Why more grocers are bringing private label production in-house

While only a fraction of products are made this way, sources say they have seen vertically integrated production grow in recent years and expect it to continue as grocers ramp up their store brands.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 13, 2023

Grocery inflation continues rapid descent

Food-at-home prices were up in May at a 5.8% annual rate — the economic indicator’s slowest tempo since late 2021 — according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

By Sam Silverstein • June 13, 2023

Innovation is next frontier for private brands: FMI

While 82% of surveyed food retail executives said they are planning more store brand investments, only 10% said their organizations are “very far along” with innovation, per the trade group.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 9, 2023

White House weighs in on ‘cooling’ grocery inflation

For the rest of 2023, the White House Council of Economic Advisers says it expects grocery inflation to continue to abate yet remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 8, 2023

Tops invests over $6M to renovate five Pennsylvania stores

The renovations total over 225,000 square feet of store space and will expand the locations’ fresh food, bakery, deli and carry-out cafe options as well as add new technology.

By Peyton Bigora • June 7, 2023

How 9 food retailers are jazzing up their private brands

From expanding their store brand portfolios to creating new supplier partnerships, grocers and discounters are ramping up efforts to make their own products shine.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • June 5, 2023

Why Sprouts rolled into Florida with a mobile grocery tour

The Sprouts Mobile Truck’s first-ever road trip aimed to familiarize customers with popular items and the grocer’s overall mission ahead of store openings in the markets it visited.

By Peyton Bigora • June 2, 2023

PCC launches Inclusive Trade Program to highlight brand diversity

The new certification program is designed to increase the visibility of businesses owned by individuals part of “historically and currently excluded communities.”

By Peyton Bigora • June 2, 2023

Aldi launches 30-minute delivery

Aldi Express offers a selection of nearly 2,000 items and joins other services from Kroger, Publix and Ahold Delhaize aimed at satisfying online demand for impulse and fill-in trips.

By Peyton Bigora , Jeff Wells • June 1, 2023

Kroger to stock mobile market in Lexington, Kentucky

The Mobile Market is scheduled to make around 20 stops between July and September to address food accessibility issues throughout the city. 

By Peyton Bigora • May 31, 2023

On Special: Town & Country Markets rolls out private label sushi brand

The Seattle-area grocer has brought the staple supermarket food offering in-house, selling items like traditional rolls, hot rice bowls and fresh seafood under its new Maka store line.

By Peyton Bigora • May 30, 2023

Larger fresh assortments take center stage at remodeled stores

A Raley’s store in Reno, Nevada, has an expanded made-to-order salad bar among its new options, while a Natural Grocers store in Amarillo, Texas, boasts a bigger produce section.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 30, 2023

Pardon the Disruption: Natural and organic grocers are finding new ways to differentiate

Companies like Sprouts and Whole Foods have refined their strategies to stay ahead of conventional competitors. But will consumers notice amid ongoing inflation?

By Jeff Wells • May 23, 2023

Save A Lot, Food 4 Less are the best-positioned grocers to serve SNAP shoppers, report finds

Dollar General, Winco and Grocery Outlet rounded out the top five grocers Dunnhumby concluded are most likely to serve financially stressed shoppers while also having reputations for offering low prices.

By Sam Silverstein • May 22, 2023

Crunchy, delicious, airy-sistible — The new L’Original Macaron Ice Cream

Papila Collection, the innovative gourmet food company, has launched the L’Original Macaron Ice Cream that is exclusively available through this summer at all Sam's Clubs in the United States.

May 22, 2023

Target expects $500M profit hit due to theft

The retailer is implementing additional preventive measures in stores, but expects a major impact to its bottom line if theft and organized retail crime trends continue.

By Peyton Bigora • May 18, 2023

Phasing out HFC refrigerants poses a major cost dilemma for grocers

Transitioning to new cooling systems that comply with federal and state laws can cost retailers $1 million or more per store. But delaying action could also be expensive, experts say. 

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 16, 2023

Organic food sales hit a record in 2022, topping $60B for the first time

The category saw a 4.3% increase last year to $61.7 billion in sales, which the Organic Trade Association said indicates a continued interest from consumers despite economic volatility.

By Chris Casey • May 15, 2023

Alcohol purchasing trends are changing — here’s what the numbers say

As consumers increasingly opt for at-home drinking, many are leaning toward experimentation and more sophisticated nonalcoholic options.

By Sara Karlovitch • May 12, 2023

Amazon Fresh reportedly exiting Twin Cities stores as it reworks strategy

Six of the online retailer’s grocery chain locations that were set to open are now available for sublease, Axios reported Tuesday. 

By Peyton Bigora • May 10, 2023

Inflation eases again in April

Food-at-home prices rose in April at a 7.1% annual rate, down from 8.4% the month before, the federal government reported Wednesday.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 10, 2023

Foxtrot’s new CEO talks expansion and innovation

Restaurant industry veteran Liz Williams discusses what the urban chain is planning — from new pizza options to suburban stores — as she tackles her new role.

By Brett Dworski • May 4, 2023

Kroger expands on-demand sushi, floral delivery

After first making those fresh items available from its stores via DoorDash last year, the grocer has partnered up with Uber Eats.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 3, 2023

What does ‘local’ mean to shoppers?

The fact that a business is within close range of where they live doesn't necessarily mean consumers will consider it to be a true part of their community, according to research conducted by PDG Insights.

By Catherine Douglas Moran • May 1, 2023

Kroger expands sustainability efforts through recycling and upcycling

One million pieces of the grocer’s Our Brands flexible plastic product packaging have been recycled, while two-ingredient multigrain breads hit the shelves. 

By Peyton Bigora • April 28, 2023