More than 200 grocery retailers, wholesalers and food industry state association executives from across the nation convened in Washington, D.C., this week for the annual “Day in Washington” supermarket industry fly-in. Members of the National Grocers Association (NGA), Food Marketing Institute (FMI) and the Food Industry Association Executives (FIAE) participated in more than 210 meetings […]
Tag: Supermarkets
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
New Seasons Expands Local Food Entrepreneurs Program
Portland, Ore.-based New Seasons Market has expanded Local Finds, its program that encourages small local crafters, food artisans and growers to partner with the grocer to bring their products to market. Through the Local Finds program, vendors get tailored help with everything from packaging to FDA approvals and product marketing. The program builds on New […]
Posted in, National
Food Marketing Tactics To Be Explored At ‘Food Dialogues’ Event In Chicago
The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) says its next “Food Dialogues: Chicago. Integrity in Food Marketing” event will be held at the InterContinental Hotel from 9:30-11 a.m. (CT) June 10. As consumers ask more questions about how their food is grown and raised, food companies are increasingly telling the story behind their food from […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Al Fresco All Natural Launches New Freezer-To-Grill Products
Al Fresco All Natural is rolling out Gourmet Chicken Grillers, uncooked frozen chicken burgers. The new Grillers contain half the fat of a traditional beef patty and are the first offering from Al Fresco’s new line of freezer products, according to the Massachusetts-based company. Gourmet Chicken Grillers go directly from the freezer to the grill […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Harris Teeter First Retailer In U.S. To Meet USDA Certified Very Tender Guidelines For Beef
Harris Teeter is the first retailer in the country to offer U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Certified Very Tender beef. Harris Teeter is now labeling its Reserve Angus beef brand with the USDA Certified Very Tender label in its stores. The new certification guarantees consumers the highest quality tender eating experience, according to the Kroger-owned […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, National, Store News, Whole Foods
Grocery Among Industries With Highest Average Forgiveness Ratings
Based on a study of 10,000 U.S. consumers, H-E-B and USAA tied for the top spot in the 2014 Temkin Forgiveness Ratings, which rates 268 companies across 19 industries. In fact, grocery chains are among the industries with the highest average ratings. “Forgiveness is an asset that companies earn from their customers,” says Bruce Temkin, […]
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
AWG Updates Clearly Organic Packaging And Product Line
Associated Wholesale Grocers has updated the package design for its Clearly Organic brand food products. Up to 40 existing and new Clearly Organic products have been released. Over the next six months, 150 new products will be added to the Clearly Organic line. In a concerted effort to offer customers affordable organic products, AWG and […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Weis Markets’ 2014 Growth Plan Totals $101M
Weis Markets said last week that it plans to invest $101 million in its growth program in 2014. President and CEO Jonathan Weis briefed shareholders on the company’s plans during Weis Markets’ annual shareholders meeting April 24. “Since 2008, we have invested more than $500 million in our growth and improvement programs. During this period, […]
Posted in, National
Store Label Growth Continues To Outpace National Brands
The PLMA’s 2014 Annual Private Label Yearbook has been released, and the group says it’s indisputable that store brands have extended their multi-year period of growth, outpacing national brands in dollar and unit gains and setting new share records in all major U.S. retail channels. The development that had been touted in some quarters as […]
Posted in, National
Food Share Partners Asks Industry For Donations
Food Share Partners, Dallas-Fort Worth area group of nonprofits that serve the homeless, food pantries, medical centers and social service agencies, is asking food manufacturers and grocery retailers across the U.S. to donate usable food items that are nearing their expiration dates. The group will accept all grocery food products—shelf stable, refrigerated, frozen, nonfood and […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
United Family Kicks Off General Mills’ ‘Outnumber Hunger’ Effort
The United Family has launched General Mills’ “Outnumber Hunger” promotion during which guests have the opportunity to raise up to $1.2 million for local food banks by purchasing specially marked General Mills’ products. Outnumber Hunger will be held through May 18 at all United Supermarkets, Market Street and Amigos locations. Each year, General Mills and […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, West
Report: Mi Pueblo Says It Might Have To Liquidate
Mi Pueblo has limited options to re-emerge from bankruptcy protection and faces the possibility of having to liquidate its 21 stores and abandon its 3,260 employees, the company says. The San Jose Mercury News reports that, in documents filed in federal bankruptcy court in San Jose last week, attorneys for Mi Pueblo asked Judge Arthur […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Twistos Baked Snack Bites Hit Shelves
PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division is rolling out new Twistos Baked Snack Bites, available in Bruschetta, Parmesan and Garlic, and Asiago flavors. Twistos Baked Snack Bites are a light-textured and crispy baked snack that can be enjoyed on their own or served as a complement to soups or salads. To help launch new Twistos Baked Snack Bites, […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Food Lion’s ‘You Name It’ Contest Lets Customers Name Private Brand Sodas
Through April 27, Food Lion customers can name their favorite private brand soda flavors for a chance to win prizes. To participate, customers can submit their suggested names for Food Lion brand root beer, ginger ale, orange soda, grape soda and fruit punch. One entry per soda per day is allowed in order to offer […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Mystery Doritos Flavors Appear On Store Shelves As Brand Unveils ‘Bold Flavor Experiment’
Doritos, one of the marquee brands from PepsiCo’s Frito-Lay division, is bringing an air of mystery to the snack food aisle. Beginning this week, shoppers will see three new mystery flavors of Doritos Jacked tortilla chips in grocery stores nationwide. The fan challenge: try all three mystery flavors and vote for a favorite at BoldFlavorExperiment.com […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Giant, Martin’s Customers Donate Record $600K To Hunger Relief
Customers at Giant Food Stores and Martin’s Food Markets donated a record-breaking $607,035 at the checkout to support local hunger relief efforts through the grocers’ in-store Bag Hunger campaign, which ran Feb. 23-March 8. The previous record of $587,000 was raised last year. This is the first of two Bag Hunger campaigns Giant/Martin’s conducts annually; […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Store News, West
Klug Becomes WAFC’s First Woman President, Group Elects Other Board Members
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) elected its first woman president at its 93rd annual convention in Honolulu, Hawaii, last week. Sue Klug of Commerce, Calif.-based Unified Grocers is the group’s 2014-15 chairperson as well. The WAFC also elected its other officers and board members during the meeting, held at the Hilton Hawaiian Village. […]
Posted in, National
Food Industry Alliance Publishes Toolkit For Reducing Food Waste
An alliance of food manufacturers, retailers and foodservice operators have released a toolkit to help businesses in the food sector reduce the amount of food waste sent to landfill. The Best Practices and Emerging Solutions Toolkit was produced by the Food Waste Reduction Alliance (FWRA), a cross-sector industry initiative led by the Food Marketing Institute […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Grocery News, Northeast
Lovin’ Scoopful Ice Cream Adds 400 Stores To East Coast Distribution
Lovin’ Scoopful, a Seattle-based premium ice cream company founded by Maria Shriver, Tim Shriver and partners to benefit Special Olympics and other nonprofits that help empower the human spirit, has increased its product distribution by more than 400 stores along the East Coast. Lovin’ Scoopful Gourmet Light Ice Cream is now available at all 750 […]
Posted in, National, West
Nestle USA, Superior Grocers Team Up To Help Local Boys & Girls Clubs
Nestle USA, under its El Mejor Nido (“The Best Nest”) platform, and Superior Grocers have launched a campaign specifically designed to help families in the Los Angeles metro area prepare and enjoy healthier, balanced meals at home. As part of the campaign, 10 local chapters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will receive […]