Based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers, Publix, Aldi and H-E-B earned the highest scores in the 2015 Temkin Experience Ratings that ranks 293 companies across 20 industries. Joining those firms in the top 12 spots are Chick-fil-A, PetSmart, Amazon.com, Trader Joe’s, USAA, credit unions, Papa John’s, Walgreens and Hannaford. While supermarket chains, fast […]
Category: National
Posted in, C-Store News, National
AWMA Changes Its Name To Convenience Distribution Association
The American Wholesale Marketers Association has changed its name to the Convenience Distribution Association (CDA). The big announcement was made at the 2015 AWMA Marketplace & Solutions Expo in Las Vegas. The AWMA Board of Directors approved changing the name to the Convenience Distribution Association at its Feb. 24 meeting. The announcement was made by […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Southeast, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Celebrating 100th Anniversary Of Iconic Bottle This Year
A design so distinctive that it could be recognized by touch alone and so unique that it could be identified when shattered on the ground. This was the vision for the Coca-Cola bottle, which turns 100 this year. To mark the milestone, The Coca-Cola Co. is celebrating with a yearlong campaign that includes new advertising, […]
Posted in, Executive News, National, Northeast
Hershey Names Little CFO
The Hershey Co. has appointed Patricia A. Little as its new SVP and CFO, effective March 16. In her role at Hershey, Little will oversee the company’s global finance organization and be a part of the company’s global leadership team reporting to President and CEO John P. Bilbrey. She will have responsibility for the financial […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Executive News, National
Kroger Reveals Human Resources Succession Plan
The Kroger Co. on Friday announced its succession plan for the company’s SVP of human resources position, as Kathleen Barclay, 59, plans to retire from the role in the fall. Timothy Massa, 48, Kroger’s group VP of human resources and labor relations, will succeed Barclay in leading these functions after her retirement. Barclay joined Kroger […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Midwest, National
Mariano To Address United Fresh 2015 Attendees
Robert A. Mariano, chairman, president and CEO of Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based Roundy’s Inc., will address produce retail industry executives at the United Fresh 2015 opening general session on June 9 at McCormick Place in Chicago. Mariano started out in the retail grocery business at the age of 17, working as a part-time deli clerk at Dominick’s […]
Posted in, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Power Of Meat Remains Strong At Retail
Meat and poultry products remain among the top choices for shoppers at retail, but the 10th annual “Power of Meat” study published by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and North American Meat Institute (NAMI) highlights several trends in the way consumers are changing their purchasing behavior. These include: • Price per pound remains a top […]
Posted in, Industry News, National, Store News
Survey: Fresh Produce And Prices Matter Most To Supermarket Shoppers
Despite glowing headlines about America’s economic recovery, millions of people struggle with stagnant wages and an increased cost of living. As a result, nearly 60 percent of consumers say finding a deal is important when they’re food shopping, according to the 2015 Annual National Grocers Association (NGA)-SupermarketGuru Consumer Survey. Nearly 1,000 shoppers completed surveys that […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
AWMA Launches New State Government Affairs Initiative
The American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA) has launched a new initiative to provide members with information and the ability to take action on state governmental developments that affect their businesses and the convenience distribution industry. Anne Holloway, VP of government affairs, says the initiative has two key components: • The appointment of Dirk Smith as […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, National
Nature’s Variety Instinct Pet Food Debuts Campaign To Support Shelter Animals
Three to four million healthy and adoptable pets are killed in America’s animal shelters each year simply because they don’t have a place to call home. To help increase awareness of and save the pets available for adoption, St. Louis-based Nature’s Variety, makers of the Instinct brand and newly named Official Pet Food Partner of […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Suppliers
Nestlé Removing Artificial Flavors, FDA-Certified Colors From Chocolate Candy
Nestlé USA says it will remove artificial flavors and FDA-certified colors, like Red 40 and Yellow 5, from all of its chocolate candy products. By the end of 2015, more than 250 products and 10 brands, including Nestlé Butterfinger, Crunch and Baby Ruth, will be free of artificial flavors and certified colors. Products will begin […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Ben & Jerry’s Newest Flavor Stars Jimmy Fallon
It’s been a full year since Jimmy Fallon took over the longest running talk show in television history and, to recognize the accomplishment, Ben & Jerry’s ice cream co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield earlier this week served up the aptly named “The Tonight Dough” to the Fallon faithful who were in the audience to […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National
Heineken’s ‘Beers Of Mexico’ Variety Pack Returns
Heineken USA is again making available its Beers of Mexico variety pack with limited-edition offering, Dos Equis Azul—a blend of signature golden wheat lager and blue agave. Dos Equis Azul will once again join Heineken USA’s Mexican beers—Dos Equis Lager, Tecate and Sol—in one Fiesta Pack. The pack will be supported with seasonally relevant cross-merchandising […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Believe In Heroes Campaign Raises $21M+ For Wounded Warrior Project
Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta Sales & Marketing has reported that the 2014 “Believe in Heroes” campaign raised $5,765,292 in support of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). This donation brings the cause marketing campaign’s total contributions to more than $21 million since Acosta founded the program five years ago. WWP is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to […]
Posted in, National
New Study Reveals Growing Influence Of The Male Shopper
How and where Americans shop for food is changing dramatically, according to a new study, “Food Shopping in America 2014.” The study unveils the evolving shopping landscape of not only where people shop, but who is doing the shopping. Increasingly, men (who now compose 43 percent of primary shoppers) are shopping frequently and they now […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, New Products
V8 Launches Four New Vegetable Blend Beverages
Campbell Soup Co. is rolling out new V8 Vegetable and Fruit Juice Beverages, blends of vegetables with a touch of fruit. The new varieties include Healthy Greens, Purple Power, Golden Goodness and Carrot Mango. • Healthy Greens: the juices of Spinach, Yellow Carrots, Apples and Pineapple; • Purple Power: the juices of Purple Carrots, Beets […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News
Giumarra’s Spring Watermelons To Feature ‘Eat Brighter!’ Label
Giumarra Nogales will begin spring Nature’s Partner melon shipments at the end of March and will offer seedless watermelon grown in Mexico featuring Sesame Street “eat brighter!” artwork. The watermelon program is designed to get children and their families excited about eating watermelon, a fruit high in vitamins C and A. Each individual watermelon will […]
Posted in, Center Store, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
Mondelez International Acquires Enjoy Life Foods
Mondelez International has acquired Enjoy Life Foods, a private U.S. snacks company and a market-leading brand in the fast-growing “free-from” segment. Enjoy Life offers more than 40 products, including cookies, chocolate, snack bars and savory snacks that are allergy friendly and gluten free. Enjoy Life’s products are free from the eight most common allergens—wheat, dairy, peanuts, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Southeast, Suppliers
Teamsters Approve New Contracts At MillerCoors Breweries In N.C., Texas
Teamsters at MillerCoors breweries in Eden, North Carolina, and Fort Worth, Texas, have ratified new three-year contracts. The agreements cover more than 900 employees at the two breweries and provide lifetime retiree healthcare benefits. Members of Local 391 and 997 at each location voted earlier this month to ratify the contracts by 88 percent. “Our […]
Posted in, Center Store, Executive News, Midwest, National, Suppliers
Nonni’s Foods Appoints Brian Hansberry CEO
Nonni’s Foods, a leading provider of premium, specialty cookies and baked goods, has named Brian Hansberry CEO. Hansberry succeeds Dave Beré, who is retiring from the role of CEO and will now serve as chairman of the company’s board of directors. Hansberry brings more than 25 years of experience to his new role, most recently […]