With unconditional approval from the European Commission marking the last regulatory requirement, the Mars-Kellanova acquisition is set to close on Dec. 11. The merger is expected to create a global snacking powerhouse focused on expanding consumer choice and driving innovation in the sector.

"Today marks an extraordinary milestone and the culmination of years of work for many of our associates. We've said all along that Mars Snacking and Kellanova will be better together, building on the strength of our respective legacies and capabilities to unlock new possibilities and drive growth."
-- Andrew Clarke, global president of Mars Snacking

"This combination will bring together two purpose-driven and principles-led companies. I'm looking forward to seeing Kellanova people and brands thrive as part of Mars Snacking."
-- Steve Cahillane, chairman, president and CEO of Kellanova

Kroger is increasing its focus on brick-and-mortar stores as part of a strategy to drive market share growth and improve online grocery profitability. The company plans to break ground on 14 stores in Q4 and increase new builds by 30% in 2026, with a focus on high-potential geographies such as Jacksonville, Fla.

Better operational performance and enhanced shopping experiences. Ecolab's food safety, pest and water management solutions help protect your brand, improve labor efficiency, and reduce water and energy usage. Discover More

Nostalgia plays a powerful role in the food industry, as brands tap into consumers' fond memories of past flavors to create emotional connections and drive sales in economically challenging times. Products like Pop-Tarts Crunchy Poppers and Voodoo Donuts Maple Bacon Bars are designed to evoke childhood experiences, leveraging the strong link between taste, smell and memory. According to Innova Market Insights, 85% of consumers say familiar flavors influence their purchasing decision.

Schnuck Markets has implemented Domo's AI and data products as its enterprise reporting platform, unifying data from various departments to provide real-time insights and eliminate the need for manual report creation, which, at times, led to inconsistent data interpretations, according to Colin Lloyd, director of business analytics at Schnucks. "We no longer ask 'What were my sales yesterday?' but focus on 'What do I need to do moving forward to improve the customer experience?'," Lloyd said.

The FMI Financial Executive & Internal Auditing Conference offers a unique gathering for retail finance and audit leaders looking to sharpen controls, drive growth and stay ahead of industry-wide financial challenges. Over the course of May 17–19 in Nashville, Tenn., you’ll join fellow CFOs, controllers, VPs of finance, treasurers, and internal audit directors, all focused on the financial backbone of grocery and retail operations. Expect high-value sessions tailored to the finance and internal audit needs of food retail, including strategies to improve compliance, optimize profitability and strengthen risk management. Built to give you the tools and insights needed to lead with confidence in a rapidly changing retail environment, you’ll leave with clear, actionable insights to support stronger financial and audit performance across your organization.

My grandfather was a row crop farmer in Buckley, Ill., a town of only 500 people, and I spent the first 18 summers of my life there, so attending the Field to Market Fall Meeting and the Sustainable Ag Summit in Anaheim this year resonated with me on a personal level. Some of my favorite memories are of riding in the back of his truck with my cousins and neighbor kids as he rumbled across the fields and gravel roads. In the 80s, no one thought twice about a group of grandkids bouncing around in the truck bed. Agriculture was not some amorphous concept just to me. It was family, community and the values that shaped who I am today.