by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Houston rivals Dallas-Fort Worth as the Lone Star State’s top economic powerhouse. Three times out of the past four years, Houston has been named the No. 1 “Top Metro” in the U.S. for corporate relocations and expansions by Site Selection magazine. In 2012, the greater metro area recorded 325 new or […]
Tag: retail
Posted in, National, New Products
El’s Kitchen Introduces Gluten-Free Snaps Bagel Chips
El’s Kitchen is rolling out Snaps Gluten-Free Bagel Chips. Snaps were developed originally as a component of El’s Medleys Snack Mix, but consumer feedback indicated that the bagel chips could stand on their own merit in the gluten-free market, according to a news release. “The aim in developing our snacks was to reduce the confusion […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Grocery Outlet Moving To Long Vacant Nugget Site In Greenhaven Area
Grocery Outlet Inc. has leased a former Nugget Market site in Sacramento’s Greenhaven area. The Sacramento Business Journal reports that the deep-discount grocer will invest nearly $2 million to remodel the 23,000-s.f. building at Florin Road and Riverside Boulevard. The building has been vacant for about a decade—ever since Nugget moved out for a bigger […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, New Products
New Creamers Designed To Add Energy, Flavor Boost To Coffee
NuZee Co. Ltd. is introducing Coffee Blenders, the first energy boost creamer that adds both energy and flavor to coffee. Formulated with a proprietary blend that provides 2,000mg of energy derived from vitamin B3 (niacin), vitamin B6 vitamin B12, along with naturally occurring caffeine, taurine, ginseng and guarana, Coffee Blenders provides sustained energy without the […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Greek Yogurt Continues Its Sales Growth Marathon
In the wake of the Greek yogurt craze, yogurt remains a superfood with a significant upside, according to a recently released report from Packaged Facts, “The Yogurt Market and Yogurt Innovation: Greek Yogurt and Beyond.” Packaged Facts forecasts that U.S. retail sales of yogurt will approach $9.3 billion by 2017, up from $7.3 billion in […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southeast
7-Eleven Expands In South Carolina
7-Eleven Inc. has closed on the acquisition of 46 locations from CB Mart Inc. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition increases 7-Eleven’s store count in the Carolinas to more than 100 and follows the acquisition of 55 Sam’s Mart and 13 Fast Track stores that closed in 2012. “7-Eleven is committed to […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, Organic Natural
Kay’s Naturals ‘Mini Meals’ Available At Harris Teeter, Stop & Shop
Kay’s Naturals, producer of gluten-free, diabetes-friendly, high-protein and fiber foods, has added Harris Teeter and Stop & Shop stores to its list of food, drug and mass retailers—joining Walgreens, H-E-B, Kerr Drug and Albertsons. Clara City, Minn.-based Kay’s Naturals produces a line of gluten-free snacks and cereals so nutrition dense that Kay’s calls them “Mini […]
Posted in, Store News, West
WinCo Plans 800,000-s.f. Phoenix Warehouse
WinCo Foods has delivered nearly $12 million in cash for a west Phoenix lot where it plans to erect an 800,000-s.f. warehouse within the next year and bring about 300 jobs to the Valley, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. According to Business Real Estate Weekly of Arizona, the 74-acre parcel—located at the southwest corner of […]
Posted in, Industry News, Southeast
Tennessee House Approves Sales Tax Decrease On Groceries
The Tennessee House has unanimously approved a proposal to cut the state’s sales tax on groceries. The Memphis Business Journal reports that the proposal was put forward by Gov. Bill Haslam. If approved by the Senate, Tennessee’s sales tax on groceries will decrease from 7 percent to 5 percent. The decrease is expected to cost […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Thought For Food & Son Designs New Retail Packaging For Cape Cod Select
Thought For Food & Son, a communications boutique that specializes in the food industry, has completed a new packaging design project for Cape Cod Select located in Carver, Mass. Cape Cod Select is the retail brand of the company’s family-owned and -operated cranberry farm Edgewood Bogs. Thought For Food & Son was retained a second […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
Goldfish Brand Introduces New ‘Goldfish My Way’ E-Commerce Site
Providing a custom way to snack in an increasingly digital world, the Pepperidge Farm Goldfish brand is launching www.GoldfishMyWay.com. This e-commerce site allows consumers of the snack crackers to create a customized snacking experience. To coincide with the Goldfish brand’s 50 birthday, the new Goldfish My Way e-commerce site allows users to celebrate their own […]
Posted in, National
Western Mich. University A Strong Choice For Food Marketing Students
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 […]
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, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Cutting 1,100 Jobs Companywide
Supervalu said today that it plans to reduce its national workforce by an estimated 1,100 positions. The final working dates for impacted employees vary, based on the needs of the business and the areas they support. The reductions include both current positions and open jobs that will not be filled. “The decision to reduce our […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National
Supervalu Makes Additional Exec Appointments, Revamps Website After Deal
Supervalu today announced appointments to its executive team, including Janel Haugarth who will remain with the company as EVP and president of independent business and supply chain services. The announcement comes as Sam Duncan, Supervalu president and CEO, continues finalizing his leadership team following the sale of five retail banners to AB Acquisition LLC, a […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Walmart To Expand iPhone Mobile-Checkout Option
Walmart Stores Inc. is expanding its program that lets shoppers scan items with their iPhones and proceed to self-checkout lanes to pay, published reports say. The Bentonville, Ark.-based retail giant’s “Scan & Go” program debuted late last year in Arkansas and has since been deemed a success. The option soon will be available at more […]
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, 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
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 […]