GE Capital, Corporate Retail Finance is now the administrative agent and sole lender on a $65 million asset-based credit facility for Navarro Discount Pharmacy, the largest Hispanic-owned pharmacy chain in the U.S. and an MBF Healthcare portfolio company. The financing will be used to refinance debt and for general corporate purposes. Founded in 1960, Miami-based […]
Tag: business
Posted in, West
Your Local Market Hosts Charity Benefit Friday
Your Local Market in Bellevue, Wash., will hold a benefit Friday, Jan. 13, for Bellevue LifeSpring (formerly Overlake Service League), a local charity that provides emergency services, youth programs and educational assistance within the Bellevue community. The event, FridayFest, is free and open to the public, with wine and beer tasting and free samplings all […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Shelby Content, Southeast
Winn-Dixie Joins Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance
Florida-based Winn-Dixie is joining the Diabetes Prevention and Control Alliance (DPCA), an initiative aimed at tipping the scales against the epidemic of diabetes, prediabetes and obesity by expanding access to community-based programs that use evidence-based approaches to help prevent and control diabetes. Trained Winn-Dixie pharmacists in 29 select Winn-Dixie stores in Jacksonville, Orlando and Tampa […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, Marketing News, National
Dr Pepper Celebrates Heritage with ‘One-of-a-Kind’ Campaign
For more than 125 years, Dr Pepper has celebrated being “one of a kind.” Today, the brand gives a nod to its heritage and celebrates the spirit of originality with the debut of its “Always One of a Kind” advertising campaign. The new commercial is a cheerful celebration of people who are confidently and proudly […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Pacific Natural Foods Redesigns Packaging
Tualatin, Ore.-based Pacific Natural Foods, a leader in the organic and natural food industry, is rolling out new packaging on its soup, broth and non-dairy beverage lines this year. The updated look will have greater impact on shelf, making the products easier to find and purchase, according to the company. The redesign includes a modernized […]
Posted in, West
Fresh & Easy Shutters A Dozen Stores
Several Fresh & Easy grocery stores that are underperforming will be temporarily closing, KABC Los Angeles report. The company that owns the stores said it is shutting down 12 locations in California, Arizona and Nevada “At this time, there is simply not enough growth in sales and customers at these stores to keep them open. […]
Posted in, Perishables, Southeast
Tennessee Pride Introduces Healthier Breakfast Options
Madison, Tenn.-based Tennessee Pride has introduced a full line of premium sausage patties, which includes two healthier options: Turkey and Reduced Sodium. The Turkey variety has 60 percent less fat, and the Reduced Sodium patties have 40 percent less sodium; both products contain no MSG. The idea for the new product line came from consumer […]
Posted in, Northeast
Grocery Workers Mobilize for Giant, Safeway Bargaining
Demanding that Giant and Safeway “share the fruits of our labors,” UFCW Local 400 stewards and activists are mobilizing for the start of bargaining Wednesday, Jan. 11, on a new contract affecting 17,000 workers in the Washington, D.C., area. “With their current contract expiring on March 31, 2012, and with both companies enjoying strong profits […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Northeast
Vitasoy USA Appoints Rolnick VP Sales, Marketing
Vitasoy-USA, a North American tofu and Asia pasta innovator based in Ayer, Mass., has appointed Susan Rolnick as VP of sales and marketing. In making the announcement, President and CEO Walter M. Riglian said, “Susan Rolnick is a dynamic sales and marketing leader who has demonstrated success across many facets of our business, including sales, […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
USDA Paying More Attention To Chinese Organics
The Seattle Times reports that, because of continuing food safety concerns about products exported from China, which are compounded by political corruption issues that seem to enable manufacturers to cut corners and export tainted food, “the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) organic program has decided to visit China more often.” The central concern is that […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast, Southwest
Hostess Likely to File for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Hostess Brands Inc. is getting ready to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, its second such filing, sources told The Wall Street Journal. Privately held Hostess has about $860 million in debt and has been squeezed by high labor costs and rising ingredient prices, the sources said. The Irving, Texas-based company, previously called Interstate Bakeries Corp., […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Valpak Coupons Now Available on CheckPoints App
Valpak, a leader in local print and digital coupons, will expand its reach further by making its coupons available on CheckPoints, an app that gives shoppers access to discounts and savings right when and where they need them. Valpak will offer its savings to mobile consumers via CheckPoints with national brand partners such as Procter […]
Posted in, Southeast
Winn-Dixie CEO Says Company Will Defend Against Suit
Winn Dixie Stores Inc. Chairman, President and CEO Peter Lynch sent out written communications to company employees updating them and answering questions about the pending sale to Bi-Lo and addressed publicly a lawsuit filed by shareholders against the sale, reports the Jacksonville Business Journal. The recently released information is part of Winn-Dixie’s merger resource center […]
Posted in, West
Mrs. Fields Famous Brands Names Board to Drive Global Growth
Salt Lake City-Utah-based Mrs. Fields Famous Brands, a franchisor of Mrs. Fields and TCBY, has appointed new board of directors. Led by incumbent Chairman Bruce Pettet, the board now includes: • Robert S. Morrison, the former chairman, president and CEO of The Quaker Oats Co., and an operating partner of Z Capital Partners, one of […]
Posted in, Southeast
Publix Abandoning Curbside Service
In August 2003, Publix Super Markets closed its online grocery and home delivery business, roughly two years after launching the service. In August 2010, Publix came back with a test of a new online service allowing consumers to drive to a store for a pickup at curbside for a $7.99 service fee in addition to […]
Posted in, Northeast
Wegmans: No Price Hike on Seasonal Product List
Against a backdrop of persistent concern about the economy, Wegmans has once again announced a freeze on prices through April 28 for a list of more than 50 products families use most. (Counting all flavors/varieties, the total number of items —SKUs—affected is 223.) This move follows the expiration of a list of 40 items, with […]
Posted in, Southeast
Durham’s New Aldi Opening Earlier Than Expected
The new Aldi grocery store in south Durham, N.C., has moved up its opening date by one day to Wednesday, Jan. 11, with the public invited to come sample and tour the store between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. The south Durham store is the Essen, Germany-based company’s first location in Durham and features the […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast
Coke, Nestea End Tea Partnership in U.S.
The Coca-Cola Co. and Nestlé will dissolve their tea business partnership in the United States by the end of 2012, the companies have said in a joint statement. The two said they instead plan to focus their ready-to-drink tea joint venture, Beverage Partners Worldwide (BPW), on Europe and Canada. In Taiwan and Hong Kong, Atlanta-based […]
Posted in, Northeast
Rajkovich is New Communications Manager at United Fresh
Shelby Rajkovich is United Fresh Produce Association’s new communications manager. Rajkovich will support United’s communications goals to keep members updated with the latest industry news, further the association’s news media outreach and assist in the development and implementation of strategic communications programs to support industry priorities. “We’re excited to have Shelby join United’s communications team,” […]
Posted in, Center Store, Northeast
Alexander Appointed President of Campbell North America
Camden, N.J.-based Campbell Soup Co. has appointed Mark Alexander as president—Campbell North America. Alexander, 47, will lead the division of the company that includes Campbell’s North America soup, sauces and beverages business, Campbell Canada, and Campbell’s North America foodservice business, which collectively account for approximately $4.6 billion in annual revenue. His appointment is effective Jan. […]