The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) opposing an interim final rule that would permit national banks to establish interchange (swipe) fees through third‑party arrangements rather than through bank‑to‑bank competition. The rule revises 12 C.F.R. § 7.4002 and relates to the Illinois Interchange Fee […]
Category: National
Fresh Connect Expands ‘Food as Medicine’ Platform With Cards, Companion App
Fresh Connect, a technology platform that helps health plans and providers connect patients with nutritious food, has expanded its offerings to include four specialized nutrition benefit cards and a new companion mobile app. The upgrades aim to make it easier for healthcare organizations to address diet‑related chronic conditions through targeted grocery benefits. The Fresh Connect […]
Crossroads: Beyond The Store – Financial Balance In Independent Grocery
By Grant Fossum, AIF, RFC | ProWealth Financial Independent grocers understand diversification better than those in most other industries. Inside the store, balance is built into daily operations – meat and produce drive traffic, center store drives volume, service departments drive margin and the front end shapes the customer experience. Outside the store, that […]
DoorDash, Dollar Tree Partner For On‑Demand Delivery From 9K Stores
DoorDash and Dollar Tree have formed a new partnership to offer on‑demand delivery from Dollar Tree’s full U.S. store footprint, giving shoppers access to more than 10,000 products across 9,000 stores in 48 states. The partnership allows customers to order affordable essentials, pantry staples, household supplies, party décor, balloons, craft items, and seasonal merchandise through […]
AWG CFO Koch Joins Breez AI Board; Stukus Named VP Sales
Breez AI has added Gary Koch, CEO of Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), to its board of directors and named David Stukus as VP of sales and customer success. The leadership additions come as Breez AI accelerates growth across retailers, prepares to deploy its next‑generation artificial intelligence platform and unlocks new monetization capabilities for independent grocers. […]
Oikos Adds Strawberry, Caffeinated Mocha Latte to Protein Shake Lineup
Oikos, the Danone-owned high-protein yogurt brand, is expanding its ready-to-drink protein shake lineup with two new flavors: Strawberry and Mocha Latte. The additions bring the shelf-stable shake line to five varieties, joining Chocolate, Vanilla and Salted Caramel. Each shake delivers 30 grams of complete protein, 5 grams of prebiotic fiber and vitamins A and D, […]
Report: 19 States To Restrict SNAP Soda, Candy Purchases By End Of 2026
By the end of 2026, 19 states will have Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) food restriction waivers in place, affecting about one‑third of program participants and putting up to $830 million in soda, candy and energy drink sales at risk, according to a new report from Numerator, a consumer data and technology company. The report, […]
Family Dollar Shutters 350 Stores In 10 Months Under New Ownership
Family Dollar has closed at least 350 stores in the U.S. since July 7, 2025, a 4.69 percent reduction in the chain’s footprint, according to a new analysis by Local Falcon, a local AI search visibility platform. The closures amount to about one store per day over the 309‑day period ending May 12. The chain’s […]
