Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest

Fresh Encounter Acquires Chief Super Market Chain

Fresh Encounter, headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire the Defiance, Ohio-based Chief Super Market chain. The acquisition incorporates all Chief Super Market retail locations—Boots BBQ, Chief Kitchen and Chief Smokehouse—into the Fresh Encounter retail business. The combined companies will operate 36 stores in Ohio and Indiana and employ approximately […]

Posted in, Midwest, Perishables, Suppliers

Sushi Maker Opening New Manufacturing Facility In Chicago

Fuji Food Products, a fresh food manufacturing division of Meruelo Group and the largest provider and distributor of pre-packaged sushi in the U.S., is opening a new manufacturing facility in South Elgin, Illinois, near Chicago. Set to be fully operational in December, the 40,000-s.f. plant located on Schneider Drive will produce and specialize in fresh, […]

Posted in, Corporate Store News, Midwest

Supervalu Building Test Kitchens In Hopkins, Minnesota

Supervalu Inc. has begun expanding its research and development operations in the west metro, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports. The Eden Prairie, Minnesota-based grocer and wholesaler is building out a 9,000-s.f. addition to its offices at Highway 169 and 300 Second Avenue S. in Hopkins. The facility will be home to Supervalu’s test kitchens, […]

Posted in, Grocery Industry, Independent Store News, Midwest, Suppliers

Dahl’s Foods Files For Reorganization, Will Be Bought By AWG

Dahl’s Foods has filed a voluntary Chapter 11 petition for reorganization in Des Moines, Iowa. Chapter 11 provides a process by which companies can reorganize and obtain necessary financing to complete a restructuring of its business while continuing regular business operations. The process does not affect Dahl’s store operations. All Dahl’s locations will continue to […]

Posted in, Corporate Store News, Grocery Industry, Midwest

Roundy’s Net Sales Up 16% In Busy Third Quarter

Net sales from continuing operations increased 16.4 percent to $973.8 million during Roundy’s Inc.’s third quarter ended Sept. 27. That reflects an increase of $137.3 million vs. the third quarter of fiscal 2013 due primarily to new and acquired stores, partially offset by a decrease in same-store sales. Same-store sales from continuing operations declined 2.7 percent. The company saw a 5.2 […]

Posted in, Corporate Store News, Grocery Industry, Midwest, Suppliers

SpartanNash Comparable Stores Sales Increase 0.4%

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 […]

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, Independent Store News, Midwest

Crumbs Bake Shop Test Piloting New Concept Inside Mariano’s Westchester Store

Retail chain Crumbs Bake Shop will open a test pilot concept in the Mariano’s store in Westchester, Illinois, on Tuesday. Plans are in place to offer a fresh sweets and snack bar featuring 25 flavors of Crumbs branded cupcakes and 15 varieties of brownies. Under the direction of new owner Marcus Lemonis, entrepreneur and host […]