The penny-per-ounce tax on sugar sweetened beverage in Cook County, Illinois, will be repealed following a 15-1 vote to do so by the Cook County Commissioners on Oct. 11. The tax had only gone into effect Aug. 2, but the county’s Finance Committee recently said that it has become “increasingly clear” that the Sweetened Beverage […]
Category: Health & Wellness
The Shelby Report covers health and wellness for grocery retailers nationwide, from better-for-you products and natural and organic trends to supplements, functional foods and supplier announcements. Updated regularly across our five regional editions.
Probiotic Foods, Beverages Trending With Millennials, Natural Grocery Shoppers
Roughly a quarter of U.S. adults specially seek out foods and beverages with high amounts of probiotics or prebiotics. That finding comes from a 2017 National Consumer Survey conducted by market research firm Packaged Facts, published in the company’s new report “Probiotics and Prebiotics: Food and Beverage New Product Trends.” With the increased focus on their […]
GMDC Names HBW17 Product Showcase Winners
Global Market Development Center (GMDC) has revealed the top 10 products and merchandising displays showcased at its 2017 Health Beauty Wellness Marketing Conference (HBW17). The event, which brought more than 200 retailers, wholesalers, suppliers and service companies together, includes an annual showcase that lets participants select the brands they believe are the most innovative and will spark the […]
Ahold USA Brands To Join Healthy Savings Retailer Network
Healthy Savings, a Minnesota-based healthy lifestyle program focused on improving diets, will expand its retail network this October with the addition of Ahold USA’s brands, including Stop & Shop New England, Stop & Shop New York Metro, Giant Landover, and Giant-Martin’s. With the addition of Ahold USA’s retail divisions, the Healthy Savings program will be […]
Court Blocks San Francisco’s Health Warnings On Sugary Drinks
The U.S. Appeals Court for the 9th Circuit has blocked a 2015 San Francisco ordinance that requires advertisers of sugary drinks to post health warnings. The ordinance required advertisers who post advertisements for sugar-sweetened beverages include the following statement: “WARNING: Drinking beverages with added sugar(s) contributes to obesity, diabetes, and tooth decay. This is a […]
Study: Organic Food Trends Broadening Competition For Natural Grocers
Americans’ perennial enthusiasm for all things health and wellness is expressed in the food they consume, and natural and organic retailers are often at the forefront of meeting this demand, says Packaged Facts. The market intelligence company has published national consumer survey data in its new report “Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, and Natural Channel Grocery […]
Winn-Dixie Teams Up With LSU Tigers
Southeastern Grocers, parent company to BI-LO, Fresco y Mas, Harveys and Winn-Dixie stores, has signed a new sponsorship agreement with Louisiana State University (LSU) Athletics. Winn-Dixie has 42 locations across the state and has operated in Louisiana for more than 60 years. “We are proud of our rich history in Louisiana and our passion for this […]
Watchdog Groups Say Delay In Menu Labeling Costs Consumers
An independent economic analysis has found the decision by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) to delay the national menu labeling law for one year from May 5, 2017, to May 7, 2018, could end up costing consumers $15 for every $1 saved by the food industry. The study concluded that delaying implementation of the […]
Hy-Vee To Operate 26 Wahlburgers And Offer In-Store Fitness Classes
Hy-Vee Inc. has entered into two strategic partnerships that it says will diversify its business model while reinforcing its mission of making customers’ lives easier, healthier and happier. The organization plans to build, own and operate 26 Wahlburgers restaurants—nearly doubling the brand’s current locations. Hy-Vee will add select Wahlburgers menu items in all Market Grille […]
N.Y. Governor Signs Bill Hiking Cigarette Pack Price To $13
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio signed a series of bills Monday aimed at reducing the number of smokers in the city by 160,000 by 2020. These seven bills affect all operators selling tobacco and go into effect June 1, 2018. The legislation raises the minimum prices for all tobacco products, including cigarettes, and […]
Albertsons Cos. Pharmacies Aim To Play Greater Role In Consumer Health
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos.’ pharmacies have annual flu vaccinations in stock and are reminding customers that while they are getting vaccinated, it’s a great time to review their immunization records and talk to their pharmacist about other health concerns, too. “A quick trip to the store for your daily staples can also be a convenient […]
Trader Joe’s Marks 50th Anniversary With Customer Celebration
Trader Joe’s marked its 50th anniversary with in-store customer celebrations on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 19-20. Festivities included special product tastings and giveaways, and a limited edition 50th anniversary reusable bag was offered to customers for 50 cents. Trader Joe’s introduced its first reusable bag to customers 40 years ago. The first Trader Joe’s store opened on Aug. […]
FMI Report: Grocers Investing In Customers’ Health & Wellness
Eighty-one percent of the food retailers that responded to a new Food Marketing Institute (FMI) survey currently view supermarket health and wellness programs as a significant business growth opportunity in the years ahead. That figure is up from 70 percent in 2014. The new report, “FMI Retailer Contributions to Health & Wellness 2017,” demonstrates the investment […]
Bay State Debates Merits Of Sugared Beverage Tax
Massachusetts residents could pay a significantly higher tax on beverages with added sugar, such as soda and sports drinks. Under review in the Massachusetts Legislature, Senate Bill 1562/House Bill 3329, authored by Sen. Jason Lewis and Rep. Kay Khan, seeks to create a tiered excise tax on sugary drinks, with tax level based on beverages’ sugar […]
Whole Foods To Open First 365 In State Of Ohio This September
Whole Foods Market 365 will open its first Ohio store in Akron on Sept. 14. The store will be the sixth 365 format store to open nationally for Whole Foods. Located at 1745 W. Market Street, the store will feature only products that meet Whole Foods Market’s rigorous quality standards and are free of artificial […]
Natural Grocers Opening Fifth Iowa Store June 21
Natural Grocers will open its fifth store in Iowa on June 21. The 15,000 s.f. store is located in Iowa City at 1404 South Gilbert Street. The first 100 people to shop at the new Iowa City store will receive a free Natural Grocers “goody bag.” Other opening day offerings include vendor demonstrations, an ice cream social […]
ShopRite, American Bone Health Launch Calcium Challenge
ShopRite Supermarkets and American Bone Health have partnered to offer “The Calcium Challenge,” a free interactive event to educate shoppers about the health benefits of eating dairy and calcium-rich foods. The Calcium Challenge will be hosted at select ShopRite supermarkets in Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania during June, led by the grocer’s […]
Albertsons Cos. Acquires MedCart Specialty Pharmacy
Albertsons Cos. has acquired MedCart Specialty Pharmacy in order to, the supermarket chain says, strengthen and extend its pharmacy specialty services. MedCart Specialty Pharmacy is an URAC-accredited pharmaceutical and healthcare provider of customized specialty care services and medication management for patients and physicians addressing complex diseases. “MedCart Specialty Pharmacy has built an exemplary operation, which complements […]
Non-Food For Thought: Are You Ready To Spring Into Warm-Weather Sales?
by Naomi Sleeper/director of business development, Imperial Distributors In honor of Father’s Day coming up in June, our May non-foods thoughts focus on products for male consumers. With grilling tools and gadgets—as well as camping gear and summer beer accessories—on display in stores now, supermarkets offer a variety of giftable seasonal general merchandise suitable for men […]
AWG Partners With RangeMe To Scale Growth Across All Categories
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) is partnering with RangeMe, an online platform that streamlines new product discovery between product suppliers and retailers, to scale its retail buying efforts for general merchandise, health and beauty and specialty, natural and organic items for all of its members. “The technology and vendor interfacing that RangeMe provides will benefit our members and […]
