It’s time to reconnect with the future. Sounds like yet another sequel to Michael J. Fox’s classic movie “Back to the Future,” but we’re actually talking about FMI’s Future Connect, chapter two. Despite being bugged by the flu, the inaugural edition (2009) of the alternating-year conference was a success. You might recall that, scheduled for […]
Category: Bonus Content
Posted in, California Perspective, West
An Open Letter to Gov. Brown from the State’s Grocery Community
With California facing the challenge of a fiscal crisis larger than any in recent memory, state legislators, officials and the governor will have to make tough decisions to eliminate a near-$26 billion shortfall in the state budget. California’s grocery industry will be part of this process, but shouldn’t shoulder an unfair portion of the solution. […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Feature, National
Consumers Want to Indulge, But Keep Health in Mind, Too
By Ashley Bates/staff writer Bubbly, fruity and refreshing soft drinks and other beverages have seen hard times in recent years, but many in the beverage industry may call 2011 the year of the beverage. Rebounding nicely this year are sports drinks, bottled waters and water beverages; soft drinks and diet soft drinks are as strong […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Consumers seeking new varieties and flavors in candy, and manufacturers are providing it
M&M’S® Pretzel Chocolate Candies were named the 2011 Product of the Year in the candy and snacks category by Product of the Year USA. “This award is especially gratifying because it was decided by consumers,” Debra A. Sandler, CCO of MMMars Chocolate North America, said in a press release. “We felt confident that the delicious […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Obamacare: One Year Later
[dropcap]M[/dropcap]arch 23 will mark the one-year anniversary of the enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), often referred to as “Obamacare.” In January 2011 the House of Representatives successfully passed H.R. 2 (245-189), which would repeal PPACA. However, the legislation is largely symbolic and has no chance for consideration in the Senate. […]
Posted in, Another Side, National
Another Side: 4+1=48
Numbers which don’t add up? They do if you are using Shelby math. While some periodicals have been subtracting, we have been adding. Since the first Southeast issue (1967) to the Southwest (1976), we have added The Shelby Report of the West (2008), The Shelby Report of the Midwest (2009), and now The Shelby Report […]
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
What’s Wrong With This Picture?
We are on a path that our government says will leave us $1,500,000,000,000 (one trillion, five hundred billion dollars) in debt for the fiscal year 2011. And in the same breath, our government tells us they need 193,000 new employees (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “Government Needs to Add 193,000 New Hires,” Jan. 16, 2011). Just the […]
Posted in, Bonus Content, Ellerbee Buzz, Southeast
Grocers Overcome Challenges Severe Weather Brings
Even the mighty fell—sorta. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. managed to open its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., on Feb. 9, but employees did not have to report if they couldn’t safely travel to work. A foot of snow had fallen on Northwest Arkansas. Some parts of Oklahoma saw two feet of snow. In the northeast corner of […]