Kroger has promoted Deana Collins to VP of merchandising for the grocer’s Smith’s division. Collins most recently served as director of regional operations in Kroger’s Atlanta division. At Smith’s, she will oversee merchandising efforts the division’s 138 stores in seven western states. Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Smith’s employs 18,000 associates. “Throughout the years, Deana […]
Tag: merchandising
Dollar General’s Chief Merchandising Officer Retiring
Dollar General’s James “Jim” W. Thorpe, EVP and chief merchandising officer, will retire on April 15. “Jim’s strong understanding of our core customer and passion for our business have been instrumental in driving innovation in our merchandising initiatives,” said Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos. “When Jim rejoined the company in 2015, we agreed upon a […]
Whole Foods Selects Dunnhumby To Aid Customer Merchandise Strategy
Whole Foods Market has selected dunnhumby as a partner to evolve the chain’s category management and merchandising by using customer data and insights. Dunnhumby says it is working with the Austin, Texas-based grocery chain to apply its customer data models, science and industry-leading processes to make store-level merchandising decisions based on specific customer needs. Dunnhumby […]
Sussman To Head Merchandising At Ahold USA, Other Changes Announced
Don Sussman, president of Ahold USA’s Stop & Shop New York Metro division, has been appointed EVP of merchandising at Ahold USA. He takes over for Andrew Iacobucci, former EVP of merchandising, who has decided to leave the company in order to pursue another opportunity outside of the retail grocery industry (read more below). Sussman has […]
Lloyd, Goelzer To Hold Supermarket Management Class 2.0 In May
Longtime grocery educator Harold Lloyd of Harold Lloyd Presents and Paulo Goelzer, president of the IGA Coca-Cola Institute, are teaming up to present Supermarket Management Class 2.0 in Chicago in May. Lloyd, who created the course about 15 years ago, used to hold the class in January, but saw an opportunity this year, with FMI […]
Van Buskirk Leaving Supervalu July 16
Supervalu said in a July 11 U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) filing that Mark L. Van Buskirk’s employment with the company will terminate effective July 16. Van Buskirk is EVP of merchandising, marketing, retail and pharmacy. Supervalu said it is evaluating succession plans for Van Buskirk’s roles and in the interim his functional areas […]
Barons Market Adds Olive Oil And Vinegar Bars To All Stores
San Diego-based natural grocer Barons Market has installed olive oil and vinegar tasting stations in all six of its locations. Ten olive oils and 14 vinegars fill silver vats at each store’s tasting station, where shoppers will find bread for dipping. Unique flavors include citrus habanero olive oil and honey ginger white balsamic vinegar, with […]
Five Ways To Maximize Banana Sales
With bananas at the top of most supermarkets’ register rings, it pays for distributors and produce managers to keep their banana inventories and displays in top-notch form. “The banana category is historically the largest retail produce category. Since bananas are available year-round, an effective prominent display draws customers into your produce department,” said Kevin Frye, […]
New Survey Reveals How Labeling Contributes To Food Waste
At a Food Waste Summit in Washington yesterday hosted by Keystone Policy Center and the National Consumers League (NCL), researchers released new data that confirms widespread consumer confusion over food date labeling and how it likely contributes to food waste. The new national survey assessing consumer perceptions of date labels and reporting is a collaborative […]
Meat And Related Products, Snacks to Outperform Other Segments
The U.S. food industry is forecast to grow at a steady rate of 2.9 percent (compound annual growth rate) through 2022, according to the 2016 Food Packaging Trends and Advances report from PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies. Based on interviews from 70 food processing and packaging industry professionals in the U.S. and […]
Meijer, Masterpiece Flower Co. Enjoy 50-Year Partnership In Michigan
Thanks to its longstanding partnership with a Michigan grower, Meijer is continuing its tradition of supplying each of its 223 stores across the Midwest with locally-grown poinsettias this holiday season—enough to fill about eight football fields. But the partnership with Masterpiece Flower Co. has also allowed the Byron Center, Mich.-based grower to expand its own […]
Missouri Grocers Log Another Successful Convention
This year’s Missouri Grocers Association (MGA) Annual Convention & Merchandising Show was moved to another venue—Osage Beach—and a different month. Dan Shaul, MGA state director, and Balls Food Stores COO Mike Beal, new president of the MGA’s board, said both factors had a role in the event’s success. “This year, we moved the convention from […]
NatureFresh Farms Promotes Retail Innovations At United Fresh 2015
“Be the customer.” That’s what NatureFresh Farms says is its approach to retail partnerships. Then, “be the customer’s customer.” “Our best customers are our best partners,” says Peter Quiring, founder of NatureFresh. “They share the same culture and hunger to be different. They understand that they need to look beyond what a customer says they want […]
2015 General Merchandise Marketing Conference Begins May 28
The Global Market Development Center’s (GMDC) 2015 General Merchandise Marketing Conference will be held May 28-June 1 at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida. The event focuses on developing, expanding and growing general merchandise sales at retail. The conference will offer members of the retail, wholesale, supplier, service and solution communities an opportunity to […]
NatureSweet Tomatoes Partners With Susan G. Komen For Third Year
To show support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, NatureSweet Tomatoes is continuing its partnership with Susan G. Komen and the fight to end breast cancer. NatureSweet will feature limited edition pink packaging nationwide through October 31 and will donate $100,000 regardless of sales. The in-store pink packaging and promotional materials will be featured on NatureSweet SunBursts […]
Mars Says New LED-Lit Racks Can Boost Front End Confectionery Sales
Mars Chocolate North America and Wrigley are introducing racks illuminated with LED lights that the companies say can lift front end grocery sales by 10 to 12 percent. These innovative LED-lit racks—combined with the ideal assortment and shelf pitch—create a brighter environment and make it more appealing for shoppers to browse while waiting to check […]
U.S. Surpasses France As Largest Wine Market
The U.S. topped France as the world’s largest wine market last year as Americans continue to develop a greater appreciation for the libation. According to the Beverage Information and Insights Group’s 2014 Wine Handbook, the wine category increased 1.9 percent to 325.4 million 9-liter cases last year. Production and consumption levels also are at an […]
Wine In Retail Food Stores Referendum Heads To Nov. Ballot In 80 Tenn. Municipalities
Registered voters in 80 Tennessee municipalities will have the opportunity to vote Nov. 4 in referendums to allow the sale of wine in retail food stores, the Red White and Food campaign said Tuesday. “This is a tremendous accomplishment for the state’s retail food stores and for their customers who want to be able to […]
Center Store Growth Will Be Led By Latinos
Over the past decade the food-buying habits of Hispanics have begun to mirror those of American consumers as a whole, and U.S. marketers must be aware of various emerging trends if they seek to effectively reach the increasingly influential Latino consumer segment, according to “Hispanic Food Shoppers in the U.S.,” a recent report by market […]
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 […]
