Brad Avery
Posts by Brad Avery
Instacart Names Chris Rogers as Next CEO
Instacart has named Chris Rogers as CEO, effective August 15, assuming the position from outgoing chief executive Fidji Simo. Rogers joined Instacart in 2019 and has served as its chief business officer since 2022.
B&G Sells Off Italian Brands as Net Sales Keep Dropping Double-Digits
In a push to help pay off long-term debt, B&G Foods is selling two of its tomato products brands – Don Pepino and Sclafani – to Violet Foods LLC, a newly formed portfolio company.
Retailer Confidence Drops 15 Points Since 2024; 73% See Private Label as Priority
Uncertainty and pessimism are rising major among U.S. retailers as labor challenges and inflation have dampened future outlook, according to a report by Progressive Grocer last week.
FreshDirect Goes Directly to Main Street with First Physical Store
FreshDirect is going IRL. The Tristate-focused online grocer is opening its first brick-and-mortar store in Southampton, N.Y., this weekend, called FreshDirect on Main.
Flowers Foods Down in Q1 Amid Bread Category Pressures
After its $795 million purchase of Simple Mills in January, Flowers Foods, Inc. reported a net sales dip in its Q1 2025 earnings report today as poor price/mix and negative volume sales offset the gains from the acquisition. Net sales were down 1.4% to $1.5 billion – of which $24.3 million came from Simple Mills – and net income fell 27.4% in the quarter to $53 million.
CPG Goes MAHA: Weiland, Moses, Fabricant Chew the Fat in D.C.
CPG industry leaders, including KeVita co-founder Bill Moses and Presence Marketing founder Bill Weiland, called for the food and beverage industry to embrace a healthier American diet at a roundtable conference hosted today by The MAHA Institute.
Ben & Jerry’s Co-Founder Cohen Arrested for Protesting RFK Hearing
A congressional hearing on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s department budget became a flashpoint for protestors, including 74-year-old Ben & Jerry’s co-founder Ben Cohen, who was arrested after interrupting the proceedings to denounce the war in Gaza.
Lifeway Continues Growth Streak in Q1 on Back of Drinkable Kefirs
Leading U.S. kefir brand Lifeway Foods had its 22nd consecutive quarter of year-over-year growth, with net sales up 3.3% to $46.1 million, in its Q1 2025 earnings report this morning.
Gluten-Free Pioneer Mary’s Gone Crackers Sold to Dare Foods Subsidiary
Mary’s Gone Crackers, a manufacturer of organic gluten-free snacks founded in 2004, has been acquired by Rosseau Incorporated, a U.S.-based subsidiary of Canadian food conglomerate Dare Foods Limited.
Laird Keeps Growth Streak Running in Q1, Despite Out-of-Stock Pains
A year after Laird Superfood announced the beginning of its “Return to Growth” story, the wellness brand touted its fifth consecutive quarter of double-digit sales gains powered by brick-and-mortar expansion and heightened Amazon sales in its Q1 2025 earnings report yesterday.