The third annual A.T. Kearney survey of U.S. shoppers’ local food-buying habits finds that local food has made the leap from a “hot” consumer trend to a central growth driver for grocery retailers and restaurants. Two years ago, when A.T. Kearney conducted its first study of local food-buying habits, merely offering local food was a […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, Produce News
PMA Fresh Summit Sets Attendance Record, Marks Other Milestones
Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) Fresh Summit Convention and Expo, the annual homecoming of the fresh produce and floral industry, drew record-breaking attendance from the global supply chain attracting 19,332 attendees from 63 countries, Oct. 23-25 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. In its 66th year, the event surpassed the previous East Coast attendance […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News
PMA Teams With Group To Get Fresh Produce On Screen
In support of the produce industry’s efforts to drive demand for more fresh produce, the Produce Marketing Association (PMA) on Friday during its Fresh Summit conference in Atlanta announced a strategic alliance with the Entertainment Resource & Marketing Association (ERMA)—the association of entertainment marketing professionals—to bring fresh produce center stage through television shows, movies and […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
Foods Dominate As Kids’ Favorite Brands
Oreo, America’s “wonderfilled” classic cookie, has topped this year’s list of Kids’ Most Loved Brands, according to findings from the 2015 Young Love study of more than 7,000 children and their parents. In fact, food brands dominate this year’s list, taking 14 of the 25 spots on the list. Oreo beats out last year’s No. […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, National, Store News
Supervalu Reports 2Q Fiscal 2016 Results
Minneapolis-based Supervalu on Wednesday reported second quarter fiscal 2016 net sales of $4.06 billion and net earnings from continuing operations of $31 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, which included $6 million in after-tax costs related to the potential separation of Save-A-Lot and severance costs. When adjusted for these items, second quarter fiscal 2016 net […]
Posted in, Executive News, Independent Store News, Industry News, National
AWG Makes Organizational Changes
A day after it announced the promotion of Jeff Pedersen to EVP of division operations, Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), based in Kansas City, Kansas, is making several organizational changes. Effective Dec. 7, Steve Arnold, EVP of merchandising, will transfer to the Oklahoma City Division to the position of SVP and division manager, reporting to Pedersen. […]
Posted in, Industry News, National, Store News
FMI Launches Crowd-Sourced Campaign To Correct Grocery Misconceptions
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has launched a campaign aimed at correcting misconceptions in the food retail environment. Supermarket Myths. . . Busted is an online destination designed to help food retailers mitigate untruths that ultimately confuse shoppers or get perpetuated online. Sue Borra, SVP of communications and strategic planning for FMI, said of the […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National, New Products
Van Holten’s Introduces Pickle Flavored Freeze Pops Called Pickle-Ice
Van Holten’s has taken the pickle out of the pouch but left the juice. Pickle-Ice is a 2-oz. freeze pop made with Van Holten’s pickle juice and enhanced with electrolytes. This refresher can be consumed frozen or un-frozen and is a sugar-free alternative to sports drinks, according to Waterloo, Wisconsin-based Van Holten’s. “Pickle-Ice is real […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
SABMiller Agrees To Merge With AB In-Bev
The fourth time is apparently the charm, as SABMiller has agreed “in principle” to merge with Anheuser-Busch InBev. AB InBev on Monday confirmed another offer to buy SABMiller for about 67.4 billion pounds, or $103.6 billion. The bid is more than a pound more per share (43.50) than its previous offer of GBP 42.15, which […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
A-B InBev Ups Bid, Again, For SAB Miller
Anheuser-Busch InBev really wants to merge with SABMiller in order to make a global beer giant. The company today confirmed another offer to buy SABMiller for about 67.4 billion pounds, or $103.6 billion. The bid is more than a pound more per share (43.50) than its previous offer of 42.15, which SABMiller rejected less than […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Marketing News, National, Suppliers
Facts Up Front Featured On Lifetime
A Lifetime show airing this month features Facts Up Front and how this innovative front-of-pack labeling can help people shop for food and prepare balanced and healthier meals, according to the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA). The Balancing Act segment first aired Oct. 8 and will be broadcast again on Oct. 15, in addition to being […]
Posted in, Bakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National
IDDBA Elects 2015-16 Officers, Board Of Directors
The International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) recently elected its 2015-16 officers and board of directors at its annual business meeting in Chicago. John Cheesman, VP of business development, Clyde’s Delicious Donuts, was elected as the association’s chairman of the board. He has served on the board of directors since 2006 and has been actively involved in […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Guest Contributors, National, Shelby Signature Content
The Path To Chapter 11 Can Follow One Of Several Roads
Events leading a business to file for protection under Chapter 11 can take different forms and move at different speeds. The retail food business has recently served up two examples of polar opposites in their trip to Chapter 11. A&P’s trip, by some accounts, began in the 1950s. Haggen, on the other hand, had barely […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
SABMiller Rejects Latest Purchase Offer From A-B InBev
The SABMiller board of directors has unanimously rejected Anheuser-Busch InBev’s latest offer to buy the company for GBP 42.15 per share in cash, which would have given it a value of nearly £68 billion, or $103.6 billion. A-B made the proposal today. The offer is the company’s third for SABMiller; the prior two were written […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, National
Hillphoenix Earns Fifth EPA GreenChill Award
Hillphoenix, designer and manufacturer of commercial refrigerated display cases and specialty products, refrigeration systems, integrated power distribution systems and walk-in coolers and freezers, has received a 2014-15 Achievement Award—Store Certification Excellence from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s GreenChill Partnership program. It’s the company’s fifth GreenChill award since the program launched in 2007. For the third […]
Posted in, Aldi, Corporate Store News, National, Store News
Aldi Reformulating Exclusive Brand Food Products
Discount grocer Aldi has removed certified synthetic colors and partially hydrogenated oils, as well as removed added MSG, from all of its exclusive brand food products. The announcement is part of the company’s efforts to expand store offerings and address customers’ preferences and needs about particular ingredients in their food. With 90 percent of Aldi […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National, Store News, The Independent Perspective
Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers Named Honorary Best Bagger In Congressional Showdown
The National Grocers Association (NGA) hosted its fourth annual National Best Bagger Congressional Showdown, held in conjunction with the American Frozen Food Institute’s Frozen Filibuster, on Wednesday at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. NGA’s 2015 Best Bagger National Champion David Tochinskiy of Rosauers Supermarkets in Spokane, Washington, competed against Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers […]
Posted in, Hugo's Family Marketplace, Independent Store News, National, The Independent Perspective, Women In The News
WGA Presents U.S. Sen. Heitkamp With Inaugural Legislator Of The Year Award
The Women Grocers of America (WGA) has presented U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota with its inaugural Legislator of the Year Award in recognition of her work to support the independent supermarket industry and sustained commitment to women entrepreneurs. WGA, an affiliate program of the National Grocers Association (NGA), was formed to advance women […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, Suppliers
242 Breweries Take Home Medals at 2015 Great American Beer Festival
The 2015 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition in Boulder, Colorado, awarded 275 medals to some of the best commercial breweries in the U.S., plus three GABF Pro-Am medals to teams of amateur brewers paired with professional brewers. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and a […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Streamlining Production With Formation Of New National Product Supply System
The Coca-Cola Co. says it has taken another significant step toward building a stronger, more streamlined production system in its flagship market by announcing the formation of a new National Product Supply System (NPSS) in the U.S. The mission of the NPSS will be to facilitate optimal operation of the U.S. product supply system for […]