A number of big stories came out of the western states in 2013. Many of them involved companies having to regroup and/or sell off their holdings, but there were a couple of bright spots as well, including new banners and strong performance. Below are the top 10 most noteworthy as reported by The Shelby Report […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, New Products
Outer Spice Debuts Low-Salt And No-Salt Seasonings
Outer Spice is delivering four healthy new seasoning solutions to stores—and spice racks—everywhere. The new no-salt and low-salt seasonings, made by Austin, Texas-based Black River Trading Co., are all-natural, gluten-free spice blends that add depth to any meal. Outer Spice is the only spice blend created to serve as both an ingredient in every dish […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Foulkes Appointed President Of CVS/Pharmacy
CVS Caremark has named Helena B. Foulkes as president of CVS/pharmacy, effective Jan. 1, 2014. Foulkes, 49, most recently served as the company’s chief health care strategy and marketing officer responsible for corporate strategy and enterprise marketing, government relations and communications. Throughout her more than 20-year tenure with the company, Foulkes has held numerous leadership […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
New Walmart CEO Takes The Helm In February
Walmart Stores Inc.’s board of directors has elected company veteran Doug McMillon, 47, to succeed Mike Duke, 63, as president and CEO, effective Feb. 1. McMillon also was elected to the company’s board of directors, effective immediately. McMillon currently serves as president and CEO of Walmart International—a segment of Walmart’s overall operations with more than […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Sue Bee Honey Now Bears ‘Support The USA Honeybee’ Seal
Sioux City, Iowa-based Sue Bee Honey has begun placing “Support the USA Honeybee” seal labels on all its branded products to inform consumers that they are buying 100 percent all-natural American honey and supporting American beekeepers and the role their bees play in pollinating more than $47 billion in American crops. David Allibone, president of […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Greek Gods Brand Adds Honey Peach To 24-oz. Yogurt Lineup
The Greek Gods brand is adding Honey Peach flavor its lineup. This new flavor will be available in a 24-oz. tub. “The Honey Peach flavor is exceptionally delicious, and we are excited to add an additional fruit flavored offering to the lineup,” said Basel Nassar, COO of the Hain Refrigerated Foods Division. Honey Peach is […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Pilot Flying J Celebrates 55th Year In Business
Pilot Flying J, the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America, marked a big anniversary this week. The Knoxville, Tenn.-based company recognized its 55th year in business on Wednesday. The Pilot journey began in 1958 when James A. “Jim” Haslam II opened the first Pilot in Gate City, Va.—Pilot Store No. […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Specialty Food Association Accepts 152 New Members
The Specialty Food Association has accepted 152 companies for new membership, including makers of ghost chili sea salt, bacon brittle, burrata and lavender martini mocktails. Among the new members are Blis Caviar of Grand Rapids, Mich., maker of flavor-infused wild domestic caviar; Califia Farms of Pasadena, Calif., producer of cold brewed coffee, almond milk and […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Blue Diamond Posts Record Sales And Revenue
Blue Diamond Growers’ global almond sales soared to $1.2 billion, up $189 million in fiscal year 2012-13. Value-added sales volume increased by 14 percent, even with a crop that was 7 percent smaller, according to President and CEO Mark Jansen, who addressed the cooperative’s grower owners at the company’s annual meeting. Value-added sales now represent more […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Women’s Study: Eating Tree Nuts Reduces Pancreatic Cancer Risk
According to a long-term women’s health study recently published, women in the study who ate a 1-oz. serving of tree nuts two or more times a week had a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer compared to those studied who did not include nuts in their diet. This is the first study to measure the association […]
Posted in, National, New Products
MountainKing’s Steakhouse Roasters Provide Healthier Alternative To Frozen Fries
MountainKing has introduced its new Steakhouse Roasters, a slender, thin skin, tubular-shaped fresh potato variety filled with flavor that doesn’t require peeling and cooks fast to create steakhouse-quality, oven-baked wedge fries. Known within the produce industry as “fingerlings,” MountainKing says it has reinvented this specialty potato with a new name and new packaging to attract […]
Posted in, National
Progressive/Mission Asparagus Deal Creates Year-Round Program
Progressive Produce’s recent acquisition of Mission Asparagus has propelled the grower into the elite of asparagus suppliers, according to the company. Already growing thousands of acres in Mexico, Peru, California and Washington State, some in partnership with Keystone Fruit Marketing, Greencastle, Pa., Progressive’s increased Mexico and California acreage has solidified its year-round availability. “This year-round […]
Posted in, National, Store News
C&K Market Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Will Keep About 40 Stores
To address legacy costs, sell or close underperforming stores and resolve debt issues, C&K Market Inc. has filed a voluntary petition for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Oregon, Eugene. C&K’s operations are expected to continue as normal throughout the bankruptcy process as it develops a reorganization plan. The […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Food Packaging Choices: Sustainability Trumps Novelty
An independent research study conducted by MindClick Global on behalf of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), found that when asked about sustainability in food packaging choices, two-thirds of consumers preferred steel cans. The results support findings that consumers consider sustainability to be a […]
Posted in, National
NGA Hires New Communications Director
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has hired Laura Strange as its director of communications and marketing. Strange, who most recently served as a communications director on Capitol Hill, is responsible for the implementation and advancement of communications and marketing strategies targeted for audiences and outlets on the national, local and industry-specific levels. She also will […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Sunkist Soda Refreshes Packaging
Dr Pepper Snapple Group recently enlisted the help of New York City brand agency CBX to refresh the packaging graphics for Sunkist Soda, first introduced in 1978. Sunkist Soda once was known for its California style, and Dr Pepper Snapple Group believed there was an opportunity to take the brand back to its “fun in […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Clear Lam Introduces PrimaPak For Flavor Tree Pretzels
A new package innovation featuring the PrimaPak packaging system is launching at a regional East Coast retailer. Developed by Clear Lam Packaging for John B. Sanfilippo & Son’s Flavor Tree brand, the packaging for the Limited Edition Premium Dark Chocolate Pretzels will be sold throughout the holidays. The PrimaPak technology is designed to replace heavy, […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Whitepaper Offers Advice For Grocers Navigating The Online Market
Daymon Worldwide, a global full-service branding and sourcing partner, released its “Grocery Retailing Goes Digital” whitepaper Thursday, revealing five key steps grocery retailers need to follow to successfully compete in the rapidly-evolving e-commerce world. “E-commerce is redefining the retail shopping experience, and shaping the fate of many retailers, particularly as online grocery retail is growing […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Kentucky’s Homegrown By Heroes Brand Goes National
A Kentucky initiative to identify farm products produced by veterans will become a national brand, Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner James Comer announced on Veterans Day at the Frazier History Museum in Louisville. The Farmer Veteran Coalition will administer the Homegrown by Heroes program on the national level. At the announcement, the Farm Credit System announced a […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Former Delhaize Chief Named CEO Of Office Depot
Office Depot Inc., a leading global provider of office products, service and solutions formed by the merger of Office Depot and OfficeMax, has appointed Roland C. Smith as its chairman and CEO. Smith previously served as the CEO of Salisbury, N.C.-based Delhaize America until he tendered his resignation Sept. 4. He had held that position […]