A new GfK report, based on more than 120 campaigns run by Coupons.com in 2012, shows that digital coupon users spend 42 percent more per year at supermarkets than the average shopper—a differential of $1,029. This reflects a 7 percent increase compared to 2011. The report, which covers six major product categories and 49 subcategories, […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Schnucks Begins Process Monday To Bring All Stores Under One Banner
Starting Monday, old signs will come down and new “Schnucks” signs will go up on the exterior of both the Logli Rockton (3150 N. Rockton Ave.) and Hilander Cherry Valley (2206 Barnes Blvd.), signaling the launch of the renaming for all 11 Logli and Hilander stores across the Rockford, Ill., area and in Janesville, Wis. […]
Posted in, National
Chiquita’s Restructuring Efforts Improve Company’s 1Q Operations
Chiquita Brands International Inc. earlier this week released financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2013, reporting net income of $2 million for the period compared to net loss of $11 million for the first quarter of 2012. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company also reported comparable operating income of $23 million compared to $13 […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Pork Cuts To Get New Consumer-Friendly Names At The Meat Case
Consumers will soon find more consumer-friendly names on packages of fresh pork cuts in retail meat cases across the country. The new names, such as the porterhouse pork chop, are designed to allow retailers to differentiate and merchandise pork cuts more effectively while aiding shoppers in selecting and preparing pork. “The new names will help […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Osco Pharmacists Negotiations Enter Federal Mediation
After seven bargaining sessions over several weeks, contract negotiations for 500 Osco pharmacists have entered federal mediation. The last meeting between Teamsters Local 727 and Osco management Monday went long into the night before the decision to bring in a federal mediator was made. The Teamsters Union has represented Chicago-area Osco pharmacists for more than […]
Posted in, Southeast, Suppliers
Nestle Purina’s Atlanta Facility Unveils Company’s Largest Solar Array
Nestle Purina PetCare on Wednesday unveiled the company’s largest solar array at its Atlanta pet food manufacturing facility. The solar array, designed and installed by United Renewable Energy (URE), represents the latest step in Nestle Purina’s commitment to environmental sustainability, according to a news release. Fairburn Mayor Mario Avery joined a Nestle Purina delegation, as […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Little Debbie Logo Gets First Makeover In Nearly 30 Years
McKee Foods, the makers of Little Debbie Snacks, has given the Little Debbie logo a makeover. Rolling out now on select products, this is only the third version of the logo since the Little Debbie brand was introduced in 1960. Consumers should start seeing the new logo on Little Debbie cartons over the coming months […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, West
San Fran Sues Monster For Marketing To Kids Despite Alleged Health Risks
San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera has filed a lawsuit against Monster Beverage Corp. for allegedly violating California law with its marketing of highly caffeinated energy drinks to children as young as 6 years old, despite scientific findings that such products may cause “significant morbidity in adolescents” from elevated blood pressure, brain seizures and severe […]
Posted in, National
Green Giant Fresh Adds Avocados To Product Line
Green Giant Fresh has added avocados to its line of fresh fruits, vegetables and value-added meal solutions. In association with C.H. Robinson Co. Inc., Green Giant Fresh will start shipping fresh avocados to retailers nationwide in late May. Branded with the Green Giant icon, the new avocado product line will be available year-round through C.H. […]
Posted in, California Perspective, West
Relationship Building Critical During Busy Legislative Sessions
by Ron Fong/CGA president and CEO Special to The Shelby Report The California Legislature is in full swing and despite talk of legislators taking it slow and not introducing a number of bills, this session is shaping up to be one of the busiest in quite some time. California Grocers Association (CGA) staff is sifting […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Rose Appointed New President Of Marketing Services At Crossmark
Crossmark, a leading sales and marketing services company, has appointed Jim Rose as president of marketing services. Crossmark CEO Joe Crafton previously led this growth area. As the largest in-store marketing services company in North America, the addition of Rose to the leadership team at Crossmark is a significant move that bolsters the company’s strong […]
Posted in, National, West
WAFC Names 2013-14 Board Leadership
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has named its 2013-2014 officers and board of directors, elected during last month’s 92nd Annual WAFC Convention in Palm Desert, Calif. The 2013-14 officers are: • President and chairman: Steve Junqueiro, Save Mart Supermarkets; • VP: Sue Klug, Unified Grocers; • Secretary: Rick Rayford, Brookshire Grocery Co.; • […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Ingles Reports Higher Sales, Income For 2Q And FY13’s First Half
Ingles Markets Inc. on Monday reported higher sales and net income for the three and six months ended March 30. Second quarter net sales rose $36.9 million to $918.6 million and net income increased to $8.1 million, compared with net income of $6.5 million for the prior year’s second quarter. For the first six months […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Kroger Ratifies Agreement With UFCW 455
The Kroger Co. associates working at Kroger stores in the Houston area have ratified a new labor agreement with United Food and Commerical Workers (UFCW) Local 455. “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates. It provides a solid compensation package of wages and benefits, including affordable healthcare and pension […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Ready Pac’s President/CEO Retiring, Successor Named
Michael Solomon, president and CEO of Ready Pac Foods Inc., has announced his retirement from Ready Pac. Solomon has been with Ready Pac since 2006 and has been president and CEO since 2008. He has led the company through several years of record performance. “I have decided that now since I have a strong senior […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Weis Markets Reports 3.2 Percent Sales Increase For Q1
Weis Markets Inc. this morning reported that its first quarter sales increased 3.2 percent to $682.7 million compared to the same period in 2012 while its comparable store sales increased 0.8 percent. For the 13-week period ending March 30, the company’s net income increased 0.5 percent to $20.1 million compared to the same period in […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Dollar General Hiring 10K This Month
Dollar General plans to hire 10,000 new employees in May. The Nashville Business Journal reports that the Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based retailer is hiring for positions within its stores and distribution centers. In addition to regional hiring fairs, the company will hold nationwide store hiring fairs on May 18 in all 40 states with a Dollar General […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Coca-Cola Happiness Lounge Showcases POP Materials To Capture Trends
The Coca-Cola Co. brought an extra dose of happiness to the 2013 FMI Future Connect conference in Orlando earlier this week—in the form of the “Happiness Lounge.” Ben Middleton, director of industry communications for Atlanta-based Coca-Cola, told The Shelby Report that the setup allowed the company’s sales personnel to “reinforce some of the major initiatives […]
Posted in, National
Kroger Tops FMI Future Connect Attendance With 200 Associates
The Kroger Co. dominated the Food Marketing Institute’s Future Connect conference when it came to attendance. The Cincinnati-based grocery giant had 230 associates attend the event, held earlier this week in Orlando. Rodney McMullen, Kroger president and COO, told The Shelby Report at the conference that Future Connect allows associates to “get exposure to the […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Kraft Foods Group Reports Revenue Growth In Q1
Kraft Foods Group Inc. has reported solid first quarter 2013 results driven by significant productivity gains and overhead cost savings as well as top-line growth fueled by new products and increased investments in marketing. “We’re off to a solid start,” said Tony Vernon, CEO of Kraft. “Our first quarter results reflect strong returns on our […]