In recent years, the natural and organics category has seen significant growth, but the profiles and motives of today’s natural/organics shoppers are drastically different than they were less than a decade ago. That’s according to Acosta, whose latest Hot Topic Report, “Back to Our Roots: The Rise of the Natural/Organic Shopper,” explores modern-day natural/organic consumers, including what they’re […]
Category: Industry News
Posted inNational, Aldi, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Store News
Aldi Rolling Out $1.6B Store Remodel Program
Aldi plans to remodel more than 1,300 U.S. stores by 2020, costing the retailer an estimated $1.6 billion, the company said Wednesday. The grocery chain says the upgraded stores will deliver “on its customers’ desire for a modern and convenient shopping experience with a focus on fresh items, including more robust produce, dairy and bakery […]
Posted inBakery News, Beverage News, Dairy News, Equipment & Technology, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Private Label Brands, Southwest
Brookshire’s Dairy Plant Sale Follows Bakery Closure
Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has sold its ice cream, dairy and water plants to Springfield, Missouri-based Hiland Dairy. Chairman and CEO Brad Brookshire said BGC’s “focus has always been on our retail stores, which our manufacturing plants supported. “But with an abundant offering of quality products now available through the supplier community, we […]
Posted inWest, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Marketing News, Online Grocery Technology, Wholesaler/Distributor News
AFS Uses Technology To Simplify Print Advertising For Independents
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and eComSystems are teaming up make print advertising easier for independent grocers. The Salt Lake City-based wholesaler partnered with the technology firm in 2013 to create AFS AdStudio, a custom advertising development and production program that allows retailers to quickly and easily build custom weekly ads. Since then, the companies have worked together […]
Posted inStore News, Amazon Fresh, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Suppliers, Whole Foods
NPD Group Says ‘Millions’ Will Increase Their Virtual Shopping This Year
The internet is quickly becoming the virtual grocery store for many U.S. consumers with 52 million currently grocery shopping online, finds a new study from The NPD Group, a Chicago-based global information company. According to the report, 20 million consumers who are current, lapsed or new to online grocery shopping plan to increase their virtual […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National
Albertsons Touts Accomplishments On Two-Year Anniversary Of Safeway Acquisition
Albertsons Cos. says it has grown its workforce by 10 percent, creating 26,000 jobs, since it acquired Safeway two years ago. In addition, the grocery chain says it has built or acquired 174 locations; increased healthy food and financial donations; and elevated its commitment to sustainability. “We added an exceptional class of talented employees to […]
Posted inSuppliers, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology, Store News
Online Food Shopping Forecasted To Reach ‘Digital Maturity’ In The U.S. Within Next Decade
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Nielsen on Monday released a preview of their “Digitally Engaged Food Shopper” analysis. The unveiling came at the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. The introductory set of insights from this joint, multi-year initiative offers a comprehensive look into the behaviors, motivations and expectations of the digitally engaged food shopper. […]
Posted inShelby Signature Content, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Market Profile, Shelby Content, Southwest
Q&A With ‘Joe The Grocer,’ A Man ‘Too Ornery To Die’
Joseph Welsh is a lifelong grocer with nearly 40 years of experience, holding virtually every position there is in a retail operation and many at the wholesale level. He got his start in the family business, which first was established in 1926 in El Paso, Texas. Welsh made the decision to sell the business after […]
Posted inC-Store News, Home Page Latest News, National, Supply Chain News, Wholesaler/Distributor News
McLane Inks Deal To Serve All Of Kroger Co.’s C-Store Business
McLane Co., providing grocery and foodservice supply chain solutions, has reached a service agreement with Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. and its 787 convenience stores across 19 states. Kroger’s c-store banners include Loaf ‘N Jug, Turkey Hill Minit Market, Tom Thumb, Kwik Shop and Quik Stop. Core-Mark currently serves the majority (680 units) of Kroger’s c-stores; that […]
Posted inBakery News, Deli News, Food Service News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, Perishables, Produce News
Top Trends In Fresh Foods For 2017 To Be Revealed At FMI Midwinter This Weekend
Food retailers know the retail landscape is changing, particularly as the store perimeter plays a bigger role in grocery trips, but do they know how to respond to those changes? The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and its Fresh Executive Committee have teamed up with IRI for the second consecutive year to highlight the trends that will have […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Midwest
Save-A-Lot Operator The Janes Group Recognized With OGA’s Pinnacle Award
The Ohio Grocers Association (OGA) on Tuesday presented its large operator Pinnacle Award to Joe Janes and The Janes Group, which operates 18 properties throughout the state—including 15 Save-A-Lot stores, the Corner Market off Charleston Pike in Chillicothe and two convenience stores. The Pinnacle Award, based on operational excellence and significant contribution to Ohio’s food industry, is […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Southeast, Store News
Kroger Names New President For Mid-Atlantic Division As Fey Readies To Retire
The Kroger Co.’s Mid-Atlantic Division President Joe Fey will retire Feb. 10 after more than four decades with the grocer. Jerry Clontz, currently SVP of operations for the company’s Harris Teeter subsidiary, will succeed him. The supermarket chain’s Mid-Atlantic Division is based in Roanoke, Virginia; it includes the Richmond, Roanoke, Hampton Roads/Virginia Beach areas of […]
Posted inStore News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National
Kroger Looks To Hire 10,000 Across Supermarket Divisions
The Kroger Co. says it is hiring to fill an estimated 10,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions. “Kroger’s growth trajectory continues to create opportunities for our people to advance their careers—and to do that in a fun, team environment with great benefits,” said Tim Massa, Kroger’s group VP of human resources and labor relations. […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, West
Save-A-Lot Shuttering Operations In California, Nevada
Save-A-Lot will close all of its stores in California and Nevada. The company, which Supervalu sold to an affiliate of Onex Corp. for $1.365 billion in cash in December, said in a statement Jan. 19 that the decision was made “after rigorous review and analysis.” Thirteen corporate locations, a retailer-owned store and the company’s Rancho distribution […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Center Store, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Marketing News, Merchandising News, Southwest, Suppliers
Big Red, Kroger And Weber Kicked Up Summer Sales
Austin, Texas-based beverage company Big Red reports that its “100 Days of BBQ” summer retail promotion and marketing campaign in Kroger stores in Louisville, Kentucky—with help from Weber—generated a 15.7 percent sales increase in dollars. The goal? A 10 percent increase. Big Red hosted Weber Mobile Grill Academy classes at the Kroger stores as part of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
The Fresh Market Launches New Website
North Carolina-based The Fresh Market has introduced a new website, featuring easier navigation and making “it easy to find the information you want, no matter where you are or how you’re browsing,” according to the grocer. Some of the site’s features include easy access to view top weekly specials and pricing on “Fresh Deals,” the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Midwest
Ohio’s Raisin Rack Natural Food Market Wins Top Grocer Award
The Ohio Grocers Association (OGA) on Wednesday presented its Pinnacle Award to two-store operator Raisin Rack Natural Food Market of Canton and Westerville, Ohio. The Pinnacle Award, based on operational excellence and significant contribution to Ohio’s food industry, is given annually to both a small operator and a large operator. Founder and owner Don Caster opened […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, International Foods, Specialty, West
Zion Market Debuts New-Concept Asian Grocery Store In Irvine
Zion Market will open its first Zion Mart store in Irvine on Wednesday with a soft opening. An official grand opening celebration will be held Feb. 16. The new store at Parkview Center will be a prototype for the family-owned and -operated Zion Market, which operates five locations in Southern California, including Buena Park and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, Executive News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Nonfood Items, Southeast, Store News, Women In The News
Southeastern Grocers Taps Former Ahold USA Leader To Lead Pharmacy Operations
Southeastern Grocers has hired Gayle Shields as the company’s new VP of pharmacy. Shields will be responsible for overseeing the day-to- day and strategic operations of the company’s several hundred pharmacy locations throughout the Southeast. For nearly 30 years, Shields has worked in the pharmacy industry in various positions for Allied Health, Maxor National Pharmacy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Market Profile, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, Southwest
New Mexico Profile: Lowe’s Signature Market In Alamogordo Is The ‘Nicest Store In The State’ By Design
by Terrie Ellerbee/editor-Southwest Lowe’s Signature Market is not just the nicest store in the Lowe’s Market lineup. It is the nicest store in New Mexico. Officially celebrated with a grand reopening in the summer of 2015, the ideas that turned the Alamogordo location into a Signature store started percolating well before then. “It took us […]