Grocery Industry News: Retail & Supply Chain Updates
Posted in, Marketing News, Southeast

Sweet Georgia Blues Move Ahead With New Campaign

The promotion and education of Georgia blueberries by the Georgia Blueberry Commission continues to move full-steam ahead as the third-largest producing state of blueberries is poised to grow even further in 2012. With an exciting new marketing campaign that includes representation by Southern Living cookbook author and chef, Rebecca Lang, as well as a relationship […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Anderson Will Lead Foundation for Industry Talent Board

The board of directors of the PMA’s Foundation for Industry Talent met to focus on the Foundation’s goals and objectives for 2012 and beyond at PMA’s 2011 Fresh Summit International Convention & Exposition in Atlanta. Chairman of the Board John Anderson, chairman, president and CEO of The Oppenheimer Group, Coquitlam, British Columbia, Canada, is joined […]

Posted inMidwest, Perishables

Heinen’s Fine Foods Goes High-Tech With Meat Labeling Program

Integrated Management Information Inc. and Heinen’s Fine Foods, a regional retailer with 17 locations in northeast Ohio, have launched the WhereFoodComesFrom® labeling program in the grocery chain’s meat department. The program is designed to give customers more information about the source and origin of Heinen’s Own Beef and Pork. IMI Global has created a new […]

Posted in, National, Perishables

Proposed Dairy Policy May Have Hidden Costs

A new study of the impacts of proposed dairy policy legislation on federal nutrition programs has found millions of dollars in hidden costs. Behind typical estimates of the price of the National Milk Producers Federation’s Foundation for the Future dairy policy ­proposal are large and unintended additional taxpayer costs, ­reductions in the effectiveness of federal […]

Posted in, National, Perishables

AFFI, USDA, FDA, Appliance Manufacturers to Launch ‘Cook it Safe’ Campaign

The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) and home appliance manufacturers to launch the “Cook it Safe” campaign. “Food safety has long been the number one priority for America’s frozen […]

Posted in, Grocery Store Layout, National

FMI Energy & Store Development Conference: Integrated Design Can Change Everything

Rocky Mountain Institute’s Hutchinson says ‘put doors on everything’ by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Grocers operate on paper-thin profit margins, and for the industry as a whole, those margins are trending smaller. Store profitability has slipped below 1 percent. Meanwhile, energy costs have, on average, risen well above 1 percent. Throw in the current regulatory environment, […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Schultz to Retire as Valassis CEO

Alan Schultz, who orchestrated an acquisition that doubled his company’s revenue and then later led it through a legal triumph over its archrival, will retire as president and CEO of Livonia, Mich.-based marketing giant Valassis Communications Inc. in December. Shultz, 52, will be replaced by longtime Valassis executive Rob Mason, the company said in a […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Garlich Named FMI Director of Media & Public Relations

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) announced July 27 the appointment of Heather Garlich as director of media & public relations. She will be responsible for managing communications outreach and information activities related to FMI’s strategic goals, including government relations, food safety, conferences and events and industry relations. “We are pleased to welcome Heather to the […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Mann Packing Promotes Vegetables on the Grill for Summer Cookouts

Mann Packing is partnering with the makers of Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil on a cross promotion, to encourage grilling vegetables this summer. Starting July 15, instant redeemable coupons for $1 off Reynolds Wrap® Non-Stick Foil products will be affixed to 12-oz. packages of Mann’s Vegetable Medley, Broccoli & Cauliflower, Broccoli & Carrots, Broccoli Wokly®, and […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

FMI Recognizes Three Store Managers for Service

The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) presented the 12th Annual Store Manager Awards at Future Connect in Dallas May 11. Finalists were selected based on stories submitted from their supervisors or store associates. The entries were judged on originality and creativity and the person’s impact on sales growth, customer satisfaction and community service. Winners are Shawn […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Empathize to Bridge the Gaps between Silos

by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor FMI Future Connect 2011 There will be a journey through hell, Peg Neuhauser, president of PCN Associates, assured Future Connect attendees. Neuhauser was among the top-ranked presenters from Future Connect 2009, and she was invited back. She presented “Smashing Silos—Part II.” Silos get in the way of interdepartmental collaboration, and silos […]