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

Harris Poll Study Identifies Brands With Staying Power

According to Harris Poll, 15 brands hold an eight-time consecutive run at the top of the 23rd annual EquiTrend study that measures equity of more than 1,500 brands across 127 categories. Within this list are “mega-brands” that in essence came to define their respective categories, like Coca-Cola, Oreos, Gatorade, Subway Restaurants and Life Savers. All […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National, Perishables

Midan Marketing Maps Out Seven Meat Industry Trends

Midan Marketing has released the first report in “The Consumers’ Case,” the marketer’s ongoing effort to help the meat industry keep its pulse on the ever-changing consumer and meet their needs. From Midan Marketing’s webinar on March 20, seven trends emerged, with corresponding implications for grocers. Non-Existent “Average” Consumer In today’s changing world, there is […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Kraft Foods Changing Its Name

The name “Kraft Foods” has been around for decades, but the maker of all sorts of cereals, snacks and other well-known food products says it’s time to go in another direction, starting with a name change, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Pending shareholder approval, Kraft Foods will become Mondelez International. The company, which is splitting into […]

Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Marketing News, National, Whole Foods

Report: Sam’s Club, Aldi, Publix, H-E-B Have Most Loyal Customers

A new research report published by Temkin Group, “2012 Temkin Loyalty Ratings,” indicates that only seven companies—four of which are grocery retailers—earned “very strong” loyalty ratings: Sam’s Club, Aldi, USAA, Publix, credit unions, Amazon.com, and H-E-B. At the other end of the spectrum, 37 companies earned “very weak” loyalty ratings. The research examines consumer loyalty […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National, Shelby Content

FMI, GMDC Partner on Health and Wellness Conference

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Global Market Development Center (GMDC) plans to partner in offering a comprehensive conference in 2013 focused on health, beauty and wellness. The FMI and GMDC event will take place May 31-June 4, 2013, at the JW Marriott Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. Food retailers and wholesalers, health and beauty […]

Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Marketing News, National, Suppliers

Packaging & The Environment: Shoppers Say, ‘Please Help Me!’

In the most recent research conducted by Perception Research Services, shoppers demonstrate that they are interested in choosing environmentally friendly packaging. Significantly more shoppers say they would like to choose environmentally friendly packaging compared to 2010 (36 percent vs. 28 percent), with fully half still willing to pay more (despite the economy). This is especially […]

Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National

Study: Consumers Will Pay More For A ‘Made In The U.S.A’ Label

New research published in the Journal of International Marketing shows that consumers are willing to pay a premium for products made in countries with favorable reputations. “Our findings show that consumers not only prefer and assign a higher value to branded products from a country of origin with a favorable country image but also are […]

Posted in, Marketing News, West

Integrated Cinco De Mayo Program Kicks Off California Avocado Season

With 81 million pounds of avocados forecast to be consumed for Cinco de Mayo festivities, the event is shaping up to move even more fruit than February’s “Big Game.” The California Avocado Commission (CAC) plans to kick off its spring-through-early-fall season with a strong Cinco de Mayo program that integrates consumer advertising, public relations outreach, […]

Posted in, Marketing News, West

Pear Bureau Northwest Holds Seasonal Display Contest

Reminding retailers and consumers alike that pears are a fresh choice during the winter months, Pear Bureau Northwest is holding a nationwide display contest to encourage retailers to creatively promote U.S.A.Pears. Independent retailers participating in the Winter Festival Display Contest will maintain a winter-themed pear display in their stores for a minimum of two weeks […]

Posted in, Marketing News, Southwest

ConAgra Foods Awards MarketVision Hispanic Marketing Contract

ConAgra Foods has awarded its Hispanic shopper marketing and consumer promotions contract to San Antonio, Texas, marketing agency MarketVision, the San Antonio Business Journal reports. MarketVision will be involved in all marketing efforts for Hispanic-focused ConAgra products from strategy to execution. ConAgra selected the firm following a competitive request for proposals. “ConAgra Foods understands the […]

Posted in, Marketing News, Midwest, Southeast

Chiquita Replaces CFO, Posts $16M Loss In 4Q

Chiquita Brands International Inc., which is moving its headquarters to Charlotte, N.C., from Cincinnati, Ohio, says Brian Kocher will replace Michael Sims as the company’s CFO. The Charlotte Business Journal reports that Sims is leaving Chiquita this month to become CFO of AdvancePierre, a Cincinnati-based producer of cooked protein and sandwich products. Chiquita is promoting […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Nikos Feta to ‘Add a Little Opa! to Dinner’ with Spring Promotion

Nikos® feta will bring hundreds of healthy meals to one lucky winner’s table through the award-winning brand’s newest promotion: “Add a Little ‘Opa!’ to Dinner.” This March and April, consumers are invited to visit www.NikosFeta.com to access a variety of recipes, serving suggestions and wine pairings that are designed to complement the flavors of Nikos […]

Posted in, Marketing News, National

Chao: Labor Concerns Threaten Economic Recovery

by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Heritage Foundation Fellow and Fox News contributor Elaine Chao spoke to Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Midwinter Conference attendees about current economic challenges and upcoming changes to union rules that could profoundly affect grocery store operators. She discussed actions developing on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and at the U.S. Department […]

Posted in, Marketing News, Southeast

Anheuser-Busch Joins Effort to Modernize Mississippi’s Beer Laws

Anheuser-Busch and its independent distributors in Mississippi have joined forces with Raise Your Pints and other members of the Mississippi Malt Beverage Association to support legislation that would raise the alcohol-by-weight (ABW) limit on beer made and sold in the state from 5 to 8 percent. Mississippi currently is the only state in the country […]