Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc.—the nation’s second largest pistachio processor and maker of Setton Farms Pistachio Chewy Bites based in California’s Central Valley—is now the official sponsor of the upcoming Acme Markets and Produce for Kids campaign. The promotion will help raise funds for Philabundance, the largest hunger relief organization in the Delaware Valley, […]
Category: National
Hershey’s Caramels Making Debut In Stores
The Hershey Co. is rolling out new Hershey’s Caramels, a blend of Hershey’s chocolate with smooth, creamy caramel. Made with sea salt, molasses and fresh dairy butter, the caramel pieces are enrobed with milk or dark chocolate. Cocoa is added to the milk chocolate variety to provide a rich, deep chocolate flavor that complements the […]
New M&M’s, Pillsbury Products Take Top Spots In Latest Shelf Score Report
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. Many of the March report’s top products feature spring flavors, such as M&M’s new Easter candy (76 percent purchase intent) and Pillsbury Funfetti Spring Cake Mix […]
GMA To Honor Three Industry Leaders With Hall Of Achievement Awards
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) will honor former ConAgra Foods CEO Gary Rodkin, former Walgreens President and CEO Greg Wasson and Flowers Foods’ Board Chairman George Deese with the GMA Hall of Achievement Award in August. The Hall of Achievement Award, GMA’s highest honor, recognizes the service and extraordinary contributions of distinguished food, beverage and […]
Mrs. Freshley’s Rolling Out Limited-Edition Items For Summer
Mrs. Freshley’s is introducing a couple of new items for the summer season. The brand’s Limited Edition Strawberry Shortcake Cupcakes are hitting shelves now. Featuring strawberry flavored cupcakes filled with creme, the product is available in 4-oz. single-serve 2-packs through Sept. 30. SRP ranges from $0.99-$1.39, and the product is packed in a 36-count case. […]
For A Healthy Return, Invest Executive Time In New Hires
If your company does not arrange for a member of senior management to spend time with new hires during basic training you are missing an opportunity. The opportunity to help newly hired employees get a clear understanding of your company’s brand character as well as the financial drivers that make a retail grocery business successful. […]
NACS: Consumer Optimism Strengthens As Gas Prices Remain Low
A majority of Americans say they are optimistic about the economy and low gas prices are driving the optimism. Overall, 52 percent of Americans are optimistic about the economy, an eight-point jump from March. Those most optimistic are younger consumers age 18-34 (58 percent) and those in the West (58 percent), according to survey results […]
Albertsons Shakes Up Leadership Team
AB Acquisition LLC, parent company of Albertson’s LLC, New Albertson’s Inc. and Safeway Inc.—collectively Albertsons—says that Bob Miller, the company’s current executive chairman, will assume the additional role of CEO, effective immediately. Robert Edwards, who had been appointed CEO at the recent close of the acquisition of Safeway by AB Acquisition, will continue on with […]
Turkey Hill Dairy Launches All Natural Gelato
Turkey Hill Dairy has rolled out All Natural Gelato. Turkey Hill says it is the first major ice cream brand to release an all-natural gelato product line. “Our loyal fans are looking for great taste and simple ingredients,” said Turkey Hill President John Cox. “Given the success of Turkey Hill All Natural Ice Cream—and realizing […]
McCormick’s Spring Lineup Boasts 21 New Products
McCormick & Co. is introducing 21 new products inspired by the McCormick Flavor Forecast trend reports, which predict the future of flavor. Among the new product innovations are flavored sea salts, chili peppers and burger sauce mix-ins. “Our new products enable consumers to explore bold, more intense flavors at home that they may have seen […]
Technology Is Revolutionizing Shopping
The NGA Show concluded in February, but I still find myself thinking about how new technology innovations are changing the fundamental nature of grocery shopping. The impact of consumer-facing technology was a huge topic among show attendees. Several breakout sessions presented fascinating updates on the latest tech ideas that are driving rapid change throughout the […]
Finlandia Debuts Imported Butter
Finlandia has rolled out Finlandia Imported Butter, available now in 7-oz. blocks in both Perfectly Salted and Unsalted versions. Finlandia says its butter is crafted from pure, fresh milk and produced on family-owned farms in Finland. Finlandia Butter has a rich and creamy flavor and has no added hormones and is made with non-GMO ingredients, according to […]
Sheetz Named Top Convenience Store Brand Of The Year
Sheetz has been recognized as consumers’ most-trusted convenience store brand, according to the 2015 Harris Poll EquiTrend study. For the first time, Sheetz, a family-owned and operated convenience chain based in Altoona, Pennsylvania, received the highest Equity Score among the other convenience store retailers. Sheetz operates more than 500 locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, […]
Kubista-Hovis Joins NACS As Performance Consultant
Scott Kubista-Hovis has joined NACS as a performance consultant and will help to enhance and measure the effectiveness of the association’s educational offerings, including e-learning opportunities and event education, namely around the NACS Show. In this newly created role, Kubista-Hovis will create learning plans using adult learning principles resulting in improved on-the-job performance for NACS […]
WGA Thrives At NGA Show
by Aileen Munster/VP of Education & Research, National Grocers Association The Women Grocers of America (WGA) showed off their pride and spirit in a number of different events at this year’s NGA Show. Furthering its mission to develop the next generation of industry leaders, with an emphasis on young women, WGA once again organized its annual […]
Store Brands Widen Growth Gap vs. National Brands As Sales Hit New Highs In All Outlets
As national brands continue to struggle with lower growth year to year in supermarkets, drug chains and mass merchandisers, store brands sales in all the major retail channels continue their upward trend, setting new records across the board for annual revenue. When 2014 came to a close, store brands had accounted for nearly $3 billion […]
Publix, Hy-Vee, Wegmans Are EquiTrend Retail Brands Of The Year
The Harris Poll has released its most recent EquiTrend Brand Equity Index. It is comprised of three factors—familiarity, quality and consideration—that result in a Brand Equity rating for each brand. Brands that rank highest receive the Harris Poll EquiTrend “Brand of the Year” award for their category. For this, the 27th annual study, more than […]
Industry Applauds Introduction Of National Food Labeling Bill
Food industry groups are praising this week’s introduction of a national food labeling bill, known as The Safe and Accurate Food Labeling Act. The bill, introduced by U.S. Reps. Mike Pompeo (R-Kansas) and G.K. Butterfield (D-North Carolina), establishes a federal standard for food and beverage products made with genetically modified ingredients, or GMOs. It preempts […]
Walmart Recognizes C.H. Robinson With First-Ever 3PL Award
Walmart Stores has recognized C.H. Robinson with its first-ever 3rd Party Logistical (3PL) Carrier of the Year Award for 2014—noting contributions for outstanding service, effective communication and providing solutions and innovations in a changing industry. 2014 was a year of challenges in the area of logistics and transportation, with extreme weather conditions and capacity issues […]
CDA Unveils New Logo, Moves Ahead With Service Enhancements And Branding
The Convenience Distribution Association (CDA), formerly the American Wholesale Marketers Association, has unveiled its new logo, which will be used in all of the group’s published products, programs and events. “Our goal was to create an image that reflects the positive and forward-looking philosophy of CDA in a way that can be easily and effectively […]
