The craft brewing industry has continued a strong pace of growth in the first half of 2015, according to new mid-year data released by the Brewers Association (BA)—the not-for-profit trade association dedicated to small and independent American craft brewers. American craft beer production volume increased 16 percent during the first half of the year. From January […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, Produce News, Suppliers, Women In The News
The Little Potato Co. Launches ‘Little Chef’ Program
The Little Potato Co. is launching a new program to provide tools and tips to make it easier for parents to cook with their kids, sharing new and important skills while having fun together. The program will include a growing collection of “Little Chef Approved” recipes featuring Creamer potatoes, as well as tips for cooking […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National, Store News
Save-A-Lot May Become Standalone Company As Supervalu Eyes Spinoff
Supervalu says it is exploring a separation of its Save-A-Lot business and, as part of that process, has begun preparations to allow for a possible spinoff of Save-A-Lot into a standalone, publicly traded company. “Save-A-Lot is a leading national hard-discount retailer with over 1,300 total stores, comprised of approximately 430 corporate stores and approximately 900 […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Independent Store News, Industry News, International Foods, National, Shelby Signature Content
AWG Continues To Strengthen Focus On Hispanic Business
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer It would probably be an understatement to say that Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) puts a special focus on its Hispanic business. The Kansas City, Kansas-based wholesaler has been growing its Hispanic segment over the last four years and has seen a more than 500 percent increase in sales, according to Carlos […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
Campbell Shifts Portfolio Toward Faster-Growing Categories, Regions
Campbell Soup Co. is providing an update on the company’s key strategic imperatives. Led by President and CEO Denise Morrison, executives have outlined actions the company is taking to reshape Campbell and improve its growth trajectory by strengthening its core business and expanding into faster-growing spaces. This includes Campbell’s plans to change many of its […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Online Grocery Technology
Study: Mobile Technology Use Among Shoppers Rises As Retail Habits Change
Consumer financial services company Synchrony Financial has released findings from its 2015 Digital Study that further confirm the importance of a comprehensive mobile strategy for retailers to effectively engage shoppers and enhance the customer experience. The survey, conducted in March and April with nearly 7,000 Synchrony Bank cardholders and random shoppers nationwide, gathered insights on […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
House Passes National Food Labeling Bill
The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed the Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act by a vote to 275 to 150. The bill, which still must be passed by the Senate before it becomes law, establishes a federal labeling standard for foods with genetically modified organisms (GMOs), giving sole authority to the Food and […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National, Women In The News
NACS Hires New Marketing Manager
Britt Reynolds has joined NACS as a marketing manager. She joins the growing NACS marketing team and will assist in developing and executing multi-channel marketing strategies for the NACS Show as well as other NACS events, education, products and services. Reynolds comes to NACS from the American Composites Manufacturers Association, where she served as marketing manager. […]
Posted in, National, New Products, Suppliers
New Product Innovation: The Why Behind The Try
Innovation matters. In the consumer product realm, it can drive profitability and growth, and it can help companies succeed—even during tough economic times. On the opposite side of the sales counter, consumers have a strong appetite for innovation, but they’re increasingly demanding and expect more choice than ever before. Around the world, more than six […]
Posted in, Center Store, Industry News, Midwest, National, New Products, Organic Natural
Federated Group Announces Relaunch Of Seven Farms Line At Summer Show
The theme of the Federated Group’s 2015 Summer Buying Show July 19-21 was “Driving Success Through Winning Practices.” According to Federated Group VP of Category Management Jen Linke, face time is among them. “One of the best things about the show is people meeting face-to-face and that winning practice of human interaction,” Linke told The […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, Organic Natural, Store News
UNFI Terminating Contract With Albertsons, Safeway
United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) says its contract as a distributor to Albertsons Cos. Inc., which includes the Albertsons, Safeway and Eastern Supermarket chains, will terminate on Sept. 20, 2015, rather than upon the original contract end date of July 31, 2016. For the company’s fiscal year ending Aug. 1, 2015, revenue from Albertsons is […]
Posted in, BJ's Wholesale Club, C-Store News, Industry News, National
Study: Wawa And Costco Are Consumers’ Favorite Places To Fuel Up
Wawa and Costco are consumers’ favorite places to fill up their gas tanks, according to a study by Market Force Information. Nearly 7,000 consumers were polled for the study, which was designed to uncover where consumers prefer to fuel up and why they prefer one chain to another, as well as trends in mobile app […]
Posted in, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, Perishables, Southwest, Sustainability News
Greenpeace Again Names Whole Foods Tops For Seafood Sustainability
For the third consecutive year, Greenpeace named Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market the top retailer for seafood sustainability in the nonprofit’s annual ranking of U.S. supermarkets. The company earned the highest overall score in the report’s nine-year history, as well as the highest individual scores for transparency, purchasing policies and private label canned tuna sourcing. […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
Lay’s ‘Do Us A Flavor’ Finalists Revealed
Out of millions of submissions from fans across America, Lay’s, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, has unveiled the four finalist flavors competing for a $1 million grand prize in the Lay’s “Do Us A Flavor” contest: Lay’s Wavy West Coast Truffle Fries, Lay’s Southern Biscuits and Gravy, Lay’s New York Reuben […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Study: Fears About Ingredients Driving Shopper Behavior In Food, Personal Care Categories
With consumer fears escalating about potentially harmful ingredients in food and personal care products, a new survey from Daymon Worldwide reveals that 40 percent of consumers have lost enjoyment of the foods they eat due to safety and quality concerns, and many are actively seeking stores that offer product alternatives. Nearly twice as many parents […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Suppliers
Texas Businessman Invests In Blue Bell
In a sign that it may be facing financial trouble from the fallout of its all-product recall earlier this year, Blue Bell Creameries says that prominent Texas business investor Sid Bass has become an investor and partner with the Brenham-based company. Blue Bell products have yet to return to store shelves. “We are pleased Sid […]
Posted in, Dairy News, National, Perishables, Suppliers, Women In The News
Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board Members Appointed
U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed eight members to fill vacancies on the National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board. The terms for these appointees began July 1 and expire on June 30, 2018. Newly appointed members are: Brian Linney, Sterling, Virginia (Region 3); Greg Schwarz, Dallas, Texas (Region 8); John Cox, Millersville, Pennsylvania (Region […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National, New Products
Lean Cuisine Brand Gets A Makeover
The Lean Cuisine brand says it is reintroducing itself as a modern eating brand and ally for women’s wellness. No longer focused on diet, the Lean Cuisine brand relied on insights from hundreds of women as it evolved to reflect a shift in the way Americans—primarily women—are eating and shopping. Women want chef-inspired, ethnic dishes […]
Posted in, National
Menu Labeling Rule Compliance Date Extended For One Year
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has provided a one-year delay to the date restaurants—and those deemed by FDA to be “similar retail food establishments”—would be required to apply the final chain restaurant menu-labeling rule. The menu labeling rule requires chain restaurants and similar retail food establishments with 20 or more locations to list calorie information […]
Posted in, National, Perishables, Suppliers
Blue Bell To Begin Test Production In Coming Weeks
Blue Bell Creameries has notified the FDA and state health officials in Alabama that it hopes to begin test production of ice cream at its Sylacauga facility in the next several weeks. When production resumes at the Alabama plant, it will be on a limited basis as the company seeks to confirm that new procedures, […]