Fresh produce and floral professionals from across the supply chain and around the world will gather during the 2016 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Connections World Tour. The tour will kick off in Shanghai, China, in March and end in Santiago, Chile, in November. Overall, the tour includes stops in five of the seven continents […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
Groupon Names Top 10 Cities With The Friendliest Local Businesses
Groupon has unveiled its annual Best of Groupon collection, which celebrates local businesses across the country for outstanding service and the popularity of their Groupon campaigns. In recognition of this distinction, Groupon analyzed customer satisfaction ratings to determine which places had the friendliest local businesses in the nation. “Our annual Best of Groupon collection highlights […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Organic Natural, Store News, Suppliers
Winter Fancy Food Show Breaks Records
The 2016 Winter Fancy Food Show ended on a high note this month with the strongest attendance and largest exhibit space in the show’s 41-year history. The show is owned and produced by the Specialty Food Association. The sold-out exhibit halls were filled with new products, new brands and top-quality classics from 1,500 exhibitors from […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, National
Bristol Farms’ Davis Will Chair 2016-18 FMI Board, Other Officers Elected
Kevin Davis, chairman and CEO of Southern California’s Bristol Farms, has been elected chairman of the Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) board of directors, 2016-18. The group met today for its annual business meeting during the FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Miami. In addition to Davis, other 2016-18 officers are: • Fred Morganthall, EVP of retail […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, Industry News, Midwest, National
Profit Up, But IDs, Retail, Indy Business Sales Drop In Supervalu’s 3Q
Supervalu on Jan. 13 reported third quarter fiscal 2016 net sales of $4.11 billion and net earnings from continuing operations of $35 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, which included $11 million in after-tax charges and costs related to asset impairments, the potential separation of Save-A-Lot and employee severance. When adjusted for these items, third […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National, Store News
Walmart To Increase Pay For One Million Employees This Year
Just days after it announced that it would close 154 U.S. stores, Walmart says more than 1.2 million Walmart U.S. and Sam’s Club associates will receive a pay increase under the second phase of the company’s two-year, $2.7 billion investment in workers. The pay raise, which takes effect Feb. 20, will be one of the […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Eight O’Clock Relaunches 100% Colombian Peaks Coffee
Gourmet coffee brand Eight O’Clock is relaunching its award-winning 100% Colombian Peaks coffee, now 50% Rainforest Alliance Certified, and, as always, featuring 100% Colombian beans. Eight O’Clock has teamed up with the Rainforest Alliance to help to ensure its coffee beans are grown and harvested using environmentally and socially responsible practices. Available on grocery store […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Industry News, National
Walmart Closing 154 U.S. Stores
Walmart said Jan. 15 that it will close 269 stores globally; 154 of them are in the U.S. The U.S. stores that will close include the company’s 102 smallest format stores, Walmart Express, which had been in pilot since 2011. Walmart said it will instead focus on its supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and growing its e-commerce […]
Posted in, Aldi, Grocery News, National, Store News
Aldi Rolls Out ‘Refresh’ Offerings
To kick off the New Year, Aldi says it is giving customers more selections they can feel good about. The company now is offering increased organics and healthier options at checkout and exclusive brand food products free from ingredients customers worry about, the grocer says. “This time of year, I’m especially focused on looking for […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National, Store News
7-Eleven, Publix And Naifeh’s Sell Three Winning Powerball Tickets
While the identities of the three winners of Wednesday’s record $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot aren’t yet known, the stores that sold the prize tickets are. The tickets were sold in California, Florida and Tennessee. The California ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven in Chino Hills. Florida’s prize ticket was sold at a Publix grocery store in Melbourne […]
Posted in, Executive News, Independent Store News, National
NGA Promotes Four Executives
The National Grocers Association (NGA) on Jan. 11 announced the promotions of four of its staff members. NGA, an Arlington, Virginia-based national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, promoted Greg Ferrara to SVP-government relations and public affairs; Matthew Ott to COO; Maggie Lyons to senior director of government relations; and Laura Strange to senior […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Executive News, National
Family Dollar’s Levine Leaving With Dollar Tree Integration Complete
Dollar Tree said Friday that Howard R. Levine has completed his role in the integration of Family Dollar and Dollar Tree and is stepping down as an officer of the company, effective Jan. 15. On July 6, 2015, Dollar Tree completed its acquisition of more than 8,200 Family Dollar stores across 46 states. The company […]
Posted in, Center Store, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
Campbell Pushes Hard For National And Mandatory GMO Labeling Standard
Campbell Soup Co. is supporting the enactment of federal legislation to establish a single, mandatory labeling standard for foods derived from genetically modified organisms, or GMOs. Campbell says it believes it is necessary for the federal government to provide a national standard for labeling requirements to better inform consumers about this issue. The company will […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National, Store News
Supervalu Takes Next Step to Spin Off Save-A-Lot Business
After announcing over the summer that it was exploring a separation of its Save-A-Lot business, Supervalu said Thursday that it had filed an initial Form 10 Registration Statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the possible spinoff of Save-A-Lot into a separate, publicly traded company. With the filing of the Form […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
As Lottery Jackpot Soars, Players Throw Superstitions Aside
No one won the approximately half-a-billion-dollar Powerball jackpot Wednesday, so lottery players across the nation already are rushing to buy their tickets for the next drawing on Saturday. The estimated jackpot: $800 million—the largest jackpot of any lottery game in U.S. history. The lotto fever has sparked Massachusetts-based convenience and coffee retailer Cumberland Farms to […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
New Dietary Guidelines Released
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday released its 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). “We know that a lifetime of healthy eating helps to prevent chronic diseases like obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes,” Dr. Karen B. DeSalvo, acting assistant […]
Posted in, Center Store, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
Brands That Are ‘Innovating’ Appear On Instantly’s Newest Shelf Score Report
Instantly has released its latest Shelf Score report, a monthly top 10 list of the newest CPG products ranked by consumer purchase intent. The December Shelf Score shows that brands are investing heavily in innovation. Appearing on the latest top 10 are products featuring creative flavors like cheddar and sour cream potato chips as well […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National, The Independent Perspective
NGA Launches Enhanced Website
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has launched a new, redeveloped website to better serve its members and educate consumers about the independent supermarket industry. “In today’s information age, people are going online on a daily basis, seeking information on a variety of issues, and NGA wants our website to be a destination that provides timely […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
C-Stores Optimistic For 2016 With Growth In Food Sales, Low Gas Prices
Convenience store retailers expect the robust sales of 2015 to continue into the first quarter of 2016, according to the results of a survey released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Retailers said that overall sales in 2015 were strong, with more than three in four (78 percent) reporting an increase in foodservice […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National, Store News
Proposed SNAP Requirements For Retailers Expected In Early 2016
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) says that a proposed rule with new eligibility standards for retailers in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly referred to as food stamps, is expected to be released in the first quarter of 2016. The rule will implement provisions of the 2014 Farm Bill, which require retailers […]