Dept. Perimeter

  1. Channel: Delivery
Instacart has introduced Smart Shop, which leverages generative AI and machine learning to create a more personalized grocery shopping experience. The platform also has unveiled AI-powered Health Tags that provide detailed nutrition information across its catalog, as well as curated Inspiration Pages featuring expert-backed health recommendations and shoppable recipes. The initial Inspiration Page was developed […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  The food retail industry is experiencing a seismic shift as macroeconomic factors, particularly the imposition of tariffs, reshape consumer behavior and compel retailers to adapt swiftly according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Price-sensitive consumers are now more discerning, prompting restaurants, convenience stores, and grocery stores to innovate in […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  The food industry is undergoing a major transformation, driven in large part by the changing preferences and digital habits of Generation Z. From restaurants and convenience stores to grocery retailers, businesses are recognizing the need to adapt their strategies to meet the demands of this socially connected, health-conscious, and convenience-driven generation. Recent data from […]
  1. Channel: Grocery
  For decades, Publix has been a dominant force in the grocery industry, particularly in the Southeastern United States. Known for its clean stores, friendly customer service, and high-quality products, the chain has built a loyal following. However, as competition intensifies, Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes that Publix may […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  The grocerant niche—where convenience meets fresh, ready-to-eat meals—is redefining the way consumers engage with food. No brand exemplifies this better than 7-Eleven. Through strategic branding, an emphasis on handheld food for immediate consumption, and a deep understanding of consumer migration toward meal bundling, 7-Eleven has positioned itself as the leader in this evolving space. […]
  1. Data & Insights
  Throughout history, food retail has continuously evolved, adapting to technological innovations and shifting consumer behaviors. From the rise of self-service supermarkets in the early 20th century to the digital transformation of the 21st century, retailers have sought ways to enhance the shopping experience. Today, the latest frontier is a fully integrated food retail ecosystem—one […]
  1. Channel: Delivery
FreshDirect is partnering with Uber Eats to expand its delivery reach in New York City. This is the online grocer’s first entry into on-demand delivery via a third-party app. FreshDirect works directly with local farmers, fishermen, growers, distillers and food manufacturers to streamline the supply chain, ensuring products reach customers faster — up to seven […]
  1. Channel: Dollar/Value
  In an era where legacy grocery stores struggle to maintain consumer relevance, Dollar General has rapidly emerged as a competitive force in the fresh food market according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. The discount retailer, known for its convenience and affordability, now operates over 19,000 branded stores across […]
  1. Media & Marketing
  Why should foodservice retailers think about Google? The answer is simple: Millennials and Gen Z engage with their smartphones more than they do with actual humans. A recent study found that 39% of people interact more with a smartphone than with their loved ones, friends, or coworkers. Smartphones are handheld marketing powerhouses, and every […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® believes, in an increasingly competitive market, convenience stores and restaurants need to stand out to foster brand loyalty. One highly effective strategy is to celebrate regional, seasonal, and recurring festivals and events. This not only attracts customers but also enhances community relations and drives […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Retail Technology Show (RTS) has announced the shortlist for its 2025 Innovation Awards, which champions the progressive technologies powering retail transformation. Every year, the awards highlight the best examples of game-changing solutions from across the RTS exhibition floor. They are judged by a panel made up of the RTS advisory board, as well as industry […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  In today’s dynamic food industry, consumers are demanding more from their meals—more flavor, more functionality, and more wellness-driven choices. The “better for you” (BFY) movement is no longer a niche trend; it’s a major force shaping restaurant menus, convenience store offerings, and service deli selections. Steven Johnson the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based […]
  1. Media & Marketing
As connected TV (CTV) rapidly becomes the dominant method for consuming television, it also has become the fastest-growing ad channel in the U.S., accounting for one in every 10 dollars spent on digital advertising, according to Emarketer. In fact, U.S. brands alone spent more than $28 billion on CTV advertising last year, making up one-third of the total […]
  1. Department & Category
Giant Food has processed nearly 80 million pounds of unsold food products since the June 2022 launch of a food waste prevention program in partnership with circular economy company Divert. The impact has offset 37,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 8,630 gas-powered cars off the road for a year. For […]
  1. Department: Food
The CPGGUYS are joined in this episode by the CEO of Nature’s bakery – Steve Gardiner. He has previously held roles in commercial leadership at Henkel and PepsiCo. We personally love the portfolio and the Fig bars are our favorite. As such, this was both a fun and informative discussion.  Find Steve on Linkedin at […]
  1. Department: Consumer Durables
Nike and Kim Kardashian’s Skims have teamed up to launch the NikeSKIMS line of sculpting performance activewear. The first NikeSKIMS collection will debut in the U.S. this spring, available online and in select retail locations, with a global rollout that also will include footwear and accessories planned for 2026. The new brand merges Nike’s embrace […]
  1. Department & Category
  Interactive, participatory fresh food experiences—particularly those featuring hand-held food for immediate consumption—continue to captivate consumers across all demographics, especially Millennials seeking discovery. According to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, brands that fuse dining with immersive entertainment are driving innovation and securing long-term consumer engagement. Topgolf is a prime example of […]
  1. Channel: Dollar/Value
  In the competitive food industry, Lidl and Aldi have emerged as formidable players, leveraging innovative strategies to capture market share from traditional grocery retailers. These German discount chains have attracted consumers by emphasizing time savings, fresh food offerings, product discovery, and mix-and-match bundling, all while rapidly expanding their store footprints. Time Savings Aldi and […]
  1. Data & Insights
  In today’s dynamic food retail landscape, relevance drives trial and adoption according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer preferences evolve, food retailers must continually seek the “new electricity” to propel their brand forward. But what exactly is this new electricity? According to industry expert Johnson, “Brand relevance […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
Grocery shopping is having a full-circle moment. In the industry’s earliest days, consumers would spend hours visiting the local butcher, baker, greengrocer, and more. Each store provided a specific slice of shoppers’ grocery lists and often offered home delivery. Fast-forward to the early 1900s and the advent of the supermarket, when industrialization came into play. […]
  1. Department & Category
  The line between restaurants and food retailers is growing ever thinner. The battle for America’s food dollars has intensified as consumers embrace fresh, prepared, ready-2-eat (RTE) and heat-n-eat (HNE) options available across a rapidly expanding spectrum of retail channels. Convenience stores, chain drug stores, grocery stores, club stores, mass merchandisers, vending machines, and even […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  What do consumers think a Grocerant is? According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, the man who coined the term “Grocerant,” it is “any retail food item that is fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat.” Traditionally, these items have been found in grocery store service delis, convenience store prepared food […]
  1. Department: Food
  The restaurant industry has long relied on food marketing calendars to drive menu innovation, seasonal promotions, and consumer engagement according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. But in a politically charged environment where tariffs, supply chain disruptions, and fluctuating commodity prices loom large, menu planning in TRUMP 2.0 could […]
  1. Department & Category
  When it comes to football’s biggest night of the year, there’s one thing every fan can rally behind—delicious food shared with family and friends. The Super Bowl isn’t just a game; it’s a celebration, a tradition, and an all-out feast! Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® wants you to enjoy […]
  1. Department & Category
  For football fans feeling sidelined because their favorite teams didn’t make it to the Big Game, 7-Eleven Inc. is serving up some consolation—a free pizza to bring smiles to disappointed fans. The convenience store powerhouse is delivering this delicious gesture through its 7NOW Delivery app, where customers making their first order can enjoy a […]
  1. Channel: Restaurants
  As fast food continues to be dominated by price wars and value-driven menus, Subway finds itself on a different path, relying on its foundational “better for you” brand promise according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. For decades, Subway positioned itself as the go-to fast-food option for health-conscious diners, […]

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  1. Channel: Drug
  2. Department: HBC
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  9. Shopper & Customer
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  12. Associates & Employees
  13. Stores & Formats
Walgreens Boots Alliance (WBA) has finalized a deal with private equity firm Sycamore Partners to take the company private after being in the stock market for nearly 100 years. Sycamore will pay $11.45 per share in cash for the Walgreens business, according to a company announcement. Shareholders can receive up to $3 more per share […]
  1. Channel: Grocery
  2. Department & Category
  3. Department: Food
  4. Department: HBC
  5. Acquisitions, Divestitures & Mergers
  6. Corporate Strategy
  7. Corporate Finance
  8. ESG
  9. Partnerships & Alt Profit
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  13. Shopper & Customer
  14. Trends & External Forces
  15. Associates & Employees
  16. Operations & Supply Chain
  17. Owned Brands (Private Label)
  18. Stores & Formats
The Kroger Co. (NYSE: KR) today announced that Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen has resigned from the Company following a Board investigation of his personal conduct that, while unrelated to the business, was inconsistent with Kroger's Policy on Business Ethics.
  1. Data & Insights
  2. Partnerships & Alt Profit
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]

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