The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. said Oct. 8 that it has begun converting 25 A&P stores it is acquiring. During this process, groups of up to five stores will temporarily close for approximately seven days and all of the conversions are expected to be completed by Nov. 13. The first wave of Stop & […]
Tag: Northeast
News from the northeastern United States.
Posted in, Northeast
Report: C-Stores Poised To Grow Better-For-You Sales
Convenience stores are poised to capitalize on the growing trend of shoppers seeking healthy, more convenient products, according to a new Hudson Institute report. “Consumers’ desire for convenience is a growing trend and a notable convenience store opportunity,” according to “Health & Wellness Trends and Strategies for the Convenience Store Sector,” a report commissioned by […]
Posted in, Northeast
Operators Come Out In Force Against Boston Alcohol Tax Plan
The Massachusetts Restaurant Association (MRA) recently joined with operators to testify against a city of Boston proposal that would add a 1 to 2 percent tax on all alcohol transactions within the city. The hearing was the second this year on the proposal. Boston City council members heard directly from both large and small operators about the […]
Posted in, Northeast
A&P Bankruptcy Judge Asked To Reject Non-Union Bid, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… The U.S. bankruptcy judge overseeing the auction of the A&P stores has been asked by the union representing workers to determine if the acquisition of a Waldbaums by a non-union operator can be allowed. United Food and Commercial Workers Local 342 asked Judge Robert Drain to determine if the store in […]
Posted in, Northeast
Restaurant Performance Index Declines In August, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… The National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) declined in August. The RPI—a monthly composite index that tracks the health of and outlook for the U.S. restaurant industry—stood at 101.5 in August, down 1.2 percent from July and the lowest level in 11 months. Despite the decline, August represented the […]
Posted in, Northeast
IDFA Recognizes HP Hood With Sustainability Innovation Award, And More…
New Channels News In Brief… The International Dairy Foods Association honored HP Hood with the Sustainability Innovation Award for its partnership with CleanWorld, a local California technology company, during this year’s International Dairy Show. In January 2013, HP Hood began to divert product waste, approximately 35 tons per week, from its Sacramento aseptic and extended […]
Posted in, Northeast
Crossmark Names Kiley To Lead New England Office
Crossmark has named Ed Kiley to lead its New England office, effective Oct. 12. Kiley has 25 years of industry experience in the New England market. He began his career working with Nestle Foods and spent the first 10 years on the direct/manufacturer side, having also worked for Celestial Seasonings Inc. of Boulder, Colorado. During […]
Posted in, Northeast
Restaurants To Benefit With Latest Senate Healthcare Vote
Restaurants have scored a major victory as the U.S. Senate followed the House’s lead and passed the Protecting Affordable Coverage for Employees (PACE) Act. The National Restaurant Association (NRA) advocated for the new legislation, which will preserve the ability of restaurants and other businesses with 50-100 employees to buy health insurance plans on the more affordable large-group […]
Posted in, Northeast
Cumberland Farms Leader Joins White House’s Worker Voice Summit
Ari Haseotes, president and CEO of Cumberland Farms, was selected by the Obama administration to represent the company at the White House Summit on Worker Voice this week. Haseotes participated in a panel discussion entitled “High Road Employer Strategies: Win/Win Solutions” as part of the day-long event Oct.7. According to Cecilia Munoz, assistant to President […]
Posted in, Northeast
Group Wants ‘Natural’ Definition To Go Beyond Organic Standards
Following a research study, which found that one in three shoppers do not make a clear distinction between organic and natural, the Organic & Natural Health Association will push for a new natural definition. The association released the results of a research study conducted as a first step in its initiative to set the standard for […]
Posted in, Northeast
Fourth Wegmans Bay State Store To Open Sunday, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… The fourth Wegmans store in Massachusetts, at 169 University Avenue (near I-95) in Westwood, is opening its doors to the public at 7 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The 122,000-s.f. store is staffed by 550 employees and has an offering of 70,000 products. Much of the store is built with an open-market […]
Posted in, Northeast
Sysco To Supply Kroger Prepared Foods, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… National food service distributor Sysco will provide Kroger with sandwiches and salads for its delis. Sysco will supply 2,800 delis, six fresh kitchens and 800 convenience store locations… The Massachusetts Restaurant Association will host a free webinar on wealth management for business owners Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 10-10:45 a.m. For […]
Posted in, Northeast
FMI Comments On New ‘Chip’ In The Food Industry
With the payment card industry’s move to a “chip”-based payment card system beginning Oct. 1, “chips” take on a new meaning at many retail food stores. Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin has offered the following statement concerning migration to the “chip”-based payment card system. “Food retailers have been looking for new […]
Posted in, Northeast
Specialty Food Group Says More Sales Are Coming From Different Shoppers
Specialty food is drawing a new crowd this year. Men are stepping up purchases, less affluent shoppers are buying a wide variety of products like artisanal cheese and single-origin chocolate, and Millennials are showing their age at the store. These are some of the findings of new consumer research from the Specialty Food Association in […]
Posted in, Northeast
AG New England Promotes Violette To EVP/COO, And More…
Supermarket News In Brief… Mike Violette has been promoted to EVP and COO at Associated Grocers of New England, effective Oct. 4. AG New England CEO Mike Bourgoine said Violette has been with the company for the past 17 years, most recently as SVP of sales and retail development, where he has been instrumental in […]
Posted in, Northeast
Health Groups Support Bill To Raise Tobacco Sales Age To 21, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… Several public health organizations hailed the legislation—introduced Sept. 30 by U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-Colorado) and their co-sponsors—that would prohibit the sale of tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21 nationwide. The groups claim that the Tobacco to 21 Act will reduce tobacco […]
Posted in, Northeast
Dunkin’ Donuts To Close Stores Within Speedway, And More…
Food Service News In Brief… Posting a lower sales increase than expected recently, Dunkin’ Donuts plans to close nearly 100 stores within Speedway convenience stores within the next year. The announcement came during an investor presentation on Oct. 1. Speedway in the last year took over all of the Hess gas stations and renamed them […]
Posted in, Northeast
Boston Beer Founder Authoring Business Advice Book
Jim Koch, founder of The Boston Beer Co., brewer of Samuel Adams beers and an icon in the American craft beer revolution, is writing a book called “Quench Your Own Thirst: Business Lessons Learned Over A Beer Or Two.” Based on more than 30 years of experience as a business owner and brewer, Koch offers insights […]
Posted in, Northeast
Oakhurst, Gifford’s Win Big At World Dairy Expo
Both Oakhurst Dairy and Gifford’s Ice Cream, both of Maine, won some major awards at the World Dairy Expo held in Madison, Wisconsin, Sept. 29. Oakhurst’s Fresh Heavy Cream beat out 32 entries from across the country to win first prize at the expo’s Championship Dairy Product Contest. The win marks the second year that […]
Posted in, Northeast
Wawa Launches Private Label Credit Card
Wawa has partnerned with Citi Retail Services to unveil a new credit card for the convenience retailer’s loyal customer base. Beginning Sept. 30, Citi Retail Services began to manage and service the portfolio of accounts. Cathy Pulos, chief people officer and CFO for Wawa, said, “This new credit card was specifically designed to enhance the […]