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.
Food Retail Archive
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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.
Asian Food & Grocery Proliferates
According to recent data from Technomic, Asian casual-dining chains experienced sales growth of more than 24% in 2023 – nearly six times the average for casual dining as a whole.
AI-Driven CPG Platform Keychain Adds Former Whole Foods Exec to Key Role
CPG manufacturing platform Keychain has appointed Mitchell Madoff to Head of Retail Partnerships. The Foxtrot transplant and former Head of Whole Foods Private Label brings with him an extensive background in CPG and private label spanning over two decades.
Going Electric: Walmart Commits to Digital Signage
“The digital element presents an expanded shopper/marketer revenue stream for the company,” Zakowicz said.
Hummus: The Original Plant-Based Dip
According to Brightfield research group, the top need states searched online with hummus over the past three years are functional health, digestive health, and sustainability, while the top nutrition states are low sugar, low carb, and high protein – all benefits from the humble chickpea.
Luxury Fruit is Now a Status Symbol
From $8 strawberries to $400 pineapples, a niche group of U.S. shoppers are paying top dollar for premium fruits.
Survey Shows In-Store Shopping Still Very Much Matters
While e-commerce continues to gain ground, most consumers still appreciate the in-store shopping experience, according to a new survey.
Survey Shows Retail Workers Prefer Practical Tools over AI
Today’s retail workers are most eager to be equipped with tools that help them tackle inefficient tasks, particularly when interacting with customers.
Top 5 Casual-dining Restaurant Chains by Sales
Olive Garden’s sales have bloomed even as the economy has wilted, topping the list of U.S. casual-dining chains in terms of systemwide sales.
Gone ‘til September: Huy Fong’s Sriracha is Orange and in Short Supply
Huy Fong doesn’t just lead the category in the United States – it by and large created the category over 40 years ago when it debuted its sriracha in 1980, fostering a dedicated fandom that has only grown via endless professional collaboration and licensing coupled with decidedly non-professional experimentation from hotheads coast to coast, kitchen to kitchen.
Dollar Stores Have Reached An Inflection Point
The performance of dollar store stocks suggested investors believed Walmart’s best days were behind it. They were wrong.
Frozen Heats Up the Market at Frozen IQ 2024
The agenda at Frozen IQ was very simple – to empower and grow the frozen food industry through the sharing of insights and opportunities.
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Feeling the Squeeze: Orange Juice Prices Continue to Climb
Orange juice futures are up more than 400% since 2020, and the rising prices have consumers wondering if the juice is truly worth the squeeze.
Gut Feelings: Experts Largely Bullish on Prebiotic Sodas
Many industry experts believe prebiotic sodas represent a gut-health trend with real staying power as major soda brands appear poised to respond.
The Food Dye Dilemma: Manufacturers Navigate New Regulations
Are the days of artificial red coloring numbered? Perhaps, judging by recent regulations and subsequent moves by major food manufacturers.
Private Label Drives Summer Growth
For many major retailers, the latest quarterly results tell a familiar tale: consumers are fed up with high prices, spending less, and commodifying their loyalty by taking the best deal right now, regardless of whose logo adorns their grocery bag or shopping cart.
Investors See Cava as the “Next Chipotle”
Cava has intrigued investors, as CEO Brett Schulman has argued that Mediterranean food is the “next large-scale cultural cuisine category.”
A Fork in the Road to Sustainability: Nestlé’s New Plant-Based Fork
The innovation is a key part of its commitment to eliminate or reduce plastics in packaging while scaling reusable and refillable systems.
BellRing, Simply Good Brands Illustrate Boundless Opportunities Within ‘Active Nutrition’ Category
Active nutrition brands BellRing and Simply Good Foods are thriving after acquisitions, providing a roadmap to success for other brands, too.
Certified Organic Products Break U.S. Sales Record in 2023
U.S. dollar sales for organic products approached $70 billion in 2023, marking a 3.4% increase YoY and setting a record for the sector.
Breaking the Ice: The Chill, Crunch, and Pleasure of Freeze-Dried Candy
When scanning a candy store in 2024, customers will notice a developing trend: freeze-dried products, apparently, are the coolest. Candies like Skittles and Jolly Ranchers can now be found in freeze-dried variations.
Drinks Catering to Gen Z Steal the Show in Chicago
The event’s exhibitors focused on foods, drinks, and equipment designed to help foodservice operators create unique taste experiences. Beyond offering crave-worthy fusion dishes and fun iced beverages, exhibitors offered a wide array of vending machines on the show floor.
Falling Stars: Inflation Cuts Into Retailers’ Ratings
The most recent rising trend in retail is lowering one’s expectations of retail. This year, clothing companies tended to fall the worst, followed closely by QSRs, big box stores, and grocers, in that order.
Three Key Trends from NRA 2024
The food-away-from home industry gathered in Chicago between May 18 and May 21 for the 2024 National Restaurant Association Show (NRA 2024).