Southern California specialty grocer Bristol Farms has promoted Adam Caldecott, EVP of retail, to president and COO. “In order to further prepare Bristol Farms for the growth and opportunity we anticipate in the coming year and for many more years to come, I am pleased to announce this significant and well deserved promotion of Adam Caldecott,” […]
Tag: California
Posted in, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Executive News, West
Former Safeway, Smart & Final And Trader Joe’s Execs Join Haggen Pacific SW
In addition to Haggen Pacific Southwest CEO Bill Shaner, SVP of Operations Wendy Oliver and SVP of Marketing Chris Linskey, Haggen now has several other senior executives to help lead the rollout of the Haggen brand in Southern California, Nevada and Arizona. • Rich Winters is VP of fresh foods. He formerly was VP of […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
New Seasons Debuts First California Store
Since New Seasons Market acquired Northern California’s New Leaf Community Markets as a wholly-owned subsidiary in 2013, the grocers say they have been looking for ways to give their customers more of what they want. Based on requests from people in the Evergreen community of San Jose, California, New Seasons says the the New Leaf […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Store News, West
Vendors Hear From Albertsons Southern California Leadership
The combined Albertsons–Safeway team in Southern California overseeing the Albertsons, Vons and Pavilions banner stores had a clear message for its vendor partners in the region: the company’s No. 1 priority is sales. Southern California Division President Lori Raya and other members of the leadership team spoke to the company’s SoCal vendors during a meeting […]
Posted in, West
Yummy.com Launches New Mobile-Friendly Website
Yummy.com, a leading multi-channel grocery retailer that has offered on-demand delivery since 2002, has launched a new mobile-friendly website to enhance the customer experience. In addition to becoming more intuitive and simpler, Yummy.com says the new site will reduce the time it takes to place an order. “We already know that our service is much […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
Raley’s Celebrates 80th Anniversary
Eighty years ago today, Thomas P. Raley opened his first store on Main Street in Placerville and advertised it as “the nation’s first drive-in market.” So began what has become known as Raley’s Family of Fine Stores, a now integral part of many California and northern Nevada communities. Today, with 128 stores and approximately 13,000 […]
Posted in, Executive News, Produce News, West
Tim Spann Returns To California Avocado Commission
California avocado season is getting under way, and the California Avocado Commission (CAC) has updated its production forecast to 327 million pounds for its fiscal year 2014-15. CAC also says that Dr. Timothy Spann has returned to the commission staff and now serves as research program director. Spann, who has a Ph.D. in plant biology […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Executive News, Independent Store News, West
Haggen Pacific Southwest Hires Director Of Produce
Supermarket and produce industry veteran Chris Jacoby is among the latest hires at Haggen’s new Pacific Southwest Division, headquartered in Irvine, California. Jacoby joins Haggen as the division’s director of produce. He most recently was sales manager at Coast Produce and, prior to that, worked for Progressive Produce. Additionally, from 1998-2012, he worked with Albertsons/Supervalu […]
Posted in, West
Unified Grocers Reports 1Q Sales Increase
Unified Grocers has reported improved net sales of $17.9 million, up 1.9 percent, for its first quarter of fiscal 2015 ended Dec. 27, 2014. This sales increase reflected ongoing improvement in the company’s core business. “We are extremely pleased by the continued growth in sales,” said Bob Ling, president and CEO of Commerce, California-based Unified […]
Posted in, Produce News, Suppliers, West
Giumarra Introduces Exclusive ‘DulceVida’ Line Of Flavorful Stone Fruit Varieties
Giumarra has announced its first year of limited commercial production for its exclusive, extra sweet Nature’s Partner DulceVida line of red apricots and white, black and yellow nectarines. “We chose the name DulceVida because it translates to ‘Sweet Life’ and emphasizes the fruit’s combination of superb flavor and European origin, expressing a one-of-a-kind eating experience […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Newport Avenue Market Wins Unified Grocers’ 2015 Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award
Rudy and Debbie Dory and their daughter Lauren Johnson—owners of Newport Avenue Market in Bend, Oregon—received the 2015 “Ben Schwartz Retail Grocery Visionary Award” from Unified Grocers at a special awards dinner Tuesday in Los Angeles. This is the 10th year that Unified has presented the award to an outstanding independent retailer. “It’s an honor […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Store News, West
Ralphs Launches Charitable Campaign To Benefit Children’s Hospitals
Ralphs Grocery Co. is raising funds to support children’s hospitals in Southern California. Ralphs customers and associates can support their local children’s hospital through the supermarket chain’s nonprofit arm, The Ralphs Fund, by donating their spare change in collection canisters located at the checkstands in their neighborhood Ralphs supermarket. The children’s hospital fundraising campaign will […]
Posted in, International Foods, Marketing News, National, Produce News
Frieda’s: Asian Food Trend Can Be Boon For Biz As Chinese New Year Holiday Approaches
Authentic Asian flavors are among the top food trends of 2015, and there’s no better time to introduce Asian specialties to shoppers and diners than during the Chinese New Year celebration. That’s according to Los Alamitos, California-based Frieda’s Specialty Produce, which says it is offering retailers a number of Asian specialities to help businesses boost sales […]
Posted in, California Perspective, Store News, West
California WIC Moratorium Is Lifted
The moratorium for stores to apply for authorization in the California Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Program was lifted Feb. 1. The announcement was made by Dr. Ron Chapman, director and state health officer at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). “This positive step will improve availability and access for the approximately 1.4 million […]
Posted in, Online Grocery Technology, Store News, West
Lucky, Save Mart And FoodMaxx Now Accept Apple Pay
Lucky, Save Mart and FoodMaxx stores are now accepting Apple Pay in all of its 217 stores throughout Northern California and Nevada. “Expect new things in our stores this year—the first of which is Apple Pay. We are working diligently to transform the shopping experience for our customers and this cutting-edge technology will help to speed them through checkout,” said Nicole Piccinini […]
Posted inStore News, Independent Store News, West
California’s Nugget Markets Quietly Unveils New Store Concept
In a move that’s been kept relatively quiet over the past month, Nugget Markets in December unveiled a new store concept called Fork Lift. The Woodland, California-based grocer rebranded its Food 4 Less store at 3333 Coach Lane in Cameron Park with the new name. The Sacramento Business Journal reports that there was a grand […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Specialty Food Association Honors Six Industry Leaders
The Specialty Food Association honored six people with its third annual Leadership Awards on Jan. 11, given to members who have gone “above and beyond” in advancing food standards in society—and society itself—by creating social, economic and environmental impact through innovation and vision. Their achievements range from employing women in Kenya, to bringing halal foods to […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, Shelby Content, Shelby Signature Content, Special Section, West
2014 Food Industry Hall Of Fame Inductee: ‘I Learned A Lot On The Night Shift’
Safeway’s Karl Schroeder hasn’t always been a West Coaster, but he has always been involved in the grocery business. Schroeder, president of the Pleasanton-based company’s Northern California Division, grew up in New York—the son of an Air Force veteran who, upon emerging from World War II, opened a corner store. “We, for part of my […]
Posted in, West
Former Bashas’ President Dies At 66
Mr. Mike Proulx, who spent more than 40 years with Chandler, Arizona-based Bashas’, died Jan. 6 surrounded by family. He was 66. During his time at Bashas’, Mr. Proulx supervised the day-to-day operations of more than 160 stores and 14,000 employees. He was involved in mergers and acquisitions, union negotiations and worked with state government […]
Posted in, Store News, Suppliers, West
Stater Bros. Gives $57K+ To Toys For Tots
For the 10th year in a row, Stater Bros. has helped spread cheer through the local Toys for Tots program. Stater Bros. Charities, the charitable arm of Stater Bros. Markets, in December presented a $57,450 check to representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. The U.S. Marine Corps used the the donation […]