Rising in importance over the last eight years, the ability to provide customer savings via pricing, promotions and rewards now accounts for 38% of a grocery retailer’s long-term success.

The nation’s second-largest conventional supermarket operator took a good first step in the post-merger period by topping the high end of Wall Street’s earnings estimate for its fiscal 2024 third quarter and posting increased net and identical sales.

Specialty cheeses feature prominently into Whole Foods Market’s holiday plans this December, with the retailer providing a national stage to several brands through its 12 Days of Cheese event.