Now launching: The N.G.A. Online Training and Education Center With a highly competitive marketplace, small staffs, tight budgets and high turnover with a relatively inexperienced workforce, retailers have some challenges in training in-store team members. Bringing store-level personnel into classrooms or sending them to meetings can be expensive, time-consuming and impractical. And while webinars or […]
Category: National
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National, Suppliers
Sonoco Introduces UltraFreshSystem For Fresh-Cut Produce
Sonoco, one of the largest diversified global packaging companies; Paper Pak Industries, a leading manufacturer of absorbent mediums for the food industry; and Bunzl Distribution, a global packaging and supplies distribution company, are introducing the UltraFreshSystem for packaging fresh-cut produce. The UltraFreshSystem features a custom-designed, thermoformed Sonoco tray combined with an UltraZapXtendaPak food safety pad […]
Posted in, National
Roundy’s Mariano, Karst to Present at Jefferies Conference
Milwaukee, Wis.-based Roundy’s Inc. will have two executives on hand for the Jefferies Global Consumer Conference later this month. Roundy’s CEO Robert Mariano and CFO Darren Karst will present at 1 p.m. at the conference in Nantucket, Mass. The audio portion and slides of the presentation will be broadcast live over the internet hosted at […]
Posted in, BJ's Wholesale Club, National, Suppliers
General Merchandise Conference Draws Hundreds
The 2012 Global Market Development Center (GMDC) General Merchandise Conference wrapped up in Orlando, Fla., earlier this week. Marking its 42nd year, the conference drew more than 950 members representing more than 450 companies. In addition, there were 10,000-plus appointments complete. From retailers/wholesalers, to suppliers and service companies, exclusive access to meet with each other […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Kroger Promotes Gestation Crate-Free Environment
The Kroger Co. has begun informing suppliers of a new policy statement regarding gestation crates that are used to house pregnant sows. Kroger says in a news release that it has science-based standards for animal welfare and works diligently to ensure that its suppliers treat animals humanely. Over the past few months, the company has […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
Almond Dream Brand Of Non-Dairy Yogurt Adds Coconut Flavor To Lineup
Almond Dream™ non-dairy yogurt has added a coconut variety to its product selection. Luscious bits of coconut add tropical flavor to the creamy, rich almond yogurt. It is delicious on its own or with seasonal fresh fruit or granola. All natural and made from real almonds, it is high in calcium and a good source […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Equipment & Technology, National
Citgo Introduces ‘Good Rewards’ Program For Visa Account Holders
Houston, Texas-based Citgo Petroleum is launching Citgo Good Rewards, a summer promotion that allows consumers to earn Citgo gift cards with eight minimum purchases of $20 or more made with a Visa card enrolled in the program. Running through Sept. 20 in all Citgo markets, the program is designed to give customers even more reasons […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Pirate’s Booty Partners With Fox’s ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’
Pirate’s Booty, leader and manufacturer of all-natural snacks, has partnered with Twentieth Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios’ “Ice Age: Continental Drift” starring Ray Romano, John Leguizamo, Denis Leary, Seann William Scott and Josh Peck, with Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah and Nicki Minaj, plus Peter Dinklage, Wanda Sykes, Aziz Ansari, Keke Palmer and Drake. The […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Prevalence Of Private Label Products—Part Of The ‘New Normal’
The just completed wave of shopper research on private label usage conducted by Perception Research Services (PRS), shows the vast majority of shoppers still purchase some private label products on a regular basis (86 percent—on par with the 84 percent seen in November 2010). This is true across income groups and other types of classification. […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
Colorado Farm Linked to Listeria Outbreak Files for Bankruptcy
The Colorado farm that grew cantaloupes linked to a listeria outbreak that killed more than 30 people last year has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court documents showed. Reuters reports that Jensen Farms of Holly, Colo., listed $2.1 million in assets and more than $2.5 million in liabilities in documents filed on Friday in […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Wonderful Almonds Now Available
The countdown to summer is on with many consumers looking for healthy ways to get swimsuit-ready, without sacrificing good taste and nutrition. Snack seekers need to look no further than another Wonderful option in the produce section: Wonderful Almonds. These nutrient-dense, California-grown nuts are available in three varieties—Roasted & Salted, Roasted No Salt and Natural […]
Posted in, Center Store, National, Organic Natural
Chocolate Candy Sales Hit $20B, See 20 Percent Growth in Organic
The $20 billion U.S. chocolate candy market is mature, differentiated and demanding. That makes it challenging for marketers of chocolate products seeking to distinguish themselves from the competition, according to “Chocolate Candy in the U.S.,” a just-released report from Packaged Facts. Packaged Facts estimates the U.S. market for chocolate sold at retail at $19.5 billion […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
MyWebGrocer Launches Facebook Circular App
MyWebGrocer has launched a new Facebook Circular App that allows retailers to share their weekly ad circulars with the 179 million Americans who use Facebook each month. Some of the early retail partners include Weis Markets, Brookshire’s and Piggly Wiggly Midwest. These stores’ customers can now do their grocery planning on Facebook, where many shoppers […]
Posted in, National
Whole Foods Market Names New Regional Presidents
Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market has named Scott Allshouse, Omar Gaye and Rob Twyman as regional presidents following the promotion of David Lannon and Kenneth Meyer to EVPs of operations. Allshouse fills Meyer’s former role as president of the company’s Mid-Atlantic region. He moves from his position as president of the South region. Allshouse began […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Jif Debuts Hazelnut Spreads
Jif®, the No. 1 peanut butter brand, has introduced hazelnut spreads to the Jif family of products. Jif Hazelnut Spreads are everything you love about Jif now in delicious, creamy hazelnut spreads. Popular hazelnut flavor pairings of chocolate and coffee inspired these two new flavor varieties: Jif Chocolate Flavored Hazelnut Spread and Jif Mocha Cappuccino […]
Posted in, National, Southeast
Pringles, USO Support Troops With ‘Taste Of Home’ Free Cans Of Pringles
Pringles is teaming up with the USO (United Service Organizations) this Memorial Day to honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces with a “Taste of Home.” Pringles is delivering more than 43,000 free cans of Pringles to USO Centers to be distributed to troops deployed around the world in appreciation of their […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Americans Support Doubling Food Stamp Value At Farmers Markets
Three-quarters of Americans support a nationwide program to double the value of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits (formerly food stamps) when used at farmers markets, according to a recent survey commissioned by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. The poll finds strong support for making produce affordable and accessible to all Americans and that, officials at […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Daymon Launches World’s First Private Brand App
Daymon Worldwide has launched the world’s first Private Brand mobile app, available for iPhone, iPad and Android platforms. The app was unveiled Tuesday in Amsterdam at PLMA’s World of Private Label trade show, the annual international conference of the Private Label Manufacturers Association. Labeled iDaymon, the new mobile app features access to Private Brand resources […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
O’Connor: There Is No Middle
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Profound changes in birth rates, household size, the role of women in the workforce, wage growth, longevity and the “deferral” mindset of the younger generation all are societal changes consumer package goods (CPG) companies and retailers must consider as the market becomes more segmented than ever before. “This is a topic […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Whole Planet Foundation Launches Green Lifestyle Mobile App
Whole Planet Foundation and BlueAvocado have launched a “Make Change. Not Waste.” mobile iPhone application that rewards Whole Foods Market® shoppers with coupons for green lifestyle actions, while raising awareness and funds for poverty alleviation. The app provides shoppers with badges and coupons from a catalog of 45 green lifestyle behaviors including recycling, using a […]