FI Fast Break audio news: July 27, 2022

The most recent FI Fast Break news podcast touches on the evolution of the food hall concept.

Plant-Based Meat Growth Expected to Continue Despite Obstacles

The plant-based meat category is experiencing some growing pains. Through the early weeks of the pandemic, alt-meat sales grew some 200% at retail outlets, and the hype around that helped the category secure more than …

Meal Kit Services Pivot as Pandemic Eases

Despite stronger sales earlier in the pandemic, the meal kit industry still has room to grow, with Statista projecting the U.S. market to reach more than $10 billion by 2024, compared to $6.9 billion in …

Retailers Overloaded with Inventory at Summer’s Outset

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 …

Food Industry Automation Gaining Momentum Amid Labor Shortage

Image courtesy of Miso Robotics Amid the pandemic-related labor shortage, investment in automation continues to gain momentum, particularly in the restaurant space. In fact, the food automation market is expected to grow at a CAGR …

Drone Deliveries to Take Flight by 2025 – at Steep Cost

We may not have George Jetson’s flying car quite yet, but we could soon be getting a significant amount of our deliveries by drone if Amazon and Chili’s have their way. Amazon has been talking …

FI Fast Break audio news: March 16, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the impact the crisis in the Ukraine is having on the global food supply, coin circulation challenges, and more. The Food Institute Podcast …

FI Fast Break audio news: March 9, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine restaurant chains’ recent appeal to video gamers, increasing support for U.S. agriculture, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News …

Consumer Purchasing Behavior Appears to Be Unchanged Despite Inflation Woes

Inflation is still a major concern for consumers, but it’s not stopping them from spending. INFLATION A CONCERN FOR 9 OF 10 AMERICANS Almost 90 percent of all adults in the U.S. are concerned about …

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 23, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we update the ongoing bird flu outbreak, the restaurant industry’s recovery, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Feb. 23, …

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 16, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine America’s bird flu outbreak, inflation, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Feb. 16, 2022 The FI Fast …

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 9, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine Walmart’s online grocery growth, the popularity of Veganuary, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Feb. 9, 2022 …

FI Fast Break audio news: Feb. 2, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the restaurant industry’s outlook for 2022, labor shortage strategies, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Feb. 2, …

FDA: Blockchain-Based Food Tracking Bound for Widespread Adoption

A new rule could boost blockchain-based food tracking. The rule, expected next November, would require the food industry to maintain records associated with the critical tracking events on the supply chain, according to Frank Yiannas, …

FI Fast Break audio news: Jan. 26, 2022

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine Coca-Cola’s experiment with alcohol, Walmart’s investment in indoor farming, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Jan. 26, …

FI Small Bites: Is Walmart Getting into the “Metaverse?”

Walmart recently filed applications to engage in business in the virtual world, a significant move amidst Facebook’s new launch of Meta.

Dearth of Rural Drug Stores Creates Opportunity for Chains

Where have all the corner drug stores gone? Those of a certain age remember the traditional corner drug store – the place you went after school, nickels clutched in hand, to buy a piece of …

Kroger Banking on Fulfillment Centers to Challenge Publix, Walmart

Kroger may be more than a century old, but the venerable grocery store chain is taking a page from more recent upstarts and betting on e-commerce to keep it ticking long into the 21st century. …

Robotics Advancing Across Foodservice, Delivery, Agriculture

What seemed like something straight out of science fiction just a few years ago is quickly becoming a reality for the food industry. Robots are now doing everything from picking, preparing and delivering supplies. With …

Survey: Instacart, Facing Stiff Competition, Could See Decline

Consumers flocked to Instacart during the pandemic, but with growing competition and consumers’ sensitivity to prices and aversion to fees, the grocery delivery pioneer could see its market share decline, a recent survey by Barclays …

Warehouse Operators Get Creative to Prep for Hectic Holiday Season

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 …

How Amazon is Changing the Grocery Landscape

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 …

Shoppable Content: The Next Chapter in Digital Advertising

As competition intensifies across the media advertising landscape, major retail players are differentiating themselves with technologically-optimized content that advances the omnichannel purchasing experience. The recent partnership between Walmart and media corporation Meredith has upped the …

Will Food Companies Follow Cathay Pacific’s Lead on Firing Unvaccinated Crew?

With the FDA granting full approval for Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, and the highly contagious delta variant spreading around the nation, several businesses are mandating that all or some employees provide proof of vaccination. Recently, Cathay …

Employment at Grocers, Restaurants Down in August Despite Net Employment Gains

Ahead of Labor Day Weekend, the labor situation for grocers and restaurants is anything but rosy. Although both the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and ADP showed a net gain in jobs for August, hiring …

FI Fast Break audio news: Sept. 1, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the popularity of loyalty programs, the ascent of dollar stores, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – Sept. …

FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 25, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine U.S. food distributors’ supply chain pain, unique new restaurant endorsement deals, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – …

Walmart Makes Major Play in Last-Mile Delivery

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, …

FI Fast Break audio news: Aug. 18, 2021

This week, in The Food Institute’s quick-hitting, audio news podcast, we examine the historic recent jump in menu prices, equipment shortages at restaurants, and more. The Food Institute Podcast · FI Fast Break News – …

Employers’ Latest Hiring Tactic: Tuition-Free Degrees

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 …

Retailers Tackling Out-of-Stock Issues with Artificial Intelligence

Proper inventory management is a top concern for retailers. Out-of-stock items and inefficient replacement strategies can result in lost sales, reduced customer satisfaction, and lower loyalty levels. In response to these challenges, companies like Walmart …

FI Retail Roundup: Amazon’s Prime Day Plans Prompting Shift in Competitors’ Mindset

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 …

DoorDash CEO’s Pay Package Latest to Raise Eyebrows

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 …

As Retail Spending Rises, Target Growth Rates Best Walmart 

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 …

‘Revenge Spending’ the Latest Trend Driving Earnings

Walmart recently posted strong quarterly sales growth and boosted its profit outlook, as comparable sales increased 6% for U.S. stores, excluding fuel, according to Bloomberg (May 18). The retailer attributed the strong performance to a …

Pet Adoption, Food Sales Grow as Birth Rate Slips

Birth rates fell for the sixth consecutive year to the lowest levels since 1979, according to the CDC. The number of births in the U.S. declined last year by 4% from 2019, double the average annual …