The Retail Rundown: Labor Day Protein Promotions at a Glance

Seafood leads Labor Day protein promotions, accounting for 27.1% of total ad volume. Pork follows at 23.2%, with beef and chicken each capturing about 22%. Retail buying opportunities for turkey held steady at 3.5%, while promotional activity for shell eggs remained limited.

Back-to-school demand has provided fair to fairly good retail support for eggs, according to Expana, with shelf prices holding mainly steady across most areas in the past month. Last week, white large Grade A eggs were advertised at $4.49 per dozen discounted, nearly $1...

JBS Invests $100 Million in New RTE Bacon and Sausage Facility 

JBS USA has announced plans to expand its operations in Ankeny, Iowa, by opening the largest ready-to-eat bacon and sausage facility in its portfolio.

The company has agreed to purchase a 186,000-square-foot production facility formerly owned by Hy-Vee. JBS intends to convert the space into a fully cooked bacon and sausage production plant and is looking to hire former Hy-Vee staff for the new operation.

"Today’s announcement aligns with our long-term strategy of...

The Retail Rundown: Summer’s Last Stretch Drives Seasonal Promotions

August has arrived, bringing a sense of urgency to make the most of summer’s final weeks. With Labor Day fewer than four weeks away and just seven weeks remaining until the season’s official end, retailers are already diving into back-to-school promotions.

Seafood claims the top spot among protein features again this week, making up 30.3% of all retail ads, followed by beef at 26.2%, pork at 20.8%, and chicken at 18.9%. Egg promotions remain minimal, comprising less than 1% of features—consistent with last week’s light showing. The Midwest led in egg advertising, while the Northeast and South Central regions showed more moderate activity...

PODCAST: Agri-Food for Thought Ep. 31 - Competition Heats Up at the Meat Case this Summer

Listen now as Jamie gets the scoop from Market Analyst Pete Iridoy on how pork is benefitting at retail amidst high beef prices this summer...

The Retail Rundown: Beef Edges Out Seafood in Weekly Protein Features

Beef narrowly edged out seafood for the top spot in retail protein promotions this week, making up 25.9% of all featured items. Seafood was a close second at 25.3%, while pork and chicken each accounted for about 23%. Eggs represented roughly 2% of ads, and turkey dipped below 1%.

Beef steaks remained a premium grilling choice, averaging $14.21 per pound last week. Seafood also led on price, with fresh salmon reaching as high as $17.24 per pound in some regions...

The Retail Rundown: Retailers Push Value to Maintain Protein Momentum

Retail meat clearance over the Independence Day holiday was generally strong, with consumers stocking up on grilling staples for the summer’s flagship cookout occasion.

With few major buying events remaining this summer, grocers will likely push aggressive features and highlight value finds to sustain shopper engagement through the dog days of summer.

Post-holiday protein advertisements show seafood maintaining the lead at 33.1% of retail features, followed by beef at 25.1% and pork at 21.5%. Chicken accounted for 16.2%, while turkey fell to just 2%—half of the previous week's...

The Retail Rundown: Grocers Set Stage for Final Summer Push

With Father’s Day in the rearview, grocers are setting the stage for the final big buying event of the summer: the Fourth of July.

The upcoming holiday marks the last major retail push before Labor Day and serves as a key buying window for proteins like beef ahead of the mid-summer lull. To keep product moving, grocers are expected to lean heavily on promotions and feature aggressive pricing in the coming weeks.

Post-Father’s Day, pork and chicken are poised to capture more...

The Retail Rundown: Pork Deals Deliver Summer Savings

Pork promotions are gaining momentum, with value-priced cuts standing out against higher-priced beef and even some chicken items.

Bacon continues to steal the spotlight in the pork category, fueled by strong seasonal demand as consumers stock up on this summer staple. Over Memorial Day, discounted bacon averaged $6.30 per pound, up nearly 3% from last year. Wholesale belly prices have climbed 13% since early April, supported by tightening hog supplies and historically low cold storage stocks.

As grilling season gains momentum, demand for ribs...

The Retail Rundown: Seafood Leads Memorial Day Retail Ads; Weather Poses Challenges

Seafood leads retail protein promotions heading into Memorial Day weekend, accounting for 28.7% of total featured protein ad volume. Pork follows at 25.9%, with beef at 21.3% and chicken at 19.3%.

Egg feature volume is virtually absent amid sluggish retail demand. Warmer weather is prompting a shift toward fruit and cereal for breakfast, while elevated, though easing, shelf prices continue to dampen consumer interest, according to Expana.

Within the seafood category, fresh and frozen fillets represent the largest share of advertised items at nearly 28%. Raw shrimp...

The Retail Rundown: Pre-Grilling Season Retail Insights

With Memorial Day fast approaching, retailers are ramping up promotions to jumpstart the unofficial kickoff to the summer grilling season—a crucial window for driving foot traffic and boosting meat department sales.

The next two weeks are key, as market participants closely watch consumer demand ahead of what is typically one of the busiest periods for beef sales. Protein items are being prominently showcased alongside vibrant seasonal produce, enhancing the appeal of in-store displays.

Seafood leads the protein feature mix this week, accounting for nearly 30% of all advertised protein items...

ANALYSIS: Belly Primal Drives Resurgent Pork Carcass Value in April

According to the Urner Barry by Expana Pork Carcass Cutout Value Report, recent increases in carcass values have mitigated losses incurred since the beginning of April. Currently, weekly carcass values are holding steady at approximately year-over-year levels, exceeding the three-year average by 2.2%. April itself witnessed a modest rebound in overall values following a 3.1% decline during the first two weeks. While this initial drop was significant, it represented a continuation of a gradual downward trend that began in...

Hearthside Food Recalls 489,887 Pounds of Misbranded Sausage and Bacon Breakfast Sandwiches 

Hearthside Food Solutions is recalling approximately 489,887 pounds of ready-to-eat (RTE) sausage and bacon breakfast sandwiches. According to the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), these products are being recalled due to misbranding. The sandwiches contain sesame, a known allergen, which was not listed on the product labels.

Details of the recalled products:

*8.35-oz. individually film wrapped sandwiches of “LETTIERI’S FOOD TO GO Sausage, Egg & Cheese FRENCH TOAST BREAKFAST SANDWICH” with lot codes beginning with the numbers 23, 24 and 25 up to 2508451...

Love at First Bite! 7-Eleven, Inc.'s Laredo Taco Company Offers BOGO for $1 Tacos on Valentine's Day

7-Eleven, Inc.'s Laredo Taco Company® restaurant is celebrating Valentine's Day by offering a treat that will delight both taste buds and wallets. On February 14 only, customers can score a buy one, get one for $1 deal for Bacon and Egg Breakfast Tacos. Enjoy sizzling, savory bacon and hand-cracked eggs, all wrapped in a warm, fresh flour tortilla.* Whether you're treating yourself or sharing the love, who can resist...

Einstein Bros. Bagels Celebrates National Bagel Day with Free Egg Sandwich

This National Bagel Day, everyone who's ready to give up a New Year's resolution that has them eating cardboard-tasting breakfast cereal can now embrace their cravings. Beginning January 15, Einstein Bros. Bagels Rewards members can 'give it up for Einstein Bros.' with a Free Egg Sandwich with purchase when ordering ahead in the app or online this month.

"Studies show that nearly half of New Year's resolutions are abandoned by the end of January," said Hector Briones, Chief Marketing Officer at Einstein Bros. Bagels. 

Wahlburgers Debuts Limited-Time Triple Threat Slider Flight

Wahlburgers invites fans on a flavorful journey with its new Triple Threat Flight — a trio of sliders with a bold mix of tastes that will keep guests on their toes beginning Tuesday, Nov. 19, and through the Big Game.

Priced at $12.95*, the thrilling lineup includes the following sliders prepared for takeoff:

• Classic Meatball: A hearty meatball with provolone and spicy arrabbiata sauce for an unforgettable kick.
• BBQ Bacon: White cheddar, bacon, jalapeño, BBQ sauce and avocado spread to highlight the packed smoky richness guests... 

Smithfield Culinary Introduces Smithfield Select Bacon, the Game-Changing, Fully Cooked Bacon 

Smithfield Culinary, a leading producer of premium proteins, launched Smithfield Select Bacon, a fully cooked ready-to-eat option, as the latest addition to the company's platinum line of superior bacon products. This innovative offering is designed to provide an unparalleled sensory experience while significantly reducing time, labor and costs for foodservice operators. Smithfield Select Bacon delivers the rich flavor, appealing appearance and mouthwatering aroma of freshly cooked bacon without the hassle.

Smithfield Culinary's insights reveal that foodservice operators have traditionally faced the challenge of balancing...

IHOP Is Bringing Weekends to the Weekdays to Celebrate the New Value-Driven House Faves Menu

Today, IHOP® announced it’s bringing the weekend to the weekday by inviting guests to enjoy its new House Faves menu every Monday through Friday from 7am-10pm, for just $6. IHOP prides itself on listening and reacting to guest feedback quickly; knowing customers are constantly looking for more ways to save when dining out with their families, the brand curated its House Faves menu with some of its best-selling breakfast items for guests to enjoy for just $6...

The Makers of HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Bacon Introduce OVEN READY™ Thick Cut Bacon

The makers of HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® Bacon are committed to pushing the boundaries of bacon innovation, and today, the brand is once again revolutionizing the category with the launch of its latest patent-pending product: HORMEL® BLACK LABEL® OVEN READY™ Thick Cut Bacon with Oven Safe Tray. This first-of-its-kind product brings the convenience of fully cooked bacon while offering a mess-free, easy-to-prepare option for bacon lovers everywhere...