The latest food and beverage industry news and trend analysis

Whole Foods Market is expanding its urban footprint by bringing its small-format Daily Shop concept to Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia to capture high-density urban market share through curated essentials.

Papa Johns is entering the consumer packaged goods sector by launching a bottled version of its Special Garlic Dipping Sauce at major retailers including Walmart and Kroger this summer.

Ready has expanded its retail footprint with a nationwide Target launch of its 15g protein bars. Recognised as a 2026 Bain & Company Insurgent Brand, Ready is scaling its functional snack portfolio.

Electrolit’s 7-Eleven exclusive Pineapple Coconut flavour scales its C-store presence, utilising a retail-specific strategy to drive trial and cold vault differentiation for summer 2026.

Southern Co-op has formally dismissed an alternative partnership approach from independent society OurCoop, reaffirming its commitment to a proposed merger with the national Co-op Group to prevent administration and secure its retail estate.

The Marzetti Company has successfully acquired Japanese Barbecue Sauce brand Bachan’s for 400 million dollars, integrating a high-growth, clean-label product into its extensive retail and foodservice distribution network.

DoorDash has partnered with Empire Company Limited to bring more than 1,000 stores to its marketplace, securing partnerships with four of Canada’s five largest grocery retailers to meet rising on-demand delivery needs.

7-Eleven is closing 645 legacy stores across North America during fiscal 2026, launching mass liquidation sales as the retailer consolidates its real estate portfolio to focus on larger, food-forward convenience formats.