Steve Crider doesn’t see a problem with being outspoken and tenacious, especially when it comes to getting things done in Washington, D.C., to support the organic food and agriculture movement and to act as advocate and champion for the organic industry. The Organic Trade Association (OTA) is honoring Crider for his strong and consistent voice […]
Category: National
Posted in, Center Store, National
Nielsen’s Hale Delivers ‘State Of’ Report At GMDC Conference
At the Global Market Development Center’s (GMDC) 2014 General Merchandise (GM) Marketing Conference, Todd Hale, a retail insights thought leader, presented on behalf of Nielsen the “GM State of the Industry 2014,” a business session that provided more than 400 attendees with an exclusive look into the retail landscape and its performance in GM categories. This […]
Posted in, Industry News, Marketing News, National
Pink Ribbon Produce Is Back For Ninth Year To Help Fight Breast Cancer
This October, Pink Ribbon Produce will continue its partnership with big names in the grocery industry to support the fight against breast cancer during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Harris Teeter, Meijer and Price Chopper have once again joined together to support the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF) by welcoming customers to take the Fresh Plate […]
Posted in, Industry News, National, Perishables
Lempert: Americans Throw Half Of Their Food Away Annually
According to a report by the National Resources Defense Council, Americans throw away nearly half of their food every year. The report also states that a 15 percent reduction in losses in the U.S. food supply could feed 25 million Americans annually. This week’s segment of The Lempert Report Innovation Series, a weekly video series […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
United Fresh Honors Paramount Citrus As Industry Advocate Of Year
The United Fresh Produce Association honored Paramount Citrus as the Produce Industry Advocate of the Year earlier this week at The Washington Conference. Paramount Citrus has been a longtime leader in the public policy arena, serving on several of United’s boards and councils, including United’s board of directors. Additionally, Paramount Citrus executives have been major […]
Posted in, Executive News, National, Perishables
Refrigerated Foods Association Appoints New Executive Director
Megan Levin has been appointed as the Refrigerated Foods Association’s (RFA) new executive director. Levin has worked for the RFA in various positions since 1992, including communications director, membership coordinator and associate executive director. She received the President’s Pin in 1997, a testament to her value with RFA. As the new executive director, Levin is responsible […]
Posted in, National, West
L.A. Mayor Seeks Hourly Minimum Wage Increase
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said this week that he would be pushing a major proposal for a citywide increase in the hourly minimum wage, according to the California Grocers Association (CGA). For the past few weeks his office has been in contact with Los Angles area business groups to circulate his plan. The proposal […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Mars Says New LED-Lit Racks Can Boost Front End Confectionery Sales
Mars Chocolate North America and Wrigley are introducing racks illuminated with LED lights that the companies say can lift front end grocery sales by 10 to 12 percent. These innovative LED-lit racks—combined with the ideal assortment and shelf pitch—create a brighter environment and make it more appealing for shoppers to browse while waiting to check […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Fleet Advantage Promotes Holland To President
Fleet Advantage, a leading innovator in truck fleet business analytics, equipment financing and life cycle management, has promoted SVP and CFO Brian Holland to president. Holland, who joined Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based Fleet Advantage in 2011, will continue in his role as CFO. In his new role as president, Holland will be responsible for establishing and […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
New Online Marketplace Launched To Advance Retail Industry Innovation
The Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) and the National Grocers Association (NGA) today unveiled a new online platform for the supermarket industry. The CART marketplace at advancingretail.org is designed to help the supermarket sector keep pace with technology innovation that is rapidly transforming the way people shop. “Retailers and brand manufacturers are experiencing […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Traina Foods Debuts Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup
Traina Foods, a leading seller of premium sun dried fruits, is rolling out new Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup, an addition to the award-winning Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup that debuted in 2012. “Our California Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup truly celebrates the tomato,” said Willie Traina, CEO of Patterson, Calif.-based Traina Foods. “And now we are […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, National, Whole Foods
Kroger’s 2Q ID Sales Up 4.8 Percent
The Kroger Co. on Thursday reported net earnings of $347 million, or $0.70 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 4.8 percent in the second quarter of fiscal year 2014. Net earnings in the same period last year were $317 million, or $0.60 per diluted share. It marks the Cincinnati-based grocer’s 43rd […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
Independent Grocers Hold Ground In Tough Fiscal Year 2013
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMS Solutions have released the results of their joint 2014 Independent Grocers Financial Survey, covering fiscal year 2013. Independents’ financial performance much mirrored the nation’s economy, which showed modest growth and both ups and downs in consumer, financial and market performance indicators. Some retailers managed to grow sales, margins […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
U.S. Surpasses France As Largest Wine Market
The U.S. topped France as the world’s largest wine market last year as Americans continue to develop a greater appreciation for the libation. According to the Beverage Information and Insights Group’s 2014 Wine Handbook, the wine category increased 1.9 percent to 325.4 million 9-liter cases last year. Production and consumption levels also are at an […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
General Mills To Acquire Annie’s For $820M
General Mills has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Annie’s, a leading U.S. producer of branded organic and natural food products with net sales of $204 million in its latest fiscal year, completed March 2014. The transaction is valued at approximately $820 million. Annie’s will join General Mills’ U.S. natural and organic products portfolio, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Reed’s New Product Marries Coffee And Kombucha
Reed’s Inc. is adding an organic coffee kombucha to its line of Reed’s Culture Club Kombucha. The new Coffee Kombucha will be showcased at the upcoming Natural Products Expo in Baltimore, Sept. 18-20, and will be introduced to store shelves across the country this fall. “The kombucha culture is traditionally grown in a tea base. […]
Posted in, National
Report: Shoppers Primarily Interact With Brands Via Smartphones, Tablets
Online shopping has reached a mobile tipping point. For the first time ever, according to Branding Brand’s Mobile Commerce Index report, the majority of consumers are visiting retail websites on smartphones and tablets rather than on traditional desktop and laptop computers. In August, mobile devices generated 51 percent of all online retail visits, the majority of […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Whole Foods, Instacart Partner For One-Hour Delivery Across 15 Cities
Whole Foods Market and one-hour grocery delivery service Instacart have formed a new partnership that enables customers to have Whole Foods Market products delivered in as little as one hour. Customers will soon also have the convenient option to place orders via Instacart and pick up their order at a local participating Whole Foods Market […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Kroger Family Of Stores Hiring 20K Employees
The Kroger Co. is hiring to fill an estimated 20,000 permanent positions in its supermarket divisions. “Kroger’s growth trajectory creates more job opportunities for current and future employees,” said Katy Barclay, Kroger’s SVP of human resources. “Right now in our stores across the country we have openings for bright, hard-working associates who are passionate about […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Blue Bell Introduces Malt Shoppe Ice Cream
Blue Bell has put its own spin on the old-fashioned chocolate malt with its new Malt Shoppe Ice Cream, a chocolate malt ice cream loaded with milk chocolate-covered malted milk balls. “There was a time when the whole family hopped in the car and went out for burgers, fries and malts,” said Paul Kruse, Blue […]