In preparation for “Smurfs 2,” premiering in theaters this summer, the world’s largest maker of gummi, licorice and marshmallow candy is debuting its first licensed product in the U.S., adding Haribo Smurfs to its line of gummi candies sold in America. Haribo Smurfs are strawberry and raspberry-flavored gummi candies in the shape of familiar Smurf […]
Category: National
Posted in, Center Store, National
Color Trends Tint St. Patrick’s Day Every Shade Of Green
The baking experts in the McCormick Kitchens are bringing two of the year’s hottest color trends to the kitchen with flavorful treats in vibrant emerald, the color of the year, and an ombre cake-inspired by fashion’s color fade craze. “Flavorful green treats have never been more in style,” said Mary Beth Harrington of McCormick Kitchens. […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Velvet Ice Cream Unveils New Look
Velvet Ice Cream has redesigned a new appearance for its ice cream packaging, which is rolling out to grocery stores and other retail outlets this week. Velvet fans will find that the new cartons continue to feature the same recipe and “Velvety-smooth taste they’ve grown to love,” according to a news release. Velvet’s cartons remain […]
Posted in, National
2013 NGA Show Closes With Record Attendance Numbers
The National Grocers Association’s 2013 NGA Show has come to a close, having once again expanded its offerings to further solidify its reputation as the place “Where Independents Gather.” The annual four-day show was one of the largest in NGA history, with more than 2,700 in attendance including retailers, wholesalers and industry partners. The NGA […]
Posted in, National
Simpson, Bowles Talk Fiscal Policy
During the NGA Show’s opening day, former Sen. Alan Simpson (R-Wyo.) and Sen. Erskine Bowles (D-N.C.), co-chairs of the National Commission for Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, discussed the economy and America’s current fiscal system in a lively keynote presentation. Both speeches emphasized unsustainable spending and national debt, covering healthcare, Social Security, national defense, taxes and […]
Posted in, National
Creative Choice Awards, Student Case Competition Winners Recognized
Attendees at the 2013 NGA Show felt a buzz of excitement Monday evening at the announcement of the 2013 Creative Choice Contest winners. The contest, made possible through a partnership with the Kellogg Co. and Unilever, honors the best advertising and merchandising in the grocery industry. All entries were judged by a panel of industry […]
Posted in, National
Silbermann: Produce Takes Center Stage And The Center Of The Plate
There is no question that produce is in the spotlight. It is driving the greatest traffic flow into supermarkets, said Bryan Silbermann, president and CEO of the Produce Marketing Association (PMA). He shared several trends in produce on Feb. 11 with attendees at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show in Las Vegas. “Whether it’s the […]
Posted in, Grocery Store Layout, National, Sustainability News
Architect Romero Innovates Grocery Store Design
While the 2013 NGA Show was filled with retailers and wholesalers, many of those companies have worked with api(+) (Architecture Plus International) to improve their store designs. In an interview with Bob Reeves of The Shelby Report, Juan Romero, CEO and founder of api(+), discussed his company and the important work the firm does for […]
Posted in, National
CART, Personiphi Seek To Bring Innovation Advantages To Independents
Two initiatives were introduced at the National Grocers Association (NGA) Show that quickly garnered the interest of many attendees. Gary Hawkins, who is founder and chairman of the Center for Retailer & Technology (CART) and a new initiative called Personiphi, spoke to The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves at the show about them. The initiatives seek […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
Sheridan: Independent Grocers Keep The American Dream Alive
“The independent grocer represents the American Dream fulfilled, and it is your entrepreneurial spirit that keeps our communities vibrant,” said Joe Sheridan, president and COO of Wakefern Food Corp. and chairman of the National Grocers Association (NGA) board, as he shared the stage with NGA President and CEO Peter Larkin on Feb. 10 at the […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Discount Retail Veterans Partner To Launch New Venture
A group of retail veterans with experience in the discount retail arena are uniting to create a new business that will include wholesale, retail and e-commerce components. The venture brings together executives with more than 200 years of combined retail experience in a value-based retail “dream team” of sorts, according to a news release. The […]
Posted in, National
NGA Announces Board Members, Executive Committee
The National Grocers Association (NGA), by recommendation of its nominating committee and a subsequent vote by its membership, recently elected 13 and re-elected six members to its board of directors. Retailer members elected to the board include: • RF Buche, president, GF Buche Co; • Eric Geyer, president/CEO, Geyer’s Markets Inc.; • Nolan Lockwood, president […]
Posted in, National
Fresh Encounter’s Mike Needler Sr. Receives Zaucha Award
During the National Grocers Association’s (NGA) board of directors dinner Saturday, Mike Needler Sr., CEO of Fresh Encounter, was awarded the 2012 Thomas K. Zaucha Entrepreneurial Excellence Award. Needler, a successful entrepreneur whose business was founded in 1964 and has grown to 29 stores in Ohio and Indiana, is recognized as an outstanding leader in […]
Posted in, National
NGA Opens 2013 Show, Launches Tech Resources For Independents
The National Grocers Association (NGA) kicked off the 2013 NGA Show with an opening general session on Sunday, highlighting the organization’s achievements and successes as well as the challenges facing the independent grocery industry. NGA President and CEO Peter J. Larkin discussed the successes of the organization over the past year, including recruitment of 175 […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Marsh Trial Under Way In Indianapolis
Don Marsh, former CEO of Marsh Supermarkets, testified in his defense on Feb. 7 in response to accusations that he “engaged in fraudulent and deceitful behavior while serving as the chairman of CEO of the company” and diverted “company funds to finance his extravagant lifestyle,” court documents show. The civil trial in the U.S. District […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Yellow Tail Introducing Three New Wines
Australia’s [yellow tail] is introducing three new wines in the U.S. this month: Sweet White Roo, Big Bold Red and Pink Moscato. Deutsch Family Wine & Spirits is the exclusive marketer. Following up the launch of Sweet Red Roo in 2012, Yellow Tail Sweet White Roo is a white wine with tropical notes from a blend […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
AWG Partners With Retail Sense On Go-To-Market Strategies For Members
Marketing software company Retail Sense has inked a multi-year contract with Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), a retailer-owned cooperative serving more than 2,500 retail stores, to implement its IntelliSense marketing resource management solution. “AWG is focused on supporting our retail members with their strategic position in the marketplace,” says Steve Arnold, SVP of merchandising and marketing […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Organic Natural
In The Raw Sweeteners Sales Hit New Record In 2012
In The Raw all-natural sweeteners had a record year in 2012, passing the $50 million mark in retail sales for the first time, reports Cumberland Packing Corp. It saw a 20 percent increase in overall sales vs. 2011, according to a news release. The brand’s products include Sugar In The Raw, Stevia In The Raw, […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Delhaize To Cut 500 Jobs, 33 Sweetbays Closing Sooner Than Expected
Delhaize America is cutting about 350 corporate jobs and also eliminating 150 open positions as part of reorganization. The Salisbury Post reports that Delhaize America, parent company of Salisbury, N.C.-based Food Lion, notified workers via email Tuesday of the impending layoffs, with all the cuts coming above the store-manager level, according to the report. Sweetbay […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Hickory Harvest Foods Execs Partner To Form American Confection Co.
Owners of Hickory Harvest Foods Inc. have partnered in forming a separate company, American Confection Co., in Columbus, Ohio. The company currently sees lots of growth potential in the enrobing and panning industry of confections, milk chocolate and all natural products. It adheres to high-quality standards with no hydrogenated oils and products are Kosher certified, […]