Blount Fine Foods, a leading manufacturer of handcrafted artisan soups, sides and entrees, has added Caitlin Sewall to its sales team in the Northeast. She will hold the title of retail sales for that territory and will report to Lisa Fecera, director of retail sales. Sewall joins Blount after graduating from Assumption College in Worcester, […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, National, Perishables
Tribe Hummus Gets Packaging Makeover, Adds New Flavors
Tribe Mediterranean Foods says it’s on a mission to spice up the hummus shelf. As consumers are increasingly looking for convenient, healthier snack foods, hummus has enjoyed double-digit growth over the past few years. However, despite its growing popularity, Tribe believes that the hummus shelf could benefit from a little more fun and pizzazz. After […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
J.C. Penney Taps Former Kraft Exec To Lead Marketing Efforts
Former Kraft Foods Group executive Debra Berman has joined J.C. Penney Co. Inc., where she will lead the retailer’s marketing efforts. As the company’s SVP of marketing, Berman will be responsible for leading J.C. Penney’s marketing efforts with a focus on revitalizing the jcpenney brand, building its brand architecture and communicating the brand promise. Berman […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
The Original SoupMan Arrives At Nearly 500 Walmart Stores
Soupman Inc., parent company of soup brand The Original SoupMan, says the SoupMan product is now available at nearly 500 Walmart stores. The brand’s soups, which are already sold in more than 4,000 supermarkets nationwide, include classic Lobster Bisque, Chicken Noodle, Lentil and Tomato Bisque soups. The soups are sold in Tetra Pak cartons—a packaging […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Duracell Introduces Quantum Alkaline Battery
Duracell has launched Duracell Quantum, the world’s most advanced alkaline battery, according to the company. Duracell says Quantum is the company’s biggest innovation since CopperTop. With its Hi-Density Core and proprietary PowerCheck power indicator, the red and copper Duracell Quantum has been engineered to deliver the performance consumers demand, the company says. “Duracell Quantum was […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Seattle’s Metropolitan Market Hosting Annual Peach-O-Rama
For the 17th year, Metropolitan Market of Seattle says its bringing to store measurably sweeter peaches directly from two orchards in Washington and California. The quest to find the sweetest peach began in 1995 when CEO Terry Halverson and his team were determined to improve the quality of the peaches they sold in their stores. […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Company Develops Proprietary Process To Bolster Stonefruit Category
New Woot Froot line offers fresh pre-packaged peaches and nectarines Fresh Fruit Cuts is introducing Woot Froot, a line of processed fresh peaches and nectarines that will be available through October. “Woot Froot pairs the great taste of fresh nectarines and peaches—one of America’s top 10 fruits—with the ease and convenience of fresh cut and […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Post Holdings To Buy Premier Nutrition Corp. For $180M
Post Holdings Inc., a leading manufacturer, marketer and distributor of branded ready-to-eat cereals, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Premier Nutrition Corp. (PNC). PNC is a growing marketer and distributor of premium protein beverages and foods under its Premier Protein brand and nutritional supplements under its Joint Juice brand. This acquisition provides Post a […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Report: Change In Industry Provides Marketing Opportunity For Grocers
The retail market for foods and beverages is undergoing some of its greatest changes since supermarkets came to the fore in the 1940s and ‘50s, according to “The Future of Food Retailing: Shopper Insights and Market Opportunities,” a new report from market research firm Packaged Facts. According to David Sprinkle, research director for Packaged Facts, […]
Posted in, National
Chile’s Citrus Industry Ups Marketing Efforts To Boost U.S. Sales
Sweet, fresh navel oranges, clementines and mandarins from Chile are turning summertime into citrus time, with supplies of these fruits increasingly available nationwide. Chile is one of the world’s largest producers of fresh fruit, and with citrus available now through November, the Chilean Citrus Committee, with the support of ProChile (Chile’s promotional bureau), is redoubling […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Cathy Green Burns Named PMA President
The Produce Marketing Association (PMA) has appointed Cathy Green Burns as president, effective Dec. 1. The appointment, PMA says, is part of the organization’s continuing restructure of the senior leadership team. In this new role, Green Burns will focus initially on leading board and staff team development as well as lending her insight to business […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Sales Up 12 Percent At Whole Foods For 3Q, Store Growth Outlined
Whole Foods Market this week posted positive numbers for the company’s third quarter ending July 7. The Austin, Texas-based grocery chain reported that sales increased 12 percent to $3.1 billion. Comparable store sales increased 7.5 percent, and identical store sales, excluding four relocations and one expansion, increased 7.2 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Helps Produce Wholesalers Stock Up For School Snacking
Summer is nearly over, and parents will soon be shopping for healthy yet exciting lunch and snack options for their kids to take to school. Frieda’s Inc. says it is the go-to source for kid’s favorite fruits and vegetables. Some of the popular back-to-school items are Asian Pears, Baby Red Bananas, Medjool Dates, Mandarinquats, Baby Apples and […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Publix To Enter New North Carolina Markets
Publix Super Markets Inc. this morning said it will enter the Asheville and Cary markets in North Carolina. The Lakeland, Fla.-based supermarket chain plans to open its first North Carolina stores in the Charlotte area next year. The Asheville store, located in Buncombe County, will be at the southeast corner of Hendersonville and Overlook. The […]
Posted in, Midwest, National, Supply Chain News
Penske Logistics To Serve Kroger’s Indiana DC Business
Penske Logistics has won the contract to operate and manage Kroger’s 600,000 s.f. refrigerated food distribution facility located in West Shelbyville, Ind. Penske officially began operating the facility July 21. Penske Logistics has hired the 816 existing workers at the facility, including those represented by Teamsters Local 135. “We’re excited to have earned this new […]
Posted in, Executive News, Northeast
Bertram Named SVP Of Store Strategy At Ahold USA
Ahold USA has appointed Nick Bertram as its SVP of store strategy and execution. In this role, which will be based in Carlisle, Pa., Bertram will lead the development, optimization and delivery of key operational support processes in partnership with Ahold USA’s retail divisions, as well as managing new business ventures. Bertram joins Ahold USA […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Independent Store News, Southeast
Rowe’s IGA Supermarket Plans Fifth Jacksonville Store
Supermarket operator Rob Rowe plans to open a fifth Rowe’s IGA Supermarket in the Jacksonville, Fla., area. The Jacksonville Daily Record reports that the store will open in a former Food Lion in West Jacksonville at 8299 W. Beaver St. Rowe said Wednesday the store will open Aug. 28 “if all goes as planned.” Commodore […]
Posted in, National
Trends, Innovative Categories Become Highlight of KeHE Holiday Show
KeHE’s 2013 Holiday Show, held as always at Chicago’s McCormick Place, had the largest number of retailer attendees in the show’s history. The private, two-day industry trade show brought together thousands of retailers and suppliers in the natural, specialty and fresh product categories. Suppliers showcased on-trend products for the holidays, as well as year-round “gotta-have” […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Arthur T. Demoulas A Champion For Market Basket Values, Not Just Shareholders
by Kevin Griffin/The Griffin Report Before the story broke in the media earlier this month about the campaign to oust Arthur T. Demoulas as head of The Market Basket chain, I began receiving emails and phone calls from friends and colleagues in the trade at an alarming rate. It’s been a while since I’ve heard […]
Posted in, National
NGA: Corporate-Only Tax Reform Is A Non-Starter
President Obama released on Tuesday a proposal that attempts to simplify the tax code for American businesses by reforming only corporate tax rates. Though the National Grocers Association (NGA) says efforts to lower the top corporate tax rate from the highest in the world at 35 percent to 28 percent is a step in the […]