While the state of the U.S. economy has changed substantially since 2000, the state of the American workplace has not. Currently, 30 percent of the U.S. workforce is engaged in their work, and the ratio of engaged to actively disengaged employees is roughly 2 to 1, meaning that the vast majority of U.S. workers (70 […]
Category: National
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Hot Peanut Butter Drink, Peanut Hottie, Debuting
Peanut Hottie, the first instant hot peanut butter drink, is rolling out at Walmart stores nationwide. Like instant hot cocoa, Peanut Hottie is a powder that is simply dissolved in hot water, but with a peanut butter flavor and aroma. At 83 calories per cup, Peanut Hottie is caffeine free, suitable for vegetarians and contains no artificial […]
Posted in, National, West
Calif. Assembly Passes Bill Moving State Closer To Uniform Plastic Bag Ban
The Yes on SB 270 Coalition hailed the California Assembly’s historic approval Thursday of Senate Bill 270, moving California one step closer to a landmark law banning single-use plastic carryout bags statewide. SB 270 is supported by dozens of groups representing a spectrum of sectors, including environment, organized labor, business organizations, grocers, retailers, poverty rights […]
Posted in, National
Robinson Fresh Adds Green Giant Fresh Asparagus To Product Lineup
Robinson Fresh continues to add to its lineup of consumer brands with the addition of Green Giant Fresh asparagus. The asparagus product line is available year-round and nationwide through an exclusive licensing agreement. Green Giant Fresh asparagus is offered in bulk packaging in club and retail boxes as well as tags, wraps and poly bags […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Center Store Growth Will Be Led By Latinos
Over the past decade the food-buying habits of Hispanics have begun to mirror those of American consumers as a whole, and U.S. marketers must be aware of various emerging trends if they seek to effectively reach the increasingly influential Latino consumer segment, according to “Hispanic Food Shoppers in the U.S.,” a recent report by market […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
GMA Recognizes Retired Walmart CEO Mike Duke With Hall Of Achievement Award
The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Sunday presented retired Walmart President and CEO Mike Duke with its 2014 Hall of Achievement Award before more than 400 industry leaders at the GMA Leadership Forum at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs. The Hall of Achievement Award represents the highest honor given by the more than 100-year-old association. […]
Posted in, National, West
USC Marshall Unveils Newly Innovated Food Industry Executive Program
To effectively lead their organizations in a rapidly changing business environment, food industry executives need to stay ahead of challenges like technology advances and globalization while elevating their leadership and management skills. That’s one reason the USC Marshall School of Business has revamped its Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP). FIEP provides an innovative resource for […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Family Dollar Rejects Dollar General Bid
Family Dollar Stores Inc. on Thursday said its board of directors has unanimously rejected the non-binding proposal made by Dollar General Corp. on the basis of what the company calls “antitrust regulatory considerations.” In addition, the Family Dollar board unanimously reaffirmed its recommendation in support of the merger agreement with Dollar Tree Inc. Read more […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Two Pepsi Brand Beverages Take Top Spots In Latest Shelf Score Report
Instant.ly, the world’s first on-demand consumer insights platform, has unveiled the August results of Instant.ly Shelf Score, which focused on recently introduced non-alcoholic beverages. Instant.ly Shelf Score is an index measuring consumer intent to purchase new consumer packaged goods (CPG) products. Shelf Score evaluates and ranks 10 of the most appealing products based on overall […]
Posted in, Coborn's, Independent Store News, National
Supervalu’s 2014 Master Marketer Winners Listed
As more than 1,250 independent retailers gathered Aug. 12-14 in St. Paul, Minn., for Supervalu’s first-ever national sales show, Sales 4 All Seasons, the company unveiled the winners of its 2014 Master Marketer Competition during an awards ceremony. The competition recognizes and celebrates the top marketing campaigns from the company’s 1,800-plus independent retailer customers in […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Flatin Named President Of Global Chocolate At Mars
Jean-Christophe Flatin has been appointed president of global chocolate at Mars Inc., effective Oct. 1. Flatin currently is global president of Royal Canin, a unit of Mars Petcare. He replaces Grant F. Reid, who recently moved into the role of office of the president for Mars Inc. As the leader of the global chocolate business, […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
ConAgra Foods CEO To Retire
ConAgra Foods CEO Gary M. Rodkin plans to retire at the end of the company’s fiscal year in May 2015. The Omaha, Neb.-based company’s board of directors has established a search committee, led by independent director Richard Lenny, to identify Rodkin’s successor. Lenny is the former chairman and CEO of The Hershey Co. and has […]
Posted in, National
FMI Files Joint-Merchant Petition With Supreme Court To Challenge Swipe Fee Rule
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) on Monday filed a joint-merchant petition with the Supreme Court of the United States seeking its review of the March 2014 swipe fee decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, which was the antithesis of Judge Richard Leon’s U.S. District Court decision last summer. The final outcome of […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Eggland’s Best Reveals Lower Calorie Count For Its Eggs
After years of testing, Eggland’s Best (EB) says the calorie count for its large eggs has been reduced from 70 calories to 60 calories. “Three different outside labs were used to confirm the lower calorie content,” said Dr. Bart Slaugh, director of quality assurance at Eggland’s Best. “The calorie count of EB eggs dropped 10 […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Oscar Mayer Launches ‘Old World’ Italian Product Line
Oscar Mayer is introducing a line of deli meats that add spice and flavor to everyday lunches. The Old World Style line includes four flavors, including Classic Salami, Cracked Black Pepper Salami, Classic Pepperoni and Turkey Pepperoni. “There’s no doubt that Italian-style sandwiches are gaining popularity, on restaurant menus and at home,” said Tom Bick, […]
Posted in, National, West
Calif. Plastic Bag Ban Passes Major Hurdle, Heads To Assembly Floor
A bill that would ban single-use plastic bags and place a 10-cent charge on recyclable paper bags passed the California Assembly Appropriations Committee with resounding support last week and now heads to the Assembly floor for consideration. Senate Bill 270, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Kevin de Leon and Sen. Ricardo Lara, is supported […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Dollar General Outbids Dollar Tree For Family Dollar
Dollar General has made a proposal to acquire Family Dollar Stores in a transaction valued at $9.7 billion. Dollar General’s all-cash proposal of $78.50 per share is higher than the $74.50 per share in cash and stock that Dollar Tree offered July 28 in its bid to merge with Family Dollar. Dollar General said the […]
Posted in, National
BPIA Registration Workshop To Be Held Next Month
The 2014 Biopesticide Industry Alliance (BPIA) Registration Workshop will be held in Arlington, Va., Sept. 30-Oct. 1. Developed in association with the TSGE Forum, members of the BPIA regulatory committee and TSGE Forum say they are working to put together an excellent program about understanding the requirements involved in registering a biopesticide. The workshop at […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola, Monster ‘Swapping’ Some Brands
The Coca-Cola Co. and Monster Beverage Corp. have entered into definitive agreements for a long-term strategic partnership that is expected to accelerate growth for both companies in the fast-growing, global energy drink category. The deal involves the companies “swapping,” or transferring, some brands. The companies say the new, innovative partnership leverages the respective strengths of […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Uncle Si Of ‘Duck Dynasty’ Rolls Out Iced Tea Line At Retail
Four flavors of Uncle Si’s Iced Tea are now available at retail in more than 18 states across the country. Consumers can choose from all-natural Sweet, Un-Sweet, Peach and Half & Half (half iced tea/half lemonade) flavors of the beverage made popular by “Uncle” Si Robertson of A&E’s “Duck Dynasty” fame. Developed and produced by […]