On Nov. 11, Craft Brew Alliance (CBA), a Portland, Oregon-based brewing company that creates craft beers, and Anheuser-Busch (A-B) said they will expand their partnership, with A-B agreeing to purchase the remaining CBA shares it does not already own in a merger transaction for $16.50 per share, in cash. “Today’s announcement represents an exciting next […]
Category: National
Posted inAssociation News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, National, Shelby Exclusives, Shelby Signature Content, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UPDATED: ROFDA To Join Forces With NGA Jan. 1
The Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA) organization will merge under the National Grocers Association (NGA) umbrella, effective Jan. 1, 2020. The announcement was made this morning at the NGA and ROFDA co-located fall conference in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. ROFDA’s current share groups and buying programs will continue to operate under this new […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, National
Private Brands Research Shows Complexity Of Consumer Expectations
Newly released consumer research by Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and its insights provider IRI reveals that food retail private brands have greater influence on where grocery customers shop. Today, 46 percent of consumers say store brands influence their store choice, versus just 35 percent three years ago, and private brands are gaining fans across a […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, National
USDA Rules Deliver Clarity For Farmers And Hemp Industry
On Oct. 29, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) established the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program as mandated by the 2018 Farm Bill, allowing federally approved hemp to be grown under clear guidelines and making hemp farmers eligible for many agricultural programs. Hemp genetics company HGH Seed Inc. welcomes the introduction of a consistent regulatory […]
Posted inNational, Private Label Brands
IRI Survey: Consumers Turn To Private Brands For Better Value
An IRI Consumer Connect Survey reveals private brand dollar sales grew 3.8 percent in 2019, twice the rate of national brands. Although 57 percent of consumers say their financial health is good, fears of a recession are driving slightly less consumer confidence in Q3 2019, according to the latest IRI Consumer Connect Survey results. Expecting […]
Posted inMarketing News, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, National
Kroger Debuts New Logo And Launches Brand Transformation Campaign
The Kroger Co. has launched its new “Fresh for everyone” tagline and changed its logo as part of what it’s called its “brand transformation.” “Kroger’s new brand launch is a unifying framework for our seamless shopping experience that is designed to deepen our connection with customers and associates today and into the future, support our […]
Posted inPackaging News, Amazon Fresh, National, Sustainability News, Whole Foods
Beverage Companies Unite For ‘Every Bottle Back’ Initiative
The Coca-Cola Co., Keurig Dr Pepper and PepsiCo launched the Every Bottle Back initiative, an effort to reduce the industry’s use of new plastic by making significant investments to improve the collection of the industry’s valuable plastic bottles so they can be made into new bottles. These competitors are coming together to support the circular […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, National
New CFI Research Takes Closer Look At Sugar-Conscious Consumers
New research shows there are two distinct groups paying attention to the sweet substances added to enhance the flavor of some of our favorite foods and beverages. A report from The Center for Food Integrity (CFI) details the motivations, fears, attitudes and values of two dominant consumer segments, the cautious and carefree, who are engaging […]