Is Whole Foods Market being primed for a takeover? Perhaps. The Wall Street Journal and CNBC report that activist investor Jana Partners has built a nearly 9 percent stake in the Austin, Texas-based grocery chain and wants the company to “speed up its turnaround efforts while also exploring a possible sale.” “The activist investor has […]
Category: Corporate Store News
Ralphs, Gelson’s Women Execs Share Their Histories And Wisdom
The Food Industries Sales Managers’ Club of Los Angeles (FISMC) fittingly held its Women in the Food Industry Luncheon during March, which is Women’s History Month. Cynthia Weifenbach of CLW Consulting, chair of FISMC, emceed the event, during which Valerie Jabbar, president of Ralphs Grocery Co., and Hee-Sook Nelson, VP of team development and public […]
McLane Co. Becomes Walmart’s Primary Candy, Tobacco Products Provider
Walmart has renewed its service agreement with McLane Co., a provider of grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions. As part of the extended agreement, McLane will continue to deliver to Walmart stores across the U.S., in addition to becoming the sole provider of candy and tobacco products to the majority of Walmart’s retail locations. In […]
Claus Out At Save-A-Lot As Former Lidl Chief Takes Over
Save-A-Lot CEO Eric Claus and Onex, the company’s controlling shareholder, have “mutually agreed to part ways” as the discount chain has appointed former Lidl leader Kenneth McGrath its new chief executive, effective April 21. “We want to thank Eric for his contributions to Save-A-Lot over the past year,” said Matthew Ross, chairman of Save-A-Lot’s board of […]
Arizona Food Marketing Alliance Hosts Annual Golf Classic
The Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) hosted its annual Golf Classic at the We-Ko-Pa Golf Club in the East Valley on March 23. This year’s sold-out event attracted more than 300 golfers, including AFMA’s retail partners and their premier vendors. With 12 sampling holes on the courses, vendors were able to connect with their grocery […]
Publix Names VP Of Real Estate Strategy
Publix Super Markets has promoted Bob Balcerak to VP of real estate strategy, effective April 3. “Promoting associates from within the company is one of the ways we perpetuate our Publix culture,” said CEO and President Todd Jones. “Bob will play a critical role as we continue our focus on store growth.” Balcerak, 56, started […]
Shipt Delivery Service Growing In N.C., Fla., Markets
Shipt is expanding its delivery coverage with Harris Teeter in three North Carolina metros as well as with Costco Wholesale in the Tampa, Florida, area. On March 23, Shipt will begin to deliver grocery products, beer and wine from Harris Teeter stores to customers in the Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Asheville metros. With this expansion, the […]
Kroger Names New Presidents For Fred Meyer Stores, Columbus Division
The Kroger Co. has named Joe Grieshaber president of Fred Meyer Stores, replacing Jeff Burt, who resigned Monday to accept the position of SVP of grocery, fresh food and beverage at Target Corp. Grieshaber has been serving as president of Kroger’s Columbus division. Succeeding Grieshaber will be Dan De La Rosa, who has been promoted […]
Albertsons, Sprouts Reportedly In Merger Talks
According to a Bloomberg report Sunday, Albertsons Cos. is in preliminary discussions to merge with organic grocer Sprouts Farmers Market. The report cites “people with knowledge of the matter.” Representatives of the companies have not commented. A deal would take Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts private. Albertsons, backed by Cerberus Capital Management, is among the largest grocery […]
Dollar General’s Chief Merchandising Officer Retiring
Dollar General’s James “Jim” W. Thorpe, EVP and chief merchandising officer, will retire on April 15. “Jim’s strong understanding of our core customer and passion for our business have been instrumental in driving innovation in our merchandising initiatives,” said Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos. “When Jim rejoined the company in 2015, we agreed upon a […]
Whole Foods’ New Tuna Sourcing Policy Includes Grocery, Prepared Food Items
By January 2018, all canned tuna sold at Whole Foods Market will meet rigorous sustainability and traceability requirements that aim to reduce overfishing and bycatch, and support fishing communities, according to the Austin, Texas-based grocery chain. The new sourcing policy includes canned tuna items sold in the grocery aisle as well as the prepared foods […]
Publix Posts 4Q And Annual Increases
Publix’s sales for the fourth quarter of 2016, a 14-week period, were $9.1 billion, an 11.1 percent increase from the previous year’s $8.2 billion, a 13-week period. The additional week in the fourth quarter of 2016 increased sales by 7.4 percent. Comparable-store sales for the fourth quarter of 2016 increased 2.2 percent. Net earnings for […]
Kroger’s 50-Plus Consecutive Quarters Of ID Sales Growth Ends
The Kroger Co.’s record 52 consecutive quarters of positive identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, has ended as, on Thursday, the Cincinnati-based grocery chain reported that ID sales, without fuel, were down 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2016, which ended Jan. 28. The company reported net earnings of $0.53 per diluted share for the […]
Harmons CFO Dies At 56, Services To Be Held Thursday
Mr. John Ward, executive board member and CFO for Harmons Grocery Stores of Utah, passed away unexpectedly Feb. 22. He was 56. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 2. “In his 17 years of service to Harmons, John’s dedication and commitment have played an integral part in the company’s success and growth,” said Harmons […]
Kroger’s Virginia Dairy Manufactures Sustainable Milk Jug
A dairy in Virginia is the first in the Kroger organization to roll out a new lightweight gallon milk jug that the company says helps sustain the environment. Kroger’s Westover Dairy in Lynchburg has manufactured 6.2 million gallon jugs since September for milk, water, juice and tea products and is distributing them to 92 Kroger […]
Safeway Community Markets To Open In California March 1
Safeway will introduce shoppers in the Northern California towns of Berkeley, Los Altos and San Anselmo to its new Safeway Community Markets banner on Wednesday, March 1. This banner is being used on former Andronico’s Markets stores, which Safeway purchased in early November last year. Safeway purchased five stores; four are being reopened under the […]
Cub Foods President Departs, Interim Leader Named
Cub Foods President Eric Hymas, who has served in the role since January 2016, will leave the grocery chain Feb. 25, according to Cub parent company Supervalu. The announcement was made to Supervalu employees on Feb. 20. Supervalu VP of Marketing and Consumer Insights Chad Ferguson has assumed the role of interim president. Ferguson joined […]
CVS Removing Artificial Trans Fats From Store Brand Products
CVS Pharmacy claims it is the first national retail pharmacy chain to announce the removal of partially hydrogenated oils (PHOs), the primary source of artificial trans fats in processed foods, from all of its exclusive store brand food products. The retailer says it offers more than 600 exclusive snack and grocery options that are free […]
SpartanNash Sales Increases Benefit From Holiday Shift
SpartanNash said Wednesday that business gains and the timing of the New Year holiday resulted in fourth quarter sales growing to $1.83 billion from $1.77 billion a year ago. Net sales for the food distribution segment increased to $838.6 million from $773.7 million in the same quarter a year ago. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company said the gains […]
Online Grocery And Jet.com Help Fuel Walmart’s E-Commerce Jump
Online grocery helped Walmart U.S. record a big jump in its e-commerce business during the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter. The Bentonville, Arkansas-based retail giant posted its financial results for the quarter Tuesday and reported strong e-commerce growth as sales and gross merchandise volume increased 29.0 and 36.1 percent, respectively—including Jet.com and online grocery. Walmart purchased […]
