Supervalu announced today that it would close its Xenia, Ohio, distribution center by October. The shutter will cost 120 people their jobs. The Ohio center will consolidate into a larger center based in Fort Wayne, Ind. “Supervalu regularly reviews its business operations and made the decision to consolidate these distribution centers to improve operating efficiency […]
Category: Midwest
The Shelby Report of the Midwest covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Posted in, Albertsons, Midwest, National
Former Meijer Exec Holt Replacing Van Helden at Supervalu
Pete Van Helden, EVP of retail operations, will leave Supervalu this spring. The Eden Prairie, Minn.-based company said in a new release that the decision was “mutually beneficial” and that it “comes at the right time … as the company continues to implement its business transformation strategy. “Pete has been a passionate leader of our […]
Posted in, Midwest
Wisconsin Potatoes Looking for Best Camping Recipes
Potatoes are a no-fuss veggie: packed with nutrition and easy to prepare in advance or on the spot. The Wisconsin Potato and Vegetable Growers Association (WPVGA) is looking for your favorite easy-to-make Wisconsin potato camping recipes; recipes that can be prepared in advance or at the campground. Hot or cold dish, it doesn’t matter. WPVGA […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Midwest, National
Jurgens: FMI 2012 ‘Phenomenal’
Ric Jurgens, CEO of Iowa-based Hy-Vee until he retires June 1, spoke to The Shelby Report’s Geoff Welch at FMI 2012 The Food Retail Show on May 2. Jurgens, who is past chair of the FMI board of directors, said response to the show has been phenomenal. “As a board member, I’m extremely proud of […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, New Products, Southwest, West
New Functional Brews Set To Roll Out For Bean & Body Coffee
Good just got better with the introduction of three new flavors from Bean & Body Coffee, an ultra-premium RTD functional coffee blend. The flavors joining the current line-up are Vegan, Horchata and Coconut. “We are really excited about the new flavors and what they will bring to the category,” said Erin Kelly, VP of marketing […]
Posted in, Midwest, West
Apio Acquires Green Bean Processor
Fresh-cut vegetable producer Apio Inc. has acquired GreenLine Foods Inc. from The Riverside Co., a global private equity firm. Perrysburg, Ohio-based GreenLine Foods is a leading processor and marketer of value-added, fresh-cut green beans in North America, according to Apio, which is based in Guadalupe, Calif. “U.S. consumer demand for the convenience of fresh-cut green […]
Posted in, Midwest, National, Southeast, Southwest
Former Fleming Chief Dies At 82
Elwyn Dean Werries, who spent nearly 40 years with grocery wholesaler Fleming Cos., died April 25 following a period of declining health. He was 82. Werries was born May 8, 1929, in Tescott, Kan. At the age of eight he began his business career at his Uncle Will’s grocery store in Tescott. He graduated high […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Midwest, New Products, Perishables, Suppliers
Differentiating The Dairy Case: Benelact Launching New Line
Benelact Dairy is introducing the world’s first all-natural, reduced cholesterol dairy foods. At the FMI 2012 show in Dallas, Texas, April 30-May 3, the company will launch a line of butter and several cheese varieties with one-third less cholesterol than traditional butter and cheese. Branded and private label products are available globally. Benelact Dairy foods […]
Posted inLipari Foods, Midwest
Lipari Foods Acquires Ohio-Based I&K Distributors
Michigan-based Lipari Foods has acquired its longtime competitor I&K Distributors of Delphos, Ohio. It is the first step toward Lipari’s goals to grow as a regional distributor and ultimately to become a national distributor with other locations, Thom Lipari, president and CEO, told The Shelby Report’s Geoff Welch at the company’s spring show on April […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, New Products
Four Loko Debuts Three New Flavors
Chicago-based Phusion Projects LCC has announced the arrival of its latest Four Loko XXX Limited Edition flavor—Strawberry Lemonade—and two new Four Loko flavors, Coco Loko and Peach. The three products will begin appearing on store shelves later this month. Strawberry Lemonade replaces the current Four Loko XXX Limited Edition flavor, Blueberry Lemonade. Four Loko’s XXX […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, National, West
Lagunitas To Build Brewery In Chicago, Go National
By next year, it should be easier to get a Lagunitas India pale ale in the Windy City, and other areas of the East and Midwest. The San Francisco Business Times reports that Lagunitas Brewing Co., a craft beer brewer based in Petaluma, Calif., plans to spend up to $18 million to build a second […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Kroger Completes Big Debt Deal
The Kroger Co. struggled to sell $850 million in a two-part debt deal Tuesday, Dow Jones Newswires reports. Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger sold $500 million of 10-year bonds and $350 million of 30-year bonds. The company had aimed to sell between $800 million and $1 billion, hoping for a yield of 5 percent on the 30-year […]
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, Midwest
April is Love Your Produce Manager Month at Schnucks
From April 8-May 5, all Schnucks, Logli and Hilander shoppers are invited to stop by their local produce department and vote for their favorite produce manager via a special text message poll. Shoppers are asked to send a text message with their store’s special keyword—found on in-store signage—to a designated number throughout the month. The […]
Posted in, Midwest, Organic Natural
Hy-Vee Celebrates Laugh Out Loud Day
Laughter is said to be the best medicine and April 2 was Iowa’s first-ever L-O-L Day, or Laugh Out Loud Day. It was part of Iowa’s effort to become the healthiest state in the nation, reports Radio Iowa. Iowans were encouraged to forward a joke, tell a funny story, even to bring a whoopie cushion […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Midwest, New Products
New Ultra 19th Hole Light Tea & Lemonade Hits Shelves
Just in time for summer, Michelob Ultra—the superior light beer—is introducing Ultra 19th Hole Light Tea & Lemonade, an iced tea and lemonade-flavored alcohol beverage inspired by the golf course classic. Available nationwide for a limited time, Ultra 19th Hole is a lighter alternative to traditional flavored malt beverages that is perfectly suited for an […]
Posted in, Midwest
Cornell’s SuperCenter Wins Grocer Award
On March 30, 2012, the Ohio Grocers Association presented its Pinnacle Award to Cornell’s SuperCenter of Shelby. The Pinnacle Award, based on operational excellence and significant contribution to Ohio’s food industry, is given annually to both a single-store operator and a multi-store operation. The Cornell family has served the Shelby area since 1932, when 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, Midwest, National
Roundy’s Appoints Retail Veteran Josefowicz To Board
On March 29, Milwaukee-based Roundy’s Inc. announced the election of Gregory P. Josefowicz to its board of directors. Josefowicz brings to the board more than 30 years of executive leadership in the retail industry, including significant experience in food retail. As a former president and CEO for two large retail companies, and as an active […]