Welcome to the FI Newscast! Each week, we note the latest industry trends and consumer insights, with guest appearances by the foremost industry experts. This week’s guest was Hunter Thurman, President of Alpha-Diver – one …
Now that Walmart has joined Target and Costco by raising their minimum pay to about double the federal rate of $7.25 an hour, fast-food outlets may have to consider boosting their minimum to $20 to …
The latest FI news podcast updates the push toward automation throughout multiple elements of the food industry.
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.
Which brands are most popular among Gen Z? That question was examined in depth in a recent Morning Consult report. And, included among social media brands like TikTok and gaming entities like Twitch, plenty of …
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?
Companies like McDonald’s are allowing workers to access hourly pay on demand in the hopes of shoring up the ongoing labor shortage.
The trend of pure play grocers struggling has flipped since 2020, with supermarket stocks for grocers like Albertsons holding their own.
Who doesn’t love a bargain? Consumers likely will be in luck this summer as retailers, whose inventories have swollen largely due to the pandemic and shifts in buying behaviors, try to rationalize their stocks amid …
In a recent Barclays conference call, a team of analysts discussed the success of gig delivery and how it could become a compelling offering for retailers. Here’s a look at the key takeaways from the …
As they brace for what’s expected to be intense holiday demand, warehouse operators are boosting pay, acquiring more talent, and enlisting robots, reported The Wall Street Journal (Sept. 26). TALENT ACQUISITION PUSH Demand for distribution …
A detour to the grocery store on the way home from work used to be just part of the daily grind, but all that has changed, and Amazon’s entry into the grocery business is moving …
Dealing with a shallow labor pool, major companies are increasingly turning to creative – and, in some cases, controversial – measures to attract new hires. Here’s a look at some unique moves made recently along …
As the calendar turns to National Dog Day, it’s apparent as ever that food and beverage companies are catering to pets these days. BEER BRANDS CATERING TO DOGS Is American beer going to the dogs? …
Walmart plans to open up its in-house delivery platform, Spark Driver, to other businesses. The retailer is doing so to allow the independent contractors out delivering Walmart merchandise to make additional deliveries along the way, …
This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine how consumers are stocking their pantries due to the Delta variant, the restaurant industry’s recovery, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI …
Hiring and retaining employees has been a battle throughout the coronavirus pandemic, so companies are upping their game, waving perks like signing bonuses at workers. Now, the latest trend entails major employers like McDonald’s offering …
The statistics are staggering. According to a recent poll conducted by job site Monster.com, 95% of respondents were “currently considering changing jobs,” and 92% said they’d switch industries to get a new job. The top …
As COVID-19 eases in the U.S., retailers are preparing for business in a new, post-pandemic paradigm. Here are some recent highlights: Amazon Prime Day Amazon Prime Day always has a big impact on the company’s …
The 2020 pay package of DoorDash CEO Tony Xu far exceeded that of most S&P 500 CEOs. However, it’s not the only one to raise eyebrows. In fact, CEO compensation rose to an average $15.3 million …
Big-box retailers have reported surprisingly strong first-quarter results as consumers – with more money from stimulus checks and rising optimism about a return to normal life – spent more in-store and online as COVID-19 cases fell and vaccination rates increased. And, while Walmart posted sector-leading earnings that surged past Wall Street estimates …
U.S. retail stores and restaurants are weighing updated CDC guidelines that allow fully vaccinated people to remove their masks in both indoor and outdoor settings. According to the CDC, a person is fully vaccinated two …
While Oatly may be making waves for its proposed $10 billion IPO, competition in the space continues to heat up as new competitors expand their product ranges. Meanwhile, the health benefits of these products continue …
Millennials’ favorite food and beverage brands in 2021 highlight a taste for convenience, comfort, and quality with a focus on affordability. The popularity of private labels and non-traditional retailer formats are also on the rise. …
The demand for private label grocery products remained strong throughout the pandemic, with higher-end premium lines driving sales for traditional grocers, clubs, and mass merchandisers. Now, Kroger plans to add 660 items to its private …
Food is Gen Z’s No. 1 wallet priority at 23%, according to Piper Sandler’s annual Taking Stock with Teens survey. The survey highlights discretionary spending trends and brand preferences from 7,000 teens across 47 U.S. …
The push for the Raise the Wage Act, which would increase the minimum wage to $15, is pressuring U.S. businesses like restaurants that depend on keeping labor costs in check to survive. QSRs are finding …
Several food retailers are revamping their advertising businesses and appear to be modeling their approach after companies like Google and Amazon. Walmart is the latest to do so, which could have far-reaching business implications. The …
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 …
With popularity of frozen foods up during the pandemic, supply chains for frozen products are undergoing their own set of challenges. Eighty-six percent of consumers said they bought frozen food in March and April, with …
Private-label brands have been performing well during COVID-19. Entering 2020, the category grew more than 4% as national brands only grew at 1.5%, according to Nielsen. As the year carried on, the category continued to …
Food Institute Focus – Shifting Back to Sustainability
Food Institute Focus – Retailers Face Their Future
Food Institute Focus – How COVID-19 Could Change Grocery Shopping Indefinitely
