Dept. Fuel

  1. Technology & Innovation

Tesco F&F online – the good, the bad, and the glitchy: our most read retail technology articles from last week

Check out the articles on this here website that caught your fancy last week, including Marks and Spencer, PoundFun, H&M Group, Centra, Carrefour Belgium, StrongPoint, THG Ingenuity, Asda, LIveRamp, and Amazon. Marks and Spencer lacked business continuity plan amid ongoing cyber attack chaos, M&S insider claims An M&S insider has talked to Sky News about […]
7 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Restaurant Leaders Confront the Future: Why Reinvention, Not Nostalgia, Will Define the Next Era of Dining

  As chain restaurant executives gather in Chicago, the stakes have never been higher. Traditional strategies rooted in brand protectionism are crumbling under the weight of rising costs, labor shortages, and fierce competition from non-traditional food outlets. According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Foodservice Solutions®, the path to survival is not resistance but […]
5 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Ferrero Is Launching Nutella Peanut Spread in the US

Nutella Peanut is coming to store shelves in the U.S. European food company Ferrero, the maker of the iconic Nutella hazelnut spread, is using the new product to build a stronger presence in North America. Nutella Peanut will not be a new peanut butter. According to the food maker, the new product will combine its […]
2 min read
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  1. Media & Marketing

7-Eleven Enhances Subscription Service with Free Drinks and In-Store Exclusives

7-Eleven has launched an improved Gold Pass subscription and loyalty program, building on the 7NOW Gold Pass subscription delivery service introduced in January 2022. The enhanced program brings loyalty, perks and delivery benefits together and is available for $9.95 per month or $95 annually; students pay $5.95 monthly or $55 per year. In addition to […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Stores & Formats

In-N-Out Burger Expands to New Unlisted Location in Utah

In-N-Out Burger has expanded exponentially, but the popular fast-food chain is making headlines for a new unlisted location in Utah. According to a notice of approved ordinances and city council agenda materials, the St. George City Council recently approved In-N-Out’s plan to open a new restaurant in the SunRiver neighborhood, per The Spectrum. Construction schedules […]
2 min read
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  1. Merchandising

Packaging Matters: The Cost, Sustainability, and Strategic Role of Packaging in Fresh Meals and Meal Components

  When you think about a restaurant meal or a ready-to-eat fresh meal component, your first thoughts probably center around taste, quality, or convenience according to Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. But behind every delicious bite is something just as crucial to a food business’s success: packaging. In today’s […]
4 min read
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  1. Technology & Innovation

AI & IoT in 2024: Healthcare, Energy, and Industrial Market Insights

Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are reshaping industries by enabling data-driven decision-making, automation, and real-time monitoring. As these technologies mature, they are being integrated across sectors to improve operational efficiency, reduce costs, and optimize performance. From AI-assisted diagnostics in healthcare to predictive maintenance in oil and gas, AI and IoT […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Channel: Restaurants

Food Industry Success: Mastering the Price, Value, Service Equilibrium

  As economic pressures mount with inflation and fluctuating gas prices, today’s consumers have never been more “meal price transactional,” a term coined by Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®. Consumers scrutinize every dollar spent, balancing the price, value, and service they receive — all while seeking convenience and quality. This delicate […]
4 min read
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  1. Merchandising

Top 6 Signs Your Brand Needs a Packaging Makeover

A packaging redesign is more than just colors, fonts, shapes and graphics; it’s a strategic move to align your packaging with your brand’s evolving identity, consumer preferences, and market trends. Whether you’re refreshing your visuals, shifting materials, or altering messaging, the goal is to ensure your packaging resonates with your target audience and helps your […]
4 min read
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  1. International

Promotional feature | The wait is over – CELSIUS® has officially launched in the UK

CELSIUS® has officially launched in the UK and these energy drinks are revolutionising the UK beverage scene with their ‘LIVE FIT’ philosophy More than just a source of energy, CELSIUS is on a mission to fuel active lifestyles, empowering you to power through your day,… This story continues at Promotional feature | The wait is […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Technology & Innovation

Top 7 Trends Behind Lithium-Ion Battery Market Growth

From cars that charge instead of refuel to homes powered by the sun, lithium-ion batteries are quietly transforming the way the world works. Their ability to store energy efficiently, recharge quickly, and power everything from electric vehicles to portable devices has made them essential to today’s energy revolution. As industries strive for cleaner, smarter, and […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

Visa: 50% of Global eCommerce Transactions Are Tokenized

Visa’s fiscal second quarter results underscored the continued displacement of cash in face-to-face commerce, the widening embrace of tap-to-pay technologies and rising commercial volumes — and notably, there’s been no consumer spending slowdown, according to management commentary on the earnings call Tuesday (April 29). Supplemental materials revealed that U.S. payments volume grew 6% and international […]
2 min read
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  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital

7-Eleven Fresh Food Forward

  How Food Innovation, Strategic Investment & Customer-Centric Execution Will Drive Growth As the convenience store industry evolves to meet the demands of a more food-savvy, on-the-go consumer, 7-Eleven is doubling down on fresh food, digital delivery, and proprietary innovation—and it’s not just catching up. It’s moving Fresh Food Forward. The C-Store Food Evolution: By […]
4 min read
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  1. Trends & External Forces

Eco-Energy on the Rise: Batteries and Fuel Cells Leading the Way

As the global shift toward sustainable energy accelerates, fuel cell and battery technologies are at the forefront of innovation. The 2024 Fuel Cell and Battery Research Review by BCC Research presents a comprehensive overview of cutting-edge developments and market insights in this transformative sector. This review brings together highlights from several key reports published throughout […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Department & Category

The Rise of the Grocerant: How Convenience Stores Are Outsmarting Legacy Chain Restaurants Where Have Fast-Food Diners Gone? Not home—but to the neighborhood convenience store.

  The foodservice landscape is shifting, and convenience stores (C-stores) are rapidly transforming from quick fuel stops into legitimate food destinations. They’re capturing a growing share of consumer dollars, satisfying cravings for variety, value, and ease—at a pace legacy chain restaurants simply can’t match. According to the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), foodservice accounted […]
4 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Sansolo Speaks:  Communicate, Communicate, Communicate

by Michael Sansolo We’ve talked a lot here on MNB recently about the importance of communication to shoppers especially in volatile times. As KC pointed out this week, Stew Leonard’s did a masterful job of helping shoppers both understand the potential impact of sweeping tariffs and see how the company will be handling them. It’s […]
3 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Hunger Games, & Why They Matter To Food Retailers

It has been an article of faith here at MNB pretty much since the beginning that one of the best ways for food retailers to compete effectively and differentiate themselves is to – wait for it – actually focus on food. Not on bottles and cartons and bags and packages.  Not just on efficiency and […]
2 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

Is Whole Foods Fresh Sustainable

  When Whole Foods launched its flagship Atlanta store, it embraced a forward-thinking market messaging strategy centered on “local, fresh food.” This approach not only highlights sustainability but also positions Whole Foods as a leader in the future of meals, meal prep, and meal components. By blending the trendy appeal of a food hall with […]
3 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Scenario Planning

There’s a famous observation from Dwight D. Eisenhower I’ve always found interesting: “Plans are useless, but planning is indispensable.” Another is Mike Tyson’s quip before a fight with Evander Holyfield: “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” What we know as “scenario planning” can be traced back to a Shell strategist […]
3 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Gen Z and Millennials’ Eating Habits Mirror Memory’s

  As Millennials transition into parenthood, their dining habits increasingly reflect those of their upbringing. According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, Millennials are embracing grocerant niche Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food options largely because they enjoyed these convenient meal solutions when their parents provided them. This generational continuity in eating […]
3 min read
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  1. Technology & Innovation

2024 Manufacturing Research Review: Key Market Trends and Growth Forecasts

The manufacturing industry is booming due to new technology, rising demand, and evolving production methods. Advanced machines and automation are making processes faster and more efficient. Growing demand for cars, electronics, and medical devices is driving increased production. Companies are also adopting eco-friendly practices and reshoring operations to improve supply chains. Expanding industries like electric […]
< 1 min read
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  1. Data & Insights

Can Walmart Succeed in the C-Store Space? Five Hurdles They Must Overcome

  For decades, grocery retailers have struggled to break into the convenience store (C-store) space. While on the surface, grocery and C-store operations may seem similar—both selling food and essentials—the reality is vastly different. Grocery chains that have attempted to transition into C-store retail, such as Safeway, Kroger, and Albertsons, have largely failed because they […]
5 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Casey’s Evolving Success with Migrating Consumers

  The convenience store landscape has undergone a dramatic transformation over the past two decades, evolving from a quick stop for fuel and packaged snacks to a robust competitor in the foodservice industry according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Leading the charge in this evolution is Casey’s General Stores, […]
5 min read
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  1. Shopper & Customer

Amazon’s Struggles in the Grocery Sector: Lessons from Pricing Policies and Market Dynamics

  Amazon’s ambitious entry into the grocery sector has been marked by a series of strategic shifts, yet it continues to face significant challenges in solidifying its position according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Recent developments, including the merging of corporate teams at Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go, have […]
5 min read
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  1. Department & Category

Walmart Pumps Up Fuel Locations with Openings and Remodels

Walmart will open or remodel more than 45 fuel stations across the U.S. this year, giving the retail giant more than 450 fuel and convenience stations across 34 states by the end of 2025. These one-stop shops offer the same low prices on snacks and beverages as full-scale Walmart stores. “We’re continuing to invest in […]
< 1 min read
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Editor’s Choice

  1. Trends & External Forces
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  5. Trends & External Forces

Charted: How Do U.S. Universities Make Their Money?

See this visualization first on the Voronoi app. Use This Visualization Charted: How Are American Universities Funded? This was originally posted on our Voronoi app. Download the app for free on iOS or Android and discover incredible data-driven charts from a variety of trusted sources. Key Takeaways More than half of American public college and […]
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  1. Channel: Delivery
  2. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  3. Corporate Strategy
  4. Media & Marketing
  5. Data & Insights
  6. Technology & Innovation

Week in Review: Instacart CEO heads to OpenAI

Welcome back to Week in Review! We’ve got lots of news for you this week: There were CEO shake-ups at Instacart and 11x; the web series is back — kind of; Threads is getting video ads; and much more. Let’s get to it! Big move: Instacart CEO Fidji Simo will become OpenAI’s CEO for Applications, […]
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  1. Technology & Innovation
  2. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  3. Channel: Mass
  4. Acquisitions, Divestitures & Mergers
  5. Corporate Strategy
  6. Corporate Finance
  7. Corporate Purpose
  8. Media & Marketing
  9. Data & Insights
  10. International
  11. Technology & Innovation
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  13. Retail Operations
  14. Associates & Employees
  15. Operations & Supply Chain
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What’s next for Instacart as CEO Fidji Simo announces decision to join OpenAI as head of applications?

Instacart CEO Fidji Simo is departing the grocery technology company to join OpenAI as its Chief of Applications. In an email to employees, she said: “Let me start by saying this was an incredibly hard decision because I love this company. We are operating incredibly well as our last earnings results have shown. Our strategy […]
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  1. Technology & Innovation
  2. Channel: Dollar/Value
  3. Channel: Grocery
  4. Channel: Mass
  5. Department & Category
  6. Department: Nonfood
  7. Corporate Strategy
  8. Media & Marketing
  9. Data & Insights
  10. Shopper & Customer
  11. Technology & Innovation
  12. Trends & External Forces
  13. Retail Operations
  14. Merchandising
  15. Operations & Supply Chain
  16. Stores & Formats

Personalized Disruption: Grocery’s Secret to Breaking Old Habits

There’s no shortage of talk about technology that’s going to redefine, dominate, or transform retail this year. Much of this language boils down to marketing speech, and often, true industry disruption fails to materialize. There is no shortage of tech hyperbole in retail. But then there’s the occasional exception — a technology that genuinely does […]
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  1. Shopper & Customer
  2. Department: Nonfood
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
  6. Technology & Innovation
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  8. Holiday & Events
  9. Operations & Supply Chain

State of the Consumer Report

[Week of May 9] Timely insights on consumer behavior, pricing, and retail trends This weekly snapshot highlights the most relevant signals shaping where and how consumers are spending—from e-commerce and inflation shifts to essential vs. discretionary demand. What you’ll get from this week’s report: Cross-border e-commerce slowdown: Learn how tariff pressures are reshaping sales trends […]
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