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 […]
Tag: business
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, Midwest, Suppliers
ConAgra Foods Cutting 1,500 Jobs As It Readies For HQ Move
ConAgra Foods has unveiled what it calls “restructuring plans” in order “to improve profitability, advance its growth agenda and unlock shareholder value.” ConAgra says it expects to realize at least $300 million of efficiency benefits within the next three years through a combination of reductions in SG&A and enhancements to trade spend processes and tools. […]
Posted in, Northeast
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
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, Center Store, Executive News, Southeast, Suppliers
Flowers Baking Co. Gets New President
Flowers Foods has named Chris Mulford president of Flowers Baking Co. of Thomasville, Georgia, a subsidiary of Flowers Foods. Mickey Miller, current bakery president, retires after 42 years of service with the company. Mulford began his career with Flowers in 1987. Holding several sales positions with the company, he most recently served as VP of […]
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
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 […]
Posted in, Northeast
Goya Introduces ‘Let’s Give To Kids’ Program, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… Goya Foods has launched the “Let’s Give to Kids” program to raise funds for The Maestro Cares Foundation, a nonprofit organization established by Marc Anthony and Henry Cardenas to help homeless and neglected children in developing Latin American countries. For every can of Goya Refried Beans sold during the month […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, National, Suppliers
242 Breweries Take Home Medals at 2015 Great American Beer Festival
The 2015 Great American Beer Festival (GABF) competition in Boulder, Colorado, awarded 275 medals to some of the best commercial breweries in the U.S., plus three GABF Pro-Am medals to teams of amateur brewers paired with professional brewers. Presented by the Brewers Association, GABF is the largest commercial beer competition in the world and a […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola Streamlining Production With Formation Of New National Product Supply System
The Coca-Cola Co. says it has taken another significant step toward building a stronger, more streamlined production system in its flagship market by announcing the formation of a new National Product Supply System (NPSS) in the U.S. The mission of the NPSS will be to facilitate optimal operation of the U.S. product supply system for […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, Southwest, Special Section, Store News
Special—H-E-B At 110: From Humble Beginnings To A Texas Icon
It was Nov. 26, 1905, to be exact, when Florence Butt opened the C.C. Butt Grocery Store with her savings of $60 to support her ailing husband and three children. For $9 a month, she leased the 450-s.f. store on the ground floor of a small frame building on Main Street in Kerrville, Texas. Sales […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southeast, Store News
Independent Spotlight: Piggly Wiggly Of Tarboro, North Carolina
Kenneth “Kenny” Honeycutt, along with his wife Brenda, owns and operates the Piggly Wiggly store in Tarboro, North Carolina, which is home to about 10,000 residents. He is involved in all aspects of store operations, including ordering, scheduling, advertising, personnel, government regulation compliance, store conditions and customer service. Honeycutt’s Piggly Wiggly store, located at 2030 […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest
A Big Battle With The Wisconsin State Legislature Is Brewing
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor A huge battle is brewing in Wisconsin, and what is spurring it on revolves around a new entrant into the state: Meijer. The Michigan-based retailer has opened two stores in Wisconsin and plans to open more. It stands accused of breaking the state’s Unfair Sales Act, or minimum markup law, by […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Independent Store News, Store News, West, Whole Foods
Haggen Will Do Away With New Division, Keeping 37 ‘Core Stores’ In Pac NW
Haggen on Thursday confirmed what most already believed: it will exit from the Pacific Southwest market of Southern California, Arizona and Nevada and realign operations in its original Pacific Northwest territory. Haggen says it will focus on 37 core stores and one stand-alone pharmacy as part of the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process. The grocery chain […]