U.S. convenience stores reached record in-store sales in 2013, with sales climbing 2.4 percent to $204 billion. Combined with motor fuels sales of $491.5 billion, overall convenience store sales were $695.5 billion, according to figures released today by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). The industry’s 2013 numbers were announced at the NACS State […]
Tag: business
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Study Reveals Motivations Behind Millennials’ Brand Loyalty, Buying Power
Millennials are not angst-filled, skinny-jeans-wearing, side-swept-bangs-sporting hipsters, according to Mooslyvania, an independent digital advertising agency. The company recently conducted a survey that refutes the most common myths associated with this generation and presents data on what really motivates Millennials in how they think, shop, buy and continue purchasing their favorite brands. While there’s no cookie-cutter […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southwest
Format Agility Helps Brookshire Brothers Meet Community Needs
Brookshire Brothers expanded its supermarket count by five and convenience operations by six stores over the last year. Jerry Johnson, president and CEO, uses the word “vibrant” to describe the state of the Lufkin-based company, and 2014 looks promising as well. Projects include rebuilding an Apple Springs facility destroyed last year and incorporating a North […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Gelson’s Debuts La Cañada Flintridge, Calif., Store
Gelson’s opened its newest supermarket Thursday in La Cañada Flintridge, Calif. The store, at 635 Foothill Blvd., marks the Southern California grocer’s 18th location. Features include: • A spacious service deli, featuring Wolfgang Puck Express (freshly made pizzas, sandwiches, salads); chef-prepared gourmet salads; on-site sushi chef; smoker for tri-tip and brisket sandwiches with “melt-in-your mouth” […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, Store News
Safeway Ends ‘Go-Shop’ Period As Albertson’s Deal Moves Forward
Safeway Inc. said this morning that the 21-day “go-shop” period that was part of the terms of the definitive merger agreement, under which AB Acquisition LLC agreed to acquire all outstanding shares of Safeway, has expired. AB Acquisition owns both Albertson’s LLC and New Albertson’s Inc. Under the agreement, Safeway and its representatives were permitted […]
Posted in, Midwest, Suppliers
Mars Chocolate Opens Production Facility In Topeka
Mars Chocolate North America officially opened the doors of a new, state-of-the-art facility in Topeka, Kan., on Thursday. The approximately 500,000-s.f. facility—the first new Mars Chocolate North America site built in the last 35 years—will help sustainably produce M&M’S and Snickers. “This new $270 million facility, which will bring 200 new jobs to Topeka, is […]
Posted in, National
Mastronardi Produce Dubbed One Of Canada’s Best Managed Companies
Mastronardi Produce has been selected as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies for the fifth consecutive year. This national award is sponsored by Deloitte, CIBC, National Post, Queen’s School of Business and MacKay CEO Forums. “We would like to congratulate Mastronardi Produce and its entire workforce. Achieving Canada’s highest level of Canadian business excellence takes […]
Posted in, National
Mexico Publishes Final Rule To Allow Cross-Border Potato Trade
The U.S. fresh potato trade with Mexico has been expanded, with shipments expected to begin by June. “The U.S. potato industry and our partners at USDA and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are pleased to learn the Mexican government has issued its final rule designed to achieve the bilateral goal of expanding […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
NGA Expresses Concerns With Chairman Camp’s Tax Reform Proposal
On behalf of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Peter J. Larkin, NGA president and CEO, sent a letter to House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) outlining concerns with Camp’s draft proposal to overhaul the nation’s tax code. Specifically, NGA addressed the negative impacts that the exclusion of non-manufacturing S-corporations from a lower […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
AWG Reports Record Sales And Earnings
Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), the nation’s second largest cooperative food wholesaler, has reported consolidated net sales of $8.38 billion, up 6.8 percent over the prior year, marking the first time the company has exceeded the $8 billion mark. Same-store sales were up nearly 2 percent over the prior year. Operating income was a record $201 […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
John Morrell Food Group Begins Partnership With Nathan’s Famous
John Morrell Food Group, a division of Smithfield Foods, says it has begun an exclusive licensing agreement with Nathan’s Famous to manufacture and sell branded hot dog, sausage and corned beef products at retail stores nationally. The agreement commenced earlier this month. “We are very excited to launch our new partnership with John Morrell Food […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Supervalu Consolidates Independent Biz Regions, Laying Off 200
Supervalu’s independent business will consolidate from three regions to two regions, forming new East and West teams. The new East and West independent business regions will be located in Mechanicsville, Va., and Hopkins, Minn., respectively. Kevin Kemp will serve as president of the East region and Bill Chew will serve as president of the West […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Keurig Partners With Peet’s Coffee & Tea
Keurig Green Mountain Inc. and Peet’s Coffee & Tea have entered a multi-year manufacturing and distribution agreement for Peet’s-branded packs for the Keurig brewing system. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The companies plan to launch a selection of Keurig licensed Peet’s coffee and tea varieties in K-Cup packs for Keurig brewers produced […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Marlin Business Services, Hussmann Launch New Financing Program
Marlin Business Services Corp. and Hussmann, the refrigerated products and solutions provider, have formed a strategic alliance that will provide financing solutions for Hussmann’s foodservice and food retailer customers in the U.S. and Canada. The partnership will enable customers to acquire Hussmann’s refrigeration products, including energy-efficient display cases, refrigeration systems, walk-ins and LED lighting solutions. […]
Posted in, National
IBO: Mexico Presents Serious Blueberry Potential
A record number of delegates at the International Blueberry Organization’s (IBO) fourth summit heard how Mexico is gaining increasing relevance within the industry. Mexico has the potential to be a game changer within the global blueberry business on account of its long season, innovative growers, new varieties and proximity to the large counter-seasonal market of […]
Posted in, National
NGA Makes Organizational Changes With Two Promotions
The National Grocers Association (NGA) says that Matthew R. Ott has been named VP of operations and that Greg Ferrara, VP of public affairs, has been appointed as head of government relations. Ott previously was NGA’s VP of membership and information technology. Since January 2011, he has been responsible for membership service offerings, including the […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Frito-Lay Releases New Products In Line With ‘Bring The Party’ Campaign
Tostitos Fajita flavored Scoops! tortilla chips and Tostitos Queso Blanco dip were launched in conjunction with the 2014 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, which took place Jan. 1 this year at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. The new chips, with real red peppers baked inside the dough, provide a bit of heat, and when paired […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National
GMCR Changes Name To Keurig Green Mountain
Green Mountain Coffee Roasters Inc. (GMCR) has changed its company name to Keurig Green Mountain Inc., effective immediately. Shareholders approved the new name at the company’s annual shareholder meeting last week. The company will retain its ticker symbol of “GMCR” on the NASDAQ stock exchange. “Our new name better reflects who we are as a […]
Posted in, Southeast, Suppliers
Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign Under Way For 2014
The Alabama Grocers Association, the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association recently kicked off their 2014 Buy Alabama’s Best Campaign. In attendance at the kickoff, in addition to members of the Alabama legislature, were Dianne Bentley, first lady of Alabama, Daniel Autry, chief of staff and chief […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Bi-Lo Holdings Announces Banner Conversions For 10 Georgia Stores
Bi-Lo Holdings, parent company of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains, has decided to convert seven existing Harveys stores to Winn-Dixie stores and three existing Winn-Dixie stores to Harveys stores. These stores are part of the pending acquisition of 134 operating stores from Delhaize Group. “We carefully evaluated the market areas around each store and […]