You are just about to finish the most exciting sales season of the year. Starting in early October and running through New Year’s Day, seasonally merchandised supermarkets can expect a lift in transaction count and, more importantly, an increase in the average sale amount. Further, there is a spirit that prevails in most stores that […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, West
United Natural Foods Workers At Auburn, Wash., D.C. Go On Strike
Workers at the United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI) distribution center in Auburn, Wash., located at 22 30th St. NE, have gone on strike in response to what they say is the company’s refusal to negotiate over mandatory subjects of bargaining and other unlawful actions. Picket lines were established at 7 p.m. Monday. “UNFI is not […]
Posted in, National
Supervalu Sues Exec Who Defected To Rival
Supervalu is suing to keep a former executive from spilling secrets in his new job with a major competitor, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports. For about 15 months, Leon Bergmann was president of independent business at Eden Prairie, Minn.-based Supervalu Inc., where he led the company’s food and service sales to about 2,200 independent […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, West
2012’s Top Stories In The West
A number of big stories came out of the western states in 2012. Below are the most noteworthy as reported by The Shelby Report this year. Haggen Rolls Out Rebranding Program Bellingham, Wash.-based Haggen launched its Northwest Fresh rebranding program at its Bellevue store in late 2011, and this year the company began extending the […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Out-Of-Stocks Greatest Influencer Of Shopping Trip Satisfaction
Shoppers say they are very satisfied with grocery stores overall, but there is one thing they will not tolerate: out-of-stocks. Half go to another retailer to find what they were looking to buy; 38 percent don’t buy the item at all; 14 percent bought something else; and 12 percent bought a different size or brand. […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Former Publix President Mark C. Hollis Passes Away At 78
Mark C. Hollis, retired Publix president and director emeritus, passed away early this morning at Lakeland Regional Medical Center. He was 78 Hollis was born and raised in Lakeland, Fla. His Publix career spanned nearly 60 years, beginning in 1946 at the age of 12 where his first job was bagging potatoes. He worked in […]
Posted in, National
Burns Out At Food Lion As Delhaize Makes Exec, Organizational Changes
Cathy Green Burns, who rose from supermarket bagger to lead Food Lion has been replaced. As the Charlotte Business Journal reports, Delhaize America CEO Roland Smith announced the shakeup to local employees Thursday with Beth Newlands Campbell, former president of Hannaford Supermarkets, taking over as president of both Food Lion and Harveys. Burns had led […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Reportedly Moving Toward Sale Of Two Chains To Cerberus
Bloomberg News reports Supervalu Inc. is moving toward a deal to sell retail chains such as Albertsons and Save-A-Lot to Cerberus Capital Management LP after talks on a full takeover of the grocer stalled, said people with knowledge of the matter. Save-A-Lot, Supervalu’s hard-discount banner, also received interest from parties such as private-equity firm KKR […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Fans Choose New Color Mix For M&M’S Candies Packages
A new limited edition 8-oz. mix of M&M’S Milk Chocolate and Peanut pouches will hit stores later in December, featuring a never-before-seen blend of colors selected exclusively by fans, according to a Mars Chocolate North America news release. From December 2011 through January 2012, M&M’S Brand asked their community of more than 2.5 million Facebook […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
McCormick Flavor Forecast 2013: Flavor Trends To Drive Innovation
On Dec. 6, McCormick & Co. unveiled its Flavor Forecast® 2013. The annual report is now in its 13th year. McCormick has identified five trends that it believes will drive new product development and innovative menu additions over the coming years, and 10 accompanying flavor combinations to illustrate them. One leading trend featured in this […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Rice-A-Roni Introduces Single-Serve Cups
The newest product from Rice-A-Roni is a single-serve, microwavable, flavored rice cup. With a blend of long grain rice, toasted vermicelli and other flavors, Rice-A-Roni cups can be a snack or a meal on its own. To prepare, add water, microwave for 3-1/2 minutes and let cool. They are available in three flavors: chicken, creamy four […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Expo Floor Sells Out For 2013
The National Grocers Association (NGA) Show Expo Floor has now completely sold out, earlier than ever in the history of the show, which will be held Feb. 10-13 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. “The sold-out status of the NGA Expo Floor speaks to the value and tremendous opportunity the NGA Show and Expo Floor […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Safeway Offers Baking Items, Virtual Cupcake Decorator For Holidays
According to a recent Safeway survey, 78 percent of shoppers plan to make baking cookies a family activity during the holiday season, with 82 percent planning to serve or gift homemade baked goods. Whether baking from scratch or looking for the perfect ready-to-go dessert to take to a party, Safeway is the destination for everything […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
AWG Completes 30,000-s.f. Addition To Corporate Offices
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG) will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony Wednesday to announce the completion of a 30,000-s.f. expansion project of its corporate offices, according to a Unified Government news release. AWG, located at 5000 Kansas Ave. in Kansas City, Kan., is the nation’s second largest retailer-owned grocery cooperative, the sixth largest cooperative in total, […]
Posted in, National, West
Bristol Farms’ Kevin Davis Elected CGA Board Chair
Kevin Davis, president and CEO of Bristol Farms, was elected as the 2012-13 board chairman for the California Grocers Association (CGA) during the group’s annual meeting Friday. As chairman, Davis will lead the association’s strategy over the numerous legislative, educational and industry-related programs. CGA is comprised of more than 400 retail companies operating more than […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
Kroger Receives Corporation Of The Year Honor In North Texas
The Center for Nonprofit Management recently named Kroger the Corporation of the Year at the 2012 A Night of Life ceremony in Dallas, Texas. The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), the leading hunger-relief agency in Dallas serving families in 13 counties, nominated Kroger for the recognition. “We have a longstanding relationship with the North Texas […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Mars Inc. Recognized With NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award
Mars Inc. was honored Thursday with the 2012 NASCAR Marketing Achievement Award at the NASCAR NMPA Myers Brothers Awards, held at Encore at Wynn Las Vegas. Throughout its 23-year partnership, Mars has directly engaged race fans, customers and associates through an integrated marketing strategy that spanned across multiple activations, including: intellectual property, promotions, public relations, […]
Posted in, National
Cigarette Prices Going Up
The cost of a pack of cigarettes from the nation’s two largest tobacco manufacturers is going up 6 cents. The Business Journal reports that Altria Group Inc. and Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Reynolds American Inc. plan to raise prices next week. Greensboro, N.C.-based Lorillard Inc. also is raising prices 6 cents on its Kent, Maverick, Newport and […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Sabra Rolls Out Grab N Go Pack With Salsa And Tostitos Tortilla Chips
Sabra Dipping Co. has added a Grab N Go pack featuring Sabra’s Homestyle Medium Salsa and Tostitos Bite Size Rounds tortilla chips to its line of products. Sabra’s Grab N Go cups with Classic, Roasted Garlic and Roasted Red Pepper hummus paired with pretzels have been available since 2005. “Eating on the go doesn’t have […]
Posted in, National
Frieda Caplan To Receive United Fresh Lifetime Achievement Award
The United Fresh Produce Association will honor Frieda Rapoport Caplan with its Lifetime Achievement Award during its 2013 Winter Leadership Meetings in January in Tucson, Ariz. The award recognizes individuals for a lifetime of achievement and for lasting contributions to the fresh produce industry. In 1962, Frieda Caplan established Frieda’s Finest/Produce Specialties Inc. on the […]