The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released its 2026 Climate‑Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard, tracking major U.S. food retailer efforts to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), superpollutant refrigerants used across the food retail sector. The release comes one week after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled back requirements on refrigerant use in a move condemned by environmental and industry […]
Category: National
Expert Article
Non-Food For Thought: Home Field Advantage
How Summer 2026 is Reshaping Seasonal Opportunity By Naomi Sleeper, President, Imperial Distributors Inc. Non-Food for Thought is back. After a few-year hiatus, we are relaunching this column as a forum for sharing perspective on the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping non-food merchandising in the grocery channel. There may not be a more relevant time […]
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Know Your Numbers: The Financial Habits Behind Independent Grocery’s Top Performers
Jon Cline knows the grocery business from the ground up. He started bagging groceries at Safeway in high school, managed a 7-Eleven while earning his accounting degree at the University of Oklahoma, and went on to build a career spanning some of the industry’s biggest names: Arthur Andersen, Scrivner, Fleming and Supervalu. At FMS Solutions, […]
Expert Article
The Fresh Bakery Renaissance: Why In-Store Bakeries Are Grocery’s Secret Weapon In 2026
Fresh FMI data shows the in-store bakery is one of grocery’s strongest growth engines — and a clear roadmap for retailers heading into 2026. The in-store bakery is having a moment. According to FMI’s Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025 report, in-store bakery sales reached $21 billion in the 52 weeks ending Aug. 9 — […]
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NGA Opposes OCC Rule Allowing Banks To Set Swipe Fees Via Third Parties
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 […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, National, News
Fresh Connect Expands Produce Card To Four Tailored Grocery Options
Fresh Connect has expanded its offering from a single produce card to four specialized medically supportive grocery cards, paired with a new companion app that gives cardholders instant clarity on what is approved under their program. Since its launch in 2020, Fresh Connect has enabled health plans, healthcare providers, and community partners to deliver access […]
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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 […]
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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 […]