Peggy Packer

The fall season is nearly here, and we can almost smell the pumpkin spice readying to take over the shelves. From organic cottage cheese to a limited-edition yogurt offering, brands like Good Culture, IQBAR, and La Fermière are harnessing this on-trend flavor to bring increased opportunities to the retail sector.“Pumpkin & Spice is one of those flavors that instantly sparks joy and nostalgia, so we were excited to bring the magic to our consumers,” says Jesse Merrill, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Good Culture.

The “better-for-you” trend continues to gain steam, shifting the way consumers decide what products they add to their baskets. With health and wellness driving an interest in nutritious, clean-label offerings, Prime Roots is presenting an opportunity to spread this momentum to the deli arena.

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Greg Knipp, longtime Chief Executive Officer of Omnicom-owned multicultural agency Dieste. “We’re deeply saddened to share that our CEO, Greg Knipp, has passed away,” the company shared in a LinkedIn post. “Greg was so much more than a leader, he was someone who genuinely cared about every single person at Dieste.

Already a fan favorite in the salsa category, HERDEZ® is further upping the strength of its portfolio. The introduction of HERDEZ Chunky Salsa rounds out the brand’s popular line of authentically Mexican salsas. Since rolling out late last year, HERDEZ Chunky Salsa has significantly expanded its retail footprint in more than 20 retailers nationwide, with plans to continue growing.

In a recent exclusive article, St Pierre Bakery’s Jake Huber shared a bevy of merchandising opportunities at retail and key strategies to capitalize on them, pointing to the brand’s lineup as a premium solution for shoppers seeking high-quality bread to elevate their home meals.“The trend for premiumization is here to stay. Brioche offers an easy way to upgrade at-home menus, which is particularly important for shoppers who are spending less on dining out,” Jake, the brand's U.S. Sales Director, tells me.

With the 2025 National Restaurant Show slated for May 17–20 in Chicago, Illinois, The Ambriola Company is getting ready for an exciting showcase and the celebration of a well-deserved distinction. Honored with a Fabi Award for its Locatelli Crema di Cacio e Pepe, the brand is attending the event to showcase its continued category leadership and innovation.“The Ambriola Company prides itself on innovation and product excellence, and the Crema line is a perfect example,” shared John Dammacco, Vice President of Sales and Marketing.

Think beyond the cheese case. This is my advice to retailers following a recent conversation with Chevoo’s Pierre Guérin, in which the cheese expert highlighted a variety of spring merchandising opportunities extending far beyond the specialty sector.“While Chevoo will always be a must for cheese board makers, we really love to push the idea that Chevoo is more than just a cheese to spread on crackers,” the President and Co-Owner of Chevoo explained.

Recent reports have revealed Costco's plan to open a total of nine new warehouse locations around the world this year. Six of the new locations will be beginning operations in cities across the U.S.

Start your engines! Continuing a strategic brand-boosting alliance, Volpi Foods once again aligned with NASCAR as a sponsor for five races this year. As the brand taps into this massive, dedicated fan base, Volpi Foods is also capturing consumers’ attention with its most recent product innovations.“Volpi Foods’ latest launches—two Snack Trays and a Charcuterie Board, are now available in deli aisles nationwide,” Claire Donohue, Volpi Foods Marketing Manager, shared.

A recently released memo signals a new workforce strategy for club chain Costco Wholesale. The retailer announced it is increasing pay for most of its hourly U.S.