The onward march of the Chinese consumer continues, with China overtaking the U.S. as the biggest grocery market in the world in 2011, according to new research out of the United Kingdom. CNBC.com reports that the Chinese grocery sector was worth $970 billion at the end of 2011, while the U.S. market came in at […]
Category: Grocery Industry
Posted in, Midwest, Perishables
Murtha Wins 2012 Hy-Vee Cake Decorator Challenge
Amy Murtha of Belton, in her first Hy-Vee cake challenge finals, took home first place and $1,000 with a whimsical depiction of a garden that combined color and originality with oversized lady bugs, smiling snails and overturned clay pots. “It was a real shocker because I really didn’t expect to win,” Murtha said. “Amy’s Enchanted […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Midwest
Schnucks Now Offering Schnupons
St. Louis-based Schnucks now offers “Schnupons,” which customers can sign up for by texting the word “Schnucks” to the number 223344. Customers then receive a text message with an introduction to the program. Once in, customers automatically receive Schnupons that are redeemable at all Schnucks, Logli and Hilander locations. Customers show their phones to the […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Northeast, Perishables
Al Fresco All Natural Rolls Out New Smoked Andouille Chicken Sausage
al fresco All Natural—America’s No. 1 chicken sausage—is introducing its newest addition to its line of natural chicken sausage: Smoked Andouille. This new flavor is made with Cajun seasoning and lean chicken meat and then naturally hardwood smoked for a deep, rich spicy flavor. “We’re so excited to introduce our first smoked flavor to the […]
Posted in, Midwest, Perishables
Hy-Vee Reverses LFTB Decision
On March 22, Hy-Vee Inc. released a statement saying that it would no longer carry ground beef products containing lean finely textured beef (LFTB) because of “a loss of consumer confidence in the product.” But many customers told the West Des Moines-based company that they did want to be able to purchase the products, so […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
No. of Coupons in Grocery Down, HBC Up in 2011
In 2011, grocery product marketers reduced the total quantity of coupons in the marketplace, while HBC marketers maintained a steady volume of coupons to promote their products to frugal-minded shoppers, according to the 2012 Coupon Facts Report, issued by NCH Marketing Services, a Valassis company. A total of $470 billion in coupon value was offered […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Northeast
New Jersey’s Doherty Receives FMI Association Executive Award
Linda M. Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council (NJFC), received the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Donald H. MacManus Association Executive Award on March 28 in recognition of her outstanding leadership and accomplishments in the food distribution industry. The award was presented at FMI’s Day in Washington. “Linda works diligently to represent […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Southeast
Food Lion’s Brand Strategy Unveiled in Stores in Three States
On March 28 Food Lion launched its new brand strategy in 268 stores in Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina. The changes focus on lower prices on thousands of products, quality store brands, produce and a better overall shopping experience. These markets are the first stores in 2012 to unveil the new strategy, which Food […]