H.E. Butt Grocery has been approved for a $12.5 million construction project at its Houston distribution center and a $3.5 million remodel and HVAC upgrade for a nearby supermarket. The company is also expected to complete a 64,000-square-foot snack manufacturing plant in the city later this year.

Amazon has introduced a new checkout option that lets online customers without bank or credit cards pay for purchases. Amazon PayCode provides shoppers with a QR code that they can take to a Western Union location for payment.

Walmart has teamed with Capital One to launch two new credit cards that will offer users up to 5% cash back on purchases. The Walmart Rewards Card is a private-label card that can only be used at Walmart, while the branded Mastercard will be usable everywhere.

Vegetable proteins like beans, chickpeas, seeds and nuts occasionally make it to the dinner table for 73% of shoppers, according to FMI's 2019 Power of Produce report, and provide an opportunity for grocers to help families eat more plant-based and fresh foods. "Combine the timing of more structured family meals with interest in plant-based eating and you have a veritable bounty of ways to generate interest and sales of produce this fall," FMI's Rick Stein writes.

Using customer data to create personalized in-store experiences and rewards programs can set retailers apart from the competition, Abby Kleckler writes. Personalization is the foundation of the Giant Choice Rewards program, which is currently being developed and will allow customers to choose between gas, groceries and charitable giving when redeeming their rewards.

About 81% of shoppers age 14-to-24 prefer shopping in stores, and 73% say they enjoy discovering new things during shopping trips, according to a survey from A.T. Kearney. Nearly 60% of Gen Z respondents said the in-store shopping experience provides a break from the digital world, with positive mental health effects.

Longer-lasting avocados from Apeel are entering more than 1,100 Kroger stores across the US. The retailer will also pilot Apeel asparagus and limes in Cincinnati this fall.

Lay's is rolling out a branding redesign of its potato chip bags next week, which has been in the works for two years with the company testing designs with a "tribe" of consumers, Robert Klara writes. He explores the process of the redesign, outlines its most important elements using graphics and Lay's Senior Director of Design, Jon Guerra, says, "It was very important to make sure that our brand architecture told a story [that] was very simple."

New products from Conagra brands include a plant-based line of Pressed Oil Spreads from Earth Balance and Angus Beef varieties of Wolf Brand Chili. Other roll-outs include a limited-edition Pumpkin Spice Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa and Birds Eye Veggie Shreds, featuring shredded-vegetable combinations, such as white cabbage and carrots.

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere. It is being applied for different reasons, in all types of industries with varying results. For CPG, AI is essential to address the challenges you are currently facing from your new and existing competitors. Join our webinar on Sept. 24 to learn: What AI is and why you should use a cross-enterprise platform; how the right AI solution can drive the right decisions to grow your business; how AI is being used today in our industry; and what questions you should ask an AI vendor upfront. Register now.

Young adulthood is a time of freedom, discovery and charting your path in the world. Eating balanced, healthy meals is normally a low priority during this time. Gen Z, however, couldn't be more different -- they are young adults focused on personalizing their health and wellness and they trust grocery stores to help in this process. Read more.