Grocery Outlet, an extreme-value grocer, has selected Afresh for store ordering across every department — center store, general merchandise, meat and produce — at its more than 500 stores run by independent operators, according to the companies. The partnership will provide each operator with intelligent ordering that balances shrink, out-of-stocks, labor and margin while maintaining […]
Category: National
Posted inFinance News, National, News, Online Grocery Technology
Ottimate Launches First MCP Integration Among AP Platforms
Ottimate, an AI-powered accounts payable automation platform serving invoice-heavy industries including grocery and foodservice, has announced the first Model Context Protocol integration in the market, enabling finance leaders to bring AP data directly into large language models for financial insights. The announcement is part of Ottimate’s 2026 Summer Release, which also includes enhancements to Ottimate […]
Posted inAssociations, Featured News, National, News
NGA Criticizes Preliminary Approval Of $38B Swipe Fee Settlement
The National Grocers Association expressed disappointment after a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a revised $38 billion settlement between Visa, Mastercard and U.S. merchants over credit card interchange fees, calling on Congress to pass legislation the association says would deliver more meaningful reform. U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn, New York, ruled June […]
Posted inFeatured News, Grocery Research, National, News
Gen X Wants Global Flavors, Stores Aren’t Stocking Them
Grocery retailers may be underestimating one of their most valuable customer groups, according to new research from Cashew, a Calgary, Alberta-based consumer insights firm. The study found Generation X shoppers are more interested in international and specialty foods than conventional grocery assumptions suggest, yet many feel mainstream stores have not caught up. In a survey […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National, News
Produce Coalition For USMCA Launches To Protect Tariff-Free Trade
A new industry group formed to protect tariff-free agricultural trade and consumer access to affordable fresh produce has announced its official launch. The Produce Coalition for USMCA represents growers, packers, shippers, distributors and sellers of fresh produce across the United States. The group said it will advocate for maintaining the market access provisions established under […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Featured News, Finance News, Grocery Store Equipment, National, News
Hidden Profit: The Power Of Knowing Your Store
My colleague Peter Cooke and I are approaching a combined 40 years of helping food retailers improve their operations and, ultimately, their profit. For many of these years, this was represented by best sustainable practices or a similar vernacular. Regardless of the outside wrapper, we helped real retailers – real people – identify and capture […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National, News
At IDDBA, St Pierre Turns Up The Heat With First Limited-Edition Bun
St Pierre debuts its first limited-edition Spicy Brioche Buns at IDDBA and makes the data case for why brioche is poised to become a $1 billion category.
Posted inAssociation News, Frozen Food, National, News
NFRA Names Winners Of 2026 Penguin Pitch Contest For Emerging Brands
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) has announced the winners of the third-annual Penguin Pitch: Emerging Brand Contest, a program designed to spotlight up-and-coming brands reshaping the frozen and refrigerated aisles through innovation, flavor and purpose. Category winners Following a review process, three brands earned top honors in the following categories: • Best […]