While many things change in the grocery industry from year to year, one item remains constant: a store’s appreciation for its customers and its most symbolic gesture of that sentiment—bagging their groceries. The annual Iowa Best Bagger Contest, hosted by the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA), is a tribute to this gratitude. Each year, approximately […]
Tag: operations
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Festival Foods’ Skogen Is Wisconsin Grocer Of The Year
On July 28, the Wisconsin Grocers Association (WGA) presented Mark Skogen, president and CEO of Festival Foods, with the state’s 2014 Grocer of the Year award. WGA President and CEO Brandon Scholz, Supervalu’s Jeff McClure (who nominated Skogen for the award) and Marlin Greenfield of Festival Foods worked together to ensure the award was a surprise. Skogen is […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Achieves 42nd Consecutive Quarter Of ID Sales Growth
The Kroger Co. on Thursday reported net earnings of $501 million, or $0.98 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 4.6 percent in the first quarter of fiscal year 2014. It is the company’s 42nd consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales growth. This also is the first period that includes […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Supervalu’s 4Q Earnings Show Positive Trends
Supervalu Inc. reported Wednesday that its fourth quarter fiscal 2014 net sales were $3.95 billion, an increase of 1.4 percent vs. the same period a year ago. Net earnings totaled $26 million, or $0.10 per diluted share. Identical store sales in the Save-A-Lot network were up 2.1 percent, while ID store sales for corporate stores […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Kaivac: Checklist Needed for Cleaning Restrooms
While new cleaning methods have been developed to make general cleaning more efficient and thorough, much of this progress has not applied to restroom cleaning methodologies, according to Kaivac Cleaning Systems. This is a significant oversight because cleaning restrooms is typically very involved and time-consuming. Further, it is invariably performed by one person, so any […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Marketplace Food & Drug Holds Grand Reopening
Marketplace Food & Drug at Westridge Center in Bemidji, Minn., recently celebrated its grand reopening, symbolizing a new direction for the family-owned company. “We’re absolutely committed to providing the best grocery shopping experience not just in Bemidji, but anywhere,” Mike McNiel, store manager, said. Keith Johanneson, president and CEO of Johanneson’s Inc., the store’s parent […]
Posted in, Executive News, Independent Store News, Southwest
Brookshire Grocery Co. Promotes Four To VP
Brookshire Grocery Co., based in Tyler, Texas, has promoted four employees to VP. Rae Champagne is now VP-education and communications; Ginger McCullough is VP-training and change management; Dave Moss is VP-merchandising; and Ozzie Osborne is VP-facility services. Champagne, most recently director of education and communications, is a 12-year employee who assumed leadership of internal communications, […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Safeway Adopts ‘Poison Pill’ To Thwart Unwanted Takeover
After becoming aware of an accumulation of a significant amount of the common stock of the company, Safeway’s board of directors adopted a one-year stockholder’s rights plan. Referred to as a “poison pill,” the measure is designed to thwart takeover attempts by diluting the holdings of an investor if its stake exceeds a set threshold. […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Staying On Top Means Always Looking Ahead
by Brian Numainville Special to The Shelby Report We live in a world of rapid change. As technology continues to evolve, new retail concepts come to light and innovative ideas surface, what does the future hold for food retailers? I recently reflected on some interesting concepts and ideas that have the possibility to impact our […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Midwest, Perishables
Pizza Wholesale Opens New Distribution Center In Iowa
Pizza Wholesale of Lexington is celebrating the grand opening of a new distribution center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The facility will support the expansion and growth of Hunt Brothers Pizza customers in six states: Kansas, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska and Wisconsin. Seven new full-time positions have been added to the existing 35 team members to […]
Posted in, National
FMI Announces 2013 Store Manager Award Winners
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) honored four grand prizewinners on April 30 for its 13th annual Store Manager Award presentation at FMI’s professional development conference, Future Connect. Winners were selected among 10 category finalists. They are recognized for their work in store operations, leadership, and community involvement. “The outstanding pool of store manager nominations showcases […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southwest
Reasor’s Celebrates 50 Years Of Its Mission To Be The Best
Larry Reasor began the Reasor’s legacy when he bought his first store in Tahlequah, Okla., on June 3, 1963 with two simple yet effective ideas in mind: put customers first and sell customers the items they want to buy. Fifty years later, Reasor’s namesake store has 17 full-service locations […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Northeast
Stop & Shop Announces Carbon Reduction Advancements In Mass.
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. LLC has made progress in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Massachusetts, where it currently operates 131 stores. In 2008, Stop & Shop committed to reducing its carbon footprint by 20 percent by 2015. The company made the announcement on April 4 at Stop & Shop’s LEED-certified store in […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Midwest
Schnucks Contains Source Of Credit Card Breach
Schnucks has “found and contained” the issue behind reports of unauthorized access to payment card information at its stores and has taken comprehensive measures designed to block any further access, the company says in a March 30 news release. The computer forensic firm Schnucks hired found evidence of computer code that would capture the magnetic […]
Posted in, Southeast
Kroger Ratifies Agreement With UFCW Local 1995
The Kroger Co. associates working at stores in the company’s Mid-South and Atlanta Divisions have ratified a new labor agreement with UFCW Local 1995, according to a news release. “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates and allows us to be competitive in the region,” says John Hackett, president […]
Posted in, National
Legislation Opposing Menu Labeling to be Introduced July 24
Congressman John Carter (R-TX) will introduce legislation next Tuesday, July 24, to prevent the Food & Drug Administration from expanding menu-labeling regulations to grocery store operations. The National Grocers Association (N.G.A.) is urging grocery operators to show their support on a letter that will be distributed to members of Congress. A copy of the letter […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Southwest
Market Street Launches D/FW Mobile App
Lubbock, Texas-based United Supermarkets, owner of Market Street, has launched its Market Street D/FW iPhone application (app), which allows Smart Rewards loyalty members on-the-go access to their account details, including current points, rewards and personalized offers. The free, downloadable app provides a more rewarding shopping experience for guests, the company said, with mobile access to […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Midwest, National
Former Meijer Exec Holt Replacing Van Helden at Supervalu
Pete Van Helden, EVP of retail operations, will leave Supervalu this spring. The Eden Prairie, Minn.-based company said in a new release that the decision was “mutually beneficial” and that it “comes at the right time … as the company continues to implement its business transformation strategy. “Pete has been a passionate leader of our […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
U.S. Retailers Lose More Than $37B a Year to Retail Theft
Retailers lost more than $37 billion to theft last year, according to an annual survey conducted by the University of Florida with a funding grant from security systems integrator ADT Commercial. The National Retail Security Survey (NRSS) preliminary results show an increase in theft by nearly $4 billion, from $33.5 billion in 2009 to $37.1 […]
Posted in, Ellerbee Buzz, Shelby Content, Southeast
Grocers Overcome Challenges Severe Weather Brings
Even the mighty fell—sorta. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. managed to open its headquarters in Bentonville, Ark., on Feb. 9, but employees did not have to report if they couldn’t safely travel to work. A foot of snow had fallen on Northwest Arkansas. Some parts of Oklahoma saw two feet of snow. In the northeast corner of […]