Smart Money: Smart Carts Continue to Evolve, Boost Grocers’ Bottom Line
An evolving form of smart carts is helping grocery chains like Kroger, Price Chopper, and Schnucks offer painless and personalized shopping experiences.
Food Retail Archive
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The Future of Frozen Food: a Q&A with AFFI’s Dr. Sanjay Gummalla
With nearly every household in the U.S. purchasing frozen food and $74 billion in sales, the frozen food category plays a pivotal role in the food industry.
Japanese Company Unveils Revolutionary Diet Drink
A new drink is making waves with its unique approach to curbing hunger, transforming into a jelly-like substance once it reaches the stomach.
Meet the Modern ‘Click-and-Mortar’ Consumer
A new PYMNTS survey found roughly 40% of shoppers are “click-and-mortar” fans, either using their devices while shopping or ordering online and then picking up their purchases.
Circana: Consumers Increasingly Spending on Health and Wellness
The idea of health and wellness is evolving, as shown by a report that noted ways people are tapping into products to harmonize their lives.
From Aisles to Apps: The Keys to Crafting Omnichannel Excellence
Retail insights company 84.51° feels it’s crucial that retailers provide a cohesive shopping experience both online and in-store. Because hybrid shoppers expect to have access to the same prices and brands regardless of how they shop.
CEO of Chipotle Departs to Assume Leadership of Starbucks
Tuesday brought big business news, as Chipotle announced that its chairman and CEO, Brian Niccol, had accepted a similar post at Starbucks.
Lab-Engineered Potato Could Solve Age-Old Storage Issue
Researchers at Michigan State University have produced a breakthrough that promises better-tasting – and longer-lasting – potatoes.
Analysis: Retail Media is Transforming the Shopper’s Journey
Retail media has allowed marketers to target delivery and curbside customers, driving retail velocity. And what’s coming next could be even more revolutionary: advanced geotargeting.
Wawa, Red Robin Among Fastest Hirers in Tight U.S. Job Market
Indeed recently compiled a list the Top 15 companies hiring the fastest in the U.S., and the food industry was well-represented on the list.
Analysis: Why Pumpkin Spice Szn has Started Earlier Than Ever
Pumpkin spice season is upon us earlier than ever in 2024. Data from SpotOn suggest the F&B industry’s also moving toward the most expansive pumpkin season yet.
Mighty Casey’s Strikes a Major Deal
America’s third-largest C-store chain just got bigger, as Casey’s strikes a major deal includes 148 stores in Texas.
Are Collabs the Future of Marketing in F&B?
When brands collaborate, they tap into each other’s customer bases and brand equity. This synergy allows both businesses to reach a broader audience.
Navigating Choppy Waters: Retailers Import Early to Tackle Shipping Challenges
Ongoing port congestion has reached a “boiling point” according to one global shipping expert. Retailers are suffering stress brought on by swings in consumer demand, fear of both gluts and shortages, and spiraling freight costs.
Dinner and a Movie: Can In-Theater Dining Save Struggling Cinemas?
The first half of 2024 featured a cold start for the domestic movie industry. Now, theaters across America are as focused as ever on making a “premium push” regarding their food and beverage offerings.
Chick-fil-A Knocked Off Perch as Best Fast-Food Chain
A new list of consumers’ favorite fast-food chains has a surprise winner. Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A is taking rare criticism of late.
Game the System: Gamification in Grocery & Retail
Gamification refers to the idea of point scoring and applying competitive techniques to encourage consumer engagement.
Case Study: Elevating the Grocery Checkout Experience
Customer engagement company Birdzi has partnered with retail solutions provider ECRS for tech that allows grocery shoppers to redeem digital coupons in real-time.
Snacking Survey: Products and Innovations Today’s Consumers Crave
Today’s consumers are snacking around the clock, according to a shopper survey that notes which new innovations shoppers are craving.
Analysis: Why Has Adoption of AI Been So Slow in F&B?
While restaurant chains like McDonald’s have had notable swings and misses regarding AI, business leaders insist the technology offers invaluable uses to food companies, aiding personalized offers, sales forecasting, and more.
Consumers Are Warming to the Idea of Smart Carts and Frictionless Shopping
About 77% of shoppers say they’re interested in trying new technology within a grocery store. And major retailers are finally warming to the idea of providing innovations like electronic shelf labels.
Seed Oils are Under Fire: The Health Debate is Heating Up
Thanks in part to influencers like Brian “Liver King” Johnson, seed oils are considered detrimental to human health. Thus, food brands seem destined to further transition to coconut, olive, or avocado oils for their products.
Riding High: Data Shows LongHorn Steakhouse Ascending Among Casual-Dining Chains
LongHorn Steakhouse has become a prime candidate to unseat rivals like Texas Roadhouse as America’s preferred steakhouse.
June’s Record Bankruptcy Wave Signals Tough Times Ahead for Businesses
In June there were 75 major U.S. business bankruptcies. Some financial experts predict the pace could accelerate over the second half of the year.
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Chilling Out: Hot Sales for Cold Drinks
With summer solidly here, a recent trend in coffee may leave many caffeine junkies wondering what happened to a classic cup of joe.
$1.99 Sonic Boom Shakes Up Value Meal Wars
The so-called fast-food “value wars” are ramping up. First McDonald’s and Taco Bell tried to undercut each other; now Sonic’s $1.99 meal has taken things to another level.
‘Audience Optimizer’ Tool Designed to Revolutionize Retail Ads
Swiftly’s newest offering was designed to provide both retailers and brands the ability to engage with customers on a highly personalized level.
CEO Predicts Global ‘Food Wars’ as Supplies Wane
“Food wars” are simmering, as geopolitical tensions have inspired a rise of protectionism amid concerns about dwindling supplies, according to one of the largest global agricultural commodity traders, Olam Agri. The Singapore-based agri-business is part of the Olam Group, which supplies food worldwide.
Investors Fear Kroger Is Returning To The Old Normal
Kroger stock has performed well in 2024, rising 9% so far this year. But on a two-year basis, the stock has barely budged and shares have faded 15% from early April levels. The reaction to first-quarter earnings last week further highlights the uncertainty: Kroger stock jumped in early trading but finished the day down a little over 3%.
The Plight of the Hourly Employee: Low Morale, Long Hours and AI Fears
A new study shows that hourly employees are demanding more recognition from their employers along with increasingly flexible schedules.
Buc-ee’s – Not Your Father’s Fuel Stop
Buc-ee’s has redefined the c-store by boasting the cleanest restrooms, a wide array of private-label goods, music, foodservice, and more.
Private Label Growth Pockets in Frozen Food
As consumers continue to stockpile frozen foods, retail operators are leveraging private labels to tap into that demand. Which frozen products are experiencing the most store brand sales growth? FI investigates.
Personalized Wellness on the Rise: 90% Seek Tailored Health Products
“The global wellness economy is booming across all sectors as people prioritize healthier choices,” noted David Knies, wellness and innovation expert at PA Consulting.
Missing the Mark – Private Label is Failing at Target
Everything is cyclical. There’s a pendulum at play for any brand investing heavily in the private-label game – as more house brands populate shelves with similar names and cheaper prices than their national brand counterparts, public perception of the parent company may swing along with the pendulum; in other words, some consumers may begin to question what they’re compromising when their carts are full of private-label goods instead of the national brands they may have been buying last week, last quarter, or last year. So swings the pendulum as a blade of commerce.
July Fourth Food Report: Grilling Burgers is 3x Cheaper than Dining Out
Grillers rejoice. Hosting a July Fourth cookout could cost less than it did in 2023 (if consumers prep more staples at home).
What’s the Big Dill? Suddenly, Pickles Are Everywhere
Pickle flavors proliferate in 2024, making their way into many of America’s popular snack items. Pickle power shows no signs of slowing.