The push for protein is impacting all categories, but it’s bringing the dairy department into the spotlight, according to research presented at IDDBA. Food retailers are seeing dairy performance grow, driven by current consumer trends like real ingredients, functional benefits and low-carb products. Plus, dairy sales have been bolstered by viral recipes on social media. With the right merchandising strategy, [...]
Rising grocery costs and a greater focus on balancing convenience and nutrition have driven measurable growth in frozen foods. With frozen sales up year-over-year, food retailers can leverage insights and key trends to create a frozen merchandising strategy that boosts basket size, share of stomach and shopper loyalty. 2026 Food Retailer’s Guide to Frozen Merchandising features actionable takeaways from a [...]
Today’s consumers expect more from convenience stores. No longer just a pit stop for fuel and a pack of gum, c-stores have transformed into fast-casual dining destinations, premium beverage hubs and even mini grocery stores. With food and chilled beverage sales driving the highest margins on the retail floor, your refrigeration infrastructure is the backbone of your business. But as [...]
The refrigeration landscape is shifting, and it’s changing the game for forward-thinking c-store owners and operators. The past few years have been marked by regulatory changes, price hikes and supply chain challenges in the retail refrigeration industry. We know HFCs are being phased out, but the timeline is uncertain. Meanwhile, natural refrigerants like CO2 are still surrounded by outdated myths [...]
Today’s shoppers increasingly see food as a part of their wellness routine. Research from this year’s IDDBA shows that shoppers buying “better-for-you” products tend to have larger basket sizes and higher basket rings, making this a key segment for food retailers. But here’s the catch: these high-value shoppers are gravitating toward club stores and mass-market retailers. Merchandising is the key [...]
More C-stores are focusing on foodservice, and with good reason. No longer just “gas station food,” foodservice is now the leader of in-store sales. In fact, foodservice accounted for nearly 40% of in-store gross profit dollars in 2025, making it a key pillar of c-store profitability. Here’s how to leverage your foodservice offerings to build customer loyalty and boost profitability. [...]
Kelly Sayko’s passion for food retail is contagious, and we are thrilled to see the industry taking notice. As Marketing Manager for Hillphoenix, she brings deep industry expertise and an unwavering commitment to making an impact for our customers. That’s why she has been recognized as a 2026 Champion of Change by IDDBA and Supermarket News. Read some of Kelly’s [...]
Today more than ever, shoppers are eating dinner at home. A whopping 4 out of 5 people prepare dinner at home at least 4 nights a week, and more than 1 in 4 prepare dinner at home every night, according to the latest The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report. With more shoppers eating at home, meal planning is on [...]
Experienced food retailers know how much merchandising impacts shopper behavior. In the deli department, this is especially true. The latest Power of Foodservice at Retail Report reveals that 61% of shoppers learn about deli-prepared offerings just by walking through the store. That’s great news for food retailers looking to increase deli sales, because it means your shoppers are on the [...]
More shoppers are turning to retail foodservice, according to the latest The Power of Foodservice at Retail Report. Department, dollar and unit performance all increased for prepared foods and deli foodservice over the last year. But there’s still a gap between what shoppers are looking for and what they find. Half of shoppers report that their store’s prepared food is [...]
