Blue Diamond Growers’ global almond sales soared to $1.2 billion, up $189 million in fiscal year 2012-13. Value-added sales volume increased by 14 percent, even with a crop that was 7 percent smaller, according to President and CEO Mark Jansen, who addressed the cooperative’s grower owners at the company’s annual meeting. Value-added sales now represent more […]
Tag: sales
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Meijer Again Expects To Lead Midwest With Lowest Per-Pound Price On Turkeys
Meijer is once again announcing aggressive pricing on turkeys that are expected to lead the Midwest in low-price Thanksgiving birds. “A Thanksgiving meal isn’t complete without the turkey, and with these great prices, Meijer wants to ensure that our customers can provide their families with the best holiday experience,” said Jerry Suter, VP of fresh […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
New Food Distribution Customers Give Nash Finch 3Q Sales Boost
Nash Finch today reported a 3.5 percent increase in third quarter 2013 sales compared to the same period a year ago. Sales for the company’s third quarter, ended Oct. 5, totaled $1.56 billion compared to $1.51 billion in the prior-year quarter. The Minneapolis-based wholesaler said the increase was “primarily attributable to sales to new customers […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National
Report: How C-Stores Could Eat Quick-Serve Restaurants’ Lunch
As consumers increasingly clamor for quick, easy and accessible meals, convenience stores have a great opportunity to become go-to destinations for lunch. They currently are losing out to fast-food outlets, which have added fresh, healthier options for people on the move, according to a newsletter report from The Hartman Group. Quick-serve chains, including Chipotle, Subway, […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Domino, C&H Sugar Becoming Available In Flip-Top Dispenser
Domino Sugar and C&H Sugar will soon be available in a new, easy-to-use flip-top dispenser, featuring Quick Dissolve Sugar and Pourable Brown Sugar. Domino Foods Inc., a leader in the sugar category, has previously been credited with introducing the Domino Sugar 4-lb. canister into the marketplace. By mid-November, the new flip-top package redesign will be […]
Posted in, Beverage News, National, Suppliers
U.S. Beer Consumption Is Up; Rising Demand For Higher-Priced Offerings
The beer industry saw gains in both dollar and volume in 2012 after a three-year downturn. Well-marketed new products and slight improvements in the unemployment rate contributed to the beer industry’s overall growth. Although the second half of the year didn’t fare as well from an economic standpoint, the industry was still able to see […]
Posted in, National
Safety Of Personal Information In Loyalty Programs Worry Many Consumers
Enrollment in loyalty programs is on the rise across all retail categories, but soaring participation in retailer loyalty programs does not necessarily translate to “genuine” loyalty, and relevant communications are increasingly essential in loyalty engagement. However, recent Mintel research finds that consumers also are concerned about privacy when weighing whether or not to sign up […]
Posted in, National, West
Unified Grocers Holds Newly Designed Fall ‘Sell-abration’ In California
Unified Grocers combined its Expo and Extravaganza this fall in a new show experience designed to drive sales through the holidays and beyond. The show was held Oct. 23-24 at the Long Beach Convention Center. Unified’s new Sell-abration event is dedicated solely to products and to moving cases at retail. This mid-sized show featured a […]
Posted in, National
13 Inducted Into Candy Hall Of Fame, Top New Products Recognized
The National Confectionery Sales Association (NCSA) honored 13 industry veterans with induction into the Candy Hall of Fame during a black-tie gala Oct. 19. More than 360 attended, a record for the event in Tampa, Fla. The inductees include Russell Berg of E.A. Berg Associates; Robert Boutin of Knechtel Inc.; Robert Edelheit of Hanson Faso […]
Posted in, National
Advantage To Acquire Tri-Venture Marketing
Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC (ASM) today revealed its plans to acquire Tri-Venture Marketing Inc., “The Perishable Connection,” on Wednesday. Lakeland, Fla.-based Tri-Venture is a food brokerage company focused on meat, deli, bakery, produce, cheese, seafood and frozen clients and customers. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. “Tri-Venture has delivered best-in-class service to the […]
Posted in, National
Mastronardi/Sunset To Roll Out New Products At PMA Fresh Summit
Mastronardi Produce is gearing up for this year’s PMA Fresh Summit. Taking place Oct. 19-20 in New Orleans, the company’s Sunset brand will be unveiling new innovative products and packaging. Sunset can be found at booth No. 2738. This area includes a full gourmet kitchen where Sunset executive chefs will create signature recipes and introduce […]
Posted in, Executive News, National
Sunsweet Growers Names New CEO
Sunsweet Growers Inc., the nation’s leading marketer of prunes, specialty dried fruit products and fruit juices, has appointed company President Dane Lance to the additional post of CEO. Arthur Driscoll II, CEO since 2004, has retired after a distinguished tenure with Sunsweet, during which time the company achieved record-setting revenue and grower-member crop returns. “Art’s […]
Posted in, Northeast, Organic Natural
How To Set A Store To Appeal To Natural/Specialty Shoppers
by Michael, Jeremy and David Isenberg/Chex Finer Foods Special to Shelby Publishing Co. In today’s retail marketplace, we are increasingly seeing that natural and specialty foods are driving sales, excitement and profits. To maximize your sales of these items, retailers are following three key paths: 1. Integrating with mainstream grocery; 2. Driving consistent off-shelf displays […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, International Foods, West
Unified’s New Hispanic Programs Target Shopper Marketing Dollars
With the launch of a new Hispanic marketing initiative for 2014, Unified Grocers Inc. says it is actively pursuing shopper marketing dollars on behalf of the largest “virtual” Hispanic chain in the country—the more than 400 Hispanic retail locations it serves throughout the western U.S. These retail locations combined serve about five million shoppers a […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
The Hershey Co. Promotes Dark Chocolate As The New Dessert
A recent study by The Hartman Group on U.S. eating habits reveals that the percentage of Americans savoring dessert after dinner has increased 5 percent since 2009, and 78 percent of treats enjoyed after dinner include chocolates. At the same time, there has been a resurgence in consumers purchasing trade-up and premium dark chocolate since […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Consumers Buying More Specialty Food, Survey Says
Consumers are choosing specialty foods over conventional foods at record levels, according to new research from the Specialty Food Association. Close to 75 percent of U.S. consumers report making specialty food purchases this year, a major increase since the economic downturn of 2009 when only 46 percent reported that they bought these high-quality products. Consumers […]
Posted in, Center Store, National
Caribou’s Amy’s Blend Brings Warmth To CancerCare
Caribou Coffee has kicked off its 18th annual Caribou Coffee Amy’s Blend program, which pays tribute to the company’s original roastmaster, Amy Erickson. Erickson lost her battle with breast cancer in 1995; the company hopes to address the common needs of those impacted by the disease with this year’s merchandise collection and social campaign. The […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Brookshire Grocery Co. Manufacturing Supports Breast Cancer Awareness
East Texas-based regional grocery chain Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) plans to support National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by adding a pink ribbon to the caps of all Brookshire’s brand gallon milk jugs sold in the chain’s 152 stores across Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. The pink ribbons will be printed throughout the month of October in […]
Posted in, National
DCI-Artform Boosts Grocery Sector Biz With Six New Hires
DCI-Artform, a leading global player in the shopper marketing and retail product merchandising business, says it has hired top talent to bring shopper-centric solutions to grocers, other store formats and consumer product manufacturers. Leading a new approach to front-end merchandising (FEM): • Lisa Murphy, senior sales executive (California), has had success in big-box and specialty […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Eggland’s Best Eggs Get A Pink Makeover To Support Breast Cancer Awareness
For the fourth year in a row, Eggland’s Best will help raise awareness for breast cancer by stamping its eggs with a pink “EB” alongside the signature Susan G. Komen Running Ribbon. In 2013, America’s No. 1 branded egg company has donated $50,000 to Komen to help fund its mission, which includes innovative breast cancer […]