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 […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, New Products, Perishables
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 […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
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, […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
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 […]
Posted in, National, Perspectives, Women In The News
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 […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Store News, Suppliers
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 […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, Industry News, National, Whole Foods
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 […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Suppliers
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 […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, Midwest, National
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 […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
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 […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National, Store News
Study: H-E-B, Publix, Trader Joe’s And Hy-Vee Among Most Trusted Companies
Supermarket chains earned the highest level of trust across 20 industries in the 2015 Temkin Trust Ratings. Among the grocers that are most trusted: H-E-B, Publix, Trader Joe’s and Hy-Vee. Costco also ranked in the top 10, though it is considered a retailer—not a supermarket—in the study. Comcast earned the lowest two spots in the […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Store News
Whole Foods Hosting First ‘Beauty Week’ In All Stores
Whole Foods Market has kicked off its first-ever “Beauty Week,” which runs through March 24, to celebrate all things beauty related. Whole Body departments across all the Austin, Texas-based grocer’s stores is hosting events, classes, demonstrations and promotions to inform shoppers about Whole Foods Market’s large selection of personal care products and cosmetics. “Our beauty […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National, Suppliers
Target, Starbucks And Nestlé Recognized For Animal Protection Efforts
Target, Starbucks and Nestlé are among the corporations that are winners of the Henry Spira Corporate Progress Awards this year. The awards, given by The Humane Society of the United States, are for businesses that have altered their policies and practices to minimize adverse impacts on animals. Target became the first major conventional grocery chain […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News, Southwest
Avocados From Mexico Launches Ultimate Mexican Fiesta
Avocados from Mexico, the No. 1-selling avocado in the U.S., has partnered with Dos Equis and Sauza tequila for its upcoming promotion, Ultimate Mexican Fiesta. The campaign is designed to encourage consumers to keep the fiesta going through Cinco de Mayo. The consumer contest will run from April 1-May 15. Consumers can enter to win […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Grocery News, National
Aldi Reveals Winners In 2015 Fan Favorites Poll
For the second year in a row, Aldi says its fans have selected their favorite Aldi-exclusive products in the online Fan Favorites poll. More than 5,500 fans cast their votes to crown winners in various categories—including dessert, cheese, beverage, breakfast, organic and bakery. “After an amazing response to last year’s Fan Favorites poll, we’re excited […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
Cheez-It Comes To The Chip Aisle With Crunch’d Product
Cheez-It is making its first-ever appearance in the chip aisle by introducing Cheez-It Crunch’d, its first ever cheesy puff. Crunch’d is offered in two flavors: Cheddar Cheese and Hot & Spicy that includes a Tabasco flavor. “Crunch and a snack made with 100 percent real cheese have always been key to our cheezy devotees, and […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Suppliers
Kraft Recalls 242K Cases Of Macaroni & Cheese
Kraft Foods Group said Tuesday afternoon that it is voluntarily recalling approximately 242,000 cases of select code dates and manufacturing codes of the Original flavor of Kraft Macaroni & Cheese Dinner due to the possibility that some boxes may contain small pieces of metal. The recalled product is limited to the 7.25-oz. size of the […]
Posted in, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Feds To Crack Down On Seafood Fraud, Illegal Fishing
The federal government on Sunday announced at Seafood Expo North America in Boston its final plans to crack down on seafood fraud and illegal fishing. The announcement, which came from a presidential task force created in June, reaffirms President Obama’s commitment to stop these crimes that provide profits to pirate fishermen, rip off consumers and hinder […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Target Repositioning Its Grocery Segment To ‘Transform’ Business
Target says repositioning its grocery segment, among other categories, is one way it plans to “transform” its business. At a meeting earlier this month for the investor community, Target Corp. Chairman and CEO Brian Cornell and members of his leadership team presented the vision and strategies that they say will drive that transformation. “Following a […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Industry News, National, Southeast, Store News, Supply Chain News
Burris Logistics, The Fresh Market Sign New Supply Agreement
Burris Logistics, a specialist in temperature controlled supply chain solutions, has renewed its supply agreement with The Fresh Market, the North Carolina-based specialty grocery retailer with revenues of more than $1.7 billion and stores in 27 states across the U.S. “When we began to redesign the supply chain process for The Fresh Market in 2007, […]