, Calif.-based grocer serving the Hispanic community.

Bako Sweet sets sweet potato category for summer promotions
Bako Sweet sets sweet potato category for summer promotions

Bakersfield, Calif.-based Country Sweet Produce’s Bako Sweet brand will offer retailers plenty of merchandising efforts in the historically quiet season for the sweet potato category.

Slideshow: See IFPA's Retail Conference golfers out on the green
Slideshow: See IFPA's Retail Conference golfers out on the green

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — Produce industry professionals participate in the golf outing at the June 9-10 International Fresh Produce Association's Retail Conference in Schaumburg, Ill.

Whole Foods Market honors Driscoll’s for ‘raising the bar’
Whole Foods Market honors Driscoll’s for ‘raising the bar’

As part of its 10th-annual Supplier Awards, Whole Foods Market recently recognized the Watsonville, Calif.-based berry company.

Cardenas Markets to acquire six Rio Ranch Market stores
Cardenas Markets to acquire six Rio Ranch Market stores

Ontario, Calif.-based grocer to expand its Southern California footprint with new acquisition.

Retail panel Part II: How Barons, Sprouts and Cardenas handle these produce challenges
Retail panel Part II: How Barons, Sprouts and Cardenas handle these produce challenges

Learn what these retailers at West Coast Produce Expo have to say about inflation’s effect on purchase behavior and retailer solutions and keeping produce shelves stocked with supply chain issues.

'Fresh Trends at Retail' panel reveals what your retailers are thinking: Part 1
'Fresh Trends at Retail' panel reveals what your retailers are thinking: Part 1

The first half of this panel discussion focuses on what four diverse retailers think about online shopping, convenience, local v. organic and top trends. Part II will include challenges, solutions and more.

Zespri launches consumer contest to drive kiwifruit consumption
Zespri launches consumer contest to drive kiwifruit consumption

The “Go Sweet. Be Bold” campaign will incentivize shoppers to win prizes, which will drive purchases at the store, the Orange County, Calif.-based company said.

Lidl to feature ‘Eat Healthy and Live Green’ Peruvian avocado campaign
Lidl to feature ‘Eat Healthy and Live Green’ Peruvian avocado campaign

The Peruvian Avocado Commission is launching a special edition 2022 AVO Tesla Summer Sweepstakes Giveaway in partnership with Lidl and other leading retailers.

NY’s Mexico Elementary wins learning garden from Tops Markets grant
NY’s Mexico Elementary wins learning garden from Tops Markets grant

Mexico Elementary School in Mexico, N.Y., will install its Project Learning Garden on June 9, witnessed by representatives from Tops Friendly Markets, Dole Packaged Foods and Captain Planet Foundation.

SPS features Neil Stern of Bristol Farms, Metropolitan Market and more
SPS features Neil Stern of Bristol Farms, Metropolitan Market and more

The Sustainable Produce Summit's keynote was Neil Stern, CEO of Good Food Holdings — which operates Bristol Farms, Lazy Acres Natural Market, Metropolitan Market, New Seasons Market and New Leaf Community Markets.

Kroger Farmers Market powered by Market Wagon touts local food
Kroger Farmers Market powered by Market Wagon touts local food

The Kroger Co. has launched a digital farmers market in Atlanta, Ga.

Market Crush: Amazon Fresh in the Chicago suburbs
Market Crush: Amazon Fresh in the Chicago suburbs

See how the Schaumburg, Ill., Amazon Fresh's store displays looked on a random day.

The Giant Co. dietitians star in virtual summer camp
The Giant Co. dietitians star in virtual summer camp

 Free, live Zoom classes offer recipe ideas for all ages June through August.

Campos Borquez named Whole Foods Supplier of the Year
Campos Borquez named Whole Foods Supplier of the Year

The only produce company to make the list of “suppliers who rise to the top in overall excellence,” Campos Borquez was also honored in the Regenerative Agriculture Commitment category.

How to highlight avocado nutrition to drive demand
How to highlight avocado nutrition to drive demand

The No. 1 reason shoppers buy Hass avocados is because of the nutritional value, and that’s not just a fact during the pandemic.