Grocery giant Kroger named former Walmart executive Greg Foran as its new CEO.By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions .Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.Foran took the job Monday (Feb. 9) and succeeds Ron Sargent, who had been acting as the ...

Company Overview - Wingstop Inc. (NASDAQ:WING) specializes in cooked-to-order chicken wings, tenders, and sandwiches [2] Market Sentiment - There is significant short interest in Wingstop's stock, attributed to a recent earnings miss and lack of clear guidance from the company [1] - The stock has experienced volatility, with mixed performance noted in the market [1] Competitive Landscape - The restaurant sector, particularly companies like Texas Roadhouse, is facing challenges due to rising food prices, which is impacting overall performance [1][2] - Other restaurant stocks mentioned include Yum and McDonald's, with the latter being downgraded recently [1] Investment Outlook - The current sentiment around Wingstop is cautious, with concerns about high food inflation and the overall risk associated with restaurant stocks [2] - While Wingstop has potential, there are suggestions that certain AI stocks may offer better upside potential with less downside risk [2]

Geopolitical Tensions - Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has intensified rhetoric against former U.S. President Donald Trump, urging him to focus on domestic issues while accusing "rioters" of damaging public property to appease foreign powers amidst ongoing internal unrest [2][3][8] - Khamenei emphasized the need for Iranians to "preserve unity" in the face of challenges, as protests continue due to economic hardships [3] Online Delivery Market in China - China's regulatory bodies, led by the State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), are scrutinizing the online delivery sector, particularly food delivery platforms, to evaluate competition and ensure fair practices [4][5] - Major players in the sector, including Meituan, Ele.me, and JD.com, are facing investigations regarding their competitive practices and adherence to food safety standards [5] Global Food Prices - The World FAO Food Price Index recorded a decline for the fourth consecutive month in December, reaching an average of 124.3 points, down from 125.1 points in November, indicating a slight easing in global food commodity prices [6][8] Retail Sales in Italy - Italy's retail sales showed stable growth in November, with a year-on-year increase of 1.3%, matching the previous month's growth rate, and a month-over-month rise of 0.5%, indicating consistent consumer spending [7][8]

Economic & Geopolitical News - US and Ukraine officials made progress in talks for a peace plan backed by President Trump [2] - European aerospace and defense index dropped more than 1%, after falling more than 3% on Friday [2] - President Trump met with New York City's mayor-elect, Zoran Mandami, focusing on the high cost of living [2] - Congressman Marjgerie Taylor Green announced she will resign from Congress on January 5th [2] Agriculture & Trade - Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins discussed aid for farmers, the soybean trade, and rising costs of food, labor, and fuel [3] - The Trump administration is removing tariffs on Brazilian coffee and beef to ease food costs for Americans [3] - Under Joe Biden, there was an increase in inputs interest rate 73%, fertilizer 36%, and labor increased 47% [6] - The US went from an agriculture trade surplus under Trump to a $50 billion deficit [15] - China is back to buying soybeans, with 12 million metric tons this year and 25 million metric tons over the next few years [18] Inflation & Healthcare - The Trump administration is working on bringing down healthcare costs, with an expected announcement this week [2] - Inflation numbers were down to 29%, after a high of 9% [27] - The average Thanksgiving meal is down about 5%, turkey is down 17%, and dinner rolls are down 22% [27] - Mortgage rates are down about $200 on average per month [27] Consumer & Food Industry - Food is up all over for restaurants, wholesale, and retail, and everybody's feeling the pinch [38] - Thanksgiving dinner itself is cheaper this year than it was last year, partly due to turkey prices being down about 17% [48] - Chef Lydia Bastionic recommends buying seasonally and using legumes to manage food costs [39][40]

Core Insights - Amazon is entering the private-label grocery market with the launch of Amazon Grocery, challenging established grocery giants like Walmart and Costco [2][3][4] - The company aims to provide affordable grocery options, with over 1,000 private brand items priced competitively, appealing to price-conscious consumers amid rising food inflation [7][8] Company Strategy - Amazon's grocery strategy includes same-day delivery services in over 1,000 locations, expanding to 2,300 by the end of 2025, enhancing convenience for customers [4][5] - The introduction of Amazon Grocery marks a shift towards focusing on food staples and shopper convenience, with a wide range of products priced under $5 [7] Market Context - Food inflation remains a concern, with the Consumer Price Index indicating a 2.7% increase in food prices at home, and specific categories like meat and eggs seeing a 5.6% rise [8] - Amazon's grocery segment is expected to contribute to its overall revenue, which last year included over $21 billion from physical store sales [11] Financial Performance - Amazon's overall revenue generation is primarily driven by its online stores, third-party services, and AWS, totaling over $511 billion last year, with additional revenue from advertising and subscriptions [10] - Analysts remain optimistic about Amazon's stock, with 50 out of 51 ratings being a Buy, and an average price target of $266.26, indicating a potential upside of nearly 22% [14]

Group 1 - Kroger Co. is viewed positively by Jim Cramer, who believes the stock has performed better than expected and is currently undervalued despite concerns over food inflation [1][2] - Cramer suggests a cautious approach to buying Kroger stock, recommending incremental purchases rather than a full investment due to its recent decline from $73 to $64, and advises waiting for a potential drop to $60 before making further decisions [2] - The company operates in the grocery sector, providing a range of products including food, pharmaceuticals, fuel, and general merchandise through various store formats [2] Group 2 - There is a comparison made between Kroger and other retailers like Walmart and Costco, with Kroger being noted as less expensive than Costco, although Costco is favored more by Cramer [1][2] - The article hints at the potential of AI stocks offering greater upside and less downside risk compared to Kroger, indicating a competitive landscape in investment opportunities [2]

Inflation Analysis - Food inflation in Britain reached 5.3% over the past year [1] - Britain's food inflation surpasses that of France, Germany, and Spain [1] - There is no indication of a decrease in food inflation in Britain [1]

Market Strategy - Morrisons is reducing prices on hundreds of products [1] - The UK grocer aims to attract shoppers amidst rising food inflation [1]

Market Trends - Butter prices in the U S jumped to their highest levels in over a year [1] - Dairy prices are rebounding globally [1] Inflation Concerns - Underscores broader concerns about food inflation among consumers [1]

Market Trends - US butter prices surged to over a year high, signaling food inflation concerns [1] - Global dairy prices are rebounding, further highlighting food inflation [1]