News Briefs

Southeastern Grocers has united its organization and stores under one banner with an official name change as part of a renewed focus on its home state of Florida.

The regional grocer is now officially The Winn-Dixie Company. As part of the transformation, the Jacksonville, Fla.-based company is also introducing an updated, more modern visual identity, including a refined logo and brighter, more contemporary color schemes. It also is rolling out a new tagline that reads “Bring Home More Good.”  

In late 2025, as part of its Florida growth strategy, the company (then Southeastern Grocers) finalized an agreement to acquire Hitchcock’s Markets locations in Alachua, Keystone Heights and Williston, Fla. The stores are being converted to the new Winn-Dixie format and opened in phases.  

Winn-DIxie is also introducing new customer conveniences and partnerships, including third-party online grocery delivery and return kiosks. It also is continuing to expand its private label offerings. 

“This is a defining moment — more than a name change, it proudly declares who we are and where we’re headed,” said chairman and CEO Anthony Hucker. “Becoming The Winn-Dixie Company brings a deeply rooted company name behind our shared purpose of empowering people to feed and enrich their communities. We’re investing with intention —opening new stores, refreshing existing ones and elevating the products our customers know and love — while maintaining our commitment to value and quality."

Those buying Easter candy this year may feel some sticker shock.

The prices of popular Easter candy have jumped 67% since 2020, according to a new analysis from Investors Observer. That gap means a family spending the same average of $93 on Easter candy today will come away with 40% less candy than six years ago.

In 2020, popular Easter candies ranged from $3.49 and $3.99. This year, that gap increased to between $4.79 and $8.29. Between 2020 and 2026, the average price per ounce across the five Easter candies tracked by InvestorsObserver increased from $0.37 to $0.62.

[READ MORE: Numerator: Most St. Patrick's Day celebrators to spend less than $100 this year]

The Hershey’s Milk Chocolate bar stands out as the most extreme case in the research, with a 107.8% price-per-ounce increase over six years. Also, despite no price change, Cadbury Mini Eggs shrank from 10 ounces to 9 ounces in 2022, which InvestorsObserver called a hidden cost increase most shoppers likely never noticed.

According to National Retail Federation data from last year, the average American increased per-person Easter candy spending from $23.30 in 2020 to approximately $26.82 in 2025.

“When shoppers lose a reliable sense of what something should normally cost, everything gets harder,” noted Sam Bourgi, senior analyst at InvestorsObserver. “Instead of grabbing the usual bag without a second thought, you’re suddenly comparing prices, doing per-ounce math in your head, and wondering if you’re being overcharged.” 

For the analysis, InvestorsObserver tracked the prices of Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs, Cadbury Mini Eggs, Hershey’s Milk Chocolate, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, and Cadbury Creme Eggs from 2020 to today. The full report can be found here.

A popular low-cost shopping platform best-known for fast fashion is helping customers get ready for festival season.

Shein will operate the "Shein Festival House Pop-Up" on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. PDT, Thursday, March 26 through Saturday, March 28, and then 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 29, 2026. The pop-up will feature apparel geared toward music genres and styles including boho festival, cowgirl, retro streetwear, punk rock, and desert rave; as well as free gifts.

"What stands out this year is just how early and how intentionally shoppers are planning their festival looks," said Lisa Zlotnick, U.S. head of brand PR for Shein. "They know what they want, they know what they want to spend, and they look to social media to determine exactly how to pull it off. Shein is built to deliver on all of it, down to the last accessory."

Shein surveyed approximately 18,600 U.S. consumers age 18 and older who plan to attend music and arts festivals in 2026 about their shopping preferences. Notable results included:

• Nearly 62% of respondents said price is one of their top three factors when shopping for festival looks, followed by comfort (49%) and wearability (39%).
• Respondents are targeting prices of $25 or under for individual apparel, including shorts and tops, and under $10 for accessories such as sunglasses, bandanas and jewelry.
• Comfortable shoes rank as the most important item, with 73% of attendees saying they are a must-pack, followed by sunglasses (67%) and shorts (66%). Tank tops (58%) and lightweight dresses (57%) 

Shein has a long tradition of hosting pop-ups, including in cities such as Las Vegas, New York City (in partnership with Forever 21), Montreal and Vancouver. 

[READ MORE: Shein teams with 'Love is Blind' stars on Las Vegas wedding pop-up]

Federal Realty Investment Trust is expanding its portfolio in its home market.

The company has acquired Congressional North Shopping Center in Rockville, Md., for $72.3 million. Located immediately adjacent to Federal's Congressional Plaza, the grocery-anchored center spans approximately 176,000 square feet of retail on 13 acres, with tenants including Aldi, RH Outlet, Petco and Staples.

The acquisition of Congressional North deepens Federal's presence along Rockville Pike (Route 355), one of the Washington D.C. Metro region's most established commercial corridors. Federal’s other assets in the area include Congressional Plaza, Federal Plaza, Montrose Crossing and Pike & Rose

"This is a highly strategic addition for us," said Don Wood, president and CEO of Federal Realty, who has led the company since 2003. "With this acquisition, we now control the key retail nodes along Rockville Pike from Bethesda through Rockville, giving us greater flexibility to curate tenancy and merchandising across the corridor."

[READ MORE: Federal Realty launches ‘Resi-Over-Retail’ builds across its portfolio]

Headquartered in North Bethesda, Md., Federal Realty's 104 properties include approximately 3,700 tenants in 28.8 million commercial square feet, and approximately 2,700 residential units.

Quick-service restaurant customers look to one perk over all others when evaluating a loyalty program.

More than eight-in-10 (82%) QSR customers say discounts: 82% are a motivator to join a QSR chain’s loyalty program, and another 77% cite free items, clearly demonstrating cost savings are the top membership driver. 

QSR customers surveyed in the Alchemer "2026 Quick-Service Restaurant Study: Winning the Cost-Conscious Diner" also mentioned exclusive menu items (41%) and convenience (41%) as top motivators to enroll in a QSR membership program.

In addition, 38% of respondents say they would switch loyalty programs for better rewards, offers or deals, underscoring how value-driven today’s dining decisions have become.

The survey also reveals that 35% of respondents say points expire too quickly and 35% also say their loyalty weakens when value feels unfair or unclear. More than one-quarter (27%) cite app glitches as a major frustration and 22% say redeeming rewards is difficult.

[READ MORE: Survey: Value, better food driving changing restaurant preferences]

Other findings

• 85% of respondents say they are more likely to join programs that tailor rewards to their purchase history.
• 61% say artificial intelligence-generated suggestions are helpful.
• 44% say they don’t use loyalty programs every time because they "don't think about it.”
• 37% are unwilling to pay for a QSR loyalty subscription while only 28% currently do.

“Loyalty programs are no longer about earning perks or VIP status,” said Leslie Rich, Ph.D., research solutions expert, Alchemer. “Instead of a demonstration of love for the brand, loyalty programs have become financial tools.”

Alchemer’s Research Solutions organization surveyed 800 U.S. adults who had purchased from a quick-service restaurant in the past month and were current members of at least one QSR loyalty program. 

A Chicago-based fast-casual chain has tapped a new executive to oversee its future store expansion.

Portillo’s has named Jennifer Pecoraro-Striepling as its chief development officer. In this role, she will lead Portillo’s restaurant development strategy, including real estate and site selection, prototype design and construction, and will play a “key role” in advancing long-term expansion.

A Chicago native, Pecoraro-Striepling most recently served as chief development officer for Miller’s Ale House for the past year, where she was responsible for driving the development and expansion strategies. 

“Jennifer brings the experience, strategic vision, and people-first leadership we need as we continue to expand Portillo’s into new and key markets,” said Brett Patterson, who took the reins as president and CEO of Portillo’s last month following the departure of Michael Osanloo last fall. “We see tremendous opportunity ahead, and Jennifer’s proven ability to responsibly scale brands while protecting what makes them special gives us great confidence in our ability to accelerate growth and bring Portillo’s to even more communities.”

Prior to Miller’s, Pecoraro-Striepling served as chief development officer at Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux for two years, and previously held leadership roles at Papa Johns and Bloomin’ Brands.

“Portillo’s is a brand I grew up with in Chicago, so stepping into this role is both professionally exciting and personally meaningful,” said Pecoraro-Striepling. “The company has built something truly special over the years, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to grow the brand while preserving the experience and quality that guests love.”

[READ MORE: Portillo's offers 'Perks' with debut loyalty program]

Portillo’s operates more than 100 restaurants across 11 states. The chain is known for its menu of Italian beef sandwiches, Chicago-style hot dogs, char-broiled burgers, fresh salads, chocolate cake and more.