Family Dollar Stores Inc. said Jan. 9 that Michael K. Bloom, president and COO, has left the company to pursue other interests. The Matthews, N.C.-based retailer said it will get a search under way for a new president/COO. “Since joining Family Dollar in 2011, Mike has been a valued part of our team,” said Family […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, Perishables
In-Store Bakery Goods Market Exceeds $13 Billion
Despite comprising a relatively small percentage of perishable dollar sales at most retail stores, in-house bakeries are a thriving part of the U.S. food landscape. Retail dollar sales of in-store bakery goods reached $13.4 billion in 2013, up from $12.8 billion in 2012, according to “In-Store Bakeries: U.S. Market Trends,” a recently released report by […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Publix Pharmacies Launch Sync Your Refills Program
Publix Pharmacies plans to expand a new Sync Your Refills program to all pharmacies. After a successful test in the Atlanta Division, the program will expand companywide to the remaining Publix Pharmacies by Jan. 24. There are 925 Publix Pharmacies in the Lakeland, Fla.-based grocery chain. Sync Your Refills is a program established to assist […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Sprouts Pushing Expansion Into Kansas, Georgia In 2014
Phoenix, Ariz.-based Sprouts Farmers Market will open a new store in Overland Park, Kan., this week and has plans for five stores in the Atlanta area as part of a continued push to expand beyond its western base of stores, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. Sprouts will open the 23,360-s.f. Overland Park store on Wednesday. […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
IGA Launches Label Savers Program
IGA has launched its IGA Hometown Label Savers, a new community-based marketing program that encourages community nonprofit organizations to collect IGA Exclusive Brand product barcodes in exchange for funding toward organizational needs. To implement the program, eligible nonprofit organizations can submit an application to the IGA Hometown Label Savers team, identifying a preferred IGA store […]
Posted in, National
United Fresh Launches Monthly Webinar Series
United Fresh Produce Association members are invited to log in for a new, complimentary webinar series hosted by United’s Market Segment Boards and Expert Councils. Each month, United’s volunteer leader groups will tackle a new topic on key issues impacting the industry. The first in the webinar series, hosted by the United Fresh Grower-Shipper Board, […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Stephen Colbert Makes Super Bowl Debut With Wonderful Pistachios
Wonderful Pistachios says that Stephen Colbert, Emmy award-winning host and executive producer of Comedy Central’s “The Colbert Report,” will star in two Super Bowl spots for the nation’s leading pistachio grower. This will be Wonderful Pistachios’ second consecutive Super Bowl appearance and will kick off a new, full-year agreement with Colbert under the campaign theme, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Samuel Adams Introduces New Spring Seasonal Beer
The brewers at Samuel Adams are ushering in the New Year with a new spring beer—Samuel Adams Cold Snap—the newest addition to the brewery’s seasonal beer collection. Brewed for spring’s transition away from the hearty brews of winter to the bright, lighter-bodied beers of summer, Cold Snap is the brewers’ take on a Belgian-style white […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Tyson Rolls Out ‘Just Add This’ Program To Form New Habits In New Year
Many people set goals to improve their well-being in the New Year. Tyson Foods Inc., makers of Tyson Grilled & Ready fully cooked chicken and beef products, says it is helping people do just that with a few simple steps through its new “Just Add This” program. The program encourages people to make small adjustments […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Original Cheerios Goes GMO Free
Consumers across the U.S. are now seeing “not made with genetically modified ingredients” on familiar yellow boxes of original Cheerios. Original Cheerios has always been made with whole grain oats, and there are no GMO (genetically modified organism) oats, according to Tom Forsythe, VP of global communications for General Mills, maker of Cheerios. “We do […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Survey: Nearly 6 In 10 Energy Drink Consumers Worry About Their Safety
As a new year begins and consumers return to work, many will be looking for an energy kick. But according to new research from Mintel, nearly six in 10 Americans (59 percent) who are current energy drink or shot users say they worry about the safety of energy drinks and energy shots. However, despite allegations […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Aldi Introduces All-Natural, Organic Product Line Called SimplyNature
Aldi has launched it exclusive ”SimplyNature” brand, which features simple foods made with only all-natural or organic ingredients. SimplyNature products range from cereal, honey, fruit bars and apple juice, to pasta sauce, pizza, salsa and various snacks. The new line of SimplyNature products is now available in all stores. “At Aldi, we know that finding […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
NGA Enhances Advocacy Efforts Through New Online Political Action Center
To strengthen and unify the voice of the independent grocer on Capitol Hill, the National Grocers Association (NGA) has officially launched a new Political Action Center. Heading into the 2014 mid-term elections, the NGA Political Action Center will enable independent grocers to connect directly with their federal legislators on a number of platforms, while also […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Woodley Promoted To EVP Role At Sheetz
Sheetz VP of Sales and Marketing David Woodley has moved into the EVP spot vacated by Louie Sheetz. Woodley has led the Sheetz sales and marketing department since 2005. The transition became effective Jan. 1 as another part of the company’s planned leadership changes. Louie Sheetz announced his retirement shortly after it was made public […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Whole Foods Commits $25M In Funding For Loans To Local Producers
Whole Foods Market says its Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP) has reached the initial goal of funding $10 million in low-interest loans to local and independent food businesses, and has now committed up to $25 million in funding. The LPLP has provided 184 loans to 155 companies since its inception in 2007. In providing easier […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Michigan Family Wins Eckrich’s Ultimate Tailgate Contest
Eckrich, a part of the John Morrell Food Group, a division of Smithfield Foods, has announced the winner of its Ultimate Tailgate sweepstakes that includes a chance to meet college football analyst Kirk Herbstreit, participate in a VIP tailgate experience and attend the college title game in Pasadena, Calif. William McGrath of Charlotte, Mich., is […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Reily Foods Buys New England Tea & Coffee Co.
Reily Foods Co. has acquired New England Tea & Coffee Co., one of the country’s largest independent coffee roasters. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. This transaction is not expected to change the day-to-day operations of Malden, Mass.-based New England Tea & Coffee, which will operate as New England Tea & Coffee Co. LLC, […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Target’s Investigation Into Breach Continues, Encrypted PIN Data Confirmed Stolen
Target says it continues its investigation into a data breach that compromised approximately 40 million customers’ debit and credit card information. “While we are still in the early stages of this criminal and forensic investigation, we continue to be committed to sharing the facts as they are confirmed,” Target says in a statement posted on […]
Posted in, National
Stores Should Optimize Health Offering To Overcome External, Internal Challenges
Consumer confidence is up in our economy, but it’s still somewhat tenuous. The housing market is doing well and prices are rising, but there’s still some volatility. Unemployment is falling in the labor markets and it’s driving down income. If we continue to see income fall as it has been, businesses will struggle more because […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
A Congressional Year In Review And A Look To Future Action
Similar to 2012, this past year’s themes encompassed those of partisan gridlock and legislative uncertainty, making it another challenging year for our industry. While the so-called “fiscal cliff” was averted in the very early hours of 2013, Americans experienced a partial government shutdown for the first time in more than a decade. Many issues, including […]