Whole Foods Market this week posted positive numbers for the company’s third quarter ending July 7. The Austin, Texas-based grocery chain reported that sales increased 12 percent to $3.1 billion. Comparable store sales increased 7.5 percent, and identical store sales, excluding four relocations and one expansion, increased 7.2 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Helps Produce Wholesalers Stock Up For School Snacking
Summer is nearly over, and parents will soon be shopping for healthy yet exciting lunch and snack options for their kids to take to school. Frieda’s Inc. says it is the go-to source for kid’s favorite fruits and vegetables. Some of the popular back-to-school items are Asian Pears, Baby Red Bananas, Medjool Dates, Mandarinquats, Baby Apples and […]
Posted in, Midwest, National, Supply Chain News
Penske Logistics To Serve Kroger’s Indiana DC Business
Penske Logistics has won the contract to operate and manage Kroger’s 600,000 s.f. refrigerated food distribution facility located in West Shelbyville, Ind. Penske officially began operating the facility July 21. Penske Logistics has hired the 816 existing workers at the facility, including those represented by Teamsters Local 135. “We’re excited to have earned this new […]
Posted in, National
Trends, Innovative Categories Become Highlight of KeHE Holiday Show
KeHE’s 2013 Holiday Show, held as always at Chicago’s McCormick Place, had the largest number of retailer attendees in the show’s history. The private, two-day industry trade show brought together thousands of retailers and suppliers in the natural, specialty and fresh product categories. Suppliers showcased on-trend products for the holidays, as well as year-round “gotta-have” […]
Posted in, National
NGA: Corporate-Only Tax Reform Is A Non-Starter
President Obama released on Tuesday a proposal that attempts to simplify the tax code for American businesses by reforming only corporate tax rates. Though the National Grocers Association (NGA) says efforts to lower the top corporate tax rate from the highest in the world at 35 percent to 28 percent is a step in the […]
Posted in, National
NACS: ‘We Fundamentally Won On All Counts’ In Swipe Fee Decision
The U.S. District Court ruled today in favor of merchants in a challenge to debit card interchange rules set by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. The decision blasts the board for not following the law as passed by Congress, saying that it failed to set fees that are “reasonable and proportional […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
White Paper: Organic, Local And Natural Go Mainstream
Research detailed in a new white paper, “A Fresh Look at Organic and Local,” all but confirms that the organic, local and natural food trends are no longer niche markets. The latest from Sullivan Higdon & Sink (SHS) FoodThink offers food marketers an in-depth look into understanding and connecting with the growing percentage of shoppers […]
Posted in, National
Alco Stores To Be Acquired By Argonne Capital Group
Alco Stores Inc., a general merchandise retailer specializing in providing a superior selection of essential products for everyday life in small-town America, and Argonne Capital Group LLC, a private investment firm based in Atlanta, have entered into a definitive merger agreement. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Argonne will acquire all of the outstanding […]
Posted in, National
GloriAnn Farms Again Supporting Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
GloriAnn Farms and its partner Five Crowns Marketing have announced their “Support Our Troops” promotion for the second year. For every retail case of corn sold in August, GloriAnn Farms will make a donation to the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, which contributes to the families of military personnel lost or injured in duty. “We are […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Safeway Pleased With 2Q Results
Safeway Inc. President and CEO Robert Edwards says the company is pleased with its second quarter 2013 results, which it reported last week. “We are pleased with the significant milestones we achieved this quarter. The substantial cash proceeds we expect to receive from the sale of our Canadian operations combined with the completion of the […]
Posted in, National
Grossman: ‘Women Must Hold Companies Accountable’ For Change
HSN Inc. CEO Mindy Grossman told executives at the Network of Executive Women’s (NEW) Executive Leaders Forum on Wednesday that women “can lean in for the next 30 years and it will not be enough unless we hold boards and CEOs accountable.” Referring to Sheryl Sandberg’s book, “Lean In,” Grossman said, “As senior executives, I […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Sunsweet Receives PepsiCo’s Hot Fill Co-Packer Of The Year Award
PepsiCo has named Sunsweet Growers Inc. as Hot Fill Co-Packer of the Year for exhibiting superior achievements in quality and overall effectiveness across PepsiCo’s beverage supply chain. This marks the third time Sunsweet has been recognized as Co-Packer of the Year. The two previous awards were for the Yuba City, Calif., facility in 2007 and Fleetwood, […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Coke’s Kent: Women Are Critical To Business Success
When women are put in leadership roles, “brands get better and morale gets better,” Muhtar Kent, chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Co., told 300 senior executives at the Network of Executive Women (NEW) Executive Leadership Forum in Los Angeles on Wednesday. Gender equality—especially in sales and marketing organizations—is “a huge enabler to repeat success,” […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Cesar Adds New Flavors To Savory Delights Line
Cesar has added two new flavors to its Savory Delights entrée collection for dogs: Angus Beef and Pork Tenderloin. The Angus Beef flavor is topped with bacon and cheese in meaty juices, while the Pork Tenderloin flavor includes roasted potatoes and green beans in meaty juices “At Cesar, we always look for ways to create […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Executive News, National
Ocean Spray Appoints Global Chief Marketing Officer
Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., a grower-owned cooperative, has appointed Thano Chaltas to the newly created role of global chief marketing officer. Chaltas will be responsible for global brand development and will be part of the cooperative leadership team. He will report directly to Ken Romanzi, SVP and COO of Ocean Spray Brands. “As the world’s […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Yoplait Rolling Out Blended Greek Variety
Yoplait is introducing a blended Greek yogurt variety, available in six flavors: Blueberry, Strawberry-Raspberry, Tangerine, Coconut, Pineapple and Vanilla. Each cup is made using natural colors, flavors and sweeteners as well as real pieces of fruit. In addition, each 5.3-oz. serving contains 150 calories or less and 0 percent fat. Yoplait Greek will be available […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Belle Foods To Sell Remaining 44 Stores As Part Of Agreement With C&S
Belle Foods LLC and C&S Wholesale Grocers Inc. have reached an agreement for debtor-in-possession (DIP) financing to be extended by C&S to Belle, a move that has been approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama. As part of the DIP financing arrangement, Belle agreed to the motion filed with the court […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Starbucks Gets Into The Yogurt Business With Danone
Starbucks Coffee Co., the world’s leading coffee retailer and roaster of specialty coffees, and Danone, the world’s leading producer of fresh dairy products, have entered into a strategic agreement to offer a jointly created and developed selection of new, healthy specialty yogurt products in participating Starbucks stores and in grocery channels. This will advance Danone’s […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Survey: Trader Joe’s, Publix, Whole Foods Are Consumer Favorites
Trader Joe’s is North America’s favorite grocery store based on customer satisfaction, according to a new study of 6,600 consumers conducted by Market Force Information, a worldwide leader in customer intelligence solutions. Publix Super Markets and Whole Foods Market rounded out the top three. All three received high marks for courteous staff, inviting atmosphere and […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, National
Supervalu Appoints New CFO
Supervalu Inc. has named Bruce Besanko as the company’s EVP and CFO, effective Aug. 7. Besanko joins Supervalu after serving as EVP of finance, CFO and chief administrative officer for OfficeMax. “I’m very excited to welcome Bruce to Supervalu,” said Sam Duncan, president and CEO. “Having worked with him during a successful turnaround at OfficeMax, […]