Top News in the Grocery Retail Industry
July 1 – 15, 2022
By iFoodDS team
July 15, 2022
Get the latest grocery retail industry news. In the weeks of July 1 – 15, retailers expanded their supplier networks, Meijer invested in wind energy, and research revealed that consumers feel responsible for sustainability efforts.
Walmart Adding Hundreds of American-Made Products After Open Call Event
Walmart held its ninth annual Open Call as part of its commitment to source products from U.S. manufacturers. Over a thousand businesses pitched their products through virtual and in-person meetings at Walmart headquarters, and 330 of these pitches resulted in a deal.
Consumers Believe They Have a Role to Play in Sustainability
24% of consumers believe they have a primary responsibility to lead and promote sustainability practices and policies, according to a survey from The Packer. Consumers are also willing to pay a premium for bio-based packaging.
Hy-Vee Seeks Out Local Brands to Feature in Store
Grocery retailer Hy-Vee is holding its next Best of Local Brands Summit from September 7-9. This event gives local suppliers a chance to highlight their products and share their stories.
US Foods Opens 4 New Chef’store Locations
The foodservice distributor announced it is opening 4 new stores under the Chef’store banner, a warehouse-style store for restaurant professionals and home cooks. The new locations will be in Merced and Santa Cruz, California; Helena, Montana; and Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Giant Co. Names Director of Non-Foods
The Giant Co. named Ted Williams director of non-foods, a role that oversees health and personal care, seasonal, general merchandise, pet suppliers, candy, and baby. Williams has 30 years of industry experience and has previously held positions at Ahold USA and Giant Food.
Karns Foods Launches First-Ever Locally Sourced and Owned USDA Premium Angus Beef
The Pennsylvania-based independent grocer has started the Karns Beef Company to address supply chain issues, boost quality, and incorporate more local suppliers in its stores. The company is currently working with 19 family-owned cattle businesses in Central Pennsylvania.
Ahold Delhaize USA Subsidiary Targets Diverse Suppliers
Peapod Digital Labs, a subsidiary of Ahold Delhaize USA, is seeking diverse suppliers for its private-brand portfolio. It has launched an incubator program to develop high-quality store-brand products in collaboration with new suppliers.
Meijer Invests in Wind Energy
Meijer announced it has signed a renewable product purchase agreement (RPPA) to purchase the majority of energy generated by the Lacy Creek Wind Energy Center in Texas. This project is a major step towards the retailer’s goal to cut its carbon emissions in half by 2025.
