SpartanNash Co.’s financial results for the 12-week third quarter ended Oct. 4 reflect an increase in comparable stores sales of 0.4 percent, as well as the continuing impact of the November 2013 merger of Spartan Stores and Nash Finch Co. Net sales increased 187.2 percent to $1.81 billion vs. $630.1 million a year ago, primarily […]
Category: Industry News
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, Midwest, Suppliers
Rural Minnesota Company’s Product One Of Oprah’s ‘Favorite Things’
Annie B’s, a small, family-owned company in Minnesota, has been given a gift itself: Its wooden box of caramels has been chosen as one of Oprah’s “Favorite Things” for 2014. The rustic gift box is filled with 35 caramels and is available in Original; Sea Salt Caramel; or assorted, which includes Original, Sea Salt Caramel […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Perishables
Unilever U.S. Revamping Buttery Spreads Portfolio
Unilever U.S. says it is transforming its current buttery spreads portfolio, beginning with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter!, into new recipes made with real, simple ingredients like a blend of plant-based oils, purified water and a pinch of salt—and no artificial preservatives. The transformation of the spreads portfolio is part of what Unilever calls its […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Industry News, Northeast, Southwest, Suppliers
C&S Wholesale Grocers To Acquire The Grocers Supply Co.
C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. and The Grocers Supply Co. Inc. said Monday that C&S has agreed to acquire the wholesale distribution and supply business of Grocers Supply. The acquisition will include Grocers Supply’s warehouse and distribution operations in the Houston, Dallas and Rio Grande Valley areas along with its approximately 1,800 employees, but will not include […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Perishables
Fazoli’s Launches New Retail Product Line
Fazoli’s, the Italian quick-service restaurant chain, is rolling out five new snacks and appetizers at retail. The line includes Mozzarella Stuffed Mini Breadsticks, Parmesan Boneless Chicken Nuggets, Chicken Alfredo Flatbread, Lasagna Fritta and Six Cheese Toasted Ravioli. Sizes range from 8.5-11 oz. The products are available now in the frozen food sections of participating grocers. […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Organic Natural
BrandStorm Launching New Natierra Superfoods Brand
BrandStorm Inc. is unveiling a new umbrella brand for its lines of superfoods, gourmet salts and on-the-go snacks. Inspired by CEO Thierry Olliver’s decade of world travels, Natierra not only harmonizes Himalania and Nature’s All Foods product lines, it fuses the spirit of adventure and the celebration of health and community to bring conscious consumers […]
Posted in, Industry News, West
C.H. Robinson Will Manage New Robinson Fresh Ops Facility In Calif.
C.H. Robinson has begun operations out of a new, state-of-the-art facility in Corona, California, in order to provide Robinson Fresh customers with expanded and efficient supply chain solutions. The service center has more than 187,000 s.f. of warehouse space that includes more than 135,000 s.f. of temperature-controlled operations, eight cold rooms with varying temperature zones, […]
Posted in, Merchandising News, National, Produce News, Southeast, Store News
Pear Bureau Northwest Crowns Publix As Pear Retailer Of The Year
Pear Bureau Northwest, the Portland-based nonprofit marketing organization that represents the 1,600 fresh pear growers of Oregon and Washington, has named Publix as the 2014 Pear Retailer of the Year for its outstanding pear merchandising activities. Publix is being recognized with this award for its successful implementation of pear merchandising tactics that resulted in substantial increases […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Industry News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Mi Pueblos In NorCal Offering All Western Union Services
Mi Pueblo Food Centers has partnered with Western Union to offer shoppers access to Western Union Money Transfer®, money order and bill payment. The services are available at Mi Pueblo stores in the Bay Area, Monterey Peninsula and Central Valley of California. The collaboration is part of Western Union’s efforts to strengthen its independent retail […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Organic Natural
House Foods Intros ‘Biggest Loser’-Branded Packaging For Tofu Shirataki Noodles
House Foods, a premium tofu purveyor since 1983, has unveiled a new look for its category-leading Tofu Shirataki noodles. The noodles now feature branding from NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” to encourage consumers to eat consciously and get in shape like the contestants on the show. “The Biggest Loser has been integral in showing Americans how to […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Holiday Shopping Spend Forecasted To Be Down As Shoppers Remain Cautious
The 2014 holiday shopping season will be characterized by cautious spending, while economic realities bifurcate the American holiday shopper. These are two of the 10 big trends that are expected to drive the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new report from PwC US and Strategy&, titled “2014 Holiday Outlook: Top trends, consumer behaviors […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Merchandising News, Midwest, National
Martha Stewart To Keynote PLMA Trade Show Next Month
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has revealed its slate of speakers and seminars for its 2014 “Store Brands Reality Trade Show,” to be held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago. Headlining the program will be a keynote speech by Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Emmy Award-winning television show host, entrepreneur, best-selling author and […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, Southeast
J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida Named 2014 Craft Beer Distributor Of The Year
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) have recognized J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida Inc. of Tampa, Florida, as the 2014 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year. The award, now in its eighth year, recognizes the beer distribution company that does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer. NBWA and BA presented […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National
Study Reveals Consumers Actually Enjoy Grocery Shopping
While American consumers have traditionally viewed grocery shopping as a mundane chore, new research from Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, reveals most shoppers now like to grocery shop. According to Acosta’s latest “The Why? Behind the Buy” report released last week, 54 percent […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Merchandising News, National, Perishables, Produce News
NatureSweet Tomatoes Partners With Susan G. Komen For Third Year
To show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NatureSweet Tomatoes is continuing its partnership with Susan G. Komen and the fight to end breast cancer. NatureSweet will feature limited edition pink packaging nationwide through October 31 and will donate $100,000 regardless of sales. The in-store pink packaging and promotional materials will be featured on NatureSweet SunBursts […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News
Sun-Maid Raisins, Chiquita Banana Bread Mix Launch ‘Sweeter-Together’ Campaign
Sun-Maid Raisins and Concord Foods are partnering on a new promotion, Sweeter Together, for the holidays. Through December, a range of recipes featuring Sun-Maid Raisins and Chiquita Banana Bread Mix will be available to consumers online at Sweeter-Together.com. In addition, instant redeemable coupons (IRC) for $0.55 off the purchase of Sun-Maid Raisins (12-oz. or larger) […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, National, Northeast, Online Grocery Technology
Peapod Turns 25 This Year, Celebrates Many Firsts
In 1989, brothers Thomas and Andrew Parkinson were developing a new way to shop. With DOS programming software, dial-up modems and floppy disks, they created Peapod.com, and shopping from a computer for home-delivered goods was born. Peapod was the first online grocery service to offer customers first in Chicago and later in 23 other U.S. […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Ocean Mist Farms Honored For Innovation In Water Reuse
Ocean Mist Farms was honored by the WateReuse Association and Research Foundation for its unique and successful water reuse partnerships at the 2014 One Water Innovations Gala on Sept. 28 in New Orleans. “The WateReuse Association and Research Foundation works to promote water sustainability through research and education,” said Mike McCullough, the recycled water program […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Original Light Beer Returns To Original Look On All Fronts
This fall, Miller Lite is returning to its original look on all packaging and across all marketing materials. “The decision to bring back our original look was an important one for this brand,” said Miller Lite Senior Marketing Director Ryan Reis. “It’s authentic, proud and highlights what has always been true about Miller Lite since […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Marketing News, Midwest, Perishables
Kroger Headquarters Building Goes Pink For Fifth Year
Kroger and Yoplait are partnering for the fifth year with the annual Sharing Courage campaign. Throughout October, Kroger will keep its headquarters in Cincinnati pink and display a 150-ft. promotional banner to show its support for fighting breast cancer. As part of the campaign, Yoplait, a General Mills brand, is partnering with Kroger to donate $20,000 to […]