Protein2o’s line of protein-enhanced waters will be available to more consumers, thanks to a distribution deal with Kroger. Initially, Kroger stores in the Midwest will carry the high-protein, low-calorie water that contains 30 percent of the RDA of protein but without the high calories and fat that many protein shakes and specialty energy drinks contain, […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Mars Says New LED-Lit Racks Can Boost Front End Confectionery Sales
Mars Chocolate North America and Wrigley are introducing racks illuminated with LED lights that the companies say can lift front end grocery sales by 10 to 12 percent. These innovative LED-lit racks—combined with the ideal assortment and shelf pitch—create a brighter environment and make it more appealing for shoppers to browse while waiting to check […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Fleet Advantage Promotes Holland To President
Fleet Advantage, a leading innovator in truck fleet business analytics, equipment financing and life cycle management, has promoted SVP and CFO Brian Holland to president. Holland, who joined Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Fleet Advantage in 2011, will continue in his role as CFO. In his new role as president, Holland will be responsible for establishing and […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
New Online Marketplace Launched To Advance Retail Industry Innovation
The Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) today unveiled a new online platform for the supermarket industry. The CART marketplace at advancingretail.org is designed to help the supermarket sector keep pace with technology innovation that is rapidly transforming the way people shop. “Retailers and brand manufacturers are experiencing […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Traina Foods Debuts Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup
Traina Foods, a leading seller of premium sun dried fruits, is rolling out new Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup, an addition to the award-winning Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup that debuted in 2012. “Our California Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup truly celebrates the tomato,” said Willie Traina, CEO of Patterson, Calif.-based Traina Foods. “And now we are […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
Kroger’s 2Q ID Sales Up 4.8 Percent
The Kroger Co. on Thursday reported net earnings of $347 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 4.8 percent in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. Net earnings in the same period last year were $317 million, or $0.60 per diluted share. It marks the Cincinnati-based grocer’s 43rd […]
Posted in, Store News, West
New San Jose Whole Foods To Feature Grocer’s First In-Store Brewery In Calif.
A new 35,000-s.f. Whole Foods Market store will open Dec. 10 at 777 The Alameda (at Stockton) in San Jose, Calif. This is the second Whole Foods Market location in San Jose, and the 42nd in Northern California. The store will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to San Jose and feature the Austin, Texas-based […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Whole Foods Market Among First Merchants To Integrate With Apple Pay
Whole Foods Market is among the first retailers participating in Apple Pay, described as “an easy, secure and private way” to make purchases from an iPhone. With Apple Pay, instead of using an actual credit or debit card number, a unique device account number is assigned, encrypted and securely stored in a dedicated chip in […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
Independent Grocers Hold Ground In Tough Fiscal Year 2013
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMS Solutions have released the results of their joint 2014 Independent Grocers Financial Survey, covering fiscal year 2013. Independents’ financial performance much mirrored the nation’s economy, which showed modest growth and both ups and downs in consumer, financial and market performance indicators. Some retailers managed to grow sales, margins […]
Posted in, Health & Wellness, Organic Natural, West
Dave’s Killer Bread Line Earns Non-GMO Project Verification
Dave’s Killer Bread (DKB) has achieved Non-GMO Project verification for all its 13 varieties of organic breads. DKB uses no artificial ingredients, preservatives or high fructose corn syrup. The Oregon-based company is the No.1-selling organic bread maker in the U.S. Packaging on all products, including DKB’s popular 21 Whole Grains and Seeds, Blues Bread and […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
U.S. Surpasses France As Largest Wine Market
The U.S. topped France as the world’s largest wine market last year as Americans continue to develop a greater appreciation for the libation. According to the Beverage Information and Insights Group’s 2014 Wine Handbook, the wine category increased 1.9 percent to 325.4 million 9-liter cases last year. Production and consumption levels also are at an […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
General Mills To Acquire Annie’s For $820M
General Mills has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Annie’s, a leading U.S. producer of branded organic and natural food products with net sales of $204 million in its latest fiscal year, completed March 2014. The transaction is valued at approximately $820 million. Annie’s will join General Mills’ U.S. natural and organic products portfolio, […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Northeast
Rosati Ice Goes To School
To prevent the natural downturns an Italian ice company experiences in the colder months, Philadelphia’s Rosati Ice took its products to school. Rich Trotter, president of the 102-year-old company, said, “Typically the water ice business makes money in the summer and loses money in the winter, and if the summer is better than the winter, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Reed’s New Product Marries Coffee And Kombucha
Reed’s Inc. is adding an organic coffee kombucha to its line of Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha. The new Coffee Kombucha will be showcased at the upcoming Natural Products Expo in Baltimore, Sept. 18-20, and will be introduced to store shelves across the country this fall. “The kombucha culture is traditionally grown in a tea base. […]
Posted in, National
Report: Shoppers Primarily Interact With Brands Via Smartphones, Tablets
Online shopping has reached a mobile tipping point. For the first time ever, according to Branding Brand’s Mobile Commerce Index report, the majority of consumers are visiting retail websites on smartphones and tablets rather than on traditional desktop and laptop computers. In August, mobile devices generated 51 percent of all online retail visits, the majority of […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Whole Foods, Instacart Partner For One-Hour Delivery Across 15 Cities
Whole Foods Market and one-hour grocery delivery service Instacart have formed a new partnership that enables customers to have Whole Foods Market products delivered in as little as one hour. Customers will soon also have the convenient option to place orders via Instacart and pick up their order at a local participating Whole Foods Market […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southwest
Reasor’s Closing 71st And Garnett Store In Tulsa
Tahlequah, Okla.-based Reasor’s plans to permanently close its 71st and Garnett store, at 11214 E. 71st in Tulsa, within the next couple of months. Reasor’s intends to transfer all of the current 71st and Garnett employees to other Reasor’s locations. “As we continue to grow, we continually evaluate and re-evaluate our progress in every store and every […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Kroger Family Of Stores Hiring 20K Employees
The Kroger Co. is hiring to fill an estimated 20,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions. “Kroger’s growth trajectory creates more job opportunities for current and future employees,” said Katy Barclay, Kroger’s SVP of human resources. “Right now in our stores across the country we have openings for bright, hard-working associates who are passionate about […]
Posted in, C-Store News, West
Circle K Constructing New Prototype Store In SoCal
Circle K, a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., recently broke ground on a new prototype store in Southern California. The 4,500-s.f. convenience store will be located at the corner of Sanderson and Esplanade avenues in San Jacinto. It willl feature a Mobil gas station with eight fuel pumps and a self-serve car wash. The new […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Meijer Planning To Hire More Than 10K New Team Members
Midwestern retailer Meijer is preparing to hire thousands of new team members for its stores as the company prepares for the fall and holiday selling seasons, Janet Emerson, EVP of operations, says. “Meijer is always looking for good people,” she said. “Our continued growth provides a great opportunity to find new team members who will […]