Organizations across the country quickly applauded the USDA’s efforts for a healthier America, especially in the produce arena since the new icon calls for half the plate to be filled with fruits and vegetables. “The new MyPlate and accompanying messaging is a tipping point in how Americans literally visualize what they should eat,” said Tom […]
Category: National
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
U.S. Retailers Lose More Than $37B a Year to Retail Theft
Retailers lost more than $37 billion to theft last year, according to an annual survey conducted by the University of Florida with a funding grant from security systems integrator ADT Commercial. The National Retail Security Survey (NRSS) preliminary results show an increase in theft by nearly $4 billion, from $33.5 billion in 2009 to $37.1 […]
Posted in, National
Dollar General Going Coast to Coast
Just after it announced it would open stores in three new states in 2011—Connecticut, Nevada and New Hampshire—Goodlettsville, Tenn.-based Dollar General Corp. announced its plans to open its first stores in California in 2012. The company had expanded out to Arizona and Colorado in recent years. “Our California stores will mark a significant milestone for […]
Posted in, National
Supreme Court Limits Wal-Mart Sex Bias Case
According to multiple reports, the Supreme Court has blocked a massive sex discrimination lawsuit against Wal-Mart on behalf of female employees. The justices all agreed that the lawsuit against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. could not proceed as a class action in its current form, reversing a decision by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Grocers Take Notice: U.S. DOL Focuses on Supermarket Industry
Hilda Solis, secretary of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), famously proclaimed at the beginning of her term that “there is a new sheriff at the Department of Labor. The Department of Labor is back in the enforcement business.” The department has significantly increased its enforcement action in a number of areas, including OSHA and […]
Posted in, National
Consumer Reports: 2 in 3 Have Left Due to Poor Customer Service
Just how frustrated are Americans with the state of customer service? According to a new Consumer Reports survey, 65 percent are “tremendously annoyed” by rude salespeople and 64 percent of respondents said that they had left a store in the previous 12 months because of poor service. This survey is part of a larger investigation […]
Posted in, National
Top Consumer Sweets and Snacks Trends 2011
Smart, simple, flavor-packed, good value and nutrient-enhanced products led the more than 2,000 new confectionery and snack foods revealed May 24-26 at the 2011 Sweets & Snacks Expo® in Chicago. The expo debuted the hottest new products from more than 550 companies. “Trends in confectionery and snacks for 2011 reflect the larger patterns seen across […]
Posted in, National
Unified Grocers Names Bob Ling President
Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western United States, announced that Bob Ling, EVP, general counsel and secretary, has been named president, Unified Grocers. The announcement was made by Al Plamann, who remains CEO of the company. In his new position, Ling will focus on growing sales throughout the company and on […]
Posted in, National
N.G.A. Names New Manager of Government Affairs
The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) has appointed Brian D. Callahan as the manager of government affairs.
Posted in, National
FMI Responds to Amendment to Kill Swipe Fees
On June 7, Senators Jon Tester (D-Montana) and Bob Corker (R-Tennessee) offered an amendment to the Economic Development Revitalization Act of 2011 (S. 782) to delay debit card swipe fee reforms.
Posted in, National
ROFDA Spring Conference 2011 Town Hall meeting, Part 2
The Shelby Report’s ROFDA coverage, continued from Part 1. [gn_spoiler title=”Q: My question has to do with two things we’re stuck with—death and taxes. What strategies or plans do you have in place to try and moderate or control rising health insurance costs, and from the tax side, state unemployment insurance, which we see going […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Retailers Vie for Shoppers’ Dollars in Deli, Dairy and Bakery
In recent years, research done by International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association (IDDBA) has shown that everything about grocery shoppers in America has changed—possibly for good.
Posted in, From My Point of View, National
Just a Reminder
How are your competitors doing? Check them out; you may be on top of most of the competition but not all
Posted in, From the Editor, National
Leadership Is More About Your Staff Than You
FMI’s Future Connect did what a valuable conference should do—make you think about your work, and your life, in new ways.
Posted in, National
FMI’s Hollingsworth Retires
FMI announced today that Jill Hollingsworth, D.V.M., SVP of food safety programs is retiring.
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
Future Connect Hit All the Right Notes
Future Connect is all about leadership. The best and the brightest of the food industry get to attend because the people back home believe in their potential. FMI and the sponsors of the event brought some of the most inspiring speakers of our time to teach these future leaders.
Posted in, National
J.M. Smucker Increases Coffee Prices
The J. M. Smucker Co. has increased the list price for the majority of its coffee products sold in the United States, primarily consisting of items sold under the Folgers®, Dunkin’ Donuts®, Millstone®, and Folgers® Gourmet Selections® brand names. Prices will increase an average of 11 percent on impacted items. The increase in price is […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Alarm It Protects ATMs from Internal Theft
To help ATM owners and operators protect their investment and the cash in their ATMs, Matthews, N.C.-based Alarm It Security Solutions has developed the MT3000 ATM security system. The only product on the market that protects against internal theft, the MT3000 is an anti-tamper, anti-abuse security system that offers protection against unauthorized intrusion from thieves. […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National
Coca-Cola Celebrates 125th Anniversary
Coca-Cola plans to celebrate its 125th anniversary all summer long with a variety of activities from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The 125 Years of Summer Fun, beginning May 8th, features two summer-long programs, promotions, advertising and celebratory packaging. “For 125 years, Coca-Cola has refreshed the world and celebrated with people as they enjoy fun […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Are You Prepared?
The month of June marks the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season, and forecasters are predicting a busy season, but hurricanes are only one of many events that can impact retail and wholesale operations. As we’ve seen earlier this year disaster can strike at any given moment. The devastating earthquake and tsunami in Japan literally […]