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Are Micro-Fulfillment Centers the Future of Food Retail?

The accelerated adoption of e-commerce platforms in the food retail industry has created new problems— the need to fulfill online orders efficiently and effectively while facing the challenge of keeping inventory available. To keep up with the changing demands of customers driven mostly by the current pandemic health crisis, food retailers have promoted several innovations. One such innovation is putting up micro-fulfillment centers (MFCs) to cater to online orders. There are a number of major grocery retailers that are currently adopting MFCs to continuously innovate and meet consumer demands. MFCs are slowly becoming part of the overall omnichannel strategies of

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Changes in Consumer Demands in Food Retail Stores and the Implications to Retailers

According to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, “There is nothing permanent in the world except change.” When you try to look around you, time has proven that things evolve, circumstances change, and paradigms shift, giving life to new opportunities and innovations. In industries such as food retail, changes are driven predominantly by shifting consumer lifestyles, wants, and needs. What brings consumers value, their demographics and cultural backgrounds, personal interests, and purchasing power are some of the elements that dictate the forces of change in the food retail industry. In the hopes of adapting to the constantly evolving behaviors of consumers, retailers

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Giovernment agences are more stringent

Food Retail Stores and Government Agencies Establishing More Stringent Regulations

Food-retail business strategies have shifted over the past few weeks due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Some retail stores implemented online digital platforms to serve their communities in need and some food-retail establishments such as restaurants and brick and mortar shops implemented delivery and take out only to help keep the lights on. However, in grocery stores, where people still go for essentials, shopping as we know it has changed. In-store navigation altered drastically to abide by state regulations and prioritize consumer safety concerns. As the pandemic evolves, so does grocery shopping regulations and restrictions. The Case for Grocery Stores Social

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3d Food Safety Word Cloud Concept

Food Safety: Kryptonite or Superpower?

No one likes to think about shoppers falling ill after buying something from or visiting your store.  But the threat is real and needs to be addressed with education and proper protocols. Food safety should be top-of-mind for any store owner or manager. Start your education by joining ServSafe Certified Trainer, Michael Williams, for his talk about foodborne illness prevention.  Knowledge of basic food safety, the importance of employee personal hygiene, and what types of pathogens and toxins your store is exposed to can go a long way in avoiding the spread of illness.  Acknowledging the trickiest areas of your

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It’s the Year of the Apps: How Grocery Apps are Becoming the New Normal

Mobile apps have, in one way or another, shaped how we live our day-to-day lives. From relying on mobile apps for networking, fitness, and even our health, apps are one of the most defining innovations brought about by the advancement of the digital world. Now, with the acceleration of the adoption of technology in the food retail industry, mobile apps are no longer optional for food retailers but it’s becoming a need.   Gone are the days when apps were just used to enhance customer shopping. Now they are a customer’s reliable and necessary companion when buying groceries whether in-store

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Merchandising Tip: Moist and even cooling

Moist and even cooling – the kind that actually extends the life of meat and seafood – are hallmarks of the conduction approach to refrigerated display case design. Conduction is heat transfer through the direct physical contact of two objects (or surfaces) at different temperatures. When two objects are in contact, heat flows from the warmer surface of one to the cooler surface of the other until both reach the same temperature – also known as equilibrium. A display case using conduction includes a special type of deck pan through which a chilled fluid flows. When product is placed on

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Pop-up Kitchens Put Food Back in the Spotlight

Modern supermarkets bring new demands — perimeter planning, shopper engagement, shrink management, and more.  When attention is divided into so many areas it’s easy to forget who the star of your store really is — the food!  Shoppers come to your store simply seeking foods they can easily purchase and eat.  It’s time to put food back in the spotlight and pop-up kitchens may be the solution you’ve been seeking. The back of your store is no place for all the food, especially when it comes to prepared meals. Gone are the days of shoppers being content with picking up

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EPA SNAP 26

Proposed Rule 26 – Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.

On May 1, 2023, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan signed a proposed rule titled, “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.” This proposed action lists new alternatives  for commercial and industrial refrigeration, specifically for retail food refrigeration (new), commercial ice machines (new), industrial process refrigeration (new), cold storage warehouses (new), and ice skating rinks (new). This action also would update use conditions for the refrigerant R-290 (propane) when used in self-contained commercial ice machines and stand-alone retail refrigeration equipment (new) and would allow for a transition period between the existing and updated use conditions. EPA is

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Simplified Lunch – Where Flavor and Convenience Collide to Appease the Family Divide

Simplified Lunch – Where Flavor and Convenience Collide to Appease the Family Divide

Let’s be perfectly honest, kids would much rather have the option to eat “kid-friendly” foods than what grown-ups are eating. That pre-packaged snack meal or peanut butter and jelly sandwich are much more appealing than a salad, hummus, and vegetables or yogurt with fruit. Eating a healthy meal is imperative for growing children and providing that conveniently and on-the-go can sometimes be a challenge.  With grab-n-go on the rise, and the more time-starved consumers have become, eating healthy and eating foods we LOVE was recently served up at IDDBA19!  The perfect lunch concept was presented for “Work Lunches” targeted to adults

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Working from home tips

Working From Home 101 – Working Outside of the Office Requires Focus and Strategy

The workplace today has changed for the time being due to the recent challenges we are faced with and, for some of us, working from home is unchartered territory. Not only are we dealing with communicating with our customers and colleagues differently, but for some of us, we also have a spouse /partner /children sharing space and either working or struggling with the end of the current school year and trying to find balance. We are not alone in what is going on today, but there are ways to make working from home a little easier, so the transition is

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Are Micro-Fulfillment Centers the Future of Food Retail?

The accelerated adoption of e-commerce platforms in the food retail industry has created new problems— the need to fulfill online orders efficiently and effectively while facing the challenge of keeping inventory available. To keep up with the changing demands of customers driven mostly by the

Continue Reading
3d Food Safety Word Cloud Concept

Food Safety: Kryptonite or Superpower?

No one likes to think about shoppers falling ill after buying something from or visiting your store.  But the threat is real and needs to be addressed with education and proper protocols. Food safety should be top-of-mind for any store owner or manager. Start your

Continue Reading

Merchandising Tip: Moist and even cooling

Moist and even cooling – the kind that actually extends the life of meat and seafood – are hallmarks of the conduction approach to refrigerated display case design. Conduction is heat transfer through the direct physical contact of two objects (or surfaces) at different temperatures.

Continue Reading

Pop-up Kitchens Put Food Back in the Spotlight

Modern supermarkets bring new demands — perimeter planning, shopper engagement, shrink management, and more.  When attention is divided into so many areas it’s easy to forget who the star of your store really is — the food!  Shoppers come to your store simply seeking foods

Continue Reading
EPA SNAP 26

Proposed Rule 26 – Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.

On May 1, 2023, EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan signed a proposed rule titled, “Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program in Commercial and Industrial Refrigeration.” This proposed action lists new alternatives  for commercial and industrial refrigeration, specifically for retail food

Continue Reading

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