New research from Conduent Inc., a digital interactions company, finds that despite increased options for digital customer communications, brands’ ability to meet consumer expectations for sales, service and experience is declining. Conduent’s Consumer Experience Report found the stakes are high: 58 percent of customers in the retail, technology, communications and media industries report they are […]
Category: National
Posted inDairy News, Association News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
Dairy Groups Applaud Updated NAFTA Pact, Urge Congressional Approval
The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) on Nov. 30 commended the Trump Administration for signing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which had been agreed to in principle in September. According to NMPF and USDEC, the pact will benefit America’s dairy sector by maintaining the overall U.S.-Mexico trading structure of […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National
Chef Robert Irvine To Emcee FMI Midwinter Fundraiser
Chef and culinary personality Robert Irvine will take the stage to emcee the “Stir It Up!” fundraising event at FMI’s Midwinter Executive Conference on Jan. 27 in Miami, Florida. The event will support the FMI Foundation and its growing family meals movement. “Chef Irvine may be best known for his Food Network shows, Dinner Impossible, Restaurant Impossible, and Worst […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, National
GMA President and CEO: ‘GMA’s Best Days Are Ahead’
by Geoff Freeman/Grocery Manufacturers Association president and CEO My first 100 days at GMA have been productive—listening to voices across the industry, identifying areas of common cause and putting in place a high-performing team. Day-by-day, with the help of new senior leadership, we are pivoting from defense to offense. We have analyzed critical functions, targeted […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, Dairy News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
IDDBA Seeks Competitors For 24th Annual Cake Decorating Challenge
The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) 24th annual Cake Decorating Challenge is approaching. The event will take place during IDDBA 19 in Orlando, Florida, June 2-4. Contestants will compete in a three-day event where they craft and decorate a variety of specialty cakes ranging in size, theme and shape. This challenge is open to supermarket decorators, and contestants will […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, C-Store News, Center Store, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Merchandising News, National
Mars Wrigley: Lead With Chocolate & Gum To Increase Confectionery Shopability
At Mars Wrigley, the fundamental belief is that by growing the confectionery category, everyone wins. Shaf Lalani, VP of customer experience, said the company did an extensive survey over the last year and a half, looking at consumers’ behaviors, usage and attitude toward the category as well as their shopping behaviors. “It’s been a rich […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Nonfood Items, Produce News, Specialty
Expanded NGA Show Floor Will Feature Seven Specialty Pavilions
The 2019 NGA Show, which will be held Feb. 24-27 at the San Diego Convention Center in San Diego, California, will feature seven specialty pavilions. According to the National Grocers Association (NGA), this feature of the expanded show floor will provide attendees opportunities to make connections with exhibitors and learn about the latest developments in […]
Posted inSustainability News, Giant Food, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Suppliers
Seven Conagra Facilities Achieve 95 Percent Waste Diversion
Conagra Brands is recognizing seven facilities that have diverted more than 95 percent of materials that would have otherwise been sent to landfills. These facilities are Conagra’s 2018 Zero Waste Champions, and they are critical in leading the company’s waste reduction and recycling programs, the company says. “Conagra Brands is dedicated to keeping unavoidable waste […]
Posted inAssociation News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Nonfood Items, Store News
NACS, CVS Respond To FDA’s E-Cigarette, Menthol Regulations
The FDA has released proposed regulations on the retail sale of flavored electronic cigarette products and a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes. Early reports suggested the FDA would prohibit convenience stores from selling flavored vaping e-cigarette products. An initial reading of the proposal suggests the agency is calling for vaping flavors (melon, cucumber, etc.) to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Supply Chain News
Mercatus And DoorDash Partner To Offer White Label Grocery Delivery
Mercatus, a provider of digital solutions for grocery, has partnered with DoorDash, a last-mile logistics company, to offer a wider range of delivery capabilities to grocers and retailers. Coupled with DoorDash, Mercatus Dispatch—Mercatus’ white label delivery solution—will empower retailers to not only deliver core grocery items, but also open new delivery use cases for hot and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Private Label Brands
PLMA’s Sharoff: Private Label Trade Show Exceeded Expectations
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) held its annual Private Label Trade Show in Chicago, Illinois, Nov. 11-13. Brian Sharoff, PLMA president, spoke to The Shelby Report at the show, which, once again, exceeded his expectations, he said. “In terms of attendance, number of exhibitors (the show) is very, very good this year,” he said. […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, National
Survey: Shoppers Overwhelmingly Prefer Grocery Stores To Buying Food Online
Despite an abundance of new options for buying groceries online, American consumers still overwhelmingly prefer to do their shopping in stores, according to a new survey sponsored by Vixxo, a facilities management company. The research also found that providing an exceptional in-store experience and high-quality food are key drivers for keeping supermarket customers happy and loyal. […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, National, Suppliers
Nielsen Recognizes 25 Products That Reshaped The Consumer Landscape
Whether it was Halo Top’s nutritionally better-for-you ice cream, Lifewtr’s commitment to advancing and showcasing sources of creativity, Core Hydration’s body-balancing benefits or the thinning of Oreo’s classic cookie sandwich—endurance, sales and product distinction were some of the catalysts that led to the success reflected in Nielsen’s 2018 Top 25 Breakthrough Innovations list for the […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National
FMI Foundation, SQFI Award 15 Food Safety Auditing Scholarships
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation in conjunction with the Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), recognized 15 recipients of the 2018 Food Safety Auditing Scholarship and Education Travel Grant at the SQF International Conference. The scholarship recognizes exemplary students enrolled in a university food and agricultural science program who are interested in pursuing a career in food systems auditing. The FMI […]
Posted inGrocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Produce News, Suppliers
Import Berry Season Has Begun For Crystal Valley Foods
Crystal Valley Foods has started the first shipments of imported blueberries for the 2018 season. The company planned to ship Peruvian grown berries through mid-November, and Argentinian blueberries through mid-December. Its first of the Chilean grown fruit is anticipated to arrive by air in early December, with containers arriving mid-December through March. They also will […]
Posted inDeli News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National
Bringing Deli To The People: Volume 2
Sponsored content Be Original: Gilroy Garlic Festival by Brad Bennett/channel marketing manager, deli, Tyson Foods Inc. At the office we often focus on how shoppers react to deli in the store, but I wanted to seek out new and exciting ways to take deli out of the store and deliver it to consumers. Shoppers told us […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, New Products, Suppliers
Stouffer’s Launches Meal Kits In The Frozen Aisle Nationwide
Stouffer’s has begun rolling out its new Complete Family Meal Kits, customizable kits available without a subscription, to retailers across the U.S. Complete Family Meal Kits ingredients come pre-chopped, pre-measured, and the meals are ready in less than 25 minutes. They are available in four varieties: Roasted Tuscan Style Chicken, Braised Pork, Beef & Broccoli […]
Posted inFood Service News, Guest Contributors, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Content
Discover Gold In ‘Customer Zones’: A Proven Strategy To Increase Foodservice Sales
by Howland Blackiston/principal, King-Casey My July article in The Shelby Report pointed out that grocery stores and supermarkets could learn a lot from QSRs and fast-casual restaurant competitors as they entered the “brave, new world of branded, proprietary food offerings.” Specifically, they needed to (1) develop a menu strategy; (2) commit to continuous innovation; and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, National, Organic Natural, Store News, Whole Foods
Amazon Expands Whole Foods Grocery Pickup To Eight More Cities
Amazon on Nov. 7 expanded grocery pickup from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now to eight more cities, including Birmingham, Colorado Springs, Long Island, Milwaukee, Salt Lake City, San Antonio, Tacoma and Tulsa. Prime members in those cities now have the option to shop Whole Foods online and pick up their order in as little […]
Posted inSuppliers, Albertsons, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, Marketing News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, New Products
Jimmy Dean Launches ‘Egg’wich’ With Petition To Change Definition Of Sandwich
Jimmy Dean has launched its first breadless sandwich, the Jimmy Dean Delights Egg’wich, made with breakfast sausage and cheese between two egg frittatas. The Egg’wiches are available in three varieties: Broccoli Cheese—Chicken sausage and cheese between broccoli and cheese egg frittata Bacon, Spinach, Onion—Turkey sausage and cheese between bacon, spinach, caramelized onion and parmesan egg frittata Ham, […]