KeHE Distributors’ annual Holiday Show at McCormick Place in Chicago will be held June 10-11. The two-day event will bring together thousands of retailers and suppliers in the natural, specialty and fresh product categories to showcase holiday products and also year-round on “hot and trend” products. “Both our retail and supplier partners rely on our […]
Category: National
Posted in, National
FoodLink Showcases ‘Item,’ WMS Services
FoodLink, which began about 12 years ago to help retailers connect with their fresh foods suppliers, is offering a number of new services. In fact, the Los Gatos, Calif.-based company took home the “Best New Food Safety Product” award for its item-level tracking solution at the United Fresh Produce Association’s annual convention in San Diego […]
Posted in, National
GMA To Honor George W. Koch At Growth & Public Policy Summit
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey said today that George W. Koch has been selected to receive the first GMA Leadership in Public Policy Award, and that the annual award will be named for him and presented in his honor in 2014 and beyond. “George Koch is a legend in the […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Kellogg Reaches $4M Settlement In Mini-Wheats Litigation
A $4 million settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit over Kellogg’s Frosted Mini-Wheats branded cereals. The following statement is being issued by Blood Hurst & O’Reardon LLP regarding the settlement: “Consumers alleged in the lawsuit that Kellogg’s Mini-Wheats cereal was falsely advertised to improve kids’ attentiveness, memory and other cognitive functions to a […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Cracker Jack Launching Two New Flavors, Modernized Prizes And More
In celebration of its 120th anniversary, the Cracker Jack brand from PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division is introducing new flavors, more peanuts and modern prizes. “After 120 years, we knew it was the right time for the Cracker Jack brand to modernize to really suit the changing snacking preferences among our biggest fans—while still remaining true to […]
Posted in, National
ROFDA Conference Starts With Retailer Focus
J. H. “Jay” Campbell Jr., president and CEO of Associated Grocers of Baton Rouge and ROFDA chairman, kicked off the Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) Spring Conference earlier this month by reminding attendees what ROFDA is all about: “Our Independent Retail Grocers.” Held May 18-21 at Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Amelia, […]
Posted in, National
IGA Partners With Wounded Warrior Project In Annual IGA Donation Drive
IGA has joined forces again with Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) in its third annual IGA Exclusive Brand donation initiative. During this national campaign—running in participating IGA stores from Memorial Day weekend (May 27) through Labor Day weekend (Sept. 3)—a number of WWP co-branded IGA Exclusive Brand products will be available for purchase in participating IGA […]
Posted in, National
Sweets And Snacks In A Volatile, Fragmented Market
Confection and snack manufacturers have to be where the shopper is, according to Leon Nicholas, SVP of retail insights at Kantar Retail. During Nicholas’ keynote address at the 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo at McCormick Place in Chicago this week, he gave attendees some insight into the snack and confection industry’s retailer opportunities and how […]
Posted in, National
More Latino Shoppers Use Mobile As Shopping Tool Than General Shoppers
U.S. smartphone penetration is approximately 57 percent so it’s no surprise that consumers are using their phones to assist with shopping needs. What’s interesting is 16 percent of Hispanic shoppers are using their mobile device to make purchases compared to 12 percent of general market shoppers. This was revealed in the latest issue of “The […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Sweetbay, Harveys On The Sale Block?
Delhaize Group may be shopping two of its banners, according to published reports, which say the Belgian grocer—parent company of Food Lion—has hired Lazard Ltd. to sell Sweetbay and Harveys. Sweetbay, which has its corporate offices in Tampa, Fla., had 105 stores in the Sunshine State at the end of 2012. The chain closed 33 […]
Posted in, National
Sweets & Snacks Expo ‘Unwraps Innovation’ With Record Attendance
NCA-sponsored show ends today in Chicago The National Confectioners Association’s (NCA) 2013 Sweets & Snacks Expo in Chicago ends today. This year’s “Unwrap Innovation” show, which began Tuesday, drew record crowds, according to NCA President Larry Graham. The Shelby Report’s Geoff Welch has been at Chicago’s McCormick Place all week covering the big event. Check […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Longtime Agri Beef Exec Named CEO For Superior Farms
Agri Beef Co. executive Rick Stott accepted the position of CEO for Superior Farms Lamb this week. He most recently served as the EVP of business development for Agri Beef, headquartered in Boise, Idaho, and, with more than 19 years at the company, also has served as president of Snake River Farms (a subsidiary of […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Kroger’s Mid-South Division President Hackett To Retire After 50 Years
The Kroger Co.’s Mid-South Division President John Hackett is set to retire after 50 years of service. His last day with the company will be June 28. Hackett began his career with Kroger in 1963 as a store clerk in London, Ohio, working his way through college at The Ohio State University. Following graduation he […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Former Bush White House Counselor Joins Walmart PR Head
Walmart has named Dan Bartlett, 41, its new EVP of corporate affairs, effective in late June. Bartlett most recently was president and CEO of the U.S. arm of Hill+Knowlton Strategies, a global business advisory firm serving corporations, nonprofits and associations in 52 countries. Prior to that, he was a senior counselor to President George W. […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Minnesota Ups Cigarette Tax $1.60 Per Pack
The Minnesota Legislature this week approved a tax bill that will increase the cigarette tax by $1.60 per pack and also increase the tax on other tobacco products. The state projects that the tax increase will raise $434 million in new revenue over the next two years (fiscal years 2014-15). With Minnesota’s increase to $2.83 […]
Posted in, National
Frieda’s Launches New Label For Champagne Grapes
Frieda’s Champagne Grapes, with a new green and purple label, are available for pre-booking. Packed in a 16/1-lb. clamshell to protect the fruit, Frieda’s will have supplies of Champagne Grapes beginning in July. “Frieda’s new label stands out in your grape displays, which makes it easier for consumers to find them and pick them up,” […]
Posted in, National
Reasor’s To Aid In Storm Relief Efforts
Reasor’s is partnering with the Salvation Army to collect donations to help with disaster relief across central Oklahoma. It is asking that the public text the word “Storm” to 80888 to donate $10. Reasor’s will match the first $10,000 donated. Additionally, starting today, all 17 Reasor’s locations throughout northeastern Oklahoma will begin collecting the most […]
Posted in, National
Food Retail Survey Anticipates Amplified Audit Function Over Five Years
Supermarket audit departments and audit budgets will witness resource expansions congruent to the expanding roles within information technology, retail operations and supply chain departments, according to the Food Retailing and Wholesaling Internal Audit Study published by the Food Marketing Institute (FMI). Forty-two percent of companies expect to grow the size of the internal audit function […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Bellisio Foods To Buy Overhill Farms For $81M
Bellisio Foods said last week that it is buying Overhill Farms, which makes frozen foods for Target Corp., Boston Market and other brands, for approximately $81 million in cash. The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports that Overhill shareholders still must approve the deal. That is expected this summer. Terms of the deal were not announced. […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Snack Food Association Appoints Dempsey CEO
The Snack Food Association (SFA) has named Tom Dempsey, former president of UTZ Quality Foods, as its CEO, effective July 1. Jim McCarthy, SFA’s president and CEO since 1999, will continue as president with a focus of enhancing SFA’s presence in federal, state and international arenas. Dempsey’s focus will be to help increase SFA’s value […]