Vehicle-to-vehicle technology is in development to improve safety via communication. Ford's driver-assistance system can alert motorists to nearby bicycles using Bluetooth 5, and Trek is developing flashing bike taillights that are triggered by sensors.

In an effort to build up local minority businesses, Stop & Shop and the grocer's NextGen Associate Resource Group are investing $55,000 in the Greater New England Minority Supplier Development Council. The investment will allow the council to expand its development program, which currently works with 250 companies, and support the integration of minority businesses into the Stop & Shop supply chain throughout the Northeast.

Schnuck Markets has launched the Restaurant Selections by Schnucks program, which offers restaurant-inspired entrees with a different theme every two months. Displayed in the deli case, the choices for January and February reflect the "Eat Good to Feel Great" theme and include roasted salmon, smokehouse rotisserie pork roast and turkey stuffed peppers.

From protein patties to a special compostable wrap for its English cucumbers, a recent podcast from Trader Joe's explored some of the top products driving the booming trend in vegan and plant-based offerings. The list also includes meatless products based on traditional meat, chicken and seafood favorites, ground beef without the beef and vegan banana bread.

Microsoft is working on a patch for a Windows 10 vulnerability that can corrupt a hard drive if the user opens a folder with a shortcut that contains a hidden threat; the hard drive is also at risk if the user extracts the ZIP file. The fix may require the corrupted data to be repaired manually.

An update on discount grocer Save A Lot's turnaround efforts and Post's new snack line based on two cereal brands made this week's Top 10 list. Ben & Jerry's new dessert for dogs and Pepsi's Super Bowl advertising game plan also interested SmartBrief's food and beverage readers.

Instacart will offer its full-service shoppers a $25 stipend if they miss a shift to get a COVID-19 vaccine. Dollar General has also announced this week that it will give front-line employees four hours of paid time off so they can get the vaccine, and the company is working on a similar program for its distribution and transportation workers.

Former Kroger CEO Lyle Everingham, who died Jan. 6 at age 94, started his career as a clerk and guided the company through some of its most difficult days. This obituary recounts Everingham's iconic career, including how he fought off a takeover attempt in 1988 and subsequently built Kroger into an industry powerhouse before retiring in 1990.

Nearly two-thirds of shoppers say they will continue to have groceries delivered even after the pandemic ebbs, according to a survey from LendingTree. That survey, along with a number of others released recently, show that while many people initially considered grocery delivery a pandemic "splurge," they plan to continue spending on the service in the future.

Iconic brands such as NordicTrack and Bowflex made their mark at CES 2021 with home fitness platforms, offering personal training solutions in the wake of gyms shuttering across the country during the pandemic. Other notable smart fitness offerings include iFit ActivePulse and Hyfit.