A number of big stories came out of the western states in 2012. Below are the most noteworthy as reported by The Shelby Report this year. Haggen Rolls Out Rebranding Program Bellingham, Wash.-based Haggen launched its Northwest Fresh rebranding program at its Bellevue store in late 2011, and this year the company began extending the […]
Author Archives: Shelby Report Staff
The Shelby Report newsroom covers the grocery industry for retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. Staff reports include store openings, executive appointments, company announcements and industry event coverage. Since 1967, The Shelby Report has covered supermarkets, grocery chains and independent grocers through five regional editions.
Posted in, Center Store, National
Fans Choose New Color Mix For M&M’S Candies Packages
A new limited edition 8-oz. mix of M&M’S Milk Chocolate and Peanut pouches will hit stores later in December, featuring a never-before-seen blend of colors selected exclusively by fans, according to a Mars Chocolate North America news release. From December 2011 through January 2012, M&M’S Brand asked their community of more than 2.5 million Facebook […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
McCormick Flavor Forecast 2013: Flavor Trends To Drive Innovation
On Dec. 6, McCormick & Co. unveiled its Flavor Forecast® 2013. The annual report is now in its 13th year. McCormick has identified five trends that it believes will drive new product development and innovative menu additions over the coming years, and 10 accompanying flavor combinations to illustrate them. One leading trend featured in this […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Rice-A-Roni Introduces Single-Serve Cups
The newest product from Rice-A-Roni is a single-serve, microwavable, flavored rice cup. With a blend of long grain rice, toasted vermicelli and other flavors, Rice-A-Roni cups can be a snack or a meal on its own. To prepare, add water, microwave for 3-1/2 minutes and let cool. They are available in three flavors: chicken, creamy four […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Expo Floor Sells Out For 2013
The National Grocers Association (NGA) Show Expo Floor has now completely sold out, earlier than ever in the history of the show, which will be held Feb. 10-13 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. “The sold-out status of the NGA Expo Floor speaks to the value and tremendous opportunity the NGA Show and Expo Floor […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Southwest
United’s Market Street Brand Gets New Logo
United Supermarkets officially unveiled a new logo for its Market Street store chain on Dec. 5, just as it readies to open the 11th location for the banner. The new mark was revealed during a ceremony at the store, which is due to open on Jan. 9 at 19th and Quaker in Lubbock. The logo […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Grocers Take Notice: FDA Tobacco Compliance Checks Are On The Rise
by Peter J. Larkin/president and CEO, NGA Special to The Shelby Report The Tobacco Control Act, signed into law by President Obama in June of 2009, gave the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) explicit power to regulate the manufacturing, marketing and sale of tobacco products. Since then, the retail industry has been subjected to new […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Northeast
New Jersey Struggles As Income Drops, Public Assistance Increases
[gn_note color=”#b1cbde”]The 2012 New Jersey Profile originally ran in the October 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the Northeast.[/gn_note] by Kristen Cloud/staff writer New Jersey’s economy is struggling. Few would argue that. The Garden’s State’s unemployment rate hit a 35-year high of 9.9 percent in August, soaring over the national rate of 8.1 percent. […]
Posted in, Lipari Foods, Market Profile, Midwest
With Wisconsin In Political Spotlight, Grocers Ready For Home Stretch
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The 2012 Wisconsin Profile originally ran in the October 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the Midwest.[/gn_note] by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Wisconsin has been “under a tsunami of political activity,” says Brandon Scholz, president of the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA). Since the 2010 elections, four state senators and the lieutenant governor have faced […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southwest
Tiered Offerings Keep Oklahoma Shoppers Happy
[gn_note color=”#ff3333″] The 2012 Oklahoma Market Profile originally ran in the October 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the Southwest.[/gn_note] by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Hank Binkowski, CEO of Oklahoma City-based Buy for Less, has been in the food business all his life. His parents are Polish immigrants who came through Ellis Island, and they […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Northeast
Pennsylvania 2012 Profile: Proposed Cap on Sales Tax Vendor Allowance Dies in State House
[gn_note color=”#b1cbde”]The 2012 Pennsylvania Profile originally ran in the September 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the Northeast.[/gn_note] by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Retailers in Pennsylvania earlier this year dodged what could have had a “catastrophic” impact on their businesses, according to Randy St. John, senior VP of association services for the Pennsylvania Food Merchants […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Consultant Describes What A Top Grocery Retailer Looks Like
What makes a supermarket the best? The Shelby Report asked Brian Numainville, a principal with The Retail Feedback Group, for his thoughts. Numainville spent more than 18 years at Nash Finch, most recently as senior director of research and public relations. In May, Numainville was named a principal at The Retail Feedback Group (www.retailfeedback.com), a […]
Posted in, New Products, West
Fresh & Easy Introduces More ‘Green Things’ Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has introduced several more Green Things products, its environmentally-friendly line of cleaning and paper products. With the addition of several hand soaps, cleaners, reusable cleaning cloths and sponges, customers now have more options for products made with natural cleaning agents and sustainable materials. All Green Things household cleaners are made […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Southeast
Belle Foods Rolls Out New Shelf Label System
Belle Foods has implemented a new shelf labeling system, “Simply Healthy.” Simply Healthy is a color-coded guide to note healthy attributes of a product. The labels will indicate up to four different healthy characteristics, such as gluten free, sugar free, heart healthy, all natural or low carbs on each product. Each attribute will be assigned […]
Posted in, New Products, Northeast
Shaun White Unveils ‘Mintacular’ Gum At N.Y. 7-Eleven Store
Stride gum has revealed the latest addition to its lineup—the Shaun White-inspired, Mintacular. Mintacular, the second collaboration between Stride and professional snowboarder/skateboarder and two-time gold-medalist Shaun White, is available now in stores nationwide. Similar to Whitemint, the first Stride Shaun White-endorsed product, White was closely involved in selecting Mintacular’s minty flavor profile and package design. […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
GMA Recognizes Jurgens, Pappas
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) Hall of Achievement Award was presented to Richard Jurgens, chairman and CEO of Hy-Vee Inc., and Dean Pappas, CEO of Clement Pappas & Co. Inc., before more than 700 industry leaders at the annual chairman’s dinner at the GMA Executive Conference earlier this week. The Hall of Achievement Award represents […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Equipment & Technology, National
Aluminum Can Leads As Most Recycled Beverage Container
The U.S. recycling rate for aluminum beverage containers jumped seven percentage points, from 58.1 percent to 65.1 percent for 2011, the Aluminum Association, Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) have announced. That means 61 billion cans were recycled in 2011, a milestone that marks solid progress toward the industry’s goal […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Nestle Purina Introduces New Be Happy Pet Food
Watching a dog chase its tail or a cat soak up the sun reminds us that there’s more good in the world than not, if you just know where to sniff it out. That’s the philosophy behind a new brand of dog and cat food inspired by the enduring happiness pets share with owners. Be […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Planters Debuts ‘NUT-rition’ Peanut Butter In Three Flavors
Peanut butter just got a makeover, as Planters introduces a new PB that has a bit of a punch. Created for adventure-seekers, the new line is the first national brand to add wholesome ingredients like bananas, granola, berries, raisins, cinnamon and nuts into its peanut butter, according to a news release. The Planters NUT-rition varieties […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Campbell Celebrates Warhol With Limited-Edition Soup Cans
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Andy Warhol’s 1962 famed work, “32 Campbell’s Soup Cans,” Campbell Soup Co. is introducing limited-edition cans of Campbell’s® Condensed Tomato soup with labels derived from original Warhol artwork. The four specially-designed labels reflect Warhol’s pop-art style and use vibrant, eye-catching color combinations like orange and blue, and pink and […]