US Treasury Cuts Costs by Axing the Penny: What it Means for Retailers

The penny’s swan song – likely to occur next year – may save millions, but it won’t shake 99-cent psychology in retail pricing.

Crunch Time: How Do Your Road Trip Snacks Stack Up?

Sour is trending, chocolate is complicated, and regional quirks abound: Kellanova’s new data reveals how generational tastes shape road-trip snacking – and what that means for category innovation. Nostalgia, “swalty,” and convenience drive the ride.

Tariff Tactics: How Food Brands Are Battling Rising Costs

Food and beverage businesses have begun to feel the impact of tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump. Some have absorbed the blow. Others were left staggering. When the U.S. raised steel and aluminum tariffs to …

It’s Getting Difficult to Keep Pace with Walmart

Walmart is dominating the grocery sector with unmatched pricing, delivery speed, and scale – and its lead is widening. As rivals chase value-conscious consumers, Walmart is already monetizing convenience.

Top 5 Healthiest Ice Creams

Once dismissed as an oxymoron, healthier ice cream is now a booming category. From high-protein formulas to cutting-edge fat replacers, brands are rethinking indulgence without sacrificing texture.

Economic Strain: Food Bill Gets Unruly

Despite wage gains, food inflation continues to outpace earnings, leaving consumers increasingly anxious about grocery costs. Meanwhile, new tariffs threaten to disrupt the food industry, with stakeholders bracing for volatile pricing and potential shifts in shopper loyalty.

Third-Party Delivery Giants Instacart, DoorDash Enter a Virtuous Circle

Despite consumer cost-consciousness in 2025, third-party delivery giants Uber, DoorDash, and Instacart have defied expectations with double-digit order growth. Now, investors are betting big on a future in which streamlined logistics keep customers engaged.

Going Places: Grab-and-Go Products Evolve

Grab-and-go food has undergone a transformation, as consumers demand options that rival restaurant fare – leading to explosive growth in deli-prepared meals and bakery products.

Target Has Fallen Behind Retail Rivals – Again

Target has struggled to define a unique place in its market, watching rivals like Walmart and Costco capitalize on growth opportunities while its own stock and sales falter. Target’s leadership now faces a critical moment to convince investors that it can once again turn challenges into triumphs.

2D Barcodes: What They Are and Why They Matter for F&B Companies

In this increasingly digital landscape, it’s become crucial for F&B companies to not only gather data but also to glean insights from it that they can leverage to stay ahead of the curve. Anyone who’s …

Forget Inflation and Tariffs. Summer is Party Time!

Despite economic uncertainty, consumers appear determined to celebrate this summer, adapting their spending by embracing private-label brands, and potlucks while seeking affordable luxuries like indulgent snacks. Shoppers seek indulgence with a focus on emotional value.

7-Eleven, Live Nation Partnership Exemplifies Experiential Marketing

7-Eleven is redefining experiential marketing by embedding its brand into live music culture as it works to appeal to to younger consumers.

From H Mart to Mainstream: The Rise of Asian Food Brands

Asian food brands are redefining grocery shelves by blending bold cultural identities and playful textures, fueling a culinary movement. With sales skyrocketing and Gen Z embracing authenticity, these brands showcase powerful lessons in modern branding.

NGA Takes Aim at Proposed SNAP Cuts, Industry Concerned

The National Grocers Association recently led efforts to urge Congress to reject a proposal that will slash SNAP funding by 20%.

Grocers’ Gen Z Digital Playbook

Grocers are rethinking the shopping experience to engage with Gen Z, which wields $984 billion in spending power and demands digital-infused interactions.

Investors Give Albertsons Another Chance – For Now

Following its earnings call last Tuesday, Albertsons stock finished the week up about 2.5% – but the stock took a winding road to get there. Shares originally fell nearly 8% on Tuesday, the day after the company’s fiscal fourth quarter release, before bouncing back over the next two trading sessions.

Study Shows Vegan Grocery Costs Vary Widely by State

A recent study by CashNetUSA analyzed the average cost of a basket of vegan groceries purchased at Walmart stores across the U.S. Its findings revealed significant discrepancies in both the affordability and accessibility of plant-based groceries among states.

CPG Brands Eye Success by Connecting Data Sets

Consumer price sensitivities, plus tariff uncertainty, have added up to tumult for CPG brands in 2025. “Whether it’s tariffs or the tightening of consumer wallets, CPG brands are trying to figure out how to get …

Sticker Shock: 44% of Companies Plan to Pass Tariff Costs to Customers

A new survey by Zilliant reveals that nearly half of businesses plan to pass tariff-related costs onto consumers. As companies navigate tariff-related challenges, transparency with consumers will be critical to maintaining trust and avoiding backlash.

Power Players of the Aisle: CPG’s Fastest-Growing Brands Revealed

The Circana CPG Growth Leaders report revealed how top-performing brands like Constellation Brands and Celsius energy drinks leverage innovation, personalization, and exclusive partnerships to drive consumer loyalty. The research underscores the importance of authentic connections for sustained growth.

Hot is Hot: Spicy Beverage Flavors Taking Center Stage

The spicy flavor trend is setting the F&B world ablaze, with bold innovations such as hot honey sausage for pizzas and chili-infused ice cream captivating adventurous consumers. These days, the innovation even extends into drink aisles.

Spring Surprise: Easter Sales Defy Uncertainty Over Tariffs, Recession

Despite high egg prices and economic uncertainty, Easter spending in the U.S. is projected to reach a record $23.6 billion, with consumers prioritizing celebrations and retailers adjusting offerings to accommodate shifting budgets.

Policy Heats Up: Hot Foods Act Poised to Modernize SNAP

The bipartisan reintroduction of the Hot Foods Act aims to modernize SNAP policies by allowing participants to purchase hot, prepared meals. This legislative change, strongly backed by industry leaders, could open new avenues for the food sector to meet the evolving needs of over 42 million Americans.

Fewer, Better, Smarter: The Shift in Specialty Food Purchasing Habits

While inflation and global trade challenges have pressured the grocery market, specialty foods remain resilient.

The Billion (Family) Dollar Question: What Happened to Dollar Stores?

After purchasing discount retailer Family Dollar for roughly $9 billion in 2015, Dollar Tree admitted defeat in a recent sale earlier this month that valued the banner at only $1 billion. Is this a signal …

3 Key Themes from the International Pizza Expo

The Las Vegas Convention Center became the epicenter of the pizza world this week, as it hosted the International Pizza Expo. The event highlighted the latest, greatest, and most innovative pizza ingredients.

Retail Media Networks: The New Power Players in Digital Advertising

Retail media networks are evolving from data gatekeepers into comprehensive media companies. This transformation is prompting marketers to rethink ad strategies as RMNs push for larger brand commitments and integrate advanced media formats like video and shoppable content.

Tariff Trouble: Fresh Produce Prices Expected to Spike

The proposed tariffs by the Trump administration on Mexico and Canada are expected to significantly increase fresh produce costs in the U.S.

6 Food Retail Trends Grocery Stores Can’t Afford to Ignore

The food retail landscape is evolving rapidly, driven by shifting consumer behaviors, economic pressures, and technological advancements. In “The Future of Food Retail” webinar recently hosted by The Food Institute, R.J. Hottovy, Head of Analytical …

Self-Reflection: Retailers Reconsidering Self-Checkout Lanes

Multiple retailers are re-evaluating self-checkout lanes these days. As a result, the kiosks have become heavily debated among industry analysts. “Shoppers with high velocity who want to get their 10 items or less quickly – …

Price: The Elusive Enemy of Food Delivery

Food delivery shoppers are becoming more price sensitive, indicating that platforms will have to get creative to ensure profits. One key growth lever for companies in 2025 is reinforcing their commitments to grocery, the often-overlooked food delivery service next to restaurants.

Naturally Confused: Natural, Organic Terms Puzzle 40% of Consumers

Roughly 59% of shoppers think it’s important that grocery items are natural and/or organic, according to a new Acosta Group study. Gen Z is especially interested in such products. However, many consumers are confused by terms like “natural” and “organic.”

Revolutionizing Meat Snacks: Mighty Spark’s Poultry Power Play

The Mighty Spark brand aims to revolutionize a meat-stick category traditionally dominated by beef by introducing healthier, chicken-based options. Their products, which are low in calories and free from common allergens, have gained popularity due to their bold taste, leading to rapid expansion in retail.

Walmart Partnership Pushes Fresh Produce Limits

Walmart is partnering with India-based agritech company GreenPod Labs to clean up its supply chain: the tech innovation endeavors to minimize produce spoilage during transportation.

A Fizzy Fiasco – PepsiCo Embroiled in Yet Another Legal Battle

The recent lawsuit in California alleging PepsiCo’s engagement in nefarious pricing practices is the latest in an ongoing movement in food and beverage to leverage the Robinson-Patman Act to strengthen small businesses’ economic autonomy. The act is also a fiercely debated issue in the U.S. government.

Big Deal Down South: C&S Acquires 170 Grocery Stores from Aldi

C&S Wholesale Grocers, which attempted to play a major role in the failed merger between Albertsons and Kroger, announced the purchase of 170 Southeastern Grocers’ Winn-Dixie and Harveys Supermarket stores from Aldi U.S.