Sun-Maid Raisins and Concord Foods are partnering on a new promotion, Sweeter Together, for the holidays. Through December, a range of recipes featuring Sun-Maid Raisins and Chiquita Banana Bread Mix will be available to consumers online at Sweeter-Together.com. In addition, instant redeemable coupons (IRC) for $0.55 off the purchase of Sun-Maid Raisins (12-oz. or larger) […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
M&M’S Crispy To Return In 2015
After a decade of phone calls, petitions, Facebook posts and countless other pleas, Mars Chocolate North America says M&M’S Crispy will return to stores nationwide in January 2015 following a 10-year hiatus. M&M’S Crispy feature a crispy center covered milk chocolate, enclosed in a colorful candy shell. This treat is slightly larger than the original […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Smart & Final Opens 200th Store
Smart & Final opened its 200th store Thursday at 644 Redondo Avenue in Long Beach, California. The opening was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony with local officials. The Los Angeles-based company says the milestone represents its continued growth and commitment to meeting modern consumer shopping needs, as well as its rich history and deep […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Study: Nearly 100% Of Sales Growth At Leading CPGs Is From Lower-Calorie Foods
Providing consumers lower-calorie foods is good for business and public health, according to a new research report from Hudson Institute, an independent policy research organization. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) asked Hudson Institute to analyze sales data from the 16 major food and beverage companies it counts among its members to determine both trends […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
Nestlé Debuts New Treats In Time For Halloween
Nestlé is rolling out new candy this Halloween, including treats from Butterfinger, Laffy Taffy and Nerds as well as bigger variety bags. • Butterfinger Best Assortment Pack features Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups: Enjoy the best of Butterfinger with Butterfinger Minis, Butterfinger Crisp and Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups (30-oz. bag, SRP is $8). • New Caramel […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Ocean Mist Farms Honored For Innovation In Water Reuse
Ocean Mist Farms was honored by the WateReuse Association and Research Foundation for its unique and successful water reuse partnerships at the 2014 One Water Innovations Gala on Sept. 28 in New Orleans. “The WateReuse Association and Research Foundation works to promote water sustainability through research and education,” said Mike McCullough, the recycled water program […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Original Light Beer Returns To Original Look On All Fronts
This fall, Miller Lite is returning to its original look on all packaging and across all marketing materials. “The decision to bring back our original look was an important one for this brand,” said Miller Lite Senior Marketing Director Ryan Reis. “It’s authentic, proud and highlights what has always been true about Miller Lite since […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Southeast
Sprite Brings Back Cranberry Variety For Holidays
With the beginning of the holiday season around the corner, Sprite says it is bringing back, by popular demand, Sprite Cranberry and Sprite Cranberry Zero. Sprite Cranberry and Sprite Cranberry Zero launched last year for a limited time—offering a blend of traditional Sprite and a splash of sweet and tart cranberry notes. “We listened to […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Stater Bros., LifeStream Blood Bank Partner For Drive That Begins Monday
Stater Bros. is partnering with LifeStream Blood Bank in an ongoing effort to boost local, life-saving blood reserves. Each month, San Bernardino, Calif.-based Stater Bros. hosts blood drives at selected supermarkets. For October, blood drives will be held at the following Stater Bros. Supermarket locations: • Oct. 6, 11365 Bryant St., Yucaipa, 1-6 p.m. • Oct. 13, […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Industry News, Store News, West
Calif. Governor Signs Landmark Carryout Bag Legislation
After years of work, California grocers scored a major victory Tuesday with Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature on Senate Bill 270—a measure that creates a consistent, statewide standard for regulation of carryout bags. More than 120 local jurisdictions have enacted their own regulatory schemes, many with slight variations. The patchwork has become confusing for grocery retailers […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
Global Snack Food Sales Reach $374B Annually
Global consumers spent $374 billion on snack foods annually between 2013 and 2014, a year-over-year increase of 2 percent, according to a new global report released today by Nielsen. While Europe ($167 billion) and North America ($124 billion) make up the majority of worldwide snack sales, annual snack sales are growing faster in the largely […]
Posted in, Midwest, National, Online Grocery Technology, Store News
Supervalu Reports Another Data Security Breach
Following a reported data breach in mid-August, Supervalu on Monday said that it has discovered what it believes to be another breach. The Minnesota-based company says it believes an intruder, between late August and early September, installed malware into the portion of its computer network that processes payment card transactions at some of its Shop […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National
Skippy Peanut Butter Launches New Marketing Campaign
The makers of the Skippy brand are launching a new multi-faceted regional ad campaign, the brand’s first in more than five years and the first under Hormel Foods’ ownership. After undergoing global positioning research for the Skippy brand, Hormel Foods says it discovered that consumers across the world believe peanut butter is one thing: simple […]
Posted in, Executive News, National, Southeast, Suppliers
Sabra Dipping Co. Names New CEO
Sabra Dipping Co. has appointed Shali Shalit-Shoval CEO. She replaces Ronen Zohar, who retired last month after seven years in the position. Shalit-Shoval, a global food business veteran, will oversee all operations as Sabra expands the business to meet growing consumer interest in hummus and in other fresh dips and spreads. In addition, Sabra announced […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Store News, West
CGA’s Fong Pleased With Strategic Conference 2014
Ron Fong, president and CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), spoke with The Shelby Report’s VP-West, Bob Reeves, during the CGA Strategic Conference Sept. 21-23. It was the conference’s third year in Palm Springs, and “I think it’s the best one this year,” Fong said. “A little over 850 attendees, which is better than […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Presents U.S. Senators With Champion Of Independent Grocers Award
The National Grocers Association (NGA) recently presented U.S. Sens. Roy Blunt of Missouri, John Boozman of Arkansas and Mitch McConnell of Kentucky with its Champion of Independent Grocers Award. The award is given to lawmakers who have worked to advance pro-growth policies and workable solutions for independent grocers and wholesalers. “Together, independent, community-focused retailers and […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Susser Petro To Acquire Mid-Atlantic C-Stores, Also Buying Aloha Petro
Susser Petroleum Partners (SUSP) and Energy Transfer Partners (ETP) announced today the first dropdown transaction between ETP and SUSP. In addition, SUSP announced an agreement to acquire Hawaii-based Aloha Petroleum Ltd., closing of a new $1.25 billion revolving credit facility, and its plan to change the partnership’s name to Sunoco LP. Dropdown of MACS and […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Organic Natural
Consumers Snacking More On Specialty Food
Specialty food consumers are spending more of their food dollars on specialty food this year, and the all-powerful Millennial generation is gravitating toward specialty food for snacks and on-the-goal meals, according to new research from the Specialty Food Association. Overall, specialty food shoppers say they are spending one in four of their food dollars on […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National, Store News
Expert Harold Lloyd: Walgreens, Not Walmart, Is The Competition
Supermarket expert Harold Lloyd doesn’t understand why grocers are so worried about Walmart. Rather, he says successful convenience stores like Sheetz and Wawa, as well as drugstore chain Walgreens, are the retailers that grocers should be concerned about—mainly because they’re easy to shop. They excel at what Lloyd refers to as “Flow and Focus.” This […]
Posted in, National, West
L.A. Mayor Seeks Hourly Minimum Wage Increase
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said this week that he would be pushing a major proposal for a citywide increase in the hourly minimum wage, according to the California Grocers Association (CGA). For the past few weeks his office has been in contact with Los Angles area business groups to circulate his plan. The proposal […]