Peter Larkin, president and CEO of the National Grocers Association (NGA), spoke with Geoff Welch, The Shelby Report’s VP-Midwest, on March 25 during the 48th Annual Food Marketing Conference sponsored by Western Michigan University. Speaking at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, Mich., where the conference took place, Larkin told Welch that it was his […]
Tag: Grocery
Posted in, National, West
CGA Hires New Government Relations Manager
The California Grocers Association (CGA) has hired Dane Hutchings as its government relations manager, effective immediately. In this position, Hutchings will be responsible for bill tracking and analysis, regulatory analysis, member relations and grassroots development. In addition, he will work with CGA members to develop positions and draft advocacy messages and represent the organization before […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Yoplait Launches New Spring Yogurt Flavors
Yoplait is rolling out two spring flavors: Yoplait Light pina colada and Yoplait Original cosmopolitan-flavored yogurt. Both are available for a limited time. “Consumers are continually looking for new and different ways to enjoy the refreshing goodness of yogurt,” says Cameron Archibald, associate marketing manager for Yoplait. “The popularity of fruity and tropical flavored drinks […]
Posted in, National
NGA, CART Research Showcases ‘Active Listening’ As Best Practice
For grocery retailers, customer service reputation is strengthened by maintaining an everyday practice for listening and responding to shoppers’ concerns, feedback and praise. Showcasing best practices for “active listening,” the National Grocers Association (NGA) and the Center for Advancing Retail & Technology (CART) released the first work product from their newly-launched Innovation Center at the […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Southeast
BI-LO To Lay Off 130 From Former Corporate HQ
BI-LO is in the process of laying off 130 people at its former headquarters in Mauldin, S.C., according to the South Carolina Radio Network, which reports that a company spokesman confirmed the news in an email. The layoffs were expected as part of the company’s relocation to Jacksonville, Fla. The move, the report says, is […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Publix Retaliates Against Walmart’s Price-Comparison Campaign
Publix is firing back in what has become sort of an advertisement “war” with Walmart. The Tampa Bay Business Journal reports that it has been nearly a year since the global retail giant began running advertisements with customers shopping for identical items at both stores and being stunned at the savings available at Walmart. Now, […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Northeast
Industry Supports HB 790 To Reform Pa.’s Alcohol Sales System
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA), the state’s advocate for food retailers, applauds the Pennsylvania House Liquor Control Committee for moving House Bill 790 forward in support of reforming Pennsylvania’s alcohol sales system. PFMA urges all members, associates and their customers to ask their lawmakers to support HB 790. “Visit FreeMyBeer.com today and send a […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Nestle Survey Looks At Frozen Food Habits
When it comes to frozen, ready-made meals, some of us are keeping secrets. According to a new survey by NestleUSA, 25 percent of Americans confess to having passed off frozen meals as their own culinary creation. Another 14 percent admit to having “accidentally” taken a co-worker’s frozen meal in the workplace. These and other findings […]
Posted in, National
Legislation Addressing Overreach Of Proposed Menu Labeling Regs Gets Support
The National Grocers Association (NGA) released the following statement supporting the introduction of a bi-partisan bill, House Resolution 1249 The Common Sense Nutrition Disclosure Act of 2013, by Reps. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) and Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.), to require the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to implement the chain restaurant menu labeling provision under the […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Grocery News, National
Starbucks Expands Loyalty Program To Grocery
Starbucks is expanding its loyalty program so customers can earn rewards by buying the company’s products at grocery stores, the company announced at its annual shareholders meeting in Seattle on Wednesday. The Puget Sound Business Journal says that, beginning in May, customers can earn rewards “stars” when they buy Starbucks packaged coffee in grocery stores. […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Lean Cuisine, Fresh Express Team Up To Offer New Salad Product
Lean Cuisine and Fresh Express are partnering to help consumers make good food choices, with new Lean Cuisine Salad Additions and Fresh Express lettuce. The salad, according to a news release, can be prepared in minutes and is 350 calories or less. “We know that Lean Cuisine consumers have lettuce in their fridge, but they […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Completes Sale Of Five Retail Grocery Banners
Supervalu this morning said that it has completed the sale of its Albertsons, Acme, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s and Star Market stores and related Osco and Sav-on in-store pharmacies to AB Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of a Cerberus Capital Management L.P.-led investor consortium, in a stock deal valued at $3.3 billion, including $100 million in cash and […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Smari Organic Icelandic Yogurt Makes U.S. Debut At Whole Foods
The thykk yogurt of remote Icelandic villages is now available in the U.S., at Whole Foods Market stores nationwide. In Iceland, yogurt, skyr, is thick, fat-free, protein and calcium rich, and low in sugar. A signature food of Iceland since the 9th century, it kept the Vikings strong through long dark winters, where food preservation […]
Posted in, National
Study Shows Healthy Food Rebates Positively Impact Shopping Behavior
A new study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that rebates on healthy food purchases cause people to put healthier food in their grocery carts. Led by the nonprofit research organization the Rand Corp., the analysis examined the purchases of more than 170,000 South African households, of which 60 percent participated in […]
Posted in, Southeast
Groundbreaking For Publix’s First N.C. Store Is Next Week
Publix Super Markets and its leadership team will host a groundbreaking ceremony next week at the site of its first North Carolina store. The ceremony for Publix Super Markets Ballantyne will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, March 28. The store at 11206 Providence Rd. W in Charlotte will be located adjacent to a Walgreens store […]
Posted in, National
NGA Releases Tax Reform Principles To Congress
The National Grocers Association (NGA) today released the results of a tax survey of its members in a report entitled “Principles of Tax Reform for the Independent Grocery Sector.” The report is being shared with members of Congress, including members of the House Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee who are undertaking comprehensive […]
Posted in, National
Hostess Authorized To Complete $800M In Sales Transactions
Hostess Brands Inc. has obtained U.S. Bankruptcy Court approval to sell the majority of its snack cake business and the majority of its bread business in separate transactions totaling approximately $800 million in proceeds. “We embarked on the sales process with one overarching goal—to maximize value for all of the company’s stakeholders—and I am pleased […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Southeast
South Florida Ripe For Grocery As Recovery Bests Rest Of State
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer As goes the population, so goes the grocery business; their growth generally runs parallel. That’s according to John Fleming, communications director for the Florida Retail Federation (FRF). “In general, Florida is growing at a healthy pace,” Fleming tells The Shelby Report. “In Florida, specifically, population growth is a big driver of […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Meijer Expands Made In Michigan Initiative Statewide
Meijer has expanded its program that supports Michigan small businesses to feature 55 new Michigan-made grocery products in all its stores statewide, Meijer Co-Chairman Doug Meijer says. “Meijer is committed to supporting Michigan businesses, and the Made in Michigan initiative is a great opportunity to highlight some fantastic small businesses throughout the state,” Meijer says. […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
Survey: Parents Increasingly Aware Of Unlabeled GMOs In Food
Results from the latest consumer survey conducted for the Organic Trade Association (OTA) reveal that, as U.S. families are becoming increasingly aware of the presence of unlabeled genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in foods in the marketplace, they turn to organic as the food labeled by law to not have been made with genetically engineered ingredients. […]