Food Service News In Brief… The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in August. The RPI—a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry—stood at 101.5 in August, down 1.2 percent from July and the lowest level in 11 months. Despite the decline, August represented the […]
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.
Posted in, Northeast
IDFA Recognizes HP Hood With Sustainability Innovation Award, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… The International Dairy Foods Association honored HP Hood with the Sustainability Innovation Award for its partnership with CleanWorld, a local California technology company, during this year’s International Dairy Show. In January 2013, HP Hood began to divert product waste, approximately 35 tons per week, from its Sacramento aseptic and extended […]
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Crossmark Names Kiley To Lead New England Office
Crossmark has named Ed Kiley to lead its New England office, effective Oct. 12. Kiley has 25 years of industry experience in the New England market. He began his career working with Nestle Foods and spent the first 10 years on the direct/manufacturer side, having also worked for Celestial Seasonings Inc. of Boulder, Colorado. During […]
Posted in, Northeast
Restaurants To Benefit With Latest Senate Healthcare Vote
Restaurants have scored a major victory as the U.S. Senate followed the House’s lead and passed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) advocated for the new legislation, which will preserve the ability of restaurants and other businesses with 50-100 employees to buy health insurance plans on the more affordable large-group […]
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Cumberland Farms Leader Joins White House’s Worker Voice Summit
Ari Haseotes, president and CEO of Cumberland Farms, was selected by the Obama administration to represent the company at the White House Summit on Worker Voice this week. Haseotes participated in a panel discussion entitled “High Road Employer Strategies: Win/Win Solutions” as part of the day-long event Oct.7. According to Cecilia Munoz, assistant to President […]
Posted in, Northeast
Group Wants ‘Natural’ Definition To Go Beyond Organic Standards
Following a research study, which found that one in three shoppers do not make a clear distinction between organic and natural, the Organic & Natural Health Association will push for a new natural definition. The association released the results of a research study conducted as a first step in its initiative to set the standard for […]
Posted in, Northeast
Fourth Wegmans Bay State Store To Open Sunday, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… The fourth Wegmans store in Massachusetts, at 169 University Avenue (near I-95) in Westwood, is opening its doors to the public at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The 122,000-s.f. store is staffed by 550 employees and has an offering of 70,000 products. Much of the store is built with an open-market […]
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Sysco To Supply Kroger Prepared Foods, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… National food service distributor Sysco will provide Kroger with sandwiches and salads for its delis. Sysco will supply 2,800 delis, six fresh kitchens and 800 convenience store locations… The Massachusetts Restaurant Association will host a free webinar on wealth management for business owners Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10-10:45 a.m. For […]
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FMI Comments On New ‘Chip’ In The Food Industry
With the payment card industry’s move to a “chip”-based payment card system beginning Oct. 1, “chips” take on a new meaning at many retail food stores. Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin has offered the following statement concerning migration to the “chip”-based payment card system. “Food retailers have been looking for new […]
Posted in, Northeast
Specialty Food Group Says More Sales Are Coming From Different Shoppers
Specialty food is drawing a new crowd this year. Men are stepping up purchases, less affluent shoppers are buying a wide variety of products like artisanal cheese and single-origin chocolate, and Millennials are showing their age at the store. These are some of the findings of new consumer research from the Specialty Food Association in […]
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AG New England Promotes Violette To EVP/COO, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… Mike Violette has been promoted to EVP and COO at Associated Grocers of New England, effective Oct. 4. AG New England CEO Mike Bourgoine said Violette has been with the company for the past 17 years, most recently as SVP of sales and retail development, where he has been instrumental in […]
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Health Groups Support Bill To Raise Tobacco Sales Age To 21, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… Several public health organizations hailed the legislation—introduced Sept. 30 by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) and their co-sponsors—that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 nationwide. The groups claim that the Tobacco to 21 Act will reduce tobacco […]
Posted in, Northeast
Dunkin’ Donuts To Close Stores Within Speedway, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… Posting a lower sales increase than expected recently, Dunkin’ Donuts plans to close nearly 100 stores within Speedway convenience stores within the next year. The announcement came during an investor presentation on Oct. 1. Speedway in the last year took over all of the Hess gas stations and renamed them […]
Posted in, Northeast
Boston Beer Founder Authoring Business Advice Book
Jim Koch, founder of The Boston Beer Co., brewer of Samuel Adams beers and an icon in the American craft beer revolution, is writing a book called “Quench Your Own Thirst: Business Lessons Learned Over A Beer Or Two.” Based on more than 30 years of experience as a business owner and brewer, Koch offers insights […]
Posted in, Northeast
Oakhurst, Gifford’s Win Big At World Dairy Expo
Both Oakhurst Dairy and Gifford’s Ice Cream, both of Maine, won some major awards at the World Dairy Expo held in Madison, Wisconsin, Sept. 29. Oakhurst’s Fresh Heavy Cream beat out 32 entries from across the country to win first prize at the expo’s Championship Dairy Product Contest. The win marks the second year that […]
Posted in, Northeast
Wawa Launches Private Label Credit Card
Wawa has partnerned with Citi Retail Services to unveil a new credit card for the convenience retailer’s loyal customer base. Beginning Sept. 30, Citi Retail Services began to manage and service the portfolio of accounts. Cathy Pulos, chief people officer and CFO for Wawa, said, “This new credit card was specifically designed to enhance the […]
Posted in, Northeast
National Restaurant Association Marks Hispanic Heritage Month
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, the National Restaurant Association (NRA) is recognizing the significant contributions Hispanic people make to the restaurant industry, the economy and individual communities. During Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), NRA is recognizing Hispanic leaders through a series of videos, profiles and social media and digital content, all housed on the […]
Posted in, Northeast
Whole Foods Market Responds To 1,500 Layoff Notices
Whole Foods Market plans to eliminate 1,500 positions as part of a commitment to invest in technology and to lower product prices in the store. In a company statement, Whole Foods said, “As part of its ongoing commitment to lower prices for its customers and invest in technology upgrades while improving its cost structure, Whole […]
Posted in, Northeast
Reynolds American To Sell Rights To Natural American Spirit Tobacco, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… Reynolds American Inc. (RAI) said Sept. 29 that the international rights to the Natural American Spirit brand name and associated trademarks, along with the international companies that distribute and market the brand outside the U.S., will be sold to the Japan Tobacco Group of companies (in an all-cash transaction with […]
Posted in, Northeast
Third Boston-Area Wahlburgers Opens Friday, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… Mark, Donnie and Paul Wahlberg will officially open their third Boston-area Wahlburgers on Friday, Oct. 2, bringing their brand to Boston’s historic Fenway neighborhood. The new Wahlburgers will be located at 132 Brookline Avenue, just three blocks away from Fenway Park. The Fenway restaurant joins Wahlburgers in Hingham and Lynnfield—with […]