After years of work, California grocers scored a major victory Tuesday with Gov. Jerry Brown’s signature on Senate Bill 270—a measure that creates a consistent, statewide standard for regulation of carryout bags. More than 120 local jurisdictions have enacted their own regulatory schemes, many with slight variations. The patchwork has become confusing for grocery retailers […]
Tag: California
Posted in, California Perspective, Store News, West
CGA’s Fong Pleased With Strategic Conference 2014
Ron Fong, president and CEO of the California Grocers Association (CGA), spoke with The Shelby Report’s VP-West, Bob Reeves, during the CGA Strategic Conference Sept. 21-23. It was the conference’s third year in Palm Springs, and “I think it’s the best one this year,” Fong said. “A little over 850 attendees, which is better than […]
Posted in, West
CGAEF, Cal Poly State Partner To Bolster Grocery Workforce
In a historic partnership to strengthen California’s future grocery industry workforce, the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation (CGAEF) has committed to provide scholarships, internship stipends and professional development opportunities to Cal Poly’s Agribusiness Food Retail Management Program (CPAFRM) for the 2015-16 academic year. “By partnering with California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), we can provide […]
Posted in, National
Dorer To Succeed Knauss At Helm Of Clorox Co.
Benno Dorer will become CEO of The Clorox Co. on Nov. 20, succeeding CEO Donald R. “Don” Knauss, who will afterward fill the newly created position of executive chairman. Knauss, 63, has served as chairman and CEO of the Oakland, Calif.-based company since October 2006, holding overall responsibility for directing the company’s worldwide business, which […]
Posted in, National, West
L.A. Mayor Seeks Hourly Minimum Wage Increase
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti said this week that he would be pushing a major proposal for a citywide increase in the hourly minimum wage, according to the California Grocers Association (CGA). For the past few weeks his office has been in contact with Los Angles area business groups to circulate his plan. The proposal […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Traina Foods Debuts Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup
Traina Foods, a leading seller of premium sun dried fruits, is rolling out new Sriracha Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup, an addition to the award-winning Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup that debuted in 2012. “Our California Sun Dried Tomato Ketchup truly celebrates the tomato,” said Willie Traina, CEO of Patterson, Calif.-based Traina Foods. “And now we are […]
Posted in, Store News, West
New San Jose Whole Foods To Feature Grocer’s First In-Store Brewery In Calif.
A new 35,000-s.f. Whole Foods Market store will open Dec. 10 at 777 The Alameda (at Stockton) in San Jose, Calif. This is the second Whole Foods Market location in San Jose, and the 42nd in Northern California. The store will bring an estimated 150 new jobs to San Jose and feature the Austin, Texas-based […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
General Mills To Acquire Annie’s For $820M
General Mills has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Annie’s, a leading U.S. producer of branded organic and natural food products with net sales of $204 million in its latest fiscal year, completed March 2014. The transaction is valued at approximately $820 million. Annie’s will join General Mills’ U.S. natural and organic products portfolio, […]
Posted in, C-Store News, West
Circle K Constructing New Prototype Store In SoCal
Circle K, a division of Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc., recently broke ground on a new prototype store in Southern California. The 4,500-s.f. convenience store will be located at the corner of Sanderson and Esplanade avenues in San Jacinto. It willl feature a Mobil gas station with eight fuel pumps and a self-serve car wash. The new […]
Posted in, National, West
Calif. Assembly Passes Bill Moving State Closer To Uniform Plastic Bag Ban
The Yes on SB 270 Coalition hailed the California Assembly’s historic approval Thursday of Senate Bill 270, moving California one step closer to a landmark law banning single-use plastic carryout bags statewide. SB 270 is supported by dozens of groups representing a spectrum of sectors, including environment, organized labor, business organizations, grocers, retailers, poverty rights […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Food 4 Less Reaches Tentative Agreement With SoCal Unions
Food 4 Less/Foods Co stores, a division of The Kroger Co., has reached a tentative agreement with the seven Southern California United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) locals. The agreement is fully recommended and covers more than 6,000 associates working at 100 Food 4 Less stores in SoCal. The new agreement includes wage increases, quality, […]
Posted in, West
Mann Packing Adds Billingsley To Retail Sales Team
Terence Billingsley has joined the retail sales team at Mann Packing Co. Billingsley most recently was at Unilever where he was the Safeway customer business manager. His prior experience includes VP of sales at Promoworks where he worked with the Safeway marketing team to shape the in-store experience for all Safeway stores. He also led the business for […]
Posted in, National, West
USC Marshall Unveils Newly Innovated Food Industry Executive Program
To effectively lead their organizations in a rapidly changing business environment, food industry executives need to stay ahead of challenges like technology advances and globalization while elevating their leadership and management skills. That’s one reason the USC Marshall School of Business has revamped its Food Industry Executive Program (FIEP). FIEP provides an innovative resource for […]
Posted in, National, West
Calif. Plastic Bag Ban Passes Major Hurdle, Heads To Assembly Floor
A bill that would ban single-use plastic bags and place a 10-cent charge on recyclable paper bags passed the California Assembly Appropriations Committee with resounding support last week and now heads to the Assembly floor for consideration. Senate Bill 270, authored by Sen. Alex Padilla, Sen. Kevin de Leon and Sen. Ricardo Lara, is supported […]
Posted in, Marketing News, West
California Avocado Commission Expands Marketing Of Breakfast Campaign
The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has extended its program promoting the use of California avocados at breakfast with retail support materials, public relations outreach featuring registered dietitians spokespersons and digital media. Participating retailers have distributed a recipe booklet titled “Wake up to Breakfast” featuring simple, produce-rich recipes and nutrition information. In addition to being merchandised […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
Coca-Cola, Monster ‘Swapping’ Some Brands
The Coca-Cola Co. and Monster Beverage Corp. have entered into definitive agreements for a long-term strategic partnership that is expected to accelerate growth for both companies in the fast-growing, global energy drink category. The deal involves the companies “swapping,” or transferring, some brands. The companies say the new, innovative partnership leverages the respective strengths of […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Grocers Reports Sales Growth, Operating Income Improvement
Unified Grocers this week reported improved sales and operating income for its third quarter of fiscal year 2014 ended June 28 and for the year to date. The Commerce, Calif.-based wholesaler reported gross billings of $2.882 billion for the year, compared to gross billings of $2.778 billion for the same period last year (a 3.7 […]
Posted in, West
Memorial Services For Produce Pioneers Upcoming
Two pioneers of the western produce industry passed away over the weekend, just one day apart. Mr. Ed Baloian, patriarch of Baloian Farms of Fresno, Calif., a grower of peppers and mixed vegetables, died Saturday at the age of 92. He had suffered health problems over the last few years but had been at the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Center Store, West
Napa Valley Harvest Begins Today
The Napa Valley Vintners (NVV) trade association reports that the first of Napa Valley’s sparkling wine producers begin picking grapes today, two days earlier than the start of last year’s wine grape harvest. Although this past winter was one of the driest on record, Napa’s vintners and growers are predicting an abundant, high-quality harvest for […]
Posted in, National, West
Memorial Service For Produce Industry Veteran Tim Warren This Weekend
Mr. Timothy Wayne Warren, a produce industry veteran, died July 15 in Corona, Calif., due to heart complications. He was 55. A memorial service will be held this weekend. Mr. Warren was well known and respected within the produce community and was working in sales for Great West Produce Co. at the time of his […]