KeHE Distributors will partner with the Minneapolis-based Independent Natural Food Retailers Association (INFRA) to service participating members in the Northeast U.S. This strategic alliance will enable participating INFRA members in the Northeast region to improve their purchasing position in the market and have a platform that is flexible enough to support innovation, according to Romeoville, […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, New Products
Jones Soda Launches ‘Made In Michigan’ Line
Jones Soda Co., a leading premium beverage company known for its unique flavors and customer-designed packaging, has launched its Michigan-themed Jones Soda, bottled and sold exclusively in the state of Michigan. Michigan helped put Jones Soda on the map in the initial years after Jones Soda was founded, and Jones Soda wanted to show its […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Crunch Pak Offers Back-To-School Promotion
Crunch Pak, an industry leader in fresh sliced apples, is offering a back-to-school promotion via its electronic billboard in New York City’s Time Square. Beginning Sunday, the electronic billboard will carry a message asking consumers to “text the word APPLES to the number 65047” for a special offer. When consumers do, they will be sent a […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
NFRA Names Penguin Award Winners For Best Frozen Food Month Promotions
The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) awarded 21 Gold Penguins and three Amber Penguins in recognition of the best promotions for the 30th annual March Frozen Food Month. In addition, 35 companies were recognized with Silver Penguin awards. The Golden Penguin Award symbolizes excellence in merchandising and promotion in the frozen food industry. […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros. Reports 3Q Increase In Sales, Customer Count
Stater Bros. Holdings Inc. reported Tuesday that its consolidated sales in the 13 weeks ended June 30 were $968.8 million, up $19.0 million, or 2 percent, from the same period a year prior; the prior year’s third-quarter sales were affected by the Easter holiday, which fell in the third quarter of fiscal 2012 and in […]
Posted in, Lipari Foods, National, New Products
‘Sopranos’ Star Lombardi Launching Gourmet Italian Food Line
Best known for playing the role of unconventional hero and fan favorite Edgar Stiles on Fox’s Emmy Award-winning show “24” and FBI Agent Skip Lipari in HBO’s “The Sopranos,” Louis Lombardi is going back to his Italian roots by launching his own gourmet Italian food line, Lombardi’s. The line, which will make its debut the […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Wenning Announces Retirement From NGA
Tom Wenning, EVP and general counsel for the National Grocers Association (NGA), has announced his retirement, effective in December. “It has been a real honor and privilege to be a legislative, regulatory and legal advocate on behalf of independent retail grocers and wholesalers for the last 40 years before Congress, presidential administrations, regulatory agencies and […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, Midwest
Big Wood Brewery Rolls Out Four Premium Craft Beers In Rexam Cans
Big Wood Brewery, a new player on the craft beer scene, has launched four of its award-winning craft beers in cans. Jack Savage, Morning Wood, Bark Bite and Bad Axe are available now in Rexam 16-oz. cans. Jack Savage American Pale Ale is made from all American hops, while Morning Wood Coffee Stout is brewed […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Sprout Foods Debuts Line Of Organic Snacks For Kids
Sprout Foods, which offers chef-inspired, wholesome and certified organic foods for children, has launched Sprout Smash Organic Kids Snack Pouches, its first-ever line of food for school-aged kids. These new organic pureed snacks, ideal for kids pre-school through elementary school, come in easy-to-squeeze pouches and feature wholesome ingredients. the Duluth, Ga.-based company says. The Sprout […]
Posted in, National
Dole Agrees To Be Taken Private
Company valued at $1.2B based on offer Dole Food Co. Inc. has agreed to be taken private by 90-year-old Chairman and CEO David Murdock after he raised his offer to $13.50 per share, Reuters reports. Murdock, who is Dole’s largest shareholder with a stake of about 40 percent, made an offer in June to buy […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Alabama Grocers Honor Rep. DeMarco For ‘Buy Alabama’s Best’ Advocacy
Alabama House Rep. Paul DeMarco (District 46) received the Alabama Grocers Association (AGA) Spirit of Alabama Award at the Alabama Grocers Association Annual Convention in Sandestin, Fla., in July. AGA President Ellie Smotherman Taylor presented the honor to DeMarco for his “support in promoting positive and effective legislation for the food industry and for his […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Pinnacle Foods To Acquire Wish-Bone Salad Dressings
Pinnacle Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Wish-Bone salad dressings business from Unilever PLC for $580 million, in a transaction that is expected to be immediately accretive to Pinnacle. The acquisition, which is subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to be completed in the late third quarter or early fourth quarter […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Valley Fruit & Produce Hires Director Of Marketing
Jin Ju Wilder has been named Valley Fruit & Produce’s director of marketing. This is a new position for the company. Wilder brings 20 years of produce industry experience to the planning, development and implementation of Valley’s marketing strategies, external and internal communications and public relations activities, according to Carrie La Londe, CFO at Valley. […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Survey: Aldi Is Low-Price Grocery Leader For Third Consecutive Year
Discount grocer Aldi was recognized as the nation’s low-price grocery leader for the third year in a row, according to a recent consumer survey conducted by Market Force Information Inc., a leading customer intelligence solutions company. When asked to rank the top grocers offering low prices, consumers ranked Aldi ahead of competitors such as Walmart, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Eight O’Clock Coffee Unveils New Look, Contemporary Varieties
Eight O’Clock Coffee is refreshing its brand this summer with modern red packaging, new varieties and new consumer communication to be featured on air, online and on the runway, America’s No. 1 whole bean brand is kicking off the revamp with four new ground coffee varieties, including African Plains, Caramel Macchiato, Dark Chocolate Cherry (seasonal) […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Giant Eagle Opens Market District Store In Northeast Ohio
Marks seventh of the format for company, first in area Inspired by the open-air markets of Europe and a true passion for food, Giant Eagle Inc. opened its first Northeast Ohio Market District food store Thursday. The 94,000-s.f. culinary, dining and shopping destination is located at 34310 Aurora Rd. in the Solon Village Shopping Center […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Posts $11.3M Loss In 3Q
Unified Grocers Inc., the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., has reported an $11.3 million net loss for the company’s third fiscal quarter; that’s compared to earnings of $1.2 million for the same period in 2012, according to the Los Angeles-based cooperative. Losses before patronage dividends and income taxes were $14.6 million for […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Wegmans Adds Position To Tackle Sustainable Seafood Issues
Wegmans Food Markets has created a new position —VP of seafood sustainability—and Carl Salamone, formerly VP of seafood merchandising with 47 years of service, has moved into this role. Dave Wagner, a 25-year Wegmans veteran has been promoted to VP of seafood merchandising. When asked about his plans, Salamone said, “I’ve spent a good portion […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Meijer To Hire More Than 9,000
Midwestern retailer Meijer is preparing to hire thousands of new team members for its stores in response to company growth and in preparation for the fall and holiday selling seasons. Janet Emerson, EVP of operations for Grand Rapids, Mich.-based Meijer, made the announcement this morning. “Meijer has already opened five of the six new stores […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Barilla Introducing Gluten Free Pasta Line
The gluten-free industry is expected to reach $8 billion in 2013 as more people begin to adopt a gluten-free lifestyle. Pasta is one of the foods that is missed most amongst people who are living gluten-free, and yet the options for enjoying a gluten-free pasta meal fall short, with limited brands and varieties available on […]