A federal judge has ruled that a long-delayed class-action lawsuit against Issaquah, Wash.-based Costco Wholesale Corp. alleging gender discrimination in the retailer’s promotion and management practices can proceed, the Puget Sound Business Journal reports. In his 86-page decision earlier this week, U.S. District Judge Edward Chen said the plaintiffs’ attorneys could proceed with discovery in […]
Tag: business
Posted in, National, Northeast
New Jersey Grocery Veteran Joseph Saker Passes Away At 83
The New Jersey grocery industry lost an icon last weekend with the passing of 83-year-old Joseph J. Saker, one of the founding members of the New Jersey Food Council and the first NJFC chairman of the board. A complete obituary can be found here. NJFC President Linda M. Doherty says: “Mr. Saker was viewed by […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
GMDC Wraps Up 2012 Health Beauty Wellness Conference
During the 2012 Global Market Development Center (GMDC) Health Beauty Wellness Conference, which wrapped up earlier today in San Antonio, Texas, attendees participated in three business sessions designed to feature in-depth insights, reveal growth content, and consumer trends for the HBW market. One of the business session was “The Path to Purchase” presented by Mark […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southeast
Venezia Joins The Pantry As SVP Of Operations
The Pantry Inc., a leading independently-operated convenience store chain in the southeastern United States, has announced that Joe Venezia is joining the executive leadership team as SVP of operations. Venezia joins The Pantry from TitleMax. In his new role at The Pantry, headquartered in Cary, N.C., he will lead the company’s store operations and be […]
Posted in, National
NGA Kicks Off 30th Anniversary At Fall Conference
The National Grocers Association (NGA) launched the beginning of a year-long celebration at a special reception Sept. 20 at its fall conference in Minneapolis, Minn., to mark the 30th anniversary of the founding of the association, which resulted from a merger between the National Association of Retail Grocers of the United States (NARGUS) and the […]
Posted in, Executive News, Midwest
Persian Appointed SVP, CIO For Supervalu
Supervalu Inc. has appointed Kathy Persian as SVP and chief information officer. Persian, 45, joined the company in February 2010 in the role of group VP of retail and merchandising systems, and later moved to group VP of corporate planning, analysis and business process. Persian was named to the CIO post following the decision by […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Organic Alliance Signs $2.2M Produce Supply Contract
Organic Alliance Inc., a California-based global grower and marketer of fresh, organic and Fair Trade fruits and vegetables, has signed an organic produce supply contract—with renewal options—that it expects will generate at least $2.2 million in sales revenue over the next 12 months. This brings to $11.5 million the total value of new supply contracts […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, National
Blackheath Beverage Group Partners With Iglesias’ Atlantico Rum
Blackheath Beverage Group (BBG) has partnered with Atlantico Rum, the super-premium rum brand of multi-platinum recording artist Enrique Iglesias. Under the agreement, which is effective immediately, BBG will utilize its proprietary sales and marketing platform to support Atlantico’s accelerated growth strategy. Atlantico, a product of the Dominican Republic, has earned both critical and commercial success. […]
Posted in, National
Hostess Confirms Teamsters’ Ratification Of Bargaining Agreement
Hostess Brands Inc. has announced that employee members of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (IBT) voted to ratify changes to their bargaining agreement that, if implemented throughout the company, will enable Hostess to continue operating. “We are very grateful to the IBT-represented employees for ratifying our final offer,” said Hostess Brands CEO Gregory F. Rayburn. […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Dole To Sell Worldwide Packaged Foods, Asia Fresh Produce Businesses
Dole Food Co. Inc. has signed a definitive agreement with ITOCHU Corp. for the sale of Dole’s worldwide packaged foods and Asia fresh produce businesses for $1.685 billion in cash. This proposed transaction results from Dole’s previously announced strategic business review process, and is subject to Dole stockholder approval and customary regulatory approvals in multiple […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Beef Products Inc. Sues ABC News For $1.2B
Beef Products Inc. is suing ABC News Inc. for defamation over its coverage of a meat product that critics dub “pink slime,” claiming the network misled consumers into believing it is unhealthy and unsafe, the Associated Press reports. The Dakota Dunes, S.D.-based meat processor is seeking $1.2 billion in damages for roughly 200 “false and […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Midwest
Kum & Go Selling 22 Stores To Casey’s
Kum & Go and Casey’s General Stores Inc. have signed an asset purchase agreement for Casey’s to acquire 22 convenience stores from Kum & Go. The stores are located in Iowa, Missouri and North Dakota. “Our company is committed to carefully planned, strategic growth—that’s evidenced by the fact that we’ll open 40 new stores this […]
Posted in, Northeast, Perishables
FoodLink Signs Long-Term Agreement With Ahold USA
FoodLink, the buying platform that connects fresh food retailers and wholesalers to a network of more than 2,000 supplier companies, has entered into a long-term agreement with Ahold USA Inc. Under terms of the agreement, FoodLink will become the definitive online buying platform for all fresh produce, meat, seafood, deli and floral category purchasing across […]
Posted in, Midwest, Suppliers
Teasdale Quality Foods Acquires Hoopeston Foods
Teasdale Quality Foods Inc., a leading manufacturer of Hispanic foods and the largest producer and marketer of canned hominy and beans in California, has acquired Hoopeston Foods Inc., a major producer of conventional and organic canned dried beans in the Midwestern U.S. The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Teasdale is a portfolio company […]
Posted in, National, Southwest
Food Entrepreneur Organization ‘Delicious New Mexico’ Launches Next Week
The Rio Grande Community Development Corp. will launch its latest economic development project—Delicious New Mexico—on Sept. 11. Delicious New Mexico was created as a vehicle to help local food entrepreneurs launch and grow their businesses and create jobs. Delicious New Mexico is a brand and membership organization that will provide support, networking and education to […]
Posted in, National, West
Safeway Prepares For Blackhawk IPO
Pleasanton, Calif.-based Safeway Inc. has announced that it plans to file a registration statement in the U.S. for a potential initial public offering (IPO) of a minority ownership stake in Blackhawk Network Holdings Inc. Depending on market conditions, the company anticipates executing a transaction in the first half of 2013. A news release says that […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Cuts 29 Positions At Salisbury, N.C., Corporate Office
Food Lion notified 29 people at its corporate headquarters in Salisbury, N.C., on Tuesday that their positions are being eliminated, salisburypost.com reports. The headquarters employs 2,200 people, and many of the associates being laid off will be eligible for other jobs posted at the Food Lion home office or at the store level, according to […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Study Reveals Independent Grocers’ Compensation Benchmarks
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMS have released the first edition of an in-depth, comprehensive study that compares a range of financial benchmarks at independent supermarkets across the country. The 2012 Compensation and Benefits Study offers insight as it analyzes independent grocers’ finances pertaining to healthcare plans, benefits, retirement plans and pay increases (categorized […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Sprouts Appoints Sanders CEO As Boney Becomes Board Chair
Phoenix, Ariz.-based Sprouts Farmers Markets has announced that Shon Boney, who has served as CEO since the company’s founding in 2002, will assume the role of chairman of the board of Sprouts. Long-time Sprouts President Doug Sanders will become president and CEO, whereby he will continue to be responsible for all day-to-day aspects of running […]
Posted in, Marketing News, West
Giumarra Welcomes New West Coast Sales Hire
The Giumarra Cos. has added James Paul to its West Coast avocado and asparagus sales staff. Paul is a graduate of California Polytechnic University, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in international business management. He comes to Giumarra with sales and marketing experience with Greg Paul Produce Sales Inc., based in Stockton, Calif., […]