Amstel Light, a leading imported light beer from Amsterdam, officially announced that Amstel Wheat Bier, a pure hefeweizen, is now available in bottles in select markets in the U.S. After launching in draught in seven markets in September 2011, fans of the beer now will be able to find Amstel Wheat on the shelves of […]
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, Beverage News, Center Store, National
FaVe Debuts Line Of All-Natural Juices At The Fresh Market
In response to the growing U.S. diet and obesity crisis, the FaVe Juice Co. is launching FaVe, an all-natural blend of 100 percent fruit and vegetable juices, at all locations of The Fresh Market. FaVe comes in three flavors: Strawberry-Banana-Kiwi, Blueberry-Pomegranate-Goji and Orange-Tangerine-Pineapple. The Fresh Market, a grocer with locations across the Midwest, East Coast […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest
Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Salsa Wins IMDA Award
Not only has Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Salsa picked up an award for its “scary hot” flavor, it now has an award for its good looks. At the recent International Metal Decorators Association (IMDA) conference in Bloomington, Ill., Renfro Foods, manufacturers of Mrs. Renfro’s Ghost Pepper Salsa, was presented with the 2012 IMDA Excellence in […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, West
Bell-Carter Foods Appoints New CEO
Corning, Calif.-based Bell-Carter Foods has announced that Tim T. Carter, great-grandson to Arthur Bell, co-founder of Bell-Carter Foods, has been named CEO. Carter is succeeding Ken Wienholz, who will continue to help develop the executive team and work with the board of directors as a special advisor. Today, Bell-Carter produces and sells 63 percent of […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Nonfood Items
Non-Foods Marketing Fall Expo Set For Atlantic City
The Non-Foods Marketing (NFM) Fall Expo 2012 Merchandise Show is coming up Oct. 15-16 at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. NFM is a direct, one-stop source for today’s top general merchandise items, including housewares, seasonal items and pet supplies from more than 200 manufacturers serving the grocery, drug and convenience store […]
Posted in, Center Store, West
Unified CEO: It’s Probably Time To ‘Redefine’ Center Store
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer While perimeter store sales have seen a substantial uptick in recent years, perhaps taking away from purchases consumers would normally make in the center store, Al Plamann says the center store category shouldn’t be dismissed as a disappearing one. Rather, he notes, the definition of center store simply needs updating. Plamann, […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, Perishables, Suppliers
Spartech Expanding Muncie Plant, Adding 30 Jobs
Plastic packaging products maker Spartech will expand its packaging facility in Muncie, Ind., and will add 32 jobs at the plant. The Muncie plant, which was just one of several facilities Spartech considered for the upgrades, has been a part of the Muncie community since 1984 when it opened as part of Ball Plastics. Purchased […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Denver, Portland, Seattle Adults Likely to Choose Local Brew
A new study from local market consumer research firm Scarborough reveals that 42 percent of the age 21 and over American adult population have enjoyed a beer in the past 30 days. More specifically, 5 percent of all adults 21 or older have had a microbrew in the same time frame. Where are these beer […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, National
KeHE’s Holiday Show Brings Huge Donation
KeHE Distributors celebrated its 60th anniversary year in a big way at its annual holiday show, which was held June 10-12 in Chicago. Big, as in a truckload filled with products from Vigo & Alessi, including its premium la Molisana pasta imported from Italy. Retailers could bid on the truckload in a silent auction held […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast, Suppliers
Snyder’s-Lance Acquires O’Byrne Distributing
Snyder’s-Lance has acquired substantially all assets of O’Byrne Distributing, a snack food distributor serving the Augusta, Ga., area. “We’re excited to expand our direct store delivery (DSD) distribution network in the Augusta market with the addition of O’Byrne,” said Ed Good, president of S-L Distribution, a subsidiary of Charlotte, N.C.-based Snyder’s-Lance. “The strengths of O’Byrne […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Combos Declares Oklahoma City ‘Manliest’
Mars Chocolate North America has released its fourth annual Combos “America’s Manliest Cities” study, which saw Oklahoma City claim the No. 1 position. Combos, cheese-filled pretzels, crackers and tortillas made with real cheese, once again partnered with Bert Sperling, the research expert behind the popular “Best Places to Live” studies, to develop the “America’s Manliest […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National
Self Magazine Chooses Aldi’s Nature’s Nectar Juice
Aldi’s exclusive brand, Nature’s Nectar 100% Berry Burst Juice, won this year’s Self magazine Healthy Food Award under the drink category. Made from a blend of four fruit juices, the 100% Berry Burst Juice is one of 35 varieties including All Natural Lemonade and 100% Apple Juice in the Nature’s Nectar brand. “We are very […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Starbucks Collection Benefits Create Jobs for USA Fund
Starbucks has introduced the Indivisible collection available at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. and at www.StarbucksStore.com for a limited time, starting June 12. For each qualifying purchase from the Indivisible collection, a donation will be made to Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) for the Create Jobs for USA Fund. The Starbucks Indivisible collection offers coffee […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Organic Natural
Chocolate Candy Sales Hit $20B, See 20 Percent Growth in Organic
The $20 billion U.S. chocolate candy market is mature, differentiated and demanding. That makes it challenging for marketers of chocolate products seeking to distinguish themselves from the competition, according to “Chocolate Candy in the U.S.,” a just-released report from Packaged Facts. Packaged Facts estimates the U.S. market for chocolate sold at retail at $19.5 billion […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Bodor: Candy in Moderation Equals Happiness
Confectionary manufacturers employ 70,000 individuals directly in the U.S. That number easily triples when individuals whose jobs are dependent on those candies produced—suppliers, brokers, trade customers—are included, said Allison Bodor, SVP, public policy advocacy for the National Confectioners Association (NCA). The same is true for the snack industry. Bodor spoke at the NCA’s Sweets & […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products, Southwest
Frito-Lay Introduces Tostitos Thins Tortilla Chips
To celebrate the introduction of Tostitos Thins tortilla chips, the latest addition to the Tostitos family, PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division today kicked off a partnership with entertaining expert Courtney Dial-Whitmore for a new online resource—Tostitos Fiesta 411—for planning and creating perfect at-home cantina-style parties, complete with the perfect snacks. Available exclusively at Target stores nationwide for […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southwest, Suppliers
Dr Pepper Snapple Group, McCombs Launch Education Program
Dr Pepper Snapple Group and the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin have embarked on a novel program to grow one of the company’s iconic brands. DPS has tapped a pair of the university’s MBA students to serve as brand consultants for Yoo-hoo and bring a fresh, innovative approach to […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
Heinz Ketchup with Balsamic Vinegar Now a Standard Offering
As a result of consumer fanfare surrounding a recent limited time offering, Heinz Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar will join the brand’s standard line-up of ketchup offerings. The product is the first new flavor from Heinz Ketchup in nearly a decade. Heinz Ketchup Blended with Balsamic Vinegar uses traditional Heinz variety tomatoes and Heinz’s special […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
IHOP Brings Full Line of Syrups to Grocery Shelves
IHOP has launched IHOP at Home® Syrups, a full line of syrups featuring Original, Lite, Sugar Free, as well as signature Rooty Tooty Fresh ’N Fruity® Strawberry and Rooty Tooty Fresh ’N Fruity Blueberry. “The launch of our new IHOP at Home Syrups marks another phase in our strategy to further bring IHOP awareness to […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National
Life Savers Celebrates 100th Anniversary
Life Savers is turning 100 years old and, to celebrate a century of sharing simple but meaningful connections between people, the iconic brand is giving back to charities that matter to its fans. The giving campaign, called Connect for a Cause, works like this: people can participate by entering the code on specially-marked 100th anniversary […]