Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned company in the fragrance and flavor business, has revealed that coconut is the Flavor of the Year for 2016. Used for centuries in Southeast Asian cuisine, coconut was only embraced globally in the last decade. Before, in much of the western world, coconut would mainly conjure up images of sugary-sweet […]
Category: National
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National, Store News
Study: Associates Are The Trump Card In Nurturing Supermarket Loyalty
The Retail Feedback Group (RFG), a provider of actionable stakeholder feedback, has released its 2015 U.S. Supermarket Experience Study. The research, now in its eighth year, found that supermarkets continue to generate high satisfaction among their shoppers, scoring an average of 4.44 on a 5-point scale, where 5 is highest. Shoppers who felt like a […]
Posted in, Guest Contributors, National, Shelby Signature Content, The Independent Perspective
Larkin: Taxes, Healthcare, Regulations Top Concern List For 2016
by Peter Larkin/Special to The Shelby Report Despite Republican majorities in both the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, Congress continues to grapple with gridlock. And, heading into an important 2016 presidential election, where Republicans need to defend 24 U.S. Senate seats vs. the 10 seats on the Democrat side, the 2016 elections will […]
Posted in, National, Perishables, Suppliers
Nestlé Vows To Switch To 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs By 2020
Nestlé says it will switch to 100 percent cage-free eggs in the U.S. by 2020. The company’s announcement follows similar vows from the likes of McDonald’s, Taco Bell, Compass Group, Aramark, Sodexo, Starbucks, Panera Bread, Dunkin’ Donuts and more. According to The Humane Society of the United Staes (HSUS), Carnival Corp.—the world’s largest cruise company—announced this month a 100 […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National
Food Retail Industry Study Urges Shopper-Centric Approach Vs. Category Management
Category management in the food retail industry is stagnant, according to a new study by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI), Deloitte Consulting LLP and Winston Weber, but a roadmap to a more insightful shopper-centric way of doing business is accessible in today’s market. The collaborative business planning study suggests that the biggest shortcomings of category […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
New Study Forecasts Growth In Grocery Spending For Holiday Season
‘Tis the season to be shopping, and a new study from Acosta, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, shows 57 percent of shoppers who were surveyed plan to spend more on groceries during the 2015 holiday season as compared to last year. Acosta’s shopper survey, conducted in early […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Suppliers, Women In The News
Specialty Food Association Reveals 2016 Hall Of Fame Inductees
The Specialty Food Association has revealed the 2016 class of the Specialty Food Hall of Fame, honoring 47 leaders who have been instrumental in building and shaping the $109 billion specialty food industry into the thriving business it is today. Inductees include Gene Biggi, Beaverton Foods Inc.; Ariane Daguin, D’Artagnan Inc.; Tom and Mary Ellen […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
Bud Light Gets A Redesign
Bud Light has unveiled its plans for a new look. This redesign—the first major overhaul of Bud Light’s visual identity in eight years—will include a reimagined Bud Light logo and contemporized primary and secondary packaging and is part of a larger brand evolution under way at Bud Light. “In 2016, we’ll put a more modern […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News, Suppliers
Report: Q3 Sales Of ‘eat brighter!’-Branded Products Up Among 78% Of Suppliers
Results from a recent survey administered by Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Research Center show eat brighter! growing in presence, with 78 percent of suppliers reporting an increase in sales of products branded with eat brighter! during the third quarter of 2015. The study also finds increased activity over this period among grower-shippers and promotional boards […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National, Suppliers
National GMO Labeling Law Will Not Pass This Year
Congress has failed to reach an agreement this year on legislation that prevents states from enacting their own labeling laws concerning genetically modified organisms, commonly referred to as GMOs. Many in the food industry are expressing disappointment, including the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), which says the failure prevents “a costly and confusing 50-state patchwork of […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Newell Rubbermaid, Jarden Merger Will Create $16B Company
Newell Rubbermaid and Jarden Corp. have entered into a definitive agreement to combine the two companies. The transaction creates a $16 billion consumer goods company to be named Newell Brands, with a portfolio of leading brands in large unconsolidated categories, including Paper Mate, Sharpie, EXPO, Parker, Elmer’s, Calphalon, Rubbermaid, Graco, Baby Jogger, Aprica, Goody, Irwin, […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content
Disney Is Using ‘The Force’ For Good
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Since 2006, the goodies in Walt Disney Co. parks haven’t been as fatty, sweet or salty as they once were. That’s when the company updated its nutritional standards. The better-for-you change became no less than a guiding force for the organization, said John King, VP of licensing, consumables and Disney consumer […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Organic Natural, Store News
Natural Grocers Launches Its Own Line Of Private Label Eggs
Colorado-based Natural Grocers is introducing its own line of private label eggs. They currently are available at all Natural Grocers locations. The Natural Grocers branded eggs are certified organic, pasture-raised and Certified Humane, meaning the product meets the Humane Farm Animal Care Program standards of improving the lives of farm animals. The large, Grade-A eggs […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Equipment & Technology, National, Suppliers
PepsiCo’s New Vending Initiative Touts Better-For-You Products
PepsiCo has launched a new, state-of-the-art food and beverage vending initiative called “Hello Goodness.” Debuting Monday at the Beverage Digest Future Smarts Conference in New York City, the vending unit offers good- and better-for-you product choices from the company’s food and beverage portfolio. PepsiCo will place several thousand units throughout the U.S. in 2016 in […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural, Suppliers, Women In The News
Specialty Food Association Recognizes Six Industry Leaders
The Specialty Food Association has named the six winners of its fourth annual Leadership Awards, honoring members who have gone “above and beyond” in advancing food standards in society—and society itself—by creating social, economic and environmental impact through innovation and vision. Their achievements range from navigating a food safety crisis to creating products that support […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Industry News, National, Online Grocery Technology
With Walmart Pay, Retailer Introduces Its Own Payment Solution
Walmart has introduced Walmart Pay, which it touts as a fast, easy and secure way for customers to pay with their smartphones in Walmart stores. The retailer said Walmart Pay was built with the goal of improving how customers check out and to expand mobile payment access. With this launch, Walmart said it becomes the […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products, Suppliers
Indulgent Nature Of The Holidays Help Rank Sweets High On Latest Shelf Score
Instantly, the world’s largest audience and insights company, has released its latest Shelf Score report, a monthly top 10 list of the newest CPG products ranked by consumer purchase intent. Based on the findings of the November Shelf Score, consumers appear to be embracing the indulgent nature of the holidays. Sweet treats from revered chocolate […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National, Store News
Four Grocers, Two C-Stores Make Fortune’s Best Workplaces In Retail List
Four grocery and two convenience store chains have made Fortune’s 2015 list of the “Best Workplaces in Retail.” The list of 20 is compiled based on the opinions of thousands of employees. According to Fortune, many “patterns emerge among the standouts: generous medical coverages, awesome office discounts and a parade of onsite benefits to keep […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, Industry News, National, ROFDA Reports, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, Store News, Women In The News
Pace Of Change Sparks New, And Renewed, ‘Worries’ Among Execs
Food retailing has changed greatly over the last decade, and perhaps nowhere can that be seen more clearly than through the Food Marketing Institute’s “Worry Index,” a polling of anxieties that keep executives up at night, so to speak. “One of the most distinguishing facts about this year’s list is that half of the items […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Industry News, National, Suppliers
JAB Holding To Buy Keurig Green Mountain
JAB Holding Co. is purchasing Keurig Green Mountain of Vermont. The deal, estimated at $13.9 billion and approved by Keurig Green Mountain’s board of directors, was announced today. JAB is acquiring Keurig Green Mountain in partnership with strategic minority investors, who already are shareholders in Jacobs Douwe Egberts B.V., (“JDE”), including Mondelēz International and entities affiliated […]