Congressman John Carter (R-TX) will introduce legislation next Tuesday, July 24, to prevent the Food & Drug Administration from expanding menu-labeling regulations to grocery store operations. The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) is urging grocery operators to show their support on a letter that will be distributed to members of Congress. A copy of the letter […]
Category: National
Posted in, Feature, National
Organized Retail Crime Cutting into Grocers’ Profits
by Ashley Bates/staff writer Organized retail crime (ORC) involves a criminal network made up of many people who steal large quantities of goods from retailers and later resell the products, and it is a growing problem for U.S. retailers, costing them $3.53 billion in 2010, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Thomas Martin is […]
Posted in, National
Hostess Brands Issues Extension of WARN Notice
Hostess Brands Inc., maker of Twinkies and other products, today sent an extension of the conditional WARN notice originally dated May 4 to its 18,500 employees, and Hostess employee union representatives. The notices inform them that certain events could occur within the next 45 days that could lead the company to sell all or portions […]
Posted in, National, Perishables, The Kroger Co.
$32B Prepared Foods Market Proves Supermarkets Aren’t Just For Groceries
Sales of prepared foods and ready-to-eat foods at retail will reach $32.45 billion in 2012, up 7.5 percent from 2011, according to “Prepared Foods and Ready-to-Eat Foods at Retail,” a just-released report from Packaged Facts. The prepared foods retail net extends across a wide number of retail formats, but supermarkets command majority share. Supermarkets garner […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
SNAP a Target for Cuts as 2012 Farm Bill Debate Heats Up
This month, negotiations in Congress continue to heat up as the massive and very influential 2012 Farm Bill is debated before Congress leaves town for the August recess and another round of campaigning. The Farm Bill, which authorizes proposed funding for five years and deals with a diverse array of policy topics such as agriculture, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
Consumers Union Praises FDA Action to Ban BPA in Baby Bottles, Sippy Cups
Consumers Union, the advocacy arm of Consumer Reports, today praised the action by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the controversial plastic chemical bisphenol-A (BPA) in baby bottles and sippy cups. “This is a big day for everyone who has worked so hard to get BPA out of our sippy cups and baby […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Yogurt’s Growth Outpaces Rest Of U.S. Food Industry
Yogurt’s growth has outpaced the rest of the U.S. food industry and analysts say the market for yogurt of all kinds is only expected to increase, reports Fortune. Reports and projects that point to growth in the industry, according to Fortune, include: A Nielsen study that says U.S. sales are up 15 percent from 2010 […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Fans Invited To ‘Duo It Better’ With New Ice Breakers Duo Mints
The Hershey Co. recently introduced the coolest and sweetest way to experience fresh breath with the launch of Ice BreakersDuo® mints—the ultimate “fruit + cool” flavor sensation, according to news release. Ice BreakersDuo mints come in two flavors—Raspberry and Strawberry—and combine a sweet, fruity taste with the brand’s signature cooling crystals and are available at […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Beverage News, National, New Products, Whole Foods
Karma Wellness Water Debuts Nationwide
The principle of karma is based on cause and effect. If you do something positive, you’ll get something positive in return. Born from this belief is Karma Wellness Water, the line of natural, nutrient-enhanced water introduced nationwide today that has been formulated to deliver health benefits to your mind, body, spirit, balance and vitality. The […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
NACS Rejects Proposed Antitrust Settlement with Visa, MasterCard
The proposed settlement of longstanding antitrust litigation between merchants and the credit card industry was rejected by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS), a class plaintiff in the lawsuit. Because the proposed settlement does not introduce competition and transparency into the broken credit card swipe fee market, the NACS Board of Directors, comprised of […]
Posted in, National
N.G.A. Reacts To Settlement In Re Payment Card And Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation
Peter Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (N.G.A.), has released the following statement as an initial reaction to the announced settlement In Re Payment Card and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation: “N.G.A. has been engaged in this litigation as a plaintiff for over seven years. We took this action on behalf of independent […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
Natural Grocers By Vitamin Cottage Prices IPO
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage Inc. has priced its initial public offering at $13 to $15 a share, the Lakewood, Colo., company disclosed to the Securities and Exchange Commission on Thursday, the Denver Business Journal reports. The family-owned retailer filed its registration statement for an IPO last month. At that time, Natural Grocers by Vitamin […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
16-oz. Cold Activated Hiball Energy Can Line Available At Whole Foods
Hiball Inc. has announced the distribution of its newly reformulated and repackaged line of energy drinks to more than 250 Whole Foods Market stores throughout the U.S. Now sold in 16-oz. cold activated cans, Hiball’s line of Organic Sparkling Energy Drinks and Sparkling Energy Waters began rolling out into Whole Foods Market’s stores mid-June, featuring […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Kahlua Unveils Canned Iced Coffee
Kahlua has introduced a convenient, easy way to enjoy iced coffee—in a can. Kahlua® Iced Coffee, a refreshingly simple iced coffee that contains a delicioso taste of Kahlua, comes in a convenient to-go can. With its new iced coffee, the company’s sleek cans are perfect for any gathering or a quick coffee break, while maintaining […]
Posted in, Beverage News, C-Store News, National
7-Eleven Toasts 85 Years Of Convenience With Free Slurpee Drinks
Summer and 7-Eleven® stores’ frozen Slurpee® drinks is as all-American as, well, baseball and hot dogs…the Fourth of July and cookouts…amusement parks and big box-office movies. And free Slurpee drinks? That’s a tradition that Americans have come to love as well, 7-Eleven says. Once again, 7-Eleven is celebrating its birthday on 7-Eleven Day—today, July 11; […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
How Much Can Congress Cram into a Post-Election Session?
In case you haven’t picked up on it yet, Congress’ post-election session is slated to address a myriad of major issues, ranging from avoiding automatic cuts set in motion after the failure of the Supercommittee to preventing a major tax increase on millions of Americans and businesses when the existing individual rates expire on Dec. […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Clif Bar Campaign Pledges $100K To Protect Places We Play
Clif® Bar’s Meet the Moment program invites outdoor enthusiasts to inspire and be inspired, empowering them to protect the places we play by sharing their photos and stories of outdoor adventure at www.MeettheMoment.com. Through user interaction with the site, Clif Bar will donate up to $100,000 to five nonprofits dedicated to preserving the outdoors. Each […]
Posted in, National
N.G.A.’s Matt Ott Earns CAE Credential
Matt Ott, director of membership and information technology for the National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) has earned the ASAE Certified Association Executive (CAE®) credential. The CAE is the highest professional credential in the association industry. Less than 5 percent of all association professionals have earned the CAE. “N.G.A. is proud to have such a dedicated employee […]
Posted in, National
Actor, Honey Nut Cheerios Partner To Help Latinos Get Heart Healthy
Spanish-language novela leading man Juan Soler and Honey Nut Cheerios® have launched a joint, multi-market, education initiative designed to help Hispanics lead a heart healthy life. Among its suggestions: cutting down on the heavy saturated fat and cholesterol intake contained in many Latin dishes. Called, “Cuidate, Corazon” (Take Care, Heart), the initiative seeks to help […]
Posted in, National
NGA Responds to Obama’s Proposed Tax Increase
Peter Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), released a statement today in response to a move by President Obama that calls for increased taxes on entrepreneurs. Larkin disagreed with the measure: “Independent retail grocers and wholesalers have continued to innovate and invest in their local communities by opening new stores, renovating […]