The International Home + Housewares Show is now under way in Chicago and will continue through Tuesday. The International Housewares Association (IHA) is celebrating the 116th show with more than 61,000 people from more than 120 countries in attendance, including 22,000 buyers. “It is the world’s shopping place for housewares,” Perry Reynolds, VP of marketing […]
Category: National
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
Once Again…A Proud History Shared
There are very few times in life when you have the opportunity and privilege of being part of, and announcing, the merger of two enduring, respected publications who share a history like The Griffin Report and The Shelby Report. We are extremely pleased to share with you this great news here. As of March 1, […]
Posted in, National
National eWIC Symposium In Dallas Approaching
The National eWIC Symposium, presented by the Texas Retailers Association, will be held March 26-27 at the Renaissance Dallas Hotel in Dallas. Sponsorships are still available and there is still time to register for the event, which will bring together EBT, industry and government experts to demonstrate and discuss WIC EBT technology alternatives. Some highlights […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
OU Kosher Unveils New ‘OU Kitniyot’ Certification Symbol
OU Kosher, the world leader in Passover preparation and kosher certification, has introduced a new symbol of authorization for Passover products: OU Kitniyot. The new symbol of authorization will appear on packaging with the explanatory message: OU Kitniyot: Acceptable for those who consume kitniyot on Passover. Among the better-known customs of Passover is the concept […]
Posted in, National
Flowers Emerges Winning Bidder For Majority Of Hostess Bread Business
The stalking horse bid submitted by Flowers Foods Inc. for the majority of the assets related to Hostess Brands Inc.’s bread business, including the Butternut, Home Pride, Merita, Nature’s Pride and Wonder brands, will be the bid presented for approval to the U.S. Bankruptcy Court as no other qualified bids were received for those assets. […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Ian’s Rolling Out New Products, Packaging At Natural Products Expo
Elevation Brands LLC and Ian’s are unveiling new products and packaging at Natural Products Expo West—signaling, it says, a strong declaration for the allergy-friendly food company’s product and marketing strategy under the new tagline “Friendly Foods For Life!” Best known for its 34 SKUs of allergy-friendly convenience foods, the new look supports a more powerful […]
Posted in, National
World Alliance International Retail Conference Keynotes National Business Leaders
National retail leaders and the brands of Home Depot, Nintendo, Lego and Ghirardelli are registered for the 2013 Retail Merchandising & Marketing Conference, to be held April 27-30 in Scottsdale, Ariz. Representatives from 13 countries as far away as Russia will attend the international conference, to be hosted by the newly rebranded World Alliance for […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Spam To ‘Break the Monotony’ With Campaign Featuring New Spokescharacter
Next month, the Spam brand’s first-ever spokescharacter, Sir Can-A-Lot, will encourage everyone to “Break The Monotony” of their everyday lives. Partnering with Roy Choi of Kogi BBQ Truck fame, Sir Can-A-Lot will use social media to connect with brand fans distressed by daily dullness to achieve their mission of ridding the worldwide web of mealtime […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
KeHE Adds To Boulder Sales And Marketing Staff
KeHE Distributors has added key staff to its newly established Boulder, Colo., natural sales and marketing headquarters with the appointment of Scott Silverman as executive director—natural and organic. “Scott’s deep understanding and passion for the natural products marketplace and his 20-year track record of identifying emerging trends and exciting new brands are a perfect fit […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Krispy Kreme’s New Glazed Banana Kreme Pies Available At Grocery
Krispy Kreme’s new Glazed Banana Kreme Pies are now available for a limited time at participating mass merchants, grocery and convenience stores. “We are always working to bring new and exciting flavors and treats to fans of our snack products,” says Mark LaBrecque, Krispy Kreme’s senior director for U.S. marketing activation. “The Glazed Banana Kreme […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Better4U Foods Launches Shelf Stable Gluten Free Pizza Crust
Better For You Foods LLC is introducing Better4U Foods “shelf stable” Gluten Free Pizza Crust. The product is designed for consumers who wish to create their own gluten-free pizza, topped with individual choices of ingredients. The Better4U Foods pizza crust is of particular interest to gluten-free consumers and grocers due to the product’s 90-day shelf […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
7-Eleven Achieves Record Store Growth In 2012
Dallas, Texas-based 7-Eleven Inc. achieved record store growth in 2012 and expects the number of 7-Eleven stores worldwide to pass the 50,000-store mark by the end of the first quarter. Already the world’s largest retailer by store count, 7-Eleven added nearly 5,000 stores to its worldwide portfolio in 2012. “2012 was a tremendous year for […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Muller Yogurt Rolling Out To More U.S. Cities
Muller Quaker Dairy is expanding its Muller yogurt brand to more U.S. cities in the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes and Southeast regions, including Chicago, Atlanta, Cincinnati and Tampa. The European yogurt made its U.S. launch last summer in the Northeast. “With fresh flavors and unique mix-ins, Muller yogurt is a great tasting and a completely new […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Top Findings Of The Power Of Meat 2013
The annual Meat Conference, held earlier this week in Nashville, Tenn., and sponsored by the American Meat Institute and the Food Marketing Institute, has released the top findings of the Power of Meat 2013 study. 1. Decline in home-cooked meals that feature meat or poultry—Driven by both the quest to save and health and wellness […]
Posted in, National, West
Nestle Hosts Its First Two On-Site Wind Turbines At Calif. Plant
Nestle is celebrating its first wind energy project in the world today with the hosting of two wind turbines at its Nestle Waters North America (NWNA) bottling plant in Cabazon, Calif. The turbines will provide wind power for 30 percent of the facility where the company produces its Arrowhead and Nestle Pure Life brand bottled […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
GMA President Responds To New Book About Obesity
“Salt Sugar Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us,” a new book by New York Times reporter Michael Moss, is being released today—and to some criticism. Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey released the following statement: “Obesity is a serious problem in the United States and globally, and Michael Moss’ work […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Customer Satisfaction Up At Supermarkets
The national customer satisfaction benchmark gains 0.5 percent to 76.3 on a scale of 0 to 100 for the fourth quarter of 2012, according to a report released today by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). The rise comes from strong public sector gains combined with moderate customer satisfaction improvement for five of eight retail […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
NFC Foundation Grants, Donations Totaled $690K In 2012
The NFC Foundation, a Nash Finch Co. charitable organization, provided more than $690,000 in grants and donations to nonprofit organizations in 2012, representing a 47 percent increase in giving over 2011. The NFC Foundation provides funding to selected nonprofits in areas where Nash Finch associates live and work, primarily in the foundation’s focus areas of […]
Posted in, National, West
Flowers Completes Acquisition Of Sara Lee, Earthgrains Assets In Calif.
Flowers Foods Inc. has completed its acquisition of the perpetual, exclusive and royalty-free licenses to the Sara Lee and Earthgrains brands for sliced breads, buns and rolls in the state of California from BBU Inc., a subsidiary of Grupo Bimbo S.A.B. de C.V. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In October 2012, Flowers […]
Posted in, National
Peanut Corporation Of America Execs Indicted
A 76-count indictment was unsealed Wednesday charging four former officials of the Peanut Corporation of America (PCA) and a related company with numerous charges relating to salmonella-tainted peanuts and peanut products, the Justice Department says. Stewart Parnell, 58, of Lynchburg, Va., Michael Parnell, 54, of Midlothian, Va., and Samuel Lightsey, 48, of Blakely, Ga., have […]