Consumer News: Groups organize to end child labor in the food industry

There was a huge decline in job openings in December

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• U.S. job openings fell to 6.5 million in December, continuing a downward trend and marking a decline of nearly 1 million positions over the past year.

• Hiring and separations both held steady at 5.3 million, signaling a labor market that is cooling but not collapsing.

• Quits remained unchanged at 3.2 million, suggesting workers are growing more cautious about leaving their jobs.

Government data show a huge drop in the number of job openings in December. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports total job openings dropped to 6.5 million at the end of the month, down 386,000 from November and nearly 1 million lower than a year earlier.

Thats the lowest level since September 2020, making it more difficult for job seekers to find employment,.

The steepest declines in open positions were concentrated in professional and business services, which shed 257,000 openings. Retail trade followed with a loss of 195,000 openings, while finance and insurance fell by 120,000. Together, those sectors accounted for most of the months decline.

Despite fewer available jobs, hiring activity remained largely unchanged. Employers added 5.3 million workers in December, matching the prior months pace and translating to a hiring rate of 3.3%. Gains were modest and uneven, with increases in real estate and rental and leasing, as well as state and local government jobs outside of education. Federal government hiring dipped slightly.

Evidence of stability

Separations which include quits, layoffs, discharges, and other departures also totaled 5.3 million in December, leaving the overall separation rate unchanged at 3.3%. That balance between hires and separations suggests a labor market that is stabilizing rather than contracting sharply.

Voluntary quits, often viewed as a measure of worker confidence, remained flat at 3.2 million. Quits declined notably in professional and business services and private educational services, but rose in retail trade and the information sector. The quits rate stayed at 2.0%, continuing a gradual cooling from the elevated levels seen during the height of the Great Resignation.

Layoffs and discharges were little changed overall at 1.8 million, with a steady rate of 1.1%. However, transportation, warehousing, and utilities saw a sizable increase in layoffs, while finance and insurance recorded a modest decline. Other separations, such as retirements and transfers, also held steady.

The company is emphasizing delivery over dine-in locations

By Mark Huffman of ConsumerAffairs

• Pizza Hut plans to close roughly 250 restaurants across the United States as it reshapes its footprint and focuses on delivery-first locations

• The closures will primarily affect underperforming dine-in stores, with jobs and local franchise operators likely to feel the impact

• Company executives say the move is part of a broader strategy to adapt to changing consumer habits and rising operating costs

Pizza Hut is preparing to close approximately 250 restaurants across the United States, marking one of the brands largest domestic contractions in recent years as it adjusts to shifting consumer preferences and mounting cost pressures.

The closures are expected to focus largely on traditional dine-in locations that have struggled with declining traffic, according to people familiar with the companys plans. While Pizza Hut has not released a full list of affected locations, the move will be spread across multiple states and carried out over the coming months.

Owned by Yum Brands, Pizza Hut has been steadily reworking its U.S. business model, placing greater emphasis on delivery, carryout, and smaller-format stores known as Pizza Hut Express units. The pandemic-era surge in off-premise dining accelerated a trend that had already been challenging large, sit-down pizza restaurants for years.

A high-profile TV ad campaign featuring former NFL quarterback Tom Brady promotes the companys delivery service, not its dine-in restaurants.

Changing consumer behavior

Industry analysts point out that consumer behavior has changed dramatically, with the economics of big dining rooms much harder to justify when most customers are ordering through apps and expecting fast delivery.

Rising labor costs, higher rents, and food inflation have also weighed on franchise operators, many of whom run multiple locations. For some franchisees, closing underperforming stores may be a way to stabilize finances and reinvest in more profitable formats.

Pizza Hut said it remains committed to the U.S. market and continues to open new locations that better align with current demand. The company has emphasized that the closures do not signal a retreat, but rather a recalibration aimed at long-term growth.

For employees and communities tied to the affected restaurants, however, the closures may bring uncertainty. Workers at closing locations could face layoffs or transfers, depending on nearby store availability and franchise decisions.

The planned shutdowns underscore a broader reckoning underway in the casual dining sector, as legacy brands rethink decades-old models in an era defined by convenience, speed, and digital ordering.

If youre paying shelf price at Kroger, youre doing it the hard way

• The free Kroger loyalty account unlocks weekly sale pricing, personalized digital coupons, and fuel points all of which stack together automatically when you shop smart.

• Combine weekly ad sales, app-based digital coupons, Catalina register coupons, and cash-back rebates from apps like Ibotta and Fetch to max your savings.

• Watch for Krogers bulk promos, yellow clearance tags, and seasonal markdowns, then build your weekly meals around those deals to cut your bill without cutting quality.

Grocery bills keep climbing, but that doesnt mean you have to throw your budget out the window. If you shop regularly at Kroger, there are smart ways to cut costs without sacrificing quality or nutrition.

Think beyond coupons and find strategies that save money weekly, including trip hacks that stack, and ways to put extra cash back in your pocket. Heres how to shop at Kroger like a pro.

1. Start with the Kroger Loyalty program

Before you do anything else, get a Kroger loyalty card and digital account via the Kroger app.

Its free, easy to set up in the app or in-store, and automatically unlocks the core savings tools Kroger offers:

• Weekly sale prices and digital deals tailored to your shopping habits.
• Digital coupons that you clip right in the app.
• Fuel points that turn grocery purchases into gas discounts.
• Personalized offers that Kroger often doesnt advertise in store.

Pro tip: Link your Kroger Shoppers Card and email address so every digital coupon you clip applies automatically when you swipe at checkout.

2. Stack discounts like a pro

Coupons at Kroger are still a big deal, especially if you use them right.

• Clip digital coupons in the Kroger app before you shop. These are great because they stack with weekly sales and automatically apply at checkout.
• Look for Catalina coupons at the register.These come attached to your Kroger receipt and the coupons are typically for stuff you regularly buy. Dont ignore them, instead use them for easy savings on your next purchase.
• Some Kroger locations now even have paper coupons alongside their digital ones. These are especially popular with shoppers who prefer physical savings.

Dont underestimate the power of using digital coupons, plus their weekly ads, along with Catalina coupons. By stacking all three, you can create deep discounts on your everyday staples.

Pro tip: Use a free rebate app like Ibotta, Fetch, and Checkout 51 and stack a rebate on top of the above coupons. The rebates are in the form of cashback on name brands along with generic items like bananas, milk, and eggs.

You simply snap a picture of your receipt via the app, and they automatically look for products that have rebates attached to them.

3. Watch for big sale events & special tags

Kroger uses several price tag systems that signal deals for in-the-know shoppers:

• 10 for $10 and similar bulk discounts: You dont actually have to buy 10 items to get the sale price. Each item actually rings up at the discounted unit price. So if you only need five, it will only cost you $5.
• Yellow and WooHoo sale tags: These special tags are either managers specials or clearance deals on meat, produce, and dairy. Look for them and save.
• Seasonal and holiday markdowns: Youll see these markdowns most often on bakery, produce, and meats. They can save you big when you stock-up right after a major holiday.
• Scan the weekly ad before you shop: Then build your weekly meal plan around the sales. Finding the deals first, then figuring out what to cook, is one of the most effective ways to cut your Kroger bill.

Pro tip: Ask about senior discount days. Occasionally, on specific days, Kroger offers a 5% or 10% discount for those aged 55 or older. Ask an employee at your location if they have any senior days coming up in early 2026.

4. Turn your grocery trips into gas savings

Krogers Fuel Points Program is a clever way to turn groceries into discounts at the pump. It works like this:

• Earn 1 Fuel Point for every $1 you spend on qualifying groceries.
• 100 points = $0.10 off per gallon at Kroger gas stations (up to 35 gallons per fill-up), 200 points = $0.20 off, and so on.
• Bonus points often come from promotions (like buying gift cards) where you can earn 2 or even 4 fuel points.

Pro tip:Buying gift cards at Kroger is a no-brainer way to save when buying gas and is worth mentioning again. They often run 4x fuel points promoswhen buyinggift cards.

So, ifyou get into the habit of buying gift cards from Kroger for the stores and restaurants you know you'll be visiting,you can scoresomecheap gas. Many Kroger shoppers have reported regularly saving $1 or more per gallon on their fill-ups.

5. Take advantage of pickup & delivery deals

Online ordering isnt just convenient, but when done right, its also a great money-saving tool:

• Kroger often offers exclusive digital coupons for Pickup/Delivery orders.
• Scheduling ahead can avoid high Instacart fees while still capturing digital savings.
• Krogers Boost membership gives free delivery on $35+ orders and extra perks like double fuel points.

Get into the habit of shopping the Kroger app first. That way, youll see all the digital deals first as they're easy to misswhen you'rein the store. Especially things like the cashback offers and limited-time sales.

Pro tip: Ask the meat department for Family Packs that arent on the sales floor yet. Early in the day, stores usually have freshly prepped packs of chicken, pork, or beef that havent made it to the display case yet.

Its been my experience that employees are happy to hook you up when you politely ask. Youll get a much lower per-pound price than the smaller trays on display, and sometimes even fresher cuts. Then you can freeze what you wont eat in the next couple of days.

6. Buy Kroger brands (and dont be afraid to try them)

Kroger store brands like Simple Truth and Private Selection are almost always cheaper than the popular national brands and often just as good.

Even better: Via their Freshness Guarantee, if youre not happy with a Kroger brand product for any reason, theyll refund or exchange it. So, theres very little risk in trying cheaper options to see if your family likes them.

Pro tip: When looking for Kroger-branded items to try, start with what I call the swap items ratherthanthe sacred items.

The "swap items" are the things your family will never notice. Stuff like flour, sugar, canned veggies, shredded cheese, frozen fruit, and pasta. These are often made by the national brand, but cost significantly less.

Stay away from the sacred items at first, also known as the products that your family has a very strong opinion about and would notice in a heartbeat if you tried swapping them for the store brand. These arethings like ketchup, peanut butter, mac & cheese, soda, and popular cereals.

How food prices, restaurant access, and location are changing what Americans put on their plates

• Where you live plays a major role in how much it costs to eat healthy, with annual costs ranging from just over $13,000 to nearly $19,000 per person in the most expensive states.

• High prices arent the only barrier to healthy eating limited access to restaurants and fresh food options can make it harder to maintain a balanced diet, even if youre willing to spend more.

• Rising supply-chain and transportation costs are pushing fresh food prices higher, but smart swaps like frozen vegetables, legumes, and store brands can help stretch your grocery budget.
  

Eating healthy sounds simple enough: more fruits and vegetables, fewer processed foods, balanced meals at home, and the occasional nutritious night out. But in reality, where you live can make that goal far more expensive and in some states, it can feel almost out of reach.

A new January 2026 report from BLogic Systems takes a closer look at what it actually costs to maintain a healthy diet across the U.S., factoring in both grocery shopping and dining out.

And its not just about price tags. In places like Alaska, a lack of restaurants that meet basic healthy nutrition standards limits choices just as much as high food costs.

Ultimately, these factors influence where people shop, how often they cook at home, and how frequently they eat out.

ConsumerAffairs spoke with a BLogic Systems expert, who broke down how economic pressure is changing what healthy eating looks like in America today.

Where is healthy eating the most expensive?

To calculate which states are the most expensive for following a healthy diet, experts explored the economic impact of eating out at restaurants and eating at home.

In terms of eating out, the research focused on the price range of restaurants that offer meals meeting predefined nutritional criteria for balanced, minimally processed, and low-added-sugar profiles. Eating at home was calculated by using state-level grocery price data from the USDA and national food expenditure surveys.

Based on that, heres a look at the top 10 states where its most expensive to eat healthy:

• Hawaii

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $14.5K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $4.0K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $18.5K

• New York

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $12.2K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.9K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $15.1K

• Massachusetts

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $11.6K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $3.4K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $15.0K

• Alaska

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $12.0K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.8K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $14.8K

• California

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $10.7K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $3.1K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.8K

• Connecticut

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $11.0K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.6K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.6K

• Wyoming

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $11.2K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.1K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.3K

• Vermont

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $10.7K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.6K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.2K

• New Jersey

  • Annual healthy eating costs per individual: $10.6K

  • Estimated annual healthy eating out costs per person: $2.6K

  • Total cost to eat healthy: $13.2K

What drives up the cost of healthy food?

According to BLogic Systems, there are a few factors that come into play:

• "Freshness Tax": Unlike shelf-stable ultra-processed foods, fresh produce, lean meats, and dairy require cold-chain logistics (refrigeration) and frequent restocking. This adds a massive overhead that processed foods simply don't have.

• Supply Chain Volatility: In 2026, were seeing specific spikes in categories like beef and veal (up over 9%) and fresh vegetables.

  • The Global Cold Chain Market is growing at a 13.6% CAGR through 2026. These energy-intensive transport costs are passed directly to the consumer. For Hawaii, where 90% of food is imported, this creates the $14.5K "at-home" cost we see in our data.

• The Production Gap: Fixed costs for supplying fresh fruits and vegetables remain about 40% higher than for grains or sugars used in processed snacks. Essentially, it's cheaper to make a calorie-dense cracker than it is to get a fresh bell pepper to a shelf in a high-cost area.

Making the most of your money

If you find yourself in one of the most expensive states to eat healthy, there are some ways to stretch your budget. BLogic Systems offered some advice for consumers:

• Frozen vegetables are nutritionally equivalent to fresh, but significantly cheaper and won't rot in your crisper drawer.

• Legumes, brown rice, and oats are the "inflation-proof" options.

  • For example, dried lentils provide roughly 20g of protein per $0.25 serving, meanwhile lean beef in New York currently averages $1.15 for the same protein content.

• The 50% Rule: Aim for half the plate to be vegetables (even canned ones with no added salt) and 25% to be an affordable protein like eggs or beans.

• In 2026, the quality gap between name-brand "health" foods and generic store brands is virtually nonexistent. Whenever you can, choose the store-brand.

His four-part plan should have loyal (and disgruntled) shoppers optimistic

• New Target CEO Michael Fiddelke is doubling down on trendy, affordable products and stronger private labels to compete on value without losing Targets signature look.

• Expect cleaner aisles, fewer out-of-stocks, faster Drive Up, and more open checkout lanes at busy times.

• Smarter inventory systems and more investment in workers aim to reduce order issues and make in-store help easier to find.

Target just handed the top job to longtime exec Michael Fiddelke, and his first message was clear. The retailer has real work to do to rebuild trust after a rocky year of boycotts, policy backlash, and sluggish sales.

Fiddelke officially took over Feb. 1 from Brian Cornell, who moves into an executive chair role. Now the focus is a four-part turnaround plan aimed at getting shoppers excited about Target again.

1. Expect better deals + stylishdesign

Fiddelke says Target will double down on what originally made it stand out, which is stylish products at affordable prices.

What that means for you:

• More emphasis on trendy but budget-friendly home, apparel, and seasonal lines.
• Possible refresh of private-label brands (where Target makes higher profit margins).
• Look for a push to compete with Walmart on value without looking cheap.

If Target can do this right, expect to see more Pinterest board-ready displays that made Tar-zhay famous in the first place.

Couple this with more competitive prices, especially in home dcor and clothing, and Target will be definitely be heading in the right direction.

2. Stores are about to get more attention

Target admits that their in-store experience hasnt felt as good or inspiring as it used to. Thats now become a priority of the new CEO.

The changes we should see:

• Cleaner, less cluttered aisles
• Better in-stock rates (fewer empty shelves)
• Faster Drive Up and order pickup
• More staffed checkout lanes at peak times

Translation: Expect less friction and fewer in-store annoyances like out-of-stocks and messy shelves. This could be a nice change if youve felt like Target runs have gotten more stressful lately.

3. More tech is coming (for better or worse)

This doesnt mean theyll be selling more TVs and laptops, but rather introducing more technologybehind the scenesto make shopping frictionless.

What that could mean:

• Smarter inventory systems, so items actually show as available when they are (and vice versa).
• Faster fulfillment for in-store and curbside pickup, along with quicker online delivery.
• More app-based personalization and offers.

The biggest upside for shoppers would be fewer canceled orders and a faster customer service response.

The downside is potentially more data tracking tied to your shopping behavior via the Target app.

4. Investment in workers and communities

Fiddelke has a long history in operations and human resources at Target and has supported higher pay and benefits in the past.

This part of the plan could include:

• Continued wage and training investments
• More focus on local community engagement
• Efforts to stabilize staffing issues in stores

For shoppers, that should translate to friendlier employees who are less overwhelmed.

It will be interesting to see if the new CEO keeps their unofficial 10-4 policy, which trained employees to smile or wave within 10 feet of a customer, and ask if they need help within fourfeet.

Why this reset is happening now

Target has been dealing with falling sales and brand backlash since early 2025, including controversy over social policies and store-level incidents involving U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

On top of that, shoppers have complained about high prices, lack of inventory, and overall store conditions.

Retail analysts say Targets brand is still strong, especially if the company fixes the basics like value, reliability, and a welcoming in-store feel.

In many ways, 2026 is shaping up to be a make-or-break year for Targets reputation, and your shopping experience will be the real test.