For decades, retailers have wanted to sell beer and wine in Maryland's grocery stores. The next legislative session could make a difference...

December is a natural moment to step back and look at the year ahead. In grocery and retail, the biggest shift is the accelerating impact of AI and LLMs...

With the U.S. operating once again, and lots of legislative business still pending, the timing is ripe to connect with legislators...

2025 was a wild year for grocery retail, thanks to these forces. 2026 could be even bigger...

In July 2023, shortly after Kroger opened it is newest Ocado customer fulfillment center (CFC) in Frederick, MD,  I stopped by to pay a visit. I didn’t enter the 350,000 square foot automated full-service distribution center but instead sat in my car and watched the truck traffic exiting the large…

Wakefern, C&S, UNFI, Bozzuto’s Remain Region’s Top Wholesalers

Micro-fulfillment could boost Amazon's grocery game... or tarnish Whole Foods' halo

San Francisco files a landmark lawsuit accusing major CPG companies of harming public health with ultra-processed foods linked to chronic disease.

There are seven hirings, promotions, and other industry moves you need to know about

From Harrisburg to Hershey to Chicago, PFMA has spent the past few months strengthening partnerships, advancing advocacy, and amplifying the voice of Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry. In October, PFMA hosted the 2025 Fall Legislative Conference at Hershey Country Club, bringing together policymakers, retailers, wholesalers, and suppliers for two days…

Greetings all and welcome to the beginnings of the winter season. I don’t know about you, but it seems with each passing year, the cold weather bothers me more and more, but we still trudge on and work in this wonderful industry. A big congratulations to the Isenberg family of…

The leaves have fallen, the frost is on the pumpkin, and the turkey and trimmings are ready to be cooked. But, in many homes that Thanksgiving turkey now shares space with Christmas decorations and holiday music. Call me old school, but I like to have the seasons and holidays celebrated…

As Amazon attempts to create more seamless efficiencies between its highly profitable organics/natural Whole Foods Market (WFM) brand and its failing traditional Amazon Fresh (AF) unit, it has chosen Plymouth Meeting, PA as a test site to combine the assets of each retailer under one roof. Earlier this month, the…

But long-term cuts could slash $186B from program

The Wakefern head was given the award at a November 12 meeting

Why we're here and who we're serving

In late September, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins announced the department’s Food and Nutrition Service’s (FNS) proposed rule changes to strengthen the stocking requirements for retailers participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). USDA’s formal press release summarized the announcement by stating that the changes proposed…

Happy November! Wow, what a year – one part of my brain feels like it’s been the longest one ever and another part simply cannot accept the fact that there are only two more months left in 2025. I hope you have read Alex Wissel’s article on page 4 this…

Supermarket Guru Phil Lempert discusses ways to approach today's changing shopper dynamics.

The next chapter in the transformation of Southeastern Grocers (SEG) has been unveiled. Late last month, the Jacksonville, FL-based grocer, which is now owned by a consortium of private investors (including chairman and CEO Anthony Hucker), announced that it will be changing its name to The Winn-Dixie Co., the iconic…

New supermarkets also slated for Winchester, Stephens City.

Construction on depot, to begin next year, to cost $860 million

Over the past six months, Walmart’s metrics have been as strong as ever; perhaps even more powerful than 30 years ago when the Bentonville, AR-based merchant zoomed to the top of the food retail charts, but also during a time when the retail landscape was less competitive and economic factors…

Also, ShopRite of Mt. Laurel unveils electric vehicle charging station and the food industry just keeps giving back.

Wholesaler's success is through leveraging technology and power of family-owned member companies.

Long history of Pennsylvania based drug chain comes to an end with sell-of and closures.

Kevin reports in before he gets an overhaul. Keep an eye on this page for more info.

Coverage of the latest from Capitol Hill, including news on SNAP, safe food supply, drug advertising and more.

Fall can mean only one thing, right? The appearance of pumpkin pie spice in EVERYTHING!

As many as 50 stores could open by 2035

Former USDA leader succeeds Don Darnall, who recently retired after 30 years with the organization.

Lina Khan was right. While the former Federal Trade Commission (FTC) chairperson couldn’t have been more wrong when she attempted to block the proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons (by using flawed competitive market share data), her suit against Amazon over “Godzilla’s” questionable tactics for signing customers for “Prime” memberships…

At The Giant Company’s (TGC) vendor summit, held earlier this month at the company’s corporate headquarters in Carlisle, PA, the importance of partnerships and “winning together” highlighted the five-hour event which attracted nearly 500 suppliers, distributors and food brokers. TGC president John Ruane kicked off the meeting with a video…

Greetings and I hope this finds everybody doing well. The country and the world have gone through a troubling and tension-filled few weeks. Let’s all hope that rational thinking and kindness can help us all heal and create a long lasting and peaceful environment for us, our family and friends.…

School is back in session, and after school activities have already begun. How can everyone get back into a groove with chaos all around? Well, September is Family Meals Month and it coincides with National Fruits & Veggies Month…the perfect combo for promoting family values and healthy eating! I did…

As the November election heats up, NJFC has been sharing the food industry position with the two leading gubernatorial candidates that NJ’s food industry is one of the state’s greatest assets. Our member food retailers, wholesalers, manufacturers, and beverage companies are more than just businesses — they are lifelines. They…

Former CFO will fill position on interim basis

As I write this column on September 3, we are in the middle of what I have found to be a very odd weather pattern. I know the month of September is considered to be part of the fall season, but here in Maryland, it’s usually still very hot and…

Anybody want to make a guess about when the final day for Shoppers Food will come? After nearly 20 years of being treated as the “red-headed stepchild,” first by Supervalu, and (since 2018) by parent firm UNFI, Shoppers has been left to wither as a dying entity in the competitive…

The moves come as new company CEO Susan Morris begins to transform the team she now leads.