The Friday Checkout is a weekly column providing more insight on the news, rounding up the announcements you may have missed and sharing what’s to come.
In 2025, cherry is more than a fruit. It’s a shade of red that has manifested into an aesthetic and iconic style that is sweeping social media — and Kroger wants a piece of the cherry pie.
The grocer caught wind of the growing infatuation with cherry red on TikTok, noting in a Wednesday emailed announcement that the trend is seeping into “everything from recipes and wardrobe revamps… to beauty and fragrance drops.” With every other retail sector leaning into the cherry fad, Kroger found a way to bring it into its supermarket aisles.
Kroger is introducing “cherry-core” to its stores with the launch of its Private Selection Cherry Harvest collection. The lineup includes 17 items ranging from foods to beverages to flowers that incorporate the popular flavor and color. Standout items include cherry vanilla kettle popcorn with dark chocolate, cherry chocolate chunk pancake mix, white chocolate cherry cheesecake cookies and cherry seltzer. Its Bloomhaus bouquet line now offers cherry blossoms, cherries jubilee, cherry crisp and blushing beauty flower arrangements as part of the collection.
The Cherry Harvest collection continues Kroger’s practice of introducing seasonal item bundles, such as its Harvest Apple collection, the announcement noted.
Kroger has long been an industry leader in private label growth and innovation, and this latest development shows that the grocer is using social media to its own advantage to gain insight into its shoppers.
In case you missed it
Walmart seeks items “Born in the USA”
The retailer earlier this week unveiled Grow with US, a new program that aims to give U.S. small businesses training, mentorship, financing and resources. Walmart said the voluntary program is part of its efforts to help suppliers of American-made products with their development. It comes at a time when the Trump administration is pushing for more domestic production with extensive tariffs impacting imported goods.
Whole Foods Market heats up its pizza expertise
More than 120 store workers recently graduated from the grocery chain’s 12-week Pizzaioli Apprentice Program, which provides hands-on culinary training in artisan pizza-making, Whole Foods announced Tuesday. Graduates will receive official certification as a Whole Foods Market Pizzaioli.
The program is offered at select Whole Foods locations in the U.S. and Canada and is one of several apprenticeships offered by the grocer.
“As we expand this program in 2025, our goal is to have at least one Certified Pizzaioli in every store,” Steve Marano, principal of team member development at Whole Foods, said in the announcement.
Amazon tests ‘green plastic’ for food packaging
At its sustainability lab in the Seattle area, the retail giant is trialing new plant-based “biopolyesters” for packaging, GeekWire reported Monday. Amazon might use this innovative “green plastic” in carrot bags, potato chip packages and clamshell containers for fresh berries, the news outlet noted.
The trial is part of Amazon’s efforts to find a “super plastic” that can be recycled or composted and is safe and durable enough for fresh or frozen food items, GeekWire noted.
Impulse find
Time to boogie at Jewel-Osco
Jewel-Osco wants to transport people back in time to the 1950s for a charity event the grocer is hosting on Saturday, according to an emailed announcement.
Called “The Hop,” the free event will feature 1950s-inspired diner fare, an old-fashioned candy bar and soda fountain creations. Attendees can expect a live DJ, showcases by professional dancers, face painting and balloon artists. There will also be a variety of contests such as family-friendly games, a 1950s costume contest for kids and adults and dance marathon contests.
The event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at the Chicago Athletic Association. Dance marathon contestants will compete for $15,000 in donations to local charities associated with the Jewel-Osco Foundation.
