A new study of the impacts of proposed dairy policy legislation on federal nutrition programs has found millions of dollars in hidden costs. Behind typical estimates of the price of the National Milk Producers Federation’s Foundation for the Future dairy policy proposal are large and unintended additional taxpayer costs, reductions in the effectiveness of federal […]
Category: National
Posted in, National, Perishables
AFFI, USDA, FDA, Appliance Manufacturers to Launch ‘Cook it Safe’ Campaign
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the International Food Information Council (IFIC) and home appliance manufacturers to launch the “Cook it Safe” campaign. “Food safety has long been the number one priority for America’s frozen […]
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, National
Maybe What We Need is a Little Sacrifice
It’s funny how the little things get you thinking. There was a story in The New York Times about consumers who stubbornly refuse to wash clothes in cold water, even as popular detergent makers have developed formulas specifically for the job. Evidently, that’s too much of a sacrifice, or at least, that’s how it read […]
Posted in, National
SymphonyIRI: Private Label Could Be Much More
Increasingly, private label products are strategic weapons that separate a retailer from its competitors in a way that helps to build loyalty and purchase behavior. But Symphony IRI Group states in its latest Times & Trend Report that private label can be—should be—even more. Much opportunity remains for private label marketers and national brand marketers […]
Posted in, Grocery Store Layout, National
FMI Energy & Store Development Conference: Integrated Design Can Change Everything
Rocky Mountain Institute’s Hutchinson says ‘put doors on everything’ by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Grocers operate on paper-thin profit margins, and for the industry as a whole, those margins are trending smaller. Store profitability has slipped below 1 percent. Meanwhile, energy costs have, on average, risen well above 1 percent. Throw in the current regulatory environment, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Starbucks VIA Ready Brew House Blend, Breakfast Blend Hit Grocery Shelves
Marking the two-year anniversary of the Starbucks VIA® product line, the company on Oct. 19 made available Starbucks VIA Ready Brew in House Blend and Breakfast Blend at select grocery stores across the U.S. The introduction of the new instant coffee varieties further reinforces Starbucks global coffee leadership and its commitment to offering customers high-quality […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
GMA Appoints Burns VP, Health and Nutrition Policy
Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) President and CEO Pamela G. Bailey on Oct. 19 announced the appointment of Robert Burns, Ph.D., as GMA VP, health and nutrition policy. “I am very pleased to welcome Dr. Burns to GMA,” said Bailey. “Health and nutrition policy is critically important to GMA and its member companies and Dr. Burns […]
Posted in, Bonus Content, National
African-American Buying Power
In 2010, African Americans will constitute the nation’s largest racial minority market, but the buying power of Hispanics—an ethnic group—is larger. Despite the severe impact of the 2007-2009 recession, however, blacks’ economic clout will continue to energize the U.S. consumer market. The Selig Center projects that the nation’s black buying power will rise from $316 […]