New Mexico Food Distributors Inc. plans to enter the retail tortilla market by spring, Albuquerque Business First reports. Although the company has some chile products and other foods in stores already, the bulk of its business comes from working with outside customers and preparing foods for major distributors and institutional clients. But majority partner Larry […]
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.
Posted in, Center Store, National
Atkinson Candy Co. Acquires Three Brands
Atkinson Candy Co. has announced an agreement with Laco Inc., a strategic partner of The Warrell Corp., to purchase Slo Poke, Black Cow and Sophie Mae brands. The three brands will become part of the Atkinson family of traditional made-in-America confections. Lufkin, Texas-based Atkinson Candy Co. will have exclusivity on marketing and sales of the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Midwest
Deschutes Brewery Beers Come To Western South Dakota
Deschutes Brewery of Bend, Ore., has expanded distribution in South Dakota to the western portion of the state, encompassing areas such as Rapid City and Chamberlain. The brewery will be working with local distributors, Eagle Sales in Chamberlain and Eagle Sales of the Black Hills, to bring its beers to the region. Initially, fans will […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products, Organic Natural
Van’s Natural Foods Brings Certified Gluten-Free Products To Stores
Van’s Natural Foods is bringing a new line of gluten-free cereals, crackers and snack bars rich in whole grains, including millet, quinoa and amaranth, to grocery stores. The Gluten-Free Certification Organization certifies all of Van’s cereals, crackers and snack bars gluten free. The breakfast items and snacks, like all Van’s products, have no artificial sweeteners, […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products, Organic Natural
RightSize Introduces New Single-Serve Smoothie Packs
RightSize has new single-serve packs. One packet is added to an 8-oz. serving of skim milk in a RightSize blender bottle to create a thick and creamy meal replacement smoothie. “Today’s lifestyles are so hectic, we believe it’s important to make losing weight as easy and convenient as possible,” says Laurie Chapman, brand manager at […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
M&M’S Will Return To The Big Game In February
M&M’S Brand will return to the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, 2013, with an all-new 30-second commercial during the first quarter, Mars Chocolate North America has announced. Last year during “The Big Game,” M&M’S introduced the world to the original spokescandy—Ms. Brown—via a hilarious 30-second commercial co-staring fan-favorite spokescandy, Red. The spot scored with critics […]
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, Beverage News, Center Store, Southeast
Top Tennessee Legislators Endorse Wine In Grocery Stores
The two top Republicans in the Tennessee General Assembly have endorsed the sale of wine in grocery stores, The Associated Press reports. According to the Memphis Business Journal, Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, speaker of the Senate, and House Speaker Beth Harwell told the AP they support the sale of wine in supermarkets “I think opponents […]
Posted in, Center Store, Northeast
Nature’s Own Breads Arrive In The Northeast
Nature’s Own bread is now available throughout the Northeast in select supermarkets and grocery retail stores. New Nature’s Own markets include Boston and Springfield, Mass.; Providence, R.I.; Hartford, Conn.; Portland, Maine; Manchester, N.H.; and Albany, N.Y. Nature’s Own breads in the Northeast are baked by Lepage Bakeries in Auburn, Maine, and delivered fresh to stores […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Report: Pet Market Increases 15 Percent In Past Five Years
Pets are not only a man’s best friend, they are often looked upon as a four-legged member of the family. As a result, the retail sales of pets and related supplies and services have produced consistent gains from 2007-12, despite a turbulent economy. Mintel’s latest report estimates the pet market is worth more than $49 […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, The Independent Perspective
Ezekiel Bread Rolls Out Sprouted Flax Variety
Food for Life’s Ezekiel 4:9 bread is now available with sprouted flax. Like all Food for Life products, Ezekiel 4:9 Sprouted Flax Bread is 100 percent flourless and free of conditioners, additives, artificial flavors, colors and preservatives. It also is made with filtered water and no added fat and is low-glycemic, diabetic-friendly, pH-balanced and kosher-certified. […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Flowers Foods To Acquire Certain Sara Lee, Earthgrains Assets
Flowers Foods Inc. will acquire certain assets and trademark licenses from BBU Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo S.A. B. de C.V. The financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed. Under the terms of the transactions, Flowers will receive perpetual, exclusive and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Kettle Brand Bakes Unveils New Flavors
Kettle Brand has released a new line-up of Kettle Brand Bakes featuring two bold new flavors: zesty Cheddar & Roasted Tomato and tangy Sour Cream & Onion. The new flavors are available in stores now, joining three existing flavors in new packaging. Kettle Brand Bakes are the only baked potato chip on the market made […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Pillsbury’s Seasonal Varieties, Baking Kits Available Now
Pillsbury has introduced seasonal varieties and baking kits: the Pillsbury Funfetti Halloween Brownie Pop Kit and Pillsbury Supreme Collection Cake Mixes. “The return of fall colors and flavors is always something we look forward to, and this year is no exception,” said Maribeth Badertscher, VP of corporate communications for The J.M. Smucker Co. “This year […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest
Jack Link’s To Acquire Bellevue, Neb., Manufacturing Facility
Jack Link’s Beef Jerky has reached an agreement to acquire a packaged meat snack products manufacturing facility located in Bellevue, Neb., from Skylark Meats LLC, a subsidiary of American Foods Group LLC. The transaction is expected to close by the end of October, subject to customary closing conditions. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Mondelez International Completes Spin-Off Of Its N. American Grocery Business
Mondelez International Inc., formerly Kraft Foods Inc., has completed the previously announced spin-off of its North American grocery business, Kraft Foods Group Inc. At 5 p.m. (ET) Monday, (the “distribution date”), Mondelez International completed the spin-off by distributing all outstanding shares of Kraft Foods Group common stock that it owned ratably to its shareholders of […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Dole To Sell Worldwide Packaged Foods, Asia Fresh Produce Businesses
Dole Food Co. Inc. has signed a definitive agreement with ITOCHU Corp. for the sale of Dole’s worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh produce businesses for $1.685 billion in cash. This proposed transaction results from Dole’s previously announced strategic business review process, and is subject to Dole stockholder approval and customary regulatory approvals in multiple […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Center Store, National
Zulka Pure Cane Sugar Unveils New Product Packaging
Zulka Pure Cane Sugar, an all-natural and unrefined granulated “Morena” sugar, has unveiled a new packaging design and clear bag that accentuates the sugar’s natural color and texture. The redesign also includes an updated, modernized logo and a new equivalency icon that illustrates how Zulka is a perfect cup-for-cup replacement for refined white sugar, a […]