The National Grocers Association (NGA) has appointed Brian P. Lynch as VP of industry relations, effective June 3. Lynch will be responsible for NGA’s efforts related to collaboration with associate members, coalitions, third-party partnerships and trading partners. He also will have primary responsibility for managing the NGA Trading Partner Advisory Council. His hire underscores the […]
Tag: Supermarkets
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southwest
Brookshire’s Completes Kaye’s Remodels In Louisiana Towns
Brookshire Grocery Co. held grand openings for three Louisiana stores earlier this month. Though the former Kaye’s Food Market stores have been operating since Brookshire purchased them last November, now they have been refreshed and christened by Brookshire. The first, a Super 1 Foods banner store, had its grand reopening in Winnsboro on May 1 […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Sprouts Aims For $300M In IPO
Phoenix, Ariz.-based Sprouts Farmers Market is going public and hopes to raise $300 million in its initial public offering. The Phoenix Business Journal reports that the grocer, which focuses on natural and organic products, filed a Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission last week that laid out its plan for an IPO […]
Posted in, National
Digital Coupon Users Spend 42 Percent More Annually Than Average Shoppers
A new GfK report, based on more than 120 campaigns run by Coupons.com in 2012, shows that digital coupon users spend 42 percent more per year at supermarkets than the average shopper—a differential of $1,029. This reflects a 7 percent increase compared to 2011. The report, which covers six major product categories and 49 subcategories, […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Midwest
Schnucks Begins Process Monday To Bring All Stores Under One Banner
Starting Monday, old signs will come down and new “Schnucks” signs will go up on the exterior of both the Logli Rockton (3150 N. Rockton Ave.) and Hilander Cherry Valley (2206 Barnes Blvd.), signaling the launch of the renaming for all 11 Logli and Hilander stores across the Rockford, Ill., area and in Janesville, Wis. […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Pork Cuts To Get New Consumer-Friendly Names At The Meat Case
Consumers will soon find more consumer-friendly names on packages of fresh pork cuts in retail meat cases across the country. The new names, such as the porterhouse pork chop, are designed to allow retailers to differentiate and merchandise pork cuts more effectively while aiding shoppers in selecting and preparing pork. “The new names will help […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Osco Pharmacists Negotiations Enter Federal Mediation
After seven bargaining sessions over several weeks, contract negotiations for 500 Osco pharmacists have entered federal mediation. The last meeting between Teamsters Local 727 and Osco management Monday went long into the night before the decision to bring in a federal mediator was made. The Teamsters Union has represented Chicago-area Osco pharmacists for more than […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National
Little Debbie Logo Gets First Makeover In Nearly 30 Years
McKee Foods, the makers of Little Debbie Snacks, has given the Little Debbie logo a makeover. Rolling out now on select products, this is only the third version of the logo since the Little Debbie brand was introduced in 1960. Consumers should start seeing the new logo on Little Debbie cartons over the coming months […]
Posted in, National
Green Giant Fresh Adds Avocados To Product Line
Green Giant Fresh has added avocados to its line of fresh fruits, vegetables and value-added meal solutions. In association with C.H. Robinson Co. Inc., Green Giant Fresh will start shipping fresh avocados to retailers nationwide in late May. Branded with the Green Giant icon, the new avocado product line will be available year-round through C.H. […]
Posted in, California Perspective, West
Relationship Building Critical During Busy Legislative Sessions
by Ron Fong/CGA president and CEO Special to The Shelby Report The California Legislature is in full swing and despite talk of legislators taking it slow and not introducing a number of bills, this session is shaping up to be one of the busiest in quite some time. California Grocers Association (CGA) staff is sifting […]
Posted in, National, West
WAFC Names 2013-14 Board Leadership
The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) has named its 2013-2014 officers and board of directors, elected during last month’s 92nd Annual WAFC Convention in Palm Desert, Calif. The 2013-14 officers are: • President and chairman: Steve Junqueiro, Save Mart Supermarkets; • VP: Sue Klug, Unified Grocers; • Secretary: Rick Rayford, Brookshire Grocery Co.; • […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Ingles Reports Higher Sales, Income For 2Q And FY13’s First Half
Ingles Markets Inc. on Monday reported higher sales and net income for the three and six months ended March 30. Second quarter net sales rose $36.9 million to $918.6 million and net income increased to $8.1 million, compared with net income of $6.5 million for the prior year’s second quarter. For the first six months […]
Posted in, Southwest, Store News
Kroger Ratifies Agreement With UFCW 455
The Kroger Co. associates working at Kroger stores in the Houston area have ratified a new labor agreement with United Food and Commerical Workers (UFCW) Local 455. “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates. It provides a solid compensation package of wages and benefits, including affordable healthcare and pension […]
Posted in, Northeast, Store News
Weis Markets Reports 3.2 Percent Sales Increase For Q1
Weis Markets Inc. this morning reported that its first quarter sales increased 3.2 percent to $682.7 million compared to the same period in 2012 while its comparable store sales increased 0.8 percent. For the 13-week period ending March 30, the company’s net income increased 0.5 percent to $20.1 million compared to the same period in […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Safeway Releases 1Q 2013 Results
Safeway Inc. reported Thursday net income of $0.49 per diluted share for the first quarter of 2013. This includes tax benefits of $0.14 per diluted share, of which $0.07 was contemplated in our annual guidance. These results compare with income from continuing operations in the first quarter of 2012 of $0.30 per diluted share. Other […]
Posted in, National
Supervalu Sets Up Retail Advisory Council
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor In his first earnings call since being named president and CEO of Supervalu, Sam Duncan said he’s spent a lot of time listening. Open dialogue, he said, “will produce tangible results for all of us.” The “new” Supervalu is now comprised of three segments: distribution for independent grocers, Save-A-Lot and corporate […]
Posted in, Organic Natural, West
Pastry Smart Introduces ‘Miettes de Pain’ Organic Brioche Bread
Pastry Smart LLC has launched its latest organic and American Humane Certified brioche bread, Miettes de Pain. The bread is available in Whole Foods Market stores throughout Northern California and Reno. An exclusive brand for Whole Foods Market, Miettes de Pain is a line of French-inspired handcrafted brioche breads—light, airy and rich with the flavors […]
Posted in, National, Perishables
Chicken, Ground Beef Top List Of Riskiest Meats
Ground beef and chicken are the riskiest meat and poultry products in the American food supply and pose the greatest likelihood of hospitalization, according to a new report released today by the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI). Furthermore, according to the nonprofit group’s analysis of more than 33,000 cases of foodborne illness […]
Posted in, New Products, Northeast
Bosco Syrup Introduces First New Flavor In Nearly A Decade
For the first time in nearly a decade, Bosco is launching a new flavor: Bosco Mocha. Bosco Mocha is made with real coffee extract and cocoa. Bosco is debuting its new flavor in more than 530 Walmart stores in 12 eastern states including Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, National
There Must Be A Better Way To Stock
by Alison Shea/Special to The Shelby Report I spend a lot of time at the grocery store. I would love to say I’m one of those shoppers who plans my family’s meals for the coming week and buys everything we need in one fell swoop. But the reality is that I shop for groceries at […]