The National Confectioners Association (NCA) released a report about chocolate consumers that found while preferences for dark, milk and white chocolate vary widely across age groups, a new generation of Millennial shoppers is impacting the chocolate retail experience. The Fine Chocolate Industry Association (FCIA) underwrote the report and assisted in developing the survey questionnaire; the […]
Category: Center Store
Center store news for grocery retailers: dry grocery, pantry staples, merchandising and category trends in the aisles.
See more center store coverage in Aisle Watch.
Ardent Mills Closing Four Plants By First Quarter 2020
Denver, Colorado-based flour-milling and ingredient company Ardent Mills is closing four plants by the end of the first quarter of 2020. The company said the closures are necessary based on an analysis of current and anticipated demand and to enhance the efficiency of its network. Ardent Mills will operate and invest in the remaining 35 […]
Loacker USA Hires CPG Exec Todd Hanus As Its New Sales SVP
Loacker USA has hired Todd W. Hanus as SVP of U.S. sales, effective May 7. Hanus is responsible for all sales channels in the U.S. and reports to T.J. Rooney, president of Loacker USA, located in New York. Hanus joined Loacker with more than 24 years of CPG experience at Kraft Foods, Nabisco and Mondelez […]
Jack Daniels Country Cocktails Southern Citrus Flavor Launched
Jack Daniels Country Cocktails has released its new Southern Citrus flavor just in time for summer. The new Southern Citrus is hitting shelves in stores across the U.S. in May. It will be sold in retail and convenience stores nationwide as a six-pack of 10-oz. bottles; SRP $7.99 per six-pack. Jack Daniels Country Cocktails Southern […]
Kellogg To Introduce Off The Grid Protein Waffle In 3 Flavors
Off the Grid, a Kellogg Co. brand, introduces a new waffle that provides 12g of complete protein per serving. The Off the Grid Protein Waffle comes in three flavors—Vanilla Buttermilk, Cinnamon Brown Sugar and Wild Blueberry. They will be available in the freezer aisle beginning in June. “Off the Grid waffles were created to deliver […]
Pretzels Inc. To Expand Indiana Maufacturing Facility By 120,000 S.F.
Pretzels Inc. plans to expand its manufacturing facility in Plymouth, Indiana, by adding 120,000 s.f. The manufacturing expansion is designed to increase capacity across a range of products and capabilities. “This expansion exemplifies Pretzels’ commitment to exceed our customers’ expectations by significantly enhancing our capabilities and capacity,” said Greg Pearson, CEO of Pretzels Inc. “Pretzels’ […]
Farmer Bros. CEO Keown Out; Mottern Named Interim CEO
Christopher P. Mottern, who has served as a director on the Farmer Bros. Co. board since 2013, has been appointed to serve as interim CEO, succeeding Michael Keown who, by mutual agreement with the board, stepped down as company president, CEO and director. The change was effective May 7. Farmer Bros. Co. is a Northlake, […]
Lip Smacker, Crayola Create Lip Line With Flavor And Color
Two popular American brands have combined to create the Lip Smacker x Crayola collection. The collection pairs Lip Smacker’s popular best flavors with Crayola crayon colors. The Lip Smacker x Crayola Collection includes a five-piece liquid lip gloss party pack, a lip balm trio and an eight-piece lip balm party pack. “At Lip Smacker, our […]
Nestlé To Close Eight DCs, Transition To Warehouse Model
Nestlé USA will exit its company-owned frozen direct-store-delivery (DSD) network for its pizza and ice cream businesses and transition to a warehouse model. The company says the change will leverage the warehouse network that Nestlé already uses for its frozen meals and snacks. The phased transition will commence in the third quarter of 2019 and […]
Mars Wrigley Seeking Retailers For Merchandising Solutions Program
Mars Wrigley Confectionery U.S. is making known the 2019 innovative merchandising incubator, a national program to provide retailers with the opportunity to receive merchandising solutions and drive sales. One to two retailers will be chosen to have a relationship with Mars Wrigley Confectionery to develop a customized test-and-learn solution aimed at tackling shopping challenges facing […]
Ocean Spray Diversifies Leadership With Three New Hires
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. has appointed Rizal Hamdallah as global chief innovation officer; Katy Latimer as VP of research and development; and Chris O’Connor as VP of marketing. “As we look to the future of Ocean Spray, bringing together a team with a diverse set of strengths will be key to the growth of our […]
Steve’s Ice Cream Introduces 7 New Flavors, New Packaging
Steve’s Ice Cream is unveiling seven new flavor creations along with new, artist-designed packaging. Steve’s Ice Cream, a Dean Foods Co. brand acquired in 2017, is introducing the new flavors with a new campaign. From its inception as an ice cream shop in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in 1973, Steve’s is acknowledged as the founder of the […]
Urban Pie Pizza Co. Introduces Vegetable-Crust Pizza Line
Urban Pie Pizza Co. is taking vegetable pizza crust a step further by offering pizzas with crusts made from sweet potatoes, broccoli and cheddar and cauliflower. The new line supports Urban Pie’s brand promise of unique flavors and thoughtful, premium ingredients catering to consumers seeking meal solutions with healthy nutrition benefits. Urban Pie is adding […]
130-Plus Stores In Appalachia Add Custard Stand Hot Dog Chili
Shoppers now can purchase Custard Stand Hot Dog Chili in 125 Food City stores and six Super Dollar Food Center stores in eastern Kentucky and Tennessee, northern Georgia and southwest Virginia. The rollout began Sunday, April 28, and should be in all stores soon. Food City and Super Dollar shoppers should look for the 100 percent beef chili near the wieners […]
Weis Markets Launches 11th Annual Paws For Pets Program
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has launched its 11th annual Paws for Pets program, a company-wide initiative that collects donations, pet food and supplies for local animal shelters and rescue organizations. During the month-long program which ends May 28, customers can donate $1, $3 or $5 at the register or give online at WeisMarkets.com. All contributions will go […]
Van Holten’s Rolls Out Tapatio-Flavored Pickle-In-A-Pouch
Van Holten’s and Tapatío have teamed up to develop a new pickle-in-a-pouch flavor by combining Van Holten’s pickles with Tapatío hot sauce. Tapatío is said to be the No. 1 hot sauce brand in the West. “We are thrilled to work with a brand as iconic as Tapatío,” said Eric Girard, VP of sales and […]
O’Dang Hummus’ New And Improved Dressings Selling At Publix
O’Dang Hummus reports that its “new and improved” dressings are now available in the dressing aisle at Publix stores. The new flavors are Roasted Red Pepper, Greek Tzatziki and Honey Mustard. “This is extremely exciting for O’Dang Hummus to bring our new dressing line to Publix store shelves,” said Jesse Wolfe, founder and CEO of […]
BrandSpark Reveals Its List Of Most Trusted Consumer Brands
Market research firm BrandSpark International has revealed the winners of the 2019 BrandSpark Most Trusted Awards. The winners are the result of a nationwide survey of consumer trust in the U.S., compiling opinions and insight from more than 12,800 Americans. Voters provided 61,000 opinions to identify which brands Americans trust most in 118 categories in […]
Stanmar International Introduces New Products To U.S. Market
Stanmar International, based in Canada with its U.S. headquarters in San Diego, presented several products it wants to market in the U.S. at Natural Products Expo West, held March 6-9 in Anaheim, California. One of those products is the Simply Delish line of vegan, non-GMO gelatins and puddings. “We were introduced to this particular group […]
Pigeon Hill Brewing, McClure’s Team Up For RTD Bloody Mary Cocktail
Michigan-based companies McClure’s Pickles and Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. have teamed up to produce a new ready-to-drink bloody Mary cocktail. A first for the brand, each bloody McClure’s Ready-to-Drink Bloody Mary Cocktail features McClure’s signature bloody Mary mix paired with vodka and canned by Pigeon Hill Brewing Co. The cocktails will be available at retailers […]
