Column: Why Investors are Wary of Kroger-Albertsons Merger

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission will need to approve Kroger and Albertsons’ planned merger, and that agency has taken a skeptical view of corporate consolidation in recent years.

Manufacturers Cut Costs with ‘Skimpflation’ – and Savvy Consumers Take Note

Some food brands have reformulated their products using cheaper ingredients – a tactic some refer to as “skimpflation.”

UPDATE: What Kroger, Albertsons’ Merger Means for Grocery Industry

Kroger Co. will merge with rival U.S. grocer Albertsons Cos. – a move that will create a grocery giant.

The Food Institute Acquires Latin America-focused Food Media Assets

NEW YORK, Oct. 12, 2022/FINewswire/– The Food Institute, the leading source for food industry news, data, and trends, announced today that the Company has acquired four Latin America-focused food media platforms: Global Fruit Latam, Global …

How to Address Shoppers’ Health and Wellness Demands

Many shoppers remain health-conscious these days, despite rising food prices – 29% of consumers will pay a premium for products with health and wellness attributes.

Analysis: Why World Hunger is Worsening

World hunger has gotten significantly worse in recent years, with the World Food Program reporting 345 million people suffering from it.

Expert: Shoppers Looking Across Variety of Retailers for Best Deal

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

Trends Impacting the Dairy Industry

Jennifer Pricco Braasch is a managing director with City National Bank’s Food & Beverage Group. Based in Milwaukee, she supports industry executives with creative financing solutions and industry intelligence. The Food Institute recently asked her …

Analysis: Why Consumers Crave Pumpkin Spice

Almost as ubiquitous as the changing colors of the leaves or a crisp chill in the air, the arrival of pumpkin-spice-flavored everything signals that fall is here. Ever since Starbucks introduced the pumpkin spice latte …

Recession Still Looms as a Risk to F&B Stocks

Many investors believe that food and beverage stocks are safe places in which to hide when the stock market turns towards recession. That belief centers on a simple thesis: people still have to eat. The …

WEEKEND UPDATE: Hurricane Ian’s Impacts on Food Industry Likely Far-Reaching

Editor’s note: Article updated on 9/30: Hurricane Ian regained strength as it reached the Atlantic Ocean as the weekend approached, and the storm began moving toward the Carolinas as a Category 1 storm. Meanwhile, recovery …

Frozen Yogurt Chains Fighting to Make Comeback

Is frozen yogurt still relevant, or has its time come and gone? It depends who you ask. While major chains’ sales have dipped in recent years, the healthier-for-you dessert still appeals to many consumers.

Consumers Care About Last Mile Sustainability – Which Can Boost Grocers’ Bottom Line

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

How Inflation’s Impacting Plant-Based Meat Sales

As a variety of factors aggravate the downward trajectory of alternative meat sales at retail, refrigerated varieties continue to fuel the category’s deceleration.

Walmart Shoppable Livestreams: a New Era in Digital Marketing?

As retailers seek to increase sales via digital channels, Walmart will use livestream video to create immersive shoppable experiences.

Is Wegmans Leading the Charge to Ban Plastic Bags?

Regional grocer Wegmans will complete its mission to eliminate plastic bags companywide by the end of the year. Now, the question remains: Will other U.S. grocers follow suit?

Case Study: The Keys to Kroger’s Omnichannel Success

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

New Social Media App Could Reshape Food Shopping

The latest social media network just launched, and it’s exclusively for foodies. The Flavrs app provides a feed of cooking videos, recipe tutorials and meal-planning content with a shoppable integration that enables users to instantly …

Amid Inflation, Consumers Focus on ‘Affordable Indulgences’

Improvement in energy prices is prompting increased consumer spending on affordable indulgences like snack nuts and spaghetti.

Why Wegmans Was Forced to Abandon Scan-and-Go App

Wegmans, regrettably, has decided its scan-and-go app has got to go. Wegmans is among retailers realizing scan-and-go, which seemed like such a good idea at the beginning of the pandemic when contactless checkout solutions gained …

How Grocers Can Prepare for a Delivery-Centric Future

Grocery delivery is here to stay, but the option can be costly for grocers. Here is expert advice from fulfillment professionals on how to maximize profitability.

CEO: Consumers Adopting ‘Drastic’ Lifestyle Changes, ‘Inflation Diet’

With August food prices increasing 11.4% year-over-year, Americans are experiencing a fundamental shift in their everyday patterns, with some even adopting an “inflation diet.” A recent survey by consumer research platform Attest took a closer …

Report: Trends to Watch Include DTC Plant-Based Brands

The $7.44 trillion U.S food industry is investing in ecommerce, robotics, and technology like never before. Here are three noteworthy trends for food producers and grocery retailers to prioritize in the year ahead.

Investors Demand Profitability for Delivery Stocks

Perhaps the biggest change in the equity markets over the past 18 months has been the sudden focus on profitability. For years, both public and private companies were allowed – more accurately, encouraged – to …

Thanksgiving Turkeys Could be More Expensive This Year

Avian flu and energy prices are pushing turkey prices to new heights, with breast meat going for more than $6.50 a pound.

As Food Recalls Mount, Experts Urge Food Safety ‘Culture’ Change

Recent food recalls illustrate a “disturbing” lack of food safety culture, according to Dr. Vanessa Coffman. One in six Americans fall ill from foodborne illness annually these days. Making matters worse, the public is often …

CEO: Marketing to Loyal Grocery Shoppers Imperative in 2022

Grocers must focus on solidifying loyalty among shoppers during economic turmoil, and a carefully considered advertising approach is key.

Instacart Aims to Broaden Grocery Delivery’s Appeal

Instacart has launched several new features, including shoppable carts curated by celebrities, in an effort to broaden the appeal of the grocery delivery platform. Could these new features signal a transitional period for the grocery …

Retail Loyalty Programs Now Include… Video Streaming?

Retailers are looking to outside partnerships and personalized benefits as ways to boost the perceived value of their subscription offerings.

AI Becoming Key to Customer Retention

As many shoppers trade down brands in the wake of rising inflation these days, what retailers need to do to attract these customers differs based on their usual value proposition.

Grocery Shoppers Weigh Delivery Fees Amid Inflation

As inflation takes its toll on household finances, consumers are weighing their grocery delivery options. “Delivery continues to be very strong—averaging 9-11 percent of total store sales. Grocers are now planning for, and investing in, …

WATCH: Autonomous Sprayer Robot Unveiled

Solinftec said its scouting and sprayer robots can aid farmers by spot spraying as much as 96 acres per day.

CASE STUDY: How Pan’s Mushroom Jerky Scaled During COVID

Looking ahead, Pan’s plans to stay true to its core values of reducing meat consumption by making nutritious foods from mushrooms.

Supermarket Stocks Flip the Script on Big Box Retailers

The trend of pure play grocers struggling has flipped since 2020, with supermarket stocks for grocers like Albertsons holding their own.

Analysis: Changing Pack Sizes Can Aid Grocers Amid Inflation

As many shoppers trade down brands in the wake of rising inflation these days, what retailers need to do to attract these customers differs based on their usual value proposition.

CEO: C-Stores Must Evolve in Inflationary Environment

C-stores must evolve to provide experiential store journeys rather than serve as just quick, grab-and-go retailers.