Food Marketing Partners: Expertise Rooted in Industry Relationships

Food Marketing Partners is a collaborative network of seasoned consulting professionals with deep expertise across every facet of the food industry. Born from decades of trusted relationships and hands-on experience in both domestic and international markets, the network offers strategic insights and tailored solutions to help food businesses grow, innovate, and thrive in a competitive landscape.
​

Food Marketing Partners: Expertise Rooted in Industry Relationships

Food Marketing Partners is a collaborative network of seasoned consulting professionals with deep expertise across every facet of the food industry. Drawing on decades of trusted relationships and hands-on experience in both domestic and international markets, our team delivers strategic insights and tailored solutions to help food businesses grow, innovate, and thrive in a competitive landscape. Our expertise spans specialty foods, retail, foodservice, and supply chain management, ensuring clients benefit from a comprehensive, relationship-driven approach to every challenge and opportunity they face. 

John R. Fugazzie is the Leader for Food Exchange

​John R. Fugazzie brings decades of hands-on leadership and strategic expertise in the food industry, making him uniquely qualified to guide Food Exchange. His career spans executive roles in supermarket operations and food distribution, including:
​

• Wakefern / ShopRite – Managed large-scale retail operations and supply chain strategies for one of the nation’s leading supermarket cooperatives.
• Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company (A&P) – Oversaw merchandising and category management for a historic grocery brand, driving innovation and customer engagement.
• Cheese Importing Expertise – Served in senior roles with Anco and Schratter, two of the most respected names in specialty cheese importing, ensuring quality and authenticity in global sourcing.
• Domestic Cheese Leadership – Worked with Stella, a premier domestic cheese brand, to expand market presence and strengthen partnerships across retail and foodservice channels.

​
John’s deep knowledge of product development, supply chain logistics, and consumer trends, combined with his commitment to authenticity and sustainability, positions him as a visionary leader for Food Exchange. His experience bridges international trade and local retail, ensuring that Food Exchange delivers trusted insights, curated products, and industry connections for professionals and enthusiasts alike.
​

join the helping-Food Business and Careers Development LinkedIn Group

​​Food Industry Articles of significance​

U.S. Pet Industry Reaches $158 Billion in 2025, Poised for Continued Growth in 2026

​Rollout! New Food Products of April 2026
Mars Inc. expands Pop-Tarts with Super Stuffed pastries; McCormick & Co. grows Zatarain’s sausage lineup; Egglife Foods adds grab-and-go breakfast tacos; Bimbo Bakeries USA introduces Entenmann’s donut holes and Little Bites S’mores Muffins; Mrs. T’s Pierogies launches air fryer-ready snack pierogies...
Read More

​
Walmart Opens Robinson, Texas, Milk-Processing Plant
The third owned-and-operated milk plant for the retailer in the U.S., Robinson facility will serve more than 650 Walmart and Sam’s Club locations in the south-central U.S.

​ Ferrero making first Nutella product in US with $75M investment

Ferrara Candy Co. Announces New Plant in Orangeburg, South Carolina

Specialty Grocers Steal Grocery Market Share from Supermarkets

Why Hershey is making big changes to its sustainability strategy

​Aldi Expands Clean-Label Initiative
The latest list of 44 ingredients will be removed from products by December of 2027

Global Plant Protein Market to Double from 22 billion in 2026 to 49.9 billion by 2036

Sysco stock sinks 12% after U.S. food giant strikes $29 billion deal for Restaurant Depot

​ Unilever has agreed to combine its food business with McCormick & Co. in a deal valued at $44.8 billion.

McCormick Makes a Bid for Unilever’s Foods

​B&G Foods completes deal for College Inn and Kitchen Basics brands

​Gen Z Buying Habits Are Changing the Produce Aisle:
Report FMI finds that social media now drives produce discovery for nearly half of young shoppers

Gen Z and GLP-1 users drove record meat sales in 2025​
Robust shopper interest in consuming more protein represents a key opportunity to continue growing sales, FMI said.

​Nestlé USA enters at-home condiments space with new sauce brand
Minor’s Kitchen is the food giant’s first brand to launch in America in two years and builds on growing demand for home cooking.

Beyond drops ‘Meat’ from name as it broadens ambitions for plant-based proteins

Walgreens Lays Off 600+ Employees Following Private-Equity Buyout
Company eliminates jobs in Illinois and Texas as it reorganizes several areas of business

​Nestlé to sell off remainder of ice cream business

Amazon surpasses Walmart as biggest company by sales

Walmart’s Grocery Penetration Rate Sets New Record A new report from dunnhumby shows the mass merchant is now serving more than 190 million Americans each month

​ Ahold Delhaize USA Breaks Ground on $860M+ Distribution Center in North Carolina  Burlington facility to modernize East Coast supply chain for Food Lion and other grocery brands

​ Heineken to cut up to 6K jobs as it focuses on nonalcoholic beer

​ Saputo reports $220M profit in the third quarter 
The results reverse last year's $518M loss

​Kroger waits to name new CEO                                                                                                   The grocer still wants to bring someone in from the outside, but as time rolls on an internal candidate may emerge

Amazon is closing all Amazon Fresh and Amazon Go stores
Whole Foods Markets locations will expand as the company focuses on same-day fresh grocery delivery

Bankrupt Del Monte Foods Divvied Up, Sold to Three Separate Companies
Fresh Del Monte Produce, B&G Foods and Pacific Coast Producers will carve up and buy substantially all the assets and businesses of Del Monte Foods Corp., which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2025.   Read More

 Online Grocery Sales Hit Record $12.7B in December

Private Label Sales Reach $282.8B in 2025

Wegmans Raises Privacy Concerns With Biometric Cameras in NYC Stores

ALDI to Open More Than 180 New Stores By End of 2026

Target’s Wellness Push Stokes War With Whole Foods

AB InBev Pays $3 Billion To Reacquire Full Ownership of U.S. Can Manufacturing Ops

New York Bans Grocers From Refusing Cash Payments

Kroger’s Corporate Employees Must Return to Office 5 Days a Week

Schnucks’ Parent Company Completes Acquisition of Festival Foods, Hometown Grocers

U.S. eGrocery Sales Growth Hits Record $12.5 Billion in September

Amazon Launches New Private Label Grocery Brand
The new Amazon Grocery own brand includes more than 1,000 items and unites the Amazon Fresh and Happy Belly brands

​Aldi Rebranding Private Label Assortment
The grocer's new effort will give the Aldi name prominence on product packaging

​Amazon to Deliver Winn-Dixie Groceries In Florida

Study: Specialty Coffee Consumption Hits All-Time High

The Fresh Market Named Best Grocery Store by USA TODAY

U.S. eGrocery Sales Hit Record High in August 2025: What You Need to Know

Kraft Heinz splits into two companies

A Fresh Perspective: Consumers Value Premium, Minimally Processed Foods

Wakefern Buying Morton Williams Supermarkets

Young Men Aren’t Drinking—and the Industry Should Pay Attention to Why

"Brazilian mango growers are on the brink of collapse due to new U.S. tariffs"

Ferrero Group to Acquire Kellogg

​C&S Wholesale Grocers acquires SpartanNash for $1.77B
​SpartanNash CEO Tony Sarsam had previously said the distributor was hungry for M&A opportunities

NRA 2025 Show: Key Trends for Hispanic Retailers

Walmart Remains Dominant Grocery Retailer

eGrocery Sales Jump to $9.7 Billion as Delivery Gains Momentum

Colombian avocado season expands

​Amazon restructures its grocery and c-store business

Dollar General hits $40B in fiscal year net sales for first time

January visits to Costco, Sam's Club, and BJ's were up more than 7% from last year, according to foot traffic data from Placer.ai. That's double the increases for Walmart and Target.

Fresh Produce Captures US Grocery Shoppers’ Interest, but Tariffs May Push Prices Upward

The Fresh Market Opens 1st Spirits & Wine Store

​The PG 100: The 2026 Ranking of Top Food Retailers
Progressive Grocer's annual ranking serves as definitive guide to North America's biggest players in grocery retail

According to major tracking bodies like the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), predictions for the global supply of fish and seafood center around a massive shift toward farmed fish, stabilizing wild catches, and looming climate risks.

Key projections for the global fish supply over the next decade include:

 1. Aquaculture is the Primary Driver of Growth

The most significant trend is the explosive growth of aquaculture (fish farming).

The Turning Point:  Farmed aquatic foods have officially surpassed wild-capture fisheries as the primary source for human consumption.

Future Projections:

The FAO projects that total global aquatic animal production will reach 214 million metric tons by 2034, with aquaculture expected to drive nearly all new growth, accounting for roughly 56% of the total market supply.

2. Wild-Capture Fisheries Have Stagnated

The supply of wild-caught fish has hit a biological ceiling.

Total wild catches have remained relatively flat—fluctuating between 86 and 94 million tonnes annually—since the late 1980s.

Experts project this stability will continue, reflecting stricter environmental quotas, effective resource management in certain zones, and the fact that most global fish stocks are already fished to their maximum sustainable limits.

3. Severe Climate Change Risks

While overall supply numbers are rising, climate change presents a massive wildcard for long-term predictability.

Warming ocean temperatures, acidification, and shifting habitats are disrupting traditional fishing zones.

Under high greenhouse gas emission scenarios, scientists project that exploitable wild fish biomass could decline by over 10% by 2050 in multiple regions, threatening coastal economies and the stability of the wild fish supply.

4. Supply and Demand Imbalances

​The distribution of the fish supply will remain highly uneven worldwide.

Production and supply will continue to be heavily concentrated in Asia, which accounts for nearly 89% of global aquaculture production (with China alone producing over half).

While per capita fish supply is high in Asia and developed nations, it lags significantly in regions like Africa, creating localized supply gaps despite a booming global market.
Would you like to focus on a specific type of fish, or see how these supply trends are expected to impact market prices?

The U.S. beverage industry is vast and diverse, encompassing both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Here are some key statistics for various categories:
Non-Alcoholic Beverages

• Soft Drinks: Accounted for approximately $297.5 billion in revenue in 2022[1].
• Bottled Water: The second-most profitable category, with retail sales of $1.2 billion in 2019[1].
• Liquid Refreshment Beverages (LRB): Includes bottled water, carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, fruit beverages, ready-to-drink coffee and tea, sports beverages, and value-added water[2].

Alcoholic Beverages

• Alcoholic Beverage Industry: Generated $252.8 billion in sales in 2019[1].
• Beer: One of the largest segments within alcoholic beverages, contributing significantly to overall sales[1].

Overall Market

• Total Market Cap: The U.S. beverage industry had a total market cap of $762.3 billion as of December 2022[1].

These figures highlight the significant economic impact of the beverage industry in the U.S. 

References
[1] 15+ U.S. Beverage Industry Statistics [2023]: Refreshing ... - Zippia
[2] Non-alcoholic beverages and soft drinks in the U.S. - Statista

The lowest alcohol content among spiked seltzers is 2% ABV (alcohol by volume), found in Pacer Low Proof Seltzer[1]. This makes it a lighter option compared to most other hard seltzers, which typically range from 4% to 5% ABV[2][1].
References
[1] The Calories, Carbs, and Alcohol in Every Hard Seltzer Brand - VinePair
[2] List Of Hard Seltzers In America By Alcohol Content ABV

​The history of home milk delivery is quite fascinating and dates back to the late 1700s. Here's a brief overview:
​
Early Beginnings

• Late 1700s: Home milk delivery began in Vermont in 1785. At this time, families typically had their own cows, but as people moved to urban areas, they started buying milk from local dairy farmers
• Early 1800s: Milk was delivered in bulk containers, and customers would use their own jugs or pails to collect it

The Rise of Glass Milk Bottles

• 1878: The first glass milk bottle was patented, making it easier to deliver and track milk
• 1884: Henry D. Thatcher invented a glass milk bottle with a cap, further improving the delivery process

Peak of Milk Delivery

• 1920s-1950s: Home milk delivery became very popular. Milkmen delivered fresh milk daily to ensure it didn't spoil, as refrigeration was not common in homes
  . Insulated boxes or milk boxes built into homes were used to keep the milk fresh

Decline and Modern Resurgence

• Mid-1900s: The rise of supermarkets and household refrigerators led to a decline in home milk delivery. People began buying milk from stores and storing it at home
• Today: While not as common as it once was, home milk delivery has seen a resurgence in some areas, with companies offering fresh, local milk and other dairy products delivered directly to customers' homes

Here are some of the largest milk home delivery companies in the USA:

1. Royal Crest Dairy: Based in Colorado, Royal Crest Dairy has been providing home delivery of milk and other dairy products since 1927
2. ​Shatto Milk Company: This family-owned dairy farm in Missouri offers home delivery of fresh milk and other dairy products
3. Modern Milkman: Operating in Connecticut, Modern Milkman delivers fresh milk and other farm products directly to customers' homes
4. Marburger Farm Dairy: Located in Pennsylvania, Marburger Farm Dairy provides home delivery of milk and other dairy products,

Here's a comparison of sales between fluid milk and plant-based milk alternatives in the U.S.:
Fluid Milk

• Total Sales: Fluid milk sales have been declining over the years. In 2022, the U.S. retail sales of fluid milk amounted to approximately 40 billion pounds[1].

Plant-Based Milk Alternatives

• Total Sales: Plant-based milk alternatives have been growing in popularity. In 2024, sales of plant-based milk alternatives amounted to $2.9 billion[2].

While fluid milk still dominates in terms of volume, plant-based alternatives are gaining traction, driven by changing consumer preferences and dietary habits[3].

References
[1] Fluid Milk Consumption Continues Downward Trend, Proving Difficult to ...
[2] U.S. plant-based milks - statistics & facts | Statista
[3] Similar yet different: Meet today’s consumer of dairy and alternatives ...
​

​To calculate the sales equivalent of 40 billion pounds of milk, we need to know the current price per pound. As of March 2025, the price of milk is approximately $18.62 per hundredweight (cwt)[1]. Since 1 hundredweight equals 100 pounds, the price per pound is $0.1862.
Calculation:[ \text{Total Sales} = 40 \text{ billion pounds} \times \$0.1862 \text{ per pound} ] [ \text{Total Sales} = 40,000,000,000 \times 0.1862 ] [ \text{Total Sales} \approx \$7.448 \text{ billion} ]
So, the sales equivalent of 40 billion pounds of milk is approximately $7.448 billion[1].
Would you like to explore more about milk pricing trends or other dairy products?

References
[1] Milk PRICE Today | Milk Spot Price Chart | Live Price of Milk per Ounce ...

Over the past decade, milk consumption in the United States has seen a significant decline. Here are some key points:

• Per Capita Consumption: Americans have reduced their milk consumption by over 50 pounds per capita[1]. This trend is projected to continue, with consumption expected to reach just over 126 pounds per person by 2032[1].
• Fluid Milk: The decline in fluid milk consumption has been particularly notable, falling at a faster rate during the 2010s than in previous decades[2]. In 2019, the daily per capita consumption of fluid milk was 0.49 cups, down from 0.62 cups in 2010[2].

Despite efforts to reverse this trend, changing dietary habits and the rise of plant-based milk alternatives have contributed to the ongoing decrease in milk consumption[2].


References
[1] U.S. milk market - statistics & facts | Statista
[2] Fluid Milk Consumption Continues Downward Trend, Proving Difficult to ...

In the United States, milk sales encompass various types and categories. Here are some key statistics:

• Total Milk Sales: In 2022, the U.S. retail sales of milk amounted to approximately 40 billion pounds[1].
• Whole Milk: This category led the market, generating sales of over 14 billion pounds[1].

These figures highlight the significant consumption of milk across different varieties.

References
[1] U.S. milk market - statistics & facts | Statista

Cencosud operates several well-known retail food store banners across Latin America and the U.S. Here are the main ones:
Chile

• Jumbo – Hypermarkets
• Santa Isabel – Supermarkets

Argentina

• Jumbo – Hypermarkets
• Disco – Supermarkets
• Vea – Discount supermarkets

Brazil

• GBarbosa – Supermarkets
• Prezunic – Supermarkets
• Bretas – Supermarkets
• Perini – Specialty food stores

Colombia

• Jumbo – Hypermarkets
• Metro – Supermarkets

Peru

• Wong – Premium supermarkets
• Metro – Supermarkets

United States

• The Fresh Market – Specialty grocery stores

They also operate convenience stores and e-commerce platforms under various names in these countries.
Would you like me to also include their non-food retail banners (like department stores and home improvement) or focus only on food retail?

As of mid-2025, The Fresh Market operates 178–179 stores across the U.S.:

• ScrapeHero reports 179 locations in 22 states (data from August 19, 2025) [scrapehero.com]
• POI-data (July 2025) lists 216 locations—this likely includes specialty formats like "Spirits & Wine" [poidata.io]
• Company press releases confirm 172 total stores as of May 2025, with new openings adding at least three more by August/September [thefreshmarket.com], [progressiv…grocer.com]

📈 Summary:
If counting core grocery stores, about 178–179 locations nationwide.

Here are Cencosud’s non-food retail banners across its markets:
Department Stores

• Paris – Fashion, apparel, and home goods (Chile, Peru)
• Johnson – Apparel and accessories (Chile)

Home Improvement

• Easy – Home improvement and DIY (Chile, Argentina, Colombia)
• Blaisten – Specialized home décor and construction materials (Argentina)

Shopping Centers

• Cencosud Shopping – Operates malls and commercial centers in Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru

Financial Services

• Cencosud Scotiabank – Credit cards and financial products (Chile, Argentina)

These banners complement their food retail operations and make Cencosud one of the largest diversified retailers in Latin America.

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The PG 100: The Biggest Players in Grocery Retail
Progressive Grocer releases annual list of North America's top food and consumables retailerpg_100.xlsx
Download File

At a Crossroads: Progressive Grocer's 90th Annual Report
12 imperatives for grocers looking to thrive in an era of change

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Walmart, Amazon far ahead of supermarkets among online shoppers, survey finds
​

Prior results 2023
Jan. 2023 U.S. eGrocery Sales Dip 1.2% from Year Ago to $8.4 Billion
Feb. 2023 U.S. eGrocery Sales total $8.8 Billion, up 1.5% YOY
Mar. 2023 U.S. eGrocery Sales total $8 billion, down 7.6% vs. year ago
April 2023 U.S. eGrocery sales inch up 1% vs. year ago to $8.2 billion as market evolves
May U.S. eGrocery sales down 3.4% versus year ago, finishing at $6.9 billion

2022
Jan 2022 U.S. Online Grocery Results: Pickup defied downward YOY sales trend
Feb 2022 U.S. Online Grocery: Sales reach $8.7 billion, up nearly 9% vs last year
​Mar 2022 U.S. Online Grocery: Sales total $8.7 billion, down 6% vs last year
Apr 2022 U.S. Online Grocery: Sales total $8.1 billion, down nearly 4% vs last year
May 2022 Total U.S. eGrocery Sales Up Almost 2% versus last year to $7.1 Billion
June 2022 U.S. Online eGrocery: Sales total $7.2 billion, up 6% versus prior year
July 2022 U.S. eGrocery sales climb 17% versus year ago to $7.8 billion
Aug 2022 U.S. eGrocery sales down 1% versus year ago to $8.5 billion
Sept 2022: Third Quarter Ends with Mixed Results for eGrocery Sales
Oct 2022 U.S eGrocery Sales hold steady at $7.8 billion MOM but down 3% YOY
Nov 2022 U.S. eGrocery Sales Total $7.7 Billion, a 10% Drop Versus Year Ago
Dec. 2022 U.S. eGrocery Sales reach $9.1 Billion, up 2.4% YOY

Kosher Foods Distributors Assoc.
Meat Industry Suppliers Assoc.
Mid-America Food Processors Assoc., 614/889-0882
Midwest Food Processors Assoc.
Milk Industry Foundation
National Assoc. for the Specialty Food Trade
National Assoc. of Beverage Importers
National Assoc. of Fruits, Flavors & Syrups
National Assoc. of Margarine Manufacturers
National Assoc. of Wholesaler-Distributors, 202/872-0885
National Beer Wholesalers Assoc., 703/683-4300
National Beverage Packaging Assoc.
National Chicken Council
National Cattlemen's Beef Assoc.
National Cheese Institute
National Coffee Assoc.
National Confectioners Assoc.
National Corn Growers Assoc.
National Cottonseed Products Assoc.
National Fisheries Institute
National Food Distributors Assoc.
National Food Processors Assoc.
National Frozen Food Assoc.
National Frozen Pizza Institute, 703/821-0770
National Grocers Assoc., 703/437-5300
National Honey Board
National Ice Cream & Yogurt Retailers Assoc. Inc.
National Institute of Oilseed Products
National Juice Products Assoc.
National Meat Assoc.
National Meat Canners Assoc., 703/841-3680
National Milk Producers Federation
National Nutritional Foods Assoc.
National Oilseed Processors Assoc.
​​National Paperbox Assoc.
National Pasta Assoc.
National Pecan Shellers Assoc.
National Pork Producers Council
National Potato Council

National Prepared Food Assoc.
National Restaurant Assoc.
National Soft Drink Assoc.
National Sunflower Assoc.
National Turkey Federation
National Watermelon Assoc., 912/775-2130
National Yogurt Assoc.
North American Blueberry Council
North American Meat Processors Assoc.
North American Millers' Assoc., 202/484-2200
Northeast Fresh Foods Alliance, 617/963-9726
Northwest Food Processors Assoc.
Organic Trade Assoc.
Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI)
Paperboard Packaging Council
Peanut & Tree Nut Processors Assoc.
Peanut Advisory Board
The Peanut Institute Inc.
Pear Bureau Northwest
Pet Food Institute
Plastics Institute of America Inc.
Private Label Manufacturers Assoc.
Processed Apples Institute
Produce Marketing Assoc.
Refrigerated Foods Assoc., 770/452-0660
Research Chefs Association
R&D Associates
Retailer's Bakery Association
Salt Institute
Scale Manufacturers Assoc. Inc.
Snack Food Assoc.
Society for Foodservice Management
Southeastern Food Processors Association
Soy Protein Council
The Sugar Assoc.
Tea Assoc. of the USA Inc.
Tortilla Industry Assoc.
United Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Assoc.
United Soybean Board
U.S. Dairy Export Council
U.S. Meat Export Federation
U.S. Poultry & Egg Assoc.
USA Rice Federation
Walnut Marketing Board
Washington State Apple Commission
Wheat Foods Council

​Marketing/Business Leadership

• ​   Advisory Councils
•    B Corporations
•    Branding
•    Business Development
•    Business Incubation
• ​   Category Management
•    CR Management
•    e-Commerce
•    Ethnic Marketing
•    Leadership Development
•    Marketing Strategy
• ​   Mentoring
•    Mergers & Acquisitions 
•    Omni-channel strategy
• ​   Product with Purpose
•    Social Change Management
•    Social Media Marketing
•    Start-ups   
•    Strategic Partnerships
•    Talent Pipeline Development

Community Leadership

• ​  Community Engagement
•   Community Social Impact 
•   Diversity
•   Economic Development
•   Employee Engagement
•   Local hire
•   Non Profit Leadership
•   Social Responsibility 
•   Workforce Development

​​Food Category Expertise

•   Beer & Wine
•    Alcohol Beverages
•    Non-Alcohol Beverages
  
•    Perishable Foods
•    Frozen Foods
•    ​Hydroponic Grown Foods
•    Imported Foods
•    Meat Products
•    Organic Foods   
• ​   Produce
•    Seafood
•    Specialty Foods

NY Metro Food Trade News-market-study-june-2025.pdf
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File Type:	pdf

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Mid Atlantic Food World-market-study-june-2025.pdf
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• ​Chef Warehouse Market Report​

CEA page

EU Food Farming Fisheries
​commission.europa.eu/food-farming-fisheries_en

Greek Yogurt Market To Reach $11.2B Globally By 2027
​
16 Different Types of Butter and How to Use Them

Presentations from NY Produce Show 2024
​​Presentations from NY Produce Show Conferences

NJ Agriculture_industry_profile_summer_2024.pdf
Download File

05-25_cw_market_report.pdf
File Size:	1387 kb
File Type:	pdf

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Magazine Spring and Summer 2025

NJ Retail Labor Market information.pdf Download File
RETAILERS 
​Windsight Grocery​
Tempur Sealy closes $5B Mattress Firm takeover, plans rebrand to Somnigroup

​Kansas City, MO 64112-2513
816-756-1000 | Toll-free: 800-338-6201
[email protected]

bakemag.com
bakingbusiness.com
dairyprocessing.com
foodbusinessnews.net
meatpoultry.com
petfoodprocessing.net

supermarketperimeter.com
world-grain.com
foodentrepreneurexperience.com
purchasingseminar.com
soslandtrends.com

​Trade Publications
Advertising Age
Brand Marketing
Brandweek
Chile Pepper Magazine
Convenience Store News
Delicious!
Discount Store News
Food Manufacturing
Food Product Design
Gourmet Retailer
Natural Foods Merchandiser Prepared Foods
Progressive Grocer Promo Magazine Supermarket News

​Food Associations / Organizations list:

Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute
Almond Board of California
American Assoc. of Candy Technologists
American Assoc. of Cereal Chemists
American Assoc. of Meat Processors
American Bakers Assoc.
American Cheese Society
American Chemical Society
American Correctional Food Service Assoc.
American Dairy Products Institute, 312/782-4888
American Dairy Science Assoc.
American Dietetic Assoc.
American Egg Board
American Frozen Food Institute
American Institute of Baking
American Institute of Wine & Food, 415/255-3000
American Meat Institute
American Meat Science Assoc.
American Mushroom Institute
American Oil Chemists Society
American Peanut Council, 703/838-9500
American School Foodservice Assoc.
American Shrimp Processors Assoc., 504/368-1571
American Society of Baking
American Society of Brewing Chemists
American Soybean Assoc.
American Spice Trade Assoc.
American Sugar Alliance
American Sugar Beet Growers Assoc.
American Wholesale Marketers Assoc.
AOAC International
Apple Processors Assoc.
Apricot Producers of California
Aseptic Packaging Council
Assoc. for Dressings & Sauces
Assoc. of Food & Drug Officials
Assoc. of Sales & Marketing Companies

Bakery Industry Sanitation Standards Committee, 773/274-3242
Beer Institute
Biscuit & Cracker Manufacturers Assoc.

California Avocado Commission
California Date Administrative Committee
California Egg Commission
California Fig Advisory Board
California Pistachio Commission
California Prune Board
California Strawberry Commission
Cheese Importers Assoc. of America,212/753-7500
Cherry Marketing Institute Inc.
Chilled Foods Assoc., 404/252-3663
Chocolate Manufacturers Assoc. of the U.S.A.
Closure Manufacturers Assoc.
Composite Can & Tube Institute
Cookie & Snack Bakers Assoc., 423/472-1561
Corn Refiners Assoc. Inc.
Council for Responsible Nutrition
Cranberry Institute, 508/295-4132

Eastern Perishable Products Assoc.

Flavor & Extract Manufacturing Assoc., 202/293-5800
Flexible Packaging Assoc.
Florida Fruit & Vegetable Assoc.
Florida Tomato Committee
The Food & Drug Law Institute
Food Distributors International
Food Executives International Foundation, 301/469-8716
Food Ingredient Distributors Assoc., 219/432-3033
Food Institute
Food Marketing Institute
Food Processing Machinery & Supplies Assoc.
Food Processors Institute
Foodservice and Packaging Institute

Glass Packaging Institute
The Glutamate Assoc.
Grocery Manufacturers of America

The Hazelnut Council
Hazelnut Marketing Board

Idaho-Eastern Oregon Onions
Idaho Potato Commission
Independent Bakers Assoc.
Institute of Food Technologists
Institute of Packaging Professionals
Institute of Shortening & Edible Oils Inc.
International Assoc. of Food Industry Suppliers
International Assoc. for Food Protection
International Bottled Water Assoc.
International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Assoc.
International Dairy Foods Assoc.
International Food Additives Council
International Food Information Council
International Foodservice Manufacturers Assoc.
International Ice Cream Assoc.
International Jelly & Preserve Assoc.
International Society of Beverage Technologists

​Government Food-Related Links
Consumer Information Center
Food and Nutrition Information Center
The National Agriculture Library
The New NLEA Food Label Page from the FDA
Nutrient Data Lab of the USDA's Ag Research Service
U.S.D.A. Home Page

American Association of Meat Proccessors
A.W.M.A. American Wholesale Marketers Association
California Avocado Commission
California Specialty Foods Association
Canadian Food Brokers Assn
Grocery Manufacturers of America
FMI
(Food Marketing Institute)
FPI (Food Service & Packaging Institute)
International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation
Nat. Amer. Whlsl. Grocer's Assn.-Intnat'l. Foodservice Distributors Assn.
Saskathewan Food Industry
SFA (Snack Food Assn)

Food Import Associations / Organizations
Authentic Italian Foods Association USA

American Association of Exporters and Importers

Cheese Importers Association of America

Food Export Associations / Organizations
Food Export USA

 Weee! — the Chinese‑founded, immigrant‑led online supermarket business that now operates across the United States.
​Here’s a clear, friendly breakdown of what Weee! is, who owns it, and why it matters.

🛒 What is Weee!?Weee! (stylized with an exclamation point) is America’s largest online Asian grocery supermarket, founded to serve Chinese and other immigrant communities who historically had limited access to authentic foods in mainstream U.S. supermarkets. [sayweee.com], [techcrunch.com]
Unlike traditional brick‑and‑mortar stores, Weee! is digital‑first:

• Customers shop via app or website
• Orders are fulfilled through regional warehouses
• Groceries are delivered directly to homes across most of the U.S. [yahoo.com], [play.google.com]

🇨🇳 Is Weee! Chinese‑owned?Yes — but more accurately, Chinese‑founded and U.S.-based.

• Weee! was founded in 2015 by Larry Liu, a Chinese immigrant originally from Hubei, China
• The company is headquartered in Fremont, California
• It is incorporated in the United States and operates entirely under U.S. law [sayweee.com], [techcrunch.com]

This places Weee! in the same category as many iconic American companies founded by immigrants from Asia, Europe, or Latin America.

📦 Why was Weee! created?Larry Liu noticed that Chinese and Asian immigrants in the U.S. were organizing bulk food purchases using WeChat because:

• Authentic ingredients were hard to find
• Local Asian supermarkets were fragmented and inconsistent
• Prices were often high due to middlemen

Weee! started as a group‑buying platform inspired by Chinese e‑commerce models, then evolved into a direct‑to‑consumer grocery business. [sayweee.com], [techcrunch.com]

🌏 What does Weee! sell today?Weee! now carries 100,000+ products, including:

• Chinese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Filipino, Thai, Indian foods
• Fresh produce, meat, seafood, frozen foods, snacks
• Expanding Hispanic and global grocery selections
• Some ready‑to‑eat meals and restaurant partnerships [prnewswire.com], [sacra.com]

It operates both:

• First‑party inventory (owned and stocked by Weee!)
• Marketplace model (third‑party sellers) [sacra.com]

📈 How big is Weee!?As of 2025–2026:

• 🚚 50+ million orders fulfilled
• 🏬 Warehouses across major U.S. metro areas
• 📱 #1 Asian grocery app in North America
• 💵 Estimated $1+ billion in annual revenue
• 🦄 Valuation around $4.1 billion
• 💰 Over $800 million raised from investors including SoftBank, Blackstone, Tiger Global, DST Global [prnewswire.com], [sacra.com]

This makes Weee! one of the most successful immigrant‑founded food companies in U.S. history.

🧠 What makes Weee! different from traditional supermarkets?✅ Focus on underserved ethnic communities
✅ Direct sourcing to keep prices lower
✅ Scheduled delivery (not expensive instant delivery)
✅ Strong community & social commerce roots
✅ Cultural authenticity over “Americanized” versions of food [techcrunch.com], [sacra.com]
Interestingly, Weee! used business strategies learned from Chinese tech platforms (like group buying and demand forecasting) but adapted them to the U.S. market. [techcrunch.com]

🧩 Bigger picture: why Weee! matters in the U.S.Weee! represents:

• The growing economic power of immigrant communities
• How Chinese‑American entrepreneurship fills market gaps
• A shift in U.S. grocery retail toward culture‑specific demand
• Proof that “ethnic food” is now mainstream America [prnewswire.com], [orangeowl.marketing]

⚖️ Is this controversial?Sometimes people raise concerns when they hear “Chinese‑owned,” but it’s important to clarify:

• ✅ Weee! is U.S.-based
• ✅ Privately run, venture‑backed, not state‑owned
• ✅ No evidence of CCP control
• ✅ Operates similarly to other U.S. e‑commerce platforms [techcrunch.com], [prnewswire.com]

If you want, I can also:

• Compare Weee! vs H Mart vs 99 Ranch
• Explain how immigrant‑owned grocery chains shape local economies
• Or discuss food security, cultural ownership, and globalization

Just say the word 🙂