ISSAQUAH, WA - Costco Wholesale Corporation reported net sales of $21.56 billion for the retail month of August, the four weeks ended August 31, 2025, an increase of 8.7 percent from $19.83 billion last year, according to a recent release.

For the 16-week fourth quarter, the Company reported net sales of $84.4 billion, an increase of 8.0 percent compared to net sales of $78.2 billion last year.

For the 52-week fiscal year ended August 31, 2025, the Company reported net sales of $269.9 billion, an increase of 8.1 percent from $249.6 billion last year.

Additional discussion of these results is available in a pre-recorded message. It can be accessed by visiting investor.costco.com. This message will be available through 4:00 p.m. (PT) on Thursday, September 11, 2025.

Costco currently operates 914 warehouses, including 629 in the United States and Puerto Rico, 110 in Canada, 42 in Mexico, 37 in Japan, 29 in the United Kingdom, 20 in Korea, 15 in Australia, 14 in Taiwan, seven in China, five in Spain, two in France, two in Sweden, and one each in Iceland, and New Zealand. Costco also operates e-commerce sites in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Mexico, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, and Australia.

See the full report here.

CHARLOTTE, NC - With Southern Innovations 2025 only a few days away, many companies are hunkering down to talk strategy for the show. As the industry prepares, I spoke with several members across buy and supply about their excitement for the show.

Mike Tipton, Vice President of Produce and Floral, Schnuck Markets

“Southern Innovations is where produce comes alive with what’s new. From the latest innovations to fresh new ideas, this show is a can’t-miss event to see where our industry is headed. With one of the strongest buyer ratios in the industry, it offers unmatched opportunities to build connections—and more importantly, to reconnect with people who feel like family.”

Kristin Yerecic Scott, Executive Vice President of Customer Experience and Administration, Yerecic Label, and Board Member, Southeast Produce Council

"SEPC Southern Innovations is always a great experience and continues to grow in popularity. It's a great opportunity to connect with supply partners and learn about the exciting new products hitting the market. The learning sessions are also incredibly valuable and offer a wide array of topics that can help grow or manage your business more effectively."

Tiffany Sabelli, Senior Director of Sales, Pure Flavor®

“The educational sessions are always a highlight. They offer fresh insights into industry trends and shopper behavior, and we always leave with new ideas that inspire innovative approaches we can bring back to our team.”

 

John Shuman, President and Chief Executive Officer, Shuman Farms

“Southern Innovations is always one of the highlights of our year because it brings together the best of the produce industry in such a collaborative setting. It’s a chance to share ideas, learn about new trends, and strengthen the relationships that drive our business forward. In past years, we’ve walked away inspired and energized by the conversations we’ve had with our retailer and industry partners. We’re excited to be back this year to showcase our premium sweet onions from Peru and to connect with friends who share our passion for growing this industry together.”

Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover the show!

NEW KENSINGTON, PA - At the upcoming Southeast Produce Council (SEPC) Southern Innovations show, Yerecic Label will showcase its latest innovations designed specifically for the produce industry. I had a chance to discuss with Destiny Buccieri, Marketing Manager.

“Attendees can explore our newest portfolio of labels that combine striking design with actionable insights, helping retailers guide consumers at the point of purchase. From on-pack recipe inspiration to eco-friendly labeling options, our solutions focus on enhancing the shopper experience while supporting sustainability and operational efficiency,” Destiny began telling me.

Yerecic Label’s goals for the show are to connect with produce industry leaders, share how the company’s data-driven labels can drive sales and consumer engagement, and demonstrate the tangible value of integrating technology with packaging. In addition to connecting with attendees, the Yerecic team is eager to learn from the show’s educational sessions and keynote speakers to help further refine their offerings for retailers and consumers.

“We hope attendees leave understanding that Yerecic Label is more than a label provider—we are a partner in delivering smarter, more engaging consumer experiences,” Destiny continued. “Our labels don’t just communicate; they guide, inspire, and educate. By visiting, attendees will experience how leveraging data, innovative design, and sustainability in labeling can elevate produce offerings and create measurable impact in-store and beyond.”

Yerecic Label has been family-owned and operated for 56 years, now under third-generation ownership, with dual-coast facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Phoenix, Arizona, operating 24/5.

“We pride ourselves on providing unmatched service, including Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) capabilities, online order and proofing portals, and a dedicated support team ready to assist customers at every step,” Destiny concluded. “Our history, innovation, and dedication to service allow us to provide reliable, high-quality labeling solutions, always Serving at the Speed of Fresh®.”

For all of this and more, be sure to stop by the Yerecic Label booth, #201, at Southern Innovations.

STATEN ISLAND, NY - ShopRite announced that its newest state-of-the-art supermarket will open Sunday, September 14, in Evergreen Plaza at 100 Greaves Lane, Staten Island, NY, with a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m.

Owned and operated by Mannix Family Markets, the new ShopRite of Evergreen Plaza marks the Mannix family’s fourth supermarket in the borough and reinforces their strong commitment to serving Staten Islanders with ShopRite quality and value. The store team will join local leaders to cut the ribbon on the 62,000-square-foot, full-service supermarket that offers a wide variety of fresh groceries, chef-prepared foods, specialty and premium items, and top-quality store and national brands.

The new ShopRite will stock over 40,000 products and offer nearly 3,000 sale items each week while also offering a wide gluten-free and organic selection, all at ShopRite’s everyday low prices. Store departments will include a Fresh Bake Shop featuring custom specialty cakes and made-from-scratch sweets and breads; Floral Shop with bouquets arranged daily; Meat Department staffed by experienced butchers offering restaurant-quality cuts of meat at supermarket prices; Seafood Department with daily-catch deliveries; and a Produce Department stocked with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables and organic and locally grown produce. ShopRite’s online shopping service, Order.Pickup.Deliver., will also be available at the new location as will ShopRite’s premium store brands, Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry and Paperbird.

“Our team looks forward to delivering the very best in quality, value, and service to the Great Kills community with our newest ShopRite,” said Tim Mannix, a second-generation grocer and vice president of Mannix Family Markets, in the recent release. “Staten Island has embraced us, and we are so proud to continue to invest in the borough and neighborhoods that mean so much to our family.”

In addition to the new store in Great Kills, Mannix Family Markets operates ShopRite stores in Graniteville, New Dorp, and Charleston.

The newest ShopRite will employ approximately 300 associates, and hiring continues to take place for positions at the store. The convenient shopping format also incorporates the latest energy-saving and sustainable technologies in refrigeration and lighting, including LED lighting and environmentally friendly refrigerant systems.

The Mannix family believes in giving back to the communities where their stores operate and their retail teams live and work. Mannix Family Markets supports food pantries year-round across Staten Island and makes a special annual Thanksgiving gift card donation to dozens of local organizations. Mannix Family Markets also sponsors the historic St. George Theater, Grace Foundation of Staten Island, Richmond University Medical Center, the Staten Island Children’s Museum, and Staten Island Sunrise Day Camp.

The store will be open 24 hours, seven days a week. For more information and updates on the new store, please visit the store’s Facebook page.

NORTHERN CALIFORNIA - Jacobs Del Cabo has taken a decisive step toward boosting labor efficiency and reducing operational costs by incorporating the Amiga modular platform into its organic vegetable and herb production. The grower, which operates more than 5,000 acres across California and Mexico, is using the all-electric system to streamline compost spreading, seeding, weeding, and more.

Developed in close collaboration with Jacobs Del Cabo, the Amiga platform has enabled significant savings — cutting mulching labor from four to five workers down to one while easing the physical demands placed on farm crews. “From a farmer’s perspective, the Amiga helps us maintain operations in a way that is economically viable. This is the future,” noted Co-Founder Larry Jacobs in the recent release.

Beyond operational gains, worker satisfaction has also improved. “This makes our employees happier. It’s not just about productivity — it’s about the quality of their experience on the farm,” said Operations Manager Sandy Belin. With customized attachments, adjustable track widths, and day-long battery life, the Amiga platform delivers the versatility needed for both greenhouse and open-field production.

By combining innovation with farmer-led input, Jacobs Del Cabo and Farm-ng are working to set a standard for sustainable, worker-centered efficiency in fresh produce operations.

BOISE, ID - William “Bill” D. Long, a grocery industry leader whose vision shaped one of the nation’s most successful employee-owned companies, passed away on August 18, 2025, at the age of 87. His life was defined by family, service, and a legacy of leadership that transformed WinCo Foods and the lives of its employees.

“Bill was not only an accomplished businessman but also a visionary whose integrity, energy, and unwavering belief in employee ownership shaped WinCo’s culture and success,” his obituary noted. “His legacy of leadership, community, and opportunity will continue to live on in the lives of thousands of employees and their families.”

Long’s journey from growing up on a Wisconsin dairy farm to leading WinCo as Chairman and CEO reflected both resilience and foresight. After joining Waremart in 1968, he steadily rose through the company, guiding its historic transition to employee ownership in 1985—a move that secured its place as one of the largest employee-owned businesses in the country.

With these reflections on his life and leadership, WinCo Foods released the following statement: 

On behalf of all WinCo employee owners, we extend our heartfelt condolences to Bill Long’s family and friends and to all who were touched by his life and leadership.

At WinCo Foods, Bill’s name carries a special place in our hearts as the first CEO of WinCo. Forty years ago, Bill and a small group of employees at a then-small chain of supermarkets came together and purchased what would become WinCo Foods, making it employee-owned!

Those who had the privilege of working alongside Bill remember him for his steady leadership, generosity of spirit, and his relentless focus on making WinCo the absolute best it can be.

His legacy lives on not only in WinCo’s continued growth, but also in the purpose he instilled throughout the organization: that through the low price grocery model he helped create, we make the lives of our customers, communities, and employee owners better.