With a new year comes a bit of trepidation for retailers, especially this year. Consumers are prepared to tighten their belts — and their wallets — when it comes to spending. So, what does that mean for the long-term success for retailers?

According to Coresight Research, a research and advisory firm specializing in retail and technology, U.S. store closures totaled 7,325 in 2024. The firm expects that to increase in 2025 to approximately 15,000. Store openings totaled 5,970 in 2024 and are expected to be similar this year.

“Inflation and a growing preference among consumers to shop online

Salix Fruits made its debut in the U.S. citrus market in 2015, starting with imports of lemons from Argentina. Established by Juan González Pita and Luis Elortondo, the company boasts over a century of combined experience in the fresh fruit industry. While Salix offers a diverse portfolio of 25 fruit varieties, it primarily concentrates on ensuring a reliable supply of imported citrus in the U.S. market.

“Winter citrus is a high point of our business,” said Pita, who is COO. “It accounts for a significant portion of our annual volume, with thousands of tons imported and distributed worldwide

With winter hosting and game day celebrations in full swing, Uber Eats and Wegmans Food Markets partnered to bring the beloved supermarket's products directly to customers' doors starting this month.

Wegmans locations in Massachusetts, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Washington, DC, are now available to shop on the Uber Eats and Uber apps, giving consumers near-instant access to Wegmans' unique selection of products, from restaurant-quality meals and artisan breads, to fresh produce, cheese sourced from around the world, and grocery staples. Wegmans locations in New York

Brian Johnson has been named president and CEO of The Fresh Market Inc., effective Feb. 3. Johnson is replacing Jason Potter, who has taken the same role at Grocery Outlet after five years with The Fresh Market.

Johnson has served as chief operating officer at The Fresh Market since 2020 and brings more than 30 years of experience to the role. In the last five years, he has helped oversee the expansion of TFM stores into new markets across the East Coast and Midwestern United States. Previously, Johnson served as division vice president at Brookshire Grocery Co. in Texas.

“I want to thank

Brighter Bites has received a $15,000 Food and Nutrition Security Grant from the Collier Community Foundation. These funds will support the Brighter Bites 2024-25 school year program across all southwest Florida sites, serving 4,200 students and impacting over 1,800 families.

Brighter Bites offers programming in nine schools throughout Naples and Immokalee, FL, in areas described as under-resourced. Families that participate in programming receive up to 20 pounds of fresh produce bi-weekly along with nutrition education in the classroom and at home with the goal of creating healthy behavior

2025 is going to be a big year for BrightFresh as it prepares for its greenhouse expansion.