Core Insights - Natural Grocers is actively supporting flood relief efforts in Central Texas through a campaign that emphasizes community commitment and compassion during disasters [2][3]. Company Overview - Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. was founded in 1955 and operates as a specialty retailer of natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements [3]. - The company adheres to strict quality guidelines, ensuring that its products do not contain artificial flavors, preservatives, or sweeteners, and exclusively offers USDA-certified organic produce and pasture-raised dairy products [3]. - As of fiscal year 2024, Natural Grocers has invested over $15 million in additional compensation and discretionary payments for its employees, reflecting its commitment to its workforce [3]. Community Commitment - The company’s principle of "Commitment to Community" is highlighted in response to the catastrophic flooding, showcasing its dedication to supporting local neighborhoods affected by the disaster [2][3]. - Raquel Isely, the vice president of marketing, emphasized the importance of community support during difficult times and expressed gratitude for the local team's quick response to the need for relief efforts [3]. Store Locations - Natural Grocers operates 169 stores across 21 states, providing a shopper-friendly environment with affordable prices [3].

There's no such thing as a "sure thing" in the stock market. But when investors need to protect their portfolios against the winds of uncertainty, they frequently flock to the relative safety of consumer staples stocks.Small wonder.The consumer staples sector is made up of companies that produce or sell the basic goods people need day in and day out.Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal FinanceBe a smarter, better informed investor.Save up to 74%Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-NewslettersProfit and prosper with ...

Company Overview - Walmart is the world's largest retailer by revenue, utilizing scale and operational efficiency to offer a wide range of products at competitive prices [4] - The company employs an omnichannel strategy that integrates physical stores with digital platforms to enhance customer reach and convenience [4] - Walmart's extensive global presence and diversified offerings solidify its strong market position in the consumer defensive sector [4] Financial Performance - As of July 8, 2025, Walmart's market capitalization is $774.9 billion, with a trailing twelve months (TTM) revenue of $685.1 billion and a net income of $18.82 billion [2] - The company's dividend yield stands at 0.96%, and it has a forward price/earnings ratio of 37.4 [2][10] - Walmart's stock price increased by 39.9% over the past year, outperforming the S&P 500 by 28 percentage points during the same period [6] E-commerce Growth - Walmart's total sales grew by 4% year over year in the first quarter, while global e-commerce sales surged by 22%, marking the first profitable quarter for its e-commerce business [8] - E-commerce is expected to be a key growth driver for Walmart, contributing to both sales and margins [8] - The company is also exploring new profit streams such as membership and digital advertising, which are anticipated to enhance its margins [8] Investment Insights - Walmart has demonstrated significant stock performance, with its shares more than doubling in value over the past three years [5] - Despite a high price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of nearly 42, Walmart is considered a long-term winner for both growth and income investors, being recognized as a Dividend King with 52 consecutive years of dividend increases [10]

Core Insights - Natural Grocers has been a reliable source for organic and natural groceries in Southwest Kansas City since its opening in 2015, adhering to its Five Founding Principles [1][5] - The company celebrates its 10th anniversary in the Mission community, highlighting the alignment of its values with the community's focus on health and wellness [2] Company Overview - Founded in 1955, Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage, Inc. (NYSE: NGVC) specializes in natural and organic groceries, body care products, and dietary supplements, with strict quality guidelines [5] - The company operates 169 stores across 21 states, providing USDA-certified organic produce and pasture-raised dairy products [5] Anniversary Promotions - To celebrate its 10th anniversary, Natural Grocers is offering limited-time deals for {N}power members, including surprise offers and $10 deals from June 27 to June 29 [3][4] - Customers can join the {N}power rewards program for free to access these offers, which include specific product discounts [4][7]

Group 1 - Kroger is set to announce its fiscal first-quarter earnings on June 20, 2025, with analysts expecting earnings of $1.46 per share and revenue of $45.3 billion, indicating a 12% year-over-year increase in earnings while sales growth remains flat [2] - In FY 2024, Kroger's same-store sales increased by 1.5%, and gross margin improved by 50 basis points to 22.3%, although adjusted EPS fell by 6% [3] - The company has a market capitalization of $44 billion, generated $147 billion in revenue over the last twelve months, and reported $3.8 billion in operating profits and $2.7 billion in net income [4] Group 2 - Historical trends indicate that Kroger's stock has risen 55% of the time after earnings announcements, with a median increase of 5.4% in one day [2][6] - The percentage of positive one-day returns post-earnings increases to 64% when analyzing data from the past three years, with a median of 5.4% for positive returns and -3.0% for negative returns [6][8] - The company plans to mitigate risks from trade tensions and tariffs by diversifying suppliers and optimizing its supply chain, although the recent departure of CEO Rodney McMullen may complicate these efforts [4]

Core Viewpoint - Target is facing significant challenges, with sales declining and stock prices dropping over 60% from their peak, marking the worst performance since the 1990s, but the company is not considered to be dying and has a fundamentally sound financial foundation [1][4][7]. Group 1: Sales and Market Conditions - Target's sales have plateaued and started to decline due to various factors, including increased financial strain on consumers primarily caused by rampant inflation [4]. - Groceries and household essentials accounted for only 40.5% of total merchandise sales last year, meaning that when consumers cut back on discretionary spending, Target is significantly impacted [5]. - Consumer sentiment has dropped to its lowest level since July 2022, exacerbated by tariff uncertainties [5]. Group 2: Company Policies and Backlash - Target faced backlash from shoppers due to its decision to roll back diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, leading to a 40-day boycott that began in early March [6]. - Merchandise sales dropped 3.1% year over year in Q1 2025, following a 3.2% decline in Q1 2024, indicating ongoing struggles [6]. Group 3: Financial Stability - Despite challenges, Target maintains a solid financial foundation, with a dividend yield of 4.4% and annual dividend spending of $2 billion, while generating over $3.5 billion in free cash flow over the past year [7][8]. - Target has nearly $2.9 billion in cash, sufficient to fund dividends for a year, and holds an investment-grade credit rating, allowing time to rethink business strategies [8]. Group 4: Growth Plans - Target plans to open 300 new stores over the next decade, increasing its footprint by approximately 15%, indicating a commitment to growth despite current challenges [10]. - The company has less than half the number of stores as Walmart, suggesting that the U.S. market can support further expansion [10]. Group 5: Valuation and Investment Potential - Target's stock is currently priced at a price-to-earnings ratio of 11, significantly lower than Walmart's 41, reflecting pessimistic market expectations [11]. - If Target maintains its 4.4% dividend and achieves mid-single-digit earnings growth, it could generate double-digit annualized investment returns, improving sentiment towards the stock [12]. Group 6: Conclusion - The stock is positioned for potential improvement, as it would require a complete failure for the stock not to recover somewhat from current levels, making it an attractive option for investors seeking dividends while waiting for recovery [13].

The use of BNPL services to pay for groceries is growing, and it can help cover shortfalls, but there are many risks to watch out for. https://t.co/wSUwv250R8 ...

NATURAL GROCERS: PROUDLY SERVING THE NATURAL STATEHeadquartered in Colorado, Natural Grocers opened its first store in "The Natural State" in Fayetteville in 2015. Today, the company proudly serves Arkansans at three locations: "Natural Grocers started back in 1955 from very humble beginnings. As we expanded beyond our Colorado roots, we were embraced by health-conscious communities seeking high-quality natural and organic products at our Always AffordableSM prices," said Raquel Isely, vice president of mar ...

Food prices rising in May from the month prior, according to the latest inflation print from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, known in your hood as the BLS. Groceries or the food at home index showed prices increased 3/10en of a percent last month. We saw that monthly figure fall 4/10en of a percent in April.Here with more, we've got Stu Leonard Jr. ., CEO and president of Stu Leonard. Stu, always a pleasure to grab some time with you.you know, just first and foremost, take us into the areas, the parts of fo ...

The tariff risk is a big one for retailers. It can spike costs significantly for businesses, forcing them to either pass on those increases to consumers, or absorb them, resulting in leaner profits. It's not a great situation, regardless of which way you want to look at it. Some retailers, however, have been demonstrating strong resilience in the face of these threats, in a great sign of their sheer strength. Walmart (WMT -0.11%), Costco Wholesale (COST 0.10%), and Dick's Sporting Goods (DKS 0.24%) all post ...