The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association reports that the first of Napa Valley’s sparkling wine producers begin picking grapes today, two days earlier than the start of last year’s wine grape harvest. Although this past winter was one of the driest on record, Napa’s vintners and growers are predicting an abundant, high-quality harvest for […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Pilgrim’s Pride To Acquire Tyson’s Mexican Poultry Biz For $400M
Pilgrim’s Pride Corp. has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase the totality of the poultry businesses of Tyson Foods Inc. in Mexico for $400 million. Pilgrim’s Pride is majority owned by JBS USA Holdings Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of JBS S.A. The transaction will be paid for in cash, pending regulatory approvals. Pilgrim’s […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Cowley’s Piggly Wiggly In Milton Purchases Edgerton Store
Jason and Angie Cowley, current operators of Cowley’s Piggly Wiggly in Milton, Wis., have signed an agreement to purchase the Edgerton Piggly Wiggly store from Dave and Sandy Kotwitz, who plan to retire. The transaction is set to close Sept. 27, according to Piggly Wiggly Midwest. Dave Kotwitz, who has been operating the Edgerton Piggly […]
Posted in, Southwest
United Family Stores To Host School Supply Drive Through Aug. 12
The United Family is again partnering with Lubbock, Texas-area schools to host “Project SOS: Supply our Students,” a school supply drive for local students in need. Through Aug. 12, guests are encouraged to make a cash donation during checkout or purchase school supplies and drop them into barrels located near the entrance of any United […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Executive News, Southwest
Molson Coors CEO Retiring, Successor Named
Molson Coors Brewing Co. says that, after a 40-year career in the beer business, CEO and President Peter S. Swinburn will retire from the company and its board of directors on Dec. 31. The board has named Mark R. Hunter, currently CEO and president of Molson Coors Europe and a 25-year industry veteran, CEO and […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Dollar Tree To Buy Family Dollar For $8.5B
Two discount giants based in the Southeast are coming together. Chesapeake, Va.-based Dollar Tree said this morning that it plans to purchase Family Dollar Stores, headquartered in Matthews, N.C., in a cash and stock transaction valued at $8.5 billion, or $74.50 per share—a 22.8 percent premium over Family Dollar’s closing price as of July 25. […]
Posted in, National, West
Memorial Service For Produce Industry Veteran Tim Warren This Weekend
Mr. Timothy Wayne Warren, a produce industry veteran, died July 15 in Corona, Calif., due to heart complications. He was 55. A memorial service will be held this weekend. Mr. Warren was well known and respected within the produce community and was working in sales for Great West Produce Co. at the time of his […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Whole Foods Endorses Oregon’s GMO Labeling Campaign
Whole Foods Market is backing Oregon’s Measure 92, requiring mandatory labeling of raw and packaged foods containing Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) by Jan. 1, 2016. More than 155,000 Oregonians signed a petition to put Measure 92 on the ballot this November. “At Whole Foods Market, we believe consumers have a fundamental right to know what’s […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Industry News, National
Income Does Not Determine Shoppers’ Private-Label Preference
An ongoing shopper behavior study conducted by The Integer Group and M/A/R/C Research shows that, while income groups differ a bit on their perception about private label (highest-income shoppers are more skeptical about the quality of store brand products), their reported behaviors are very similar. Most shoppers across income groups say they regularly compare prices […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Whole Foods To Open Second Berkeley Store This Fall
A new 47,800-s.f. Whole Foods Market store will open Nov. 4 at 10th and Gilman streets in Berkeley, Calif. The store will be Whole Foods’ second location in Berkeley and the 41st in the Northern California region. The Austin, Texas-based grocer has named Jen Monaco as the Berkeley store’s team leader. In this role, Monaco is […]
Posted in, Executive News, Southwest
Walmart Names New President And CEO For U.S. Operations
Walmart on Thursday said that Greg Foran, 53, has been promoted to president and CEO of Walmart U.S. Foran succeeds Bill Simon who has been in the role since June 2010 and will be transitioning out of the company. Foran will assume his responsibilities Aug. 9 and will report directly to Walmart President and CEO […]
Posted in, National, West
CGA Educational Foundation Receives Landmark Donation
The California Grocers Association Educational Foundation has received a record donation from the California Independent Grocers Association (CIGA) that will significantly expand the funding of college scholarships, tuition reimbursement and industry educational opportunities for independent grocer members of CGA and their dependents. The $403,000 gift was the result of the recent merger between CIGA and […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Campbell Plans Massive FY15 Product Launch To Hit $10B Sales Goal
Campbell will launch more than 200 new products in fiscal 2015 for consumers’ changing tastes, preferences and needs, President and CEO Denise Morrison told investors during a presentation earlier this week. The launches, designed to strengthen its core business as well as expand into faster-growing spaces, are part of Campbell’s goal to become a profitable […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Northeast
Roche Bros. Opening Second Brothers Marketplace Store Next Week
Roche Bros. will open its second Brothers Marketplace store Wednesday, July 30, in Medfield, Mass. The neighborhood market will provide customers with a one-stop grocery shopping and dining experience with a carefully curated selection of local, fresh and specialty foods. The market will emphasize local producers and vendors that have been handpicked by store associates, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Southeast
Iconic Coca-Cola ‘Ghost Signs’ Come Back To Life
Not long after Coca-Cola was invented in 1886, the company hired sign painters to extol the virtues of the new beverage on the sides of buildings across the country. Thousands of iconic Coca-Cola wall murals became prominent features in cities and towns, particularly in the rural South. Thousands of these iconic advertisements remain today, but […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Company Debuts Index That Measures Consumer Intent To Purchase New CPGs
Instant.ly, an on-demand consumer insights platform, today debuted the Instant.ly Shelf Score, an index measuring consumer intent to purchase recently introduced consumer packaged goods (CPG) products. Instant.ly Shelf Score evaluates the newest CPG market offerings and ranks 10 of the most innovative from that group by overall consumer interest. Instant.ly is provided by uSamp, a […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Zola Releases Coconut Water Lemonade
Zola Fruits of the World, maker of coconut waters and acaí juices in the U.S., has rolled out Coconut Water Lemonade, available nationwide. This new flavor innovation combines naturally hydrating coconut water with the refreshment of lemonade for a taste that is a perfect balance of tart and sweet, according to Zola, which also is […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Northeast
Nearly 1K Rally To Support Deposed Market Basket President
An estimated crowd of 1,000 Market Basket employees and customers staged a rally Friday morning outside Market Basket headquarters in Tewksbury, Mass., to protest and demand the reinstatement of former Market Basket President Arthur T. Demoulas. David McLean, who served as Market Basket operations manager for 38 years and resigned upon the firing of Mr. […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Kettle Brand Introduces Non-GMO Popcorn
Kettle Brand, known for creating some of the most popular and original potato chip flavors with natural, non-GMO ingredients, is launching into another snack category this summer with the rollout of Kettle Brand Popcorn. In development for nearly a year, the line of five flavors includes: • Maple Bacon: Sweet maple with a deep smoky […]
Posted in, National
NGA, Feeding America Laud Passage By House Of Food Donation Giving Incentives
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and Feeding America both are commending the House of Representatives for passage of House Resolution 4719, the Fighting Hunger Incentive Act of 2014. The resolution includes legislation that would renew and expand tax incentives for donated food. “We applaud the House for passage of HR 4719,” said Greg Ferrara, VP […]