Latest news with #ProgressiveGrocer
USA Today
21-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
How much more will you spend at the supermarket in 2025?
A majority of consumers describe themselves as financially stressed, and looming price hikes on many supermarket products, stoked by tariff policies, won't help. Food-price increases have been relatively mild so far this year, but some experts warn that could change soon. The national monthly inflation report that came out on July 15 reflects the first real signal of tariff inflation, "with almost all of the impact on consumer prices still to be seen in the months ahead," predicted David Kelly, chief global strategist at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. That's one of the key midyear trends that bear watching. Other key ones involve competitive pressures among supermarkets and the pace of consumer spending. Tariff turmoil awaits President Donald Trump's efforts to raise import taxes on a slew of imported products could increase prices in supermarkets. It hasn't happened yet in a big way, but more food inflation could be coming. With the White House delaying many tariffs, importers have had time to prepare, helping to ease the impact. 'Retailers are working hard to stock up for the holiday season before the various tariffs that have been announced and paused actually take effect,' Jonathan Gold, a vice president at the National Retail Federation, told Progressive Grocer, a trade publication. 'Retailers have brought in as much merchandise as possible ahead of the reciprocal tariffs taking effect." In case you missed it: How will Trump's tariffs affect grocery store prices? We explain. Over the 12 months through May, food prices nationally rose 2.9%, higher than the overall 2.4% increase in the Consumer Price Index. Certain items have risen more than that. A 11.5% jump in the price of coffee, which is mainly grown in Latin America, Africa and Asia, is one example, along with increases for fruits, nuts, sugar and other sweeteners, plus various vegetables and fruits, much of it trucked up from Mexico. Other items like paper goods and aluminum foil could also be affected. But the most notable food jump lately, a 41.5% surge over the past 12 months in egg prices, reflects a nontariff cause, avian flu. Belt-tightening consumers In a slowing economy, with rising inflation concerns, millions of Americans remain wary of grocery-store prices and those for other items. Big Chalk Analytics estimates the percentage of Americans who have actively reduced spending had risen from 27.8% in the Spring of 2024 to 34.5% in the Spring of 2025. These consumers are characterized by prioritizing needs over wants and seeking out more affordable options. The Chicago research firm describes these as 'trade-off consumers,' and they aren't just lower-income families. Still, consumers have made some progress with their budgets, helped by wages that have been outpacing inflation, the company said. Even so, most people aren't feeling especially prosperous, with 32% describing their financial condition as 'healthy,' with the rest falling into the vulnerable, overextended or stressed categories. Those findings, as of May from J.D. Power, were elicited from the majority of consumers who have bank accounts. People lacking bank accounts tend to be worse off. Reach the writer at
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
The Double Cheese Slider, White Castle's latest restaurant-to-retail offering, is lauded for bringing restaurant taste to the freezer aisle
The accolade comes just in time for National Hamburger Month, the perfect month for the perfect Slider COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain and the first restaurant brand to unite the worlds of fast-food and consumer package goods, just received major recognition from a leading voice of the retail food industry. White Castle's retail Double Cheese Slider is among a select number of frozen retail products to be named an "Editors' Pick" by Progressive Grocer magazine. The annual Editors' Picks list spotlights the top-performing and most innovative consumer products of the past year. The Double Cheese Slider landed on the 2025 Progressive Grocer Editors' Pick list after making its much-anticipated debut in September 2024. It features the same hot-and-juicy taste as the restaurant version, double the 100% beef of a classic Slider, two slices of American cheese and a middle bun designed to capture and lock in White Castle's steamy, one-of-a-kind, twice-as-satisfying restaurant flavor and quality. "We might be biased, but we believe the degree of deliciousness in the Double Cheese Slider is truly worthy of notice," said Jamie Richardson, vice president at White Castle. "White Castle is able to deliver your favorite restaurant tastes whether you're going to a grocery store or a Castle." The Editors' Pick designation was announced on May 15, National Slider Day. White Castle introduced National Slider Day in May 2015 to honor the iconic Original Slider, which one year earlier in 2014 Time magazine declared "the most influential burger of all time." Since launching its industry-changing CPG brand more than 30 years ago, White Castle has been committed to giving consumers the option to enjoy the flavors that made the company an iconic restaurant in the comfort of their own home, office or dorms with a few pushes of the buttons on a microwave. The retail brand provides convenience and great taste for diners who prefer to enjoy quality meals at home. The Double Cheese Slider 4-count packaging features an image of the Slider on the front, reinforcing its restaurant quality and high taste appeal. Like White Castle's other Slider varieties, the Double Cheese Sliders come in two packs, with each pair wrapped in film to seal in that iconic flavor. Each pack is equipped with heating instructions to replicate the fresh-from-the-grill taste, allowing consumers to enjoy the authentic White Castle restaurant experience straight from their microwave. About White Castle® White Castle, America's first fast-food hamburger chain, has been making hot and tasty Sliders since 1921. Based in Columbus, Ohio, the family-owned business owns and operates about 340 restaurants as well as a retail division providing its famous fare in freezer aisles of retail stores nationwide. As part of its commitment to offering the highest quality products, White Castle owns and operates its own Slider Provider meat plants, bakeries and frozen-Slider retail plants. White Castle has earned numerous accolades over the years including Time magazine's "Most Influential Burger of All Time" (2014, The Original Slider®) and Thrillist's "Best Plant-Based Fast-Food Burger" (2019, Impossible™ Slider). In 2021, Fast Company named the fast-food pioneer one of the "10 Most Innovative Dining Companies." White Castle is known for the legendary engagement of its team members and has received the Great Place to Work® Certification™ for an extraordinary four consecutive years spanning 2021–2024. White Castle is beloved by its passionate fans (Cravers), many of whom compete each year for entry into the Cravers Hall of Fame. The official White Castle app makes it easy for Cravers to sign up for the CRAVER NATION REWARDSTM loyalty program, access sweet deals and place pickup orders at any time. For more information on White Castle and how to Follow Your Crave, visit View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE White Castle Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
28-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Albertsons Companies Awarded Progressive Grocer Impact Award for Philanthropic Innovation and Corporate Giving
Albertsons Companies has been honored with two 2024 Impact Awards from Progressive Grocer. This recognition highlights our commitment to our Recipe for Change and supporting the planet we share and the communities we serve. One of the awards celebrates Albertsons Cos.' Own Brands team's efforts in Philanthropic Innovation and Corporate Giving. The grocer's July 2023 O Organics® Fight Hunger, Serve Hope campaign made a significant impact in combatting hunger during the summer months, when food insecurity rates are higher among households with school-age children. During this campaign, one meal was donated for each O Organics product purchased, which enabled the donation of $7 million, the equivalent of 28 million meals, through the Albertsons Companies Foundation's Nourishing Neighbors Program. Albertsons Companies incredibly proud of the efforts of our team and the generosity of our customers who make this possible. Together, we are making a difference and driving positive change. Thank you to Progressive Grocer for this esteemed honor and to everyone who supports our mission.
