China has started buying U.S. supplies of soybeans from next year’s crop much earlier than usual, reported Bloomberg (Dec. 7). The world’s top importer is loading up on U.S. crops, including corn and soybeans, to …
More than 110,000 restaurants have closed permanently or for a long period of time throughout the U.S. as the industry is contending with the coronavirus pandemic, says the National Restaurant Association. The total, which represents …
Chick-fil-A filed a federal lawsuit accusing 16 poultry suppliers of inflating prices on billions of dollars of chicken that it bought, reported The New York Times (Nov. 6). The suit accuses the producers of violating …
Financing for large and mid-tier restaurant franchisees is back to near pre-pandemic levels, according to the head of restaurant finance for Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group Brian Geraghty. Geraghty pointed out factors including aggressive loan terms, …
Grubhub released its 2020 Year in Food report, analyzing what foods were most popular with diners this year. Consumers turned back to comfort foods and caffeine to get through the pandemic, turning away from vegan …
Amazing breakthroughs in the world of food are becoming available to consumers daily. While plant-based food innovation is ramping up, another area gathering steam is cell-cultured meat production in labs. The Food and Agriculture Organization …
As COVID-19 continues to dampen sales at restaurants, some are trying a new strategy by opening in retail stores, which have profited from the pandemic. Hy-Vee Inc. is preparing to open its 20th Wahlburgers at …
Several major food companies have recently announced new better-for-the-planet initiatives. Nestle Nestle will invest $3.6 billion over the next five years in an effort to fight climate change and plans to halve its carbon emissions …
One trend to look out for in 2021 is the rise of global cuisines. With consumers mostly stuck at home, many foodies will look to get their travel fix at home through international flavors. “With …
While the pandemic continues, food delivery and ghost kitchens are gaining in popularity as 2020 comes to a close. Media company Thrillist is working with New York-based ghost kitchen company Zuul to open a ghost …
Neighborhood grocery stores will likely serve as major providers of COVID-19 vaccinations, reported The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 30). Supermarkets are working to secure storage materials for the vaccines, and other medical gear required for …
Weak gift card sales could be an obstacle to full recovery for restaurant chains, reported The Wall Street Journal (Dec. 1). As COVID-19 cases rise, more restrictions are being placed on restaurants and less people …
Several companies have recently made announcements regarding bonuses and hazard pay, following reports of retailers not sharing enough of their pandemic profit with their employees. Here are a few: Amazon After ending its $2-an-hour pay …
U.S. consumers spent an estimated $9 billion this year on U.S. retail websites for Black Friday, according to Adobe Analytics, reported AL.com (Nov. 28). The spend represents a 22% increase over a record $7.4 billion …
Tofurky sales are up 32% in 2020, representing its best Thanksgiving bump since 2017, according to Nielsen data. While the company is now 40 years old, it remains smaller than other players in the plant-based …
McCormick will buy hot sauce maker Cholula for $800 million, reported CNBC (Nov. 24). The company, which already owns the Frank’s RedHot and Old Bay hot sauce brands, reported an 8% sales increase its latest …
The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects holiday sales will rise in 2020 when compared to 2019 as consumers search for reasons to celebrate during the pandemic. The group forecast holiday sales in November and December …
Walmart has made several business moves recently that involve a delivery acquisition and a COVID-19 testing-related investment. Walmart acquired select assets of JoyRun in a bid to incorporate its peer-to-peer food and drink delivery service …
With about 25% of restaurant locations expected to shut in the U.S., there has been huge growth in digital sales during the pandemic, according to the Limited Service Restaurant Digital Maturity Benchmark, 2020 report from …
Despite rising coronavirus cases across the country, hazard pay for retail workers is not keeping pace. Industry observers say many retailers are not sharing enough of the profits they have earned during the pandemic with …
The year 2020 has been like no other in recent memory. The pandemic has left Americans with many new government-enacted laws which were instituted in order to keep people as safe as possible and they …
Ahold Delhaize will acquire a majority stake in FreshDirect, with plans to accelerate its growth online and around New York, reported Winsight Grocery Business (Nov. 18). The acquisition will allow Ahold Delhaize to begin its …
Although overall food prices are on the rise, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner is down 4%, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving …
Mars’ acquisition of the KIND brand is more than the latest or the largest strategic acquisition by a large food company. In this acquisition, the real “news” is the lessons its 16-year development contains for …
Mars Inc. has agreed to acquire KIND North America. The companies have partnered over the last three years to bring KIND into new geographies and categories. As a result, KIND has expanded into more than …
Across the nation, mayors of cities and governors of states are restricting hours for businesses in an effort to tamp down on a rising trend of COVID-19 infections. The legislation was not unwarranted. With the …
Amazon opened an online pharmacy Nov. 16, allowing customers to order medications and prescription refills for delivery, reported CNBC (Nov. 17). The retail giant has been building its pharmacy offering for several years now. In …
Nearly a quarter of the U.S. population are trying new plant-based meat alternatives, according to a study from Herbalife Nutrition. Since the pandemic, buying spree sales of plant-based foods are up 35% as more Americans …
Walmart has recently made business moves that indicate it’s shifting its focus from international markets to digital operations. International Divestures In 2018, Walmart sold an 80% stake in its Brazilian operations to a global profit …
DoorDashfiled for its IPO on Nov. 13, reported The Wall Street Journal (Nov. 13). The filing revealed the company’s rapid growth during the pandemic, as revenue for the September quarter more than tripled from the …
The COVID-19 pandemic has turned the world upside down, but that hasn’t stopped the global consumption of roughly 2.25 billion cups of coffee per day. What has certainly changed during this 2020 crisis is how …
Grocery shoppers are gravitating towards more premium products, according to data from IRI. Unlike the beginning of the pandemic, when consumers raced to stock up on household staples, shoppers are now turning toward specialty items …
Rising COVID-19 cases in several states have led to lockdown measures being reinstated, providing more opportunity for delivery and online shopping. In New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced new restrictions, some of which target restaurants …
Several leading foodservice companies have revealed plans for more convenient store models that are designed with pickup and delivery in mind. Chipotle Chipotle is opening its first digital-only restaurant called the Chipotle Digital Kitchen. Located …
More than half of c-store operators said they expect their total 2020 sales to be at least somewhat higher than last year’s profits, according to CSP Daily News’ latest Outlook Survey. Thirty-nine percent anticipate their …
The CDC suggested Americans who are hosting Thanksgiving dinners have their meals outside to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Hosts should limit the number of guests they invite, talk to guests before they …
