Retail Daily

GroceryNEXT is full of AI during the final day of the event, the American consumer is aging, and Dollar Tree has a strong Q2.

Former Stinker Stores CEO Nate Brazier is the new president at TXB convenience stores, beef prices have risen over four times more than poultry and pork, and RaceTrac hires Jill Pemberton as its chief financial officer. 

Casey’s bolsters its Texas expansion with a football partnership, AI and automation and loyalty and personalization will be top focuses for GroceryNEXT attendees in the next year, and c-store foodservice operators must look for opportunities with GLP-1 weight-loss drugs.

Hop Shops is rolling out Disco Dough Pizza Co., Walmart will launch tap-to-pay checkout, and Raley’s is losing two more stores.

Murphy USA to add White Castle robot restaurants, Walmart will bring its first-party commerce intelligence platform to Sam’s Club, and Love’s opens its newest travel stop.

Walmart’s grocery strength helps boost Q2 sales, preserving one’s convenience-store price advantage is one way to drive foodservice category growth in a slow foodservice environment, and the FTC takes a closer look at surveillance pricing. 

Circle K is expanding its retail media capabilities; the Cyclospora outbreak shows how quickly a food safety event can translate into broader consumer and business disruption; and Sheetz will roll out limited-time seasonal beverages, bakery and treats. 

The International Dairy, Deli, Bakery Association has a new president and CEO, convenience stores should assert their right to win the foodservice category, and Publix comes out with new subs. 

Sheetz launches its own ready-to-drink energy coffees. Albertsons drives bigger baskets using AI. And Fred Faulkner of Fastrip Food Stores dies unexpectedly at age 69.

Yesway has the strongest quarter in its history, Publix eliminates the 10-item limit for express checkout lanes, and C&S will buy a majority stake in Winn-Dixie.