Increasingly, private label products are strategic weapons that separate a retailer from its competitors in a way that helps to build loyalty and purchase behavior. But Symphony IRI Group states in its latest Times & Trend Report that private label can be—should be—even more. Much opportunity remains for private label marketers and national brand marketers […]
Tag: Grocery
Posted in, Southwest
Affiliated Foods at 65: A Passion for Business
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Ask Randy Arceneaux, president and CEO of Amarillo, Texas-based Affiliated Foods Inc., about his concerns for the grocery industry as a whole, and he will tell you that what keeps him up at night sometimes is “the fear that the independent operator, No. 1, loses the passion for the business. “Part […]
Posted in, Southeast
Winn-Dixie Jacksonville Open Raises Record Amount
With the $1.8 million check for the Winn-Dixie Foundation are (left to right): PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem; Mary Kellmanson, group VP of marketing for Winn-Dixie Stores, and the president of the Winn-Dixie Foundation; Peter Lynch, Winn-Dixie chairman, CEO and president; Nationwide Tour President Bill Calfee; and Ray De Riggi, president of Dole Fresh Vegetable, […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Starbucks VIA Ready Brew House Blend, Breakfast Blend Hit Grocery Shelves
Marking the two-year anniversary of the Starbucks VIA® product line, the company on Oct. 19 made available Starbucks VIA Ready Brew in House Blend and Breakfast Blend at select grocery stores across the U.S. The introduction of the new instant coffee varieties further reinforces Starbucks global coffee leadership and its commitment to offering customers high-quality […]
Posted in, National
Study: Reusable Shopping Bags Could Harbor Bacteria
The International Association for Food Protection’s Food Protection Trends published a study in its latest issue revealing that most consumers surveyed never wash their reusable bags between uses, permitting bacteria to grow. The peer-reviewed study, completed by University of Arizona Microbiologist Dr. Charles Gerba, found that large numbers of bacteria were found in almost all […]
Posted in, Southeast
Publix No. 1 for Corporate Citizenship Reputation
Publix Super Markets placed No. 1, followed by Google on a ranking of 50 companies with the best corporate citizenship reputations compiled by researchers at the Carroll School of Management’s Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College in conjunction with the Reputation Institute. The Corporate Social Responsibility Index, based on a survey of 7,790 online […]
Posted in, Midwest, Southeast
Meijer Prepares for Holiday Hiring Blitz
Supercenter chain Meijer is preparing to hire hundreds of new employees for its stores as it prepares for this year’s holiday season. The announcement was made via press release Oct. 5 by Janet Emerson, EVP of operations for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based retailer. “Meijer is known for friendly customer service,” said Emerson. “In order to […]
Posted in, West
UFCW 8-Golden State Begins Informational Picketing
UFCW 8-Golden State President Jacques Loveall announced that union volunteers established informational picket lines Oct. 6 at a Nugget Market and a Walmart Supercenter in West Sacramento, Calif. “Our members are prepared to do whatever it takes to ensure that workers at Nugget Markets and Walmart have the same access to the good wages, health […]
Posted in, West
Fresh & Easy to Launch ‘Thank You’ Card for Loyal Customers
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market is rolling out its new Friends of Fresh & Easy “thank you” card to all its stores following a successful trial of the program at seven stores in Bakersfield, Calif. Fresh & Easy had originally planned to trial the card this fall and roll out the program to all stores […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Family of Stores Commit $1 Million
Supervalu Inc. has committed $1 million to sponsor 1,542 youth sports teams in markets where its Acme®, Albertsons®, Cub Foods®, Farm Fresh®, Jewel-Osco® and Shaws/Star Market® stores operate. The sponsorships underscore the company’s commitment to its local neighborhoods. The sponsorships, which began last spring, have helped to offset the cost of local youth baseball and […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
IFBA Reaches Out to Manufacturers, Grocers
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor [gn_pullquote align=”right”]Next year’s IFBA Top to Top will be held May 15-17 at the Renaissance Chicago Hotel. NARMS will hold its annual spring confernce April 14-17 at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla., which is north of Tampa.[/gn_pullquote]Independent food brokers are, in many ways, the last people for whom a […]
Posted in, West
Fry’s to Carry Schnepf Chili
For a limited time, Fry’s Food Stores will carry Schnepf Farms chili at a majority of its grocery store locations, reports the Phoenix Business Journal. Schnepf Farm owners Mark and Carrie Schnepf are going to make guest appearances at select Fry’s Food stores in the East Valley to promote the new product, which can be […]
Posted in, West
Second California Sunflower store to open Oct. 12
Sunflower Farmers Market, the full-service natural and organic grocer famous for offering “serious food at silly prices,” is opening its second store in the California market. On Oct. 12, Sunflower will open its new store in Modesto, located at 1700 McHenry Ave. in the McHenry Village Shopping Center. Grand opening festivities will include special savings […]
Posted in, West
California Conference for Equality and Justice honored three standouts
The California Conference for Equality and Justice (CCEJ) honored three standouts in the state’s grocery industry at its dinner on Sept. 2. The 2011 winners of the group’s Humanitarian Awards were Jim Lee of Stater Bros., Dave Van Winkle of The Performance Group and Joel Oakford of Anheuser-Busch. What is CCEJ? The California […]
Posted in, National
Tyson voluntarily recalling packages of ground beef
Tyson Fresh Meats Inc. is voluntarily recalling retail packages of ground beef sold in Georgia and other states. The affected ground beef, which might contain E. coli, was shipped by Tyson (NYSE: TSN) to distribution centers in Ohio, Indiana, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin. […]
Posted in, Southwest
Winn-Dixie Expands fuelperks! Throughout Central Florida
Winn-Dixie Stores Inc., is expanding the fuelperks! Rewards® Program throughout Central Florida. This expansion will include 62 Winn-Dixie stores in Orlando and Daytona, Fla., areas, and guests using the new Winn-Dixie Customer Reward Card (CRC) can begin earning significant fuel discounts at more 150 participating Shell stations. Winn-Dixie guests have already saved more than $26 […]
Posted in, Albertsons, West
FISMC Fêtes Bristol Farms
The Food Industries Sales Managers’ Club of Los Angeles (FISMC) met in mid-September at the Summit House Restaurant in Fullerton to honor local supermarket chain Bristol Farms. Kevin Davis, chairman, president and CEO of Bristol Farms, went over his company’s history. Bristol Farms was acquired by Albertsons in 2004; Supervalu acquired Albertsons in 2006 and […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Publix Pharmacies Offering Flu Shots
Publix Pharmacies are providing flu vaccinations, including a needle-free option, reports the Tampa Bay Business Journal. Traditional flu shots are $30, but Publix accepts Medicare Part B and many third-party insurances, according to a company statement. All immunizations are given by trained Publix pharmacists. Publix Super Markets , headquartered in Lakeland, has about 140 locations […]
Posted in, Midwest
Sunflower Farmers Market Set to Open Third Store in Denver
Boulder, Colo.-based Sunflower Farmers Market has announced it will open its thirteenth store in Colorado in late 2012, making it a baker’s dozen for the store’s home state. The new 26,000-s.f. Denver location will be on East Colfax Avenue between Garfield and Monroe Streets. The full-service grocer is expected to bring 100 jobs to the […]
Posted in, Northeast
Sheetz West Virginia Expansion Continues With Store in Beaver
Sheetz opened a new store in Beaver, W.Va., Sept. 22. This is the second Sheetz location in this area to open this year. The first in Beckley on Robert C. Byrd Drive opened in February. As part of the grand opening, the company made a donation to Special Olympics West Virginia. Sheetz has been a […]