Pear Bureau Northwest, the Portland-based nonprofit marketing organization that represents the 1,600 fresh pear growers of Oregon and Washington, has named Publix as the 2014 Pear Retailer of the Year for its outstanding pear merchandising activities. Publix is being recognized with this award for its successful implementation of pear merchandising tactics that resulted in substantial increases […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, Store News, Women In The News
WGA Accepting 2015 Woman Of The Year Noms
Women Grocers of America (WGA) is accepting nominations for the 2015 Woman of the Year Award. Nominees should be: • A leader with passion for the independent grocery industry; • A visionary and strategic thinker, a standout representative of her company or organization; and • A female professional with a minimum of 10 years of […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
Fresh Summit Contest Spotlights Healthy Eating For Kids
Students from the Walker Junior High School in La Palma, California, will put 10 produce-centric recipes to the test at the 4th annual PMA Fresh Summit Sensory Experience Contest this coming Friday, Oct. 17. The contest, sponsored by Bolthouse Farms and supported by Disney Consumer Products, features the top 10 recipes submitted by exhibitors. They […]
Posted in, Deli News, National, New Products
Another Limited Batch Flavor Launched By Tribe
Tribe’s latest Limited Batch hummus flavor, Herb Infused Olive Oil, hits grocery store shelves this week. The company says this latest product “has a bold taste that is both rustic and refined.” It combines Tribe’s Classic hummus with za’atar, a mixture of sumac, sesame seed and herbs frequently used in Mediterranean foods. It is then […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
NGA, PBH Partner For Dietitian Education
The Produce for Better Health Foundation (PBH) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) this morning announced a newly formed partnership between the two organizations focused on the continuing education of supermarket dietitians within independent and small retail chains and wholesale grocers. One outgrowth of the new partnership is dedicated educational and networking events during the […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Organic Natural
House Foods Intros ‘Biggest Loser’-Branded Packaging For Tofu Shirataki Noodles
House Foods, a premium tofu purveyor since 1983, has unveiled a new look for its category-leading Tofu Shirataki noodles. The noodles now feature branding from NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” to encourage consumers to eat consciously and get in shape like the contestants on the show. “The Biggest Loser has been integral in showing Americans how to […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Holiday Shopping Spend Forecasted To Be Down As Shoppers Remain Cautious
The 2014 holiday shopping season will be characterized by cautious spending, while economic realities bifurcate the American holiday shopper. These are two of the 10 big trends that are expected to drive the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new report from PwC US and Strategy&, titled “2014 Holiday Outlook: Top trends, consumer behaviors […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
United Fresh Launches Floral Membership Category
The United Fresh board of directors voted at its meeting last month to create a new floral membership category in 2015 to enhance services to members throughout the floral supply chain. In addition, United Fresh will appoint a new Floral Advisory Board of suppliers and retailers to lead the effort. “Our new partnership with the […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National, Suppliers
NACS ‘Future Of Fuels Showcase’: Clean Diesel Powers The Future
Advanced clean diesel passenger vehicles will be highlighted at this week’s “Future of Fuels Showcase” at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) annual show in Las Vegas, which kicked off Tuesday and runs through Friday. The Diesel Technology Forum is representing the diesel industry at the “Future of Fuels Showcase.” The forum exhibit also […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
United Fresh Promotes Staff Members To Grow New Foundation
The United Fresh Produce Association has promoted several staff members in order to create what it calls strong team alignment to enhance service to members. Victoria Backer is promoted to EVP of the association, with a mandate to lead the association in all aspects of organizational development, management and operations. Backer will have several key […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Store News
Aldi’s Exclusive ‘LiveGfree’ Product Line Becomes Permanent Addition In Stores
Aldi has added its exclusive gluten-free brand “LiveGfree” as a permanent lineup in its stores. The line features 17 items—from bread, pasta and pretzels to cookies, brownie mix and granola. Illinois-based Aldi says that adding LiveGfree products to its exclusive offerings was a direct response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from its shopper base. […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Merchandising News, Midwest, National
Martha Stewart To Keynote PLMA Trade Show Next Month
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has revealed its slate of speakers and seminars for its 2014 “Store Brands Reality Trade Show,” to be held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago. Headlining the program will be a keynote speech by Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Emmy Award-winning television show host, entrepreneur, best-selling author and […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National
Study Reveals Consumers Actually Enjoy Grocery Shopping
While American consumers have traditionally viewed grocery shopping as a mundane chore, new research from Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, reveals most shoppers now like to grocery shop. According to Acosta’s latest “The Why? Behind the Buy” report released last week, 54 percent […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Merchandising News, National, Perishables, Produce News
NatureSweet Tomatoes Partners With Susan G. Komen For Third Year
To show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NatureSweet Tomatoes is continuing its partnership with Susan G. Komen and the fight to end breast cancer. NatureSweet will feature limited edition pink packaging nationwide through October 31 and will donate $100,000 regardless of sales. The in-store pink packaging and promotional materials will be featured on NatureSweet SunBursts […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National, Produce News
Sun-Maid Raisins, Chiquita Banana Bread Mix Launch ‘Sweeter-Together’ Campaign
Sun-Maid Raisins and Concord Foods are partnering on a new promotion, Sweeter Together, for the holidays. Through December, a range of recipes featuring Sun-Maid Raisins and Chiquita Banana Bread Mix will be available to consumers online at Sweeter-Together.com. In addition, instant redeemable coupons (IRC) for $0.55 off the purchase of Sun-Maid Raisins (12-oz. or larger) […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
M&M’S Crispy To Return In 2015
After a decade of phone calls, petitions, Facebook posts and countless other pleas, Mars Chocolate North America says M&M’S Crispy will return to stores nationwide in January 2015 following a 10-year hiatus. M&M’S Crispy feature a crispy center covered milk chocolate, enclosed in a colorful candy shell. This treat is slightly larger than the original […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Equipment & Technology, National, Northeast, Online Grocery Technology
Peapod Turns 25 This Year, Celebrates Many Firsts
In 1989, brothers Thomas and Andrew Parkinson were developing a new way to shop. With DOS programming software, dial-up modems and floppy disks, they created Peapod.com, and shopping from a computer for home-delivered goods was born. Peapod was the first online grocery service to offer customers first in Chicago and later in 23 other U.S. […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Study: Nearly 100% Of Sales Growth At Leading CPGs Is From Lower-Calorie Foods
Providing consumers lower-calorie foods is good for business and public health, according to a new research report from Hudson Institute, an independent policy research organization. The Healthy Weight Commitment Foundation (HWCF) asked Hudson Institute to analyze sales data from the 16 major food and beverage companies it counts among its members to determine both trends […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, New Products
Nestlé Debuts New Treats In Time For Halloween
Nestlé is rolling out new candy this Halloween, including treats from Butterfinger, Laffy Taffy and Nerds as well as bigger variety bags. • Butterfinger Best Assortment Pack features Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups: Enjoy the best of Butterfinger with Butterfinger Minis, Butterfinger Crisp and Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups (30-oz. bag, SRP is $8). • New Caramel […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers, Sustainability News
Ocean Mist Farms Honored For Innovation In Water Reuse
Ocean Mist Farms was honored by the WateReuse Association and Research Foundation for its unique and successful water reuse partnerships at the 2014 One Water Innovations Gala on Sept. 28 in New Orleans. “The WateReuse Association and Research Foundation works to promote water sustainability through research and education,” said Mike McCullough, the recycled water program […]