A record number of delegates at the International Blueberry Organization’s (IBO) fourth summit heard how Mexico is gaining increasing relevance within the industry. Mexico has the potential to be a game changer within the global blueberry business on account of its long season, innovative growers, new varieties and proximity to the large counter-seasonal market of […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
NGA Makes Organizational Changes With Two Promotions
The National Grocers Association (NGA) says that Matthew R. Ott has been named VP of operations and that Greg Ferrara, VP of public affairs, has been appointed as head of government relations. Ott previously was NGA’s VP of membership and information technology. Since January 2011, he has been responsible for membership service offerings, including the […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
IRI Reveals Most Successful CPG Brands Of 2013
Information Resources Inc. (IRI) has unveiled the most successful consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands in its “2013 New Product Pacesetters” report, an industry-recognized benchmark analysis of exceptional first-year CPG sales success for newly launched products. With 190,000 new UPCs and 9,500 new brand launches hitting the shelves in 2013, new products are high-octane fuel for […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Frito-Lay Releases New Products In Line With ‘Bring The Party’ Campaign
Tostitos Fajita flavored Scoops! tortilla chips and Tostitos Queso Blanco dip were launched in conjunction with the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which took place Jan. 1 this year at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The new chips, with real red peppers baked inside the dough, provide a bit of heat, and when paired […]
Posted in, National
NGA Submits Comments On OSHA Record-Keeping Proposal
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments on a rule proposed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) that would amend employer record-keeping regulations to require electronic submission of injury and illness data, and change the frequency of when data is reported. Additionally, OSHA proposes to publicly disclose this data. “Independent retailers and wholesalers continue […]
Posted in, National, New Products
La Brea Bakery Launches Petite Crisps Cookies At Retailers Nationwide
Artisan bread brand La Brea Bakery has introduced Petite Crisp Cookies, a new retail line of fully baked mini cookies made with premium ingredients and available in three flavors. La Brea Bakery’s Petite Crisp Cookies use natural ingredients like butter, high-quality flour and spices that embody the artisan tradition that includes no artificial colors, flavors […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
GMCR Changes Name To Keurig Green Mountain
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR) has changed its company name to Keurig Green Mountain Inc., effective immediately. Shareholders approved the new name at the company’s annual shareholder meeting last week. The company will retain its ticker symbol of “GMCR” on the NASDAQ stock exchange. “Our new name better reflects who we are as a […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Gardein Rolls Out Golden Fishless Filets
Garden Protein International Inc.—the makers of Gardein, the plant-based complete protein brand currently sold in more than 20,000 stores in North America—has launched its golden fishless filet. Rich in flavor and texture, this protein innovation also provides omega-3s with no cholesterol. The crispy and breaded fish-free product is available now at select U.S. retailers. Each […]
Posted in, National
Chiquita Merges With Fyffes To Become Global Banana Leader
Chiquita Brands International and Fyffes said this morning that their boards have unanimously approved a definitive agreement for Chiquita to combine with Fyffes in a stock-for-stock transaction. Chiquita shareholders are expected to own approximately 50.7 percent of the combined company—called ChiquitaFyffes—and Fyffes shareholders, 49.3 percent on a fully diluted basis. The deal would create a […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, National
Two Supervalu Board Members Step Down Following Safeway Deal
Supervalu on Thursday said that two of its directors, Mark Neporent and Lenard Tessler, have stepped down from the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. Neporent and Tessler were both appointed to the board in 2013 as designees of Symphony Investors LLC, a Cerberus Capital Management L.P.-led investor consortium, under the terms of the tender […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Fresh Market Revises Expansion Plans As Profit Drops 90 Percent
After a disappointing 2013 and a 90.4 percent drop in fourth-quarter profit, Greensboro, N.C.-based specialty grocer The Fresh Market is modifying its real estate expansion plans and will close several stores in the Houston and Sacramento markets. The Business Journal reports that The Fresh Market reported late Thursday net income of $2 million, or 4 […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
CST Brands Closing 100 Stores
San Antonio-based CST Brands, one of the largest independent retailers of motor fuels and convenience merchandise in North America, plans to dispose of approximately 100 Corner Store locations across the U.S. The company made the announcement when it reported its fourth quarter and fiscal 2013 earnings on Thursday, and said the decision is the result […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Mondelez International Partners With Facebook
Mondelez International has entered into a global strategic partnership with Facebook, as the company continues to shift more media spending to digital, especially social and mobile, across the entire consumer journey. The partnership leverages the scale of both businesses to deliver overall competitive advantage via step-change brand-building, ground-breaking innovation and access to research, training and […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Oscar Mayer Brand Mobile Device Simulates Smell, Sound Of Bacon Frying
The Oscar Mayer brand says it is breaking new ground with the first-ever iOS device that allows early risers to wake up to the smell of bacon without lifting a frying pan. The device, named Wake Up & Smell the Bacon, syncs with the Oscar Mayer Wake Up & Smell the Bacon iPhone application to […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Saffron Road Launches Korean Line
Saffron Road is introducing a line of frozen meals and tacos inspired by traditional Korean cuisine, making the packaged food brand of American Halal Co. one of the first to bring Korean frozen entrees to the all-natural premium category. The launch comes as part of the brand’s commitment to bringing globally-inspired cuisine to Americans. Like […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Report: H-E-B, Trader’s Joe’s And Publix Earn Top Customer Experience Ratings
The fourth annual “Temkin Experience Ratings” reveals grocery and fast food chains dominate the top spots among evaluation of 268 companies across 19 industries. Based on a study of 10,000 U.S consumers, H-E-B, Trader Joe’s, Chick-fil-A, and Publix earned the highest scores in the 2014 Temkin Experience Ratings, ranking 268 companies across 19 industries. Joining […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
AirFlo Introduces Merchandising Display For Bananas
Carlson AirFlo has launched the AirFlo Banana Display, which the Minnesota-based company says provides both a strategic location display and focal-point function for displaying bananas. Benefits, according to Carlson AirFlo, include: • Increase sales by providing more access, appeal and excitement; • Reduce shrink simply by hanging the fruit from its crown, resembling growth in […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Kroger Created More Than 7K New Jobs Last Year
The Kroger Co. says its total active workforce grew by more than 7,000 during fiscal year 2013. Approximately 90 percent of the new jobs were in the company’s supermarket divisions. “Our associates have the extraordinary opportunity to make a difference for the more than eight million customers who visit our stores each day,” said Katy Barclay, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Self Magazine Gets Into Frozen Foods Business
Self magazine is introducing Self Healthy Kitchen, a new line of frozen meals that feature ingredients from the magazine’s best-selling “Drop 10 Diet” books and weight loss programs. These ingredients are designed to help the body burn fat, lose weight and lower risk for disease. Self, a Conde Nast brand, worked with Chef Calvin Harris, […]
Posted in, National
Consumer Expectations That Are Reshaping Retail
While retailers have historically used the “multichannel” approach to reach consumers, the rapidly growing focus on the consumer and integrated, customer-focused technology has paved way for a “Total Retail” experience, according to a new report by PwC titled, “Achieving Total Retail: Consumer Expectations Driving the Next Retail Business Model.” Based on a survey of more […]