Cerberus Capital Management reportedly has made a bid for Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. The Wall Street Journal, citing a person familiar with the situation, reports that the New York private-equity firm, which recently purchased several chains from Supervalu, has not yet decided whether to acquire Harris Teeter as a whole or to buy […]
Category: National
Posted in, Executive News, National
Nash Finch Promotes Swanson To SVP Of Retail Operations
Nash Finch Co., a Minneapolis-based food distributor, today said that Tom Swanson, VP of retail operations, has been promoted to SVP of retail operations. Since joining Nash Finch in 2012, Swanson has led corporate retail through several key growth initiatives, including new store openings, implementation of innovative retail marketing and merchandising programs, execution of a […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Crunch Pak Billboard Shines During Summer Solstice Celebration In NYC
Crunch Pak is now part of the electronic commerce in New York City’s Times Square. The Cashmere, Wash., sliced apple company made its presence known Friday, with an electronic billboard prominently on display during the summer solstice celebration. Read more about the sign here.
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Evian Natural Spring Water Rolls Out New Bottle Design In U.S.
For the first time in more than a decade, Evian Natural Spring Water has redesigned its bottle. Like its award-winning bottle of 14 years ago, the company says this design represents a major breakthrough—fitting for the water that first defined the U.S.’s premium water segment in the early ’80’s. Sleeker and with cleaner lines, the […]
Posted in, National
Annual ‘Shopping For Health’ Survey Results Released
According to Shopping For Health 2013, the 21st annual study released Tuesday by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and Prevention, published by Rodale, shoppers still need help making healthy eating easier, with many citing cost and lack of motivation as common obstacles. Certain barriers to healthy eating have diminished in the past few years, with shoppers […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Safeway Receives Department Of Defense Freedom Award
Safeway Inc. has been selected to receive the 2013 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the nation’s highest honor given to employers for exceptional support of National Guard and Reserve employees. Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), an office of the Department of Defense, announced the award recipients today. Safeway is one […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
MillerCoors Achieves Landfill-Free Status At Largest U.S. Brewery
MillerCoors says its Golden Brewery in Colorado is now landfill free. Building on its experience in taking four of its other breweries landfill free, this latest move means the largest brewery in the U.S. eliminated an average of 135 tons of waste monthly that was previously sent to landfill. For the brewing industry, the accomplishment […]
Posted in, National
Study: Americans Will Allow Access To Personal Data For Clear Benefits
Consumers worldwide overwhelmingly will share personal information to get better service from their doctors, bank and retailers; however, they are very discerning about how they share. Today’s digital consumers are complicated and sometimes skeptical about how institutions use their data, according to a global independent survey of consumers around the world commissioned by Infosys. U.S. […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Twinkies Returning To Shelves Next Month
Americans will be celebrating more than their independence and freedom next month. They also will be able enjoy their beloved Twinkies snack cakes. Hostess Brands LLC, maker of Twinkies, says the product as well as Hostess CupCakes, Ding Dongs, Donettes and other classic treats, will be back on store shelves July 15. In the meantime, […]
Posted in, National
TreeHouse To Acquire Cains Foods For $35M
TreeHouse Foods Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cains Foods, a privately owned Ayer, Mass.-based manufacturer of shelf-stable mayonnaise, dressings and sauces with approximately $80 million in annual revenue. The Cains’ product portfolio offers retail and foodservice customers an array of packaging sizes, sold under both private label store brands and the […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Khalaf Promoted To VP Of Industry Development At Kraft
Kraft Foods Group’s Omar Khalaf has been promoted to VP of industry development following the recent announcement that Regenia Stein intends to retire. Khalaf will be responsible for leading Kraft sales and industry development with a focus on category and customer development opportunities. “Omar’s various experiences in field and customer development roles will provide a […]
Posted in, National, West
Giumarra Hires Western Region Business Manager
Giumarra has added Kellee Harris to its marketing team. She joins the company today as western region business manager. Harris comes to Giumarra from Package Containers Inc., where her responsibilities included business development and account management for the California, Utah and Colorado regions. She also has held positions in the nonprofit and sporting goods sectors, […]
Posted in, National
Study: Volatility Squeezing Global Private Label Supply Chain
Rising and increasingly volatile costs dominate retailers’ top challenges sourcing private label goods, while changes in consumer behavior fueled by mobility and online shopping are driving the strategic importance of private label sourcing, according to a new Deloitte study, “Private Label Sourcing: Strategies to Differentiate and Defend.” “Rapid population growth, skewed to developing regions, is […]
Posted in, National
Amaize Sweet Corn Available For The Season
It’s time again for Amaize Sweet Corn, a rare breed of sweet white corn grown in limited supply throughout the U.S. This corn is noted for its taste, texture and sweetness, all of which took more than 20 years to perfect. George Crookham and Bruce Hobdey developed Amaize Sweet Corn at Crookham Co. The pair […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
PCC Pilot Testing Mobile Grocery Manufacturer Coupons For Natural, Organic Brands
Chinook Book, in partnership with PCC Natural Markets and 11 product brands, today launched the nation’s first mobile grocery manufacturer coupons for natural and organic products. Using the Chinook Book mobile app, the coupons are initially available in the Seattle/Puget Sound area for redemption at all nine PCC Natural Markets stores. “PCC is happy to […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Kroger Private Selection Pies Win Blue Ribbons At Championships
Two of Kroger’s Private Selection pies recently received big awards. The limited-edition Pear Blueberry pie (available in the fall) and the Dulce de Leche pie won blue ribbons at the 2013 American Pie Council/Crisco National Pie Championships, held in Florida earlier this year. Go here to see a complete list of winners.
Posted in, National, Store News
Shopper Behavior Report Finds The Economy, Americans Getting Healthier
Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry, has released its bi-annual “The Why? Behind the Buy” report, which provides insights into the behavior and buying patterns of today’s shoppers as well as tips to help CPG and retail marketers adapt to the ever-evolving shopping […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Bud Light, McDonald’s, Coke Among Most Valuable Food And Bev Brands
Changing consumer habits, ongoing health concerns and economic pressure on core customers moderated results in BrandZ’s Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands 2013 research in the food and drink category. Brands emphasized value, added healthier menu options and remodeled locations. • Beer improved 36 percent, the greatest percentage brand value rise of all categories. Bud […]
Posted in, National
House Farm Bill Fails By Slim Margin
The House of Representatives voted Thursday on the Farm Bill and, by a 195-234 vote, the bill failed to pass. Debate over the bill’s 200-plus amendments began June 18. The five-year Federal Agriculture Reform and Risk Management (FARRM) Act sought to reform the nation’s dairy, nutrition assistance, crop insurance, sugar and conservation programs. The most […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Kroger’s Same-Store Sales Up 3.3 Percent In First Quarter
The Kroger Co. reported Thursday that its same-store sales for the first quarter of 2013 were up 3.3 percent, without fuel. It marks the company’s 38th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales. “Kroger achieved strong sales and record earnings per share for the quarter, and our customers’ positive view of us continues to improve,” […]