The continued economic optimism that is driving the stock market to new highs may have the same effect on holiday shopping and travel. That’s according to a national consumer survey released this week by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Sixty percent of U.S. fuel consumers report feeling optimistic about the economy, a 1-point […]
Category: Northeast
The Shelby Report of the Northeast covers grocery retailers, wholesalers and suppliers in Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Follow the latest store openings, remodels, leadership changes and market news from the region.
Ahold Delhaize Debuts ‘Better Together’ Strategy For 2017
Ahold Delhaize has released its “Better Together” strategy, the company’s corporate plan for fully capturing the benefits of international scale, combining the power of its retail brands and associate expertise. Building on what it says is a solid financial foundation and strong track record of cost discipline, Ahold Delhaize’s goal in 2017 will drive profitable growth […]
U.S. Surgeon General: E-Cigarettes Unsafe, Use Up Among Youth
U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy has released a report on e-cigarettes, calling them unsafe and saying he is alarmed about their tremendous use by young people. Murthy says, in addition to nicotine, e-cigarettes contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredient—including ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs; flavorants such as diacetyl, a chemical […]
Organic Valley Becomes Largest Producer Of Organic, 100% Grass-Fed Dairy In U.S.
Organic Valley, America’s largest cooperative of organic farmers and one of the nation’s leading organic brands, says it has created a new route with a dozen 100 percent grass-fed dairies in the Mid-Atlantic to increase production of its Organic Valley Grassmilk branded milk products. The production expansion makes Organic Valley the largest producer of organic, […]
Prototype ‘Amazon Go’ Store In Test Phase, Will Open To Public Next Year
Amazon is testing a new kind of a convenience store in Seattle, Washington, which has no POS, no cash, no clerks and no lines. At 1,800 s.f., Amazon Go is open to Amazon employees participating in a testing program and is expected to open to the public in early 2017. The retailer uses Just Walk […]
Vermont Cheeses Are Finalists For 2017 Good Food Awards
Five Vermont cheese makers recently were honored in San Francisco as the Good Food Awards announced its 2017 nominees. Grafton Village Cheese Co. received nominations for two of its artisan, handcrafted cheeses: Bear Hill, a 100 percent sheep’s milk, washed-rind, alpine-style cheese; and Queen of Quality Clothbound Cheddar, an internationally-awarded, limited-supply clothbound cheddar made from […]
Visa Announces EMV Gasoline Pump Chip Card Delay
Visa has delayed its deadline for installing EMV (Europay, Mastercharge, Visa) chip-card readers in U.S. gasoline pumps after retailer discussions made clear that they would not have enough time to complete the multi-billion-dollar upgrades. Visa decided to delay the U.S. domestic automated fuel dispenser/pump (AFD) EMV activation date from Oct. 1, 2017, to Oct. 1, […]
Compliance, Enforcement Of Menu Labeling Rule Begins May 5
The Food and Drug Administration decided late last week that the compliance and enforcement deadline for the menu labeling rule is May 5, 2017. It changes the group’s earlier “clarification” that, although it would not enforce the menu labeling rule until May 5, retailers were still expected to be in compliance by Dec. 1. According […]
Wegmans Lowers Prices On More Own Brand ‘Family Items’
In time for the holidays and to help customers make healthy meals on a budget, Wegmans says it has lowered prices on more than 40 products that it believes “are most meaningful to families week in and week out.” This includes a mix of small pack and family pack sizes. Counting all flavors/varieties, the number […]
Fairway Market To Open New Brooklyn Store In January
New York-based Fairway Market is set to open what it calls a new, one-stop shopping destination in Brooklyn’s Georgetown community early next year. Opening in a dynamic and growing neighborhood at 2149 Ralph Avenue, the 40,000-s.f. Fairway Market will feature a fresh new look and feel with the same commitment to value and its extensive selection of quality products, according to the […]
Wrigley-Mars Working With Retailers On ‘Transaction Zone Vision’
Wrigley and Mars Chocolate North America say they continue to drive sales and increase shopper engagement by working with retailers to implement their “Transaction Zone Vision.” Since launching the program in 2015, the companies have used research-driven insights to help retail partners boost sales at checkout through channel-specific recommendations. To help their partners leverage the Transaction […]
FMI Pleased With Visa Decision To Change Debit Screens At Checkout
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie Sarasin issued the following statement on the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) investigation into concerns that Visa’s confusing screens at checkout have inhibited the routing choice and competition guaranteed by federal law: “FMI is pleased to see Visa change its rules on the confusing EMV debit screens at checkout.” […]
Global Partners Puts 13 Properties On The Sales Block
Global Partners LP plans to sell 13 convenience store properties in the Northeast. The properties are located in Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey and New York. Global Partners has retained NRC Realty & Capital Advisors to coordinate the offering and sale of the properties. Sealed bids are required to be received by […]
McCormick Buying Italian Flavor Manufacturer
McCormick & Co. of Sparks, Maryland, will acquire Enrico Giotti SpA, a major Italian flavor manufacturer located in Florence, Italy. Giotti is known in the industry for its innovative beverage, sweet, savory and dairy flavor applications. Annual sales are nearly $56 million. McCormick officials say the acquisition expands the breadth of value-added products for its industrial […]
Several Grocers Recognized For Efforts To Reduce Food Waste
U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy have announced the inaugural class of the “U.S. Food Loss and Waste 2030 Champions.” These are U.S. businesses pledging concrete steps to reduce food loss and waste in their operations by 50 percent by 2030. These companies include Ahold USA, Blue Apron, Bon […]
Eataly Marketplace To Open In Boston On Tuesday
Eataly—an Italian marketplace that includes a variety of restaurant, food and beverage counters, retail items and a cooking school—will open in Boston on Nov. 29 at the Prudential Center. The 45,000-s.f., three-story building will feature 10,000 artisanal products from Italy and New England. It also will include four restaurants, 10 eateries, two cafes, a cannoli […]
Soupman Partners With Boston Market Founder To Expand Distribution
Soupman, makers of gourmet soup that inspired the famous “Seinfeld” soup episode, is partnering with George Naddaff, the founder of Boston Market, to bring its soups to restaurant partners and other foodservice venues across the U.S. Naddaff is the chairman and CEO of Business Expansion Consulting Co., a Boston-based M&A advisory and consulting firm that focuses on […]
Giant Food Recognized With Business Philanthropy Award
Giant Food recently received the Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Business Philanthropy Award in the large business category. The award, which is a joint program of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the Baltimore Business Journal, recognizes Maryland businesses that have demonstrated a commitment to improving the quality of life for Maryland residents through extraordinary philanthropic […]
Giant Food, Safeway Workers Vote To Ratify Union Contracts
UFCW Local 400 members working at Giant and Safeway stores throughout the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., area have voted to ratify new union contracts. A statement issued by Local 400 said, “We didn’t get everything we wanted, but both contracts include several key improvements over our previous collective bargaining agreements, including higher starting pay; more frequent wage progression increases; wage […]
620-Plus Businesses Urge Congress Not To Repeal Financial Reforms
More than 620 businesses have signed a letter addressed to congressional leaders asking them to not overturn swipe fee reform. The letter notes that the financial reforms “are critical to U.S. businesses and our customers. The debit card fee and rule reforms prescribed in Section 1075 of the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act have […]
