Retail

An annual health and wellness progress report conducted by Consumer Goods Forum found that 66 percent of reporting companies reformulated products in 2016. But of those companies, roughly 27 percent made their policies regarding nutrition and product formulation public.

With millennial consumers taking root in cities, retailers have realized it’s time to adapt and create store formats that appeal to this unique generation. In the Boston metro area, Ahold Delhaize has been quietly testing their own urban format: bfresh market.

In the last year, SHANTI has seen 300 percent growth, according to the company. It’s now sold in over 500 stores including Whole Foods Markets Florida region and Bed Bath & Beyond nationwide, and is adding more in the months to come. And with an official partnership with Team U.S.A. goalie, Hope Solo, it doesn’t look like they’ll be making any back passes in marketing efforts, either.

After the holiday season winds down, consumers approach the new year filled with good intentions and New Year’s resolutions centered around healthy eating, personal growth, and financial goals around savings. This year, retailers including Aldi, Whole Foods Market and Earth Fare have approached January with their own resolutions around similar topics.

Today Ahold USA, parent company of Stop & Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover, Giant Carlisle and online grocery Peapod, announced a partnership with product discovery platform RangeMe. Ahold will use RangeMe for both inbound submissions as well as to scale its product discovery efforts.

While the winter holidays are usually a cheery time for retailers, a spate of publicized woes might be giving natural grocery chain Whole Foods Market the grumps.