Karl V. Wissmann joined C&K Market Inc. as its COO on Monday. “I’m excited about the opportunity to grow this independent chain. We have a lot of room to increase what we offer our customers,” Wissmann said. “I’ve learned a lot in my 40 years in this industry, and I’ve spent some time getting to […]
Tag: West
Posted in, National, Organic Natural
SuperSeedz Unveils Rebranded Retail Packaging
SuperSeedz will reveal its rebranded package design at the Natural Products Expo West in March. SuperSeedz dry roasted, no-shell pumpkin seeds are gluten free, nut free, a vegetarian source of protein and made with all-natural, Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients. The company says the new packaging is clean and contemporary with vivid colored pumpkins and a […]
Posted in, National
Macey’s Bagger Best In Nation
Defeating 26 other competitors from across the nation, Andrew Hadlock, a bagger from Macey’s grocery store in Sandy, Utah, claimed the title of National Grocers Association (NGA) Best Bagger Champion. The contest, in its 28th year, with a new title sponsor, PepsiCo, and supporting sponsors Bunzl and Pan-Oston, was held Tuesday during the 2014 NGA […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Cardenas, Northgate Gonzalez Come Together To Purchase Pro’s Ranch Markets
Two well-known Southern California-based Hispanic retailers—Cardenas Markets and Northgate Gonzalez Markets—said this morning they have come together and reached an agreement with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to purchase Phoenix, Ariz.-based Pro’s Ranch Markets, which has seven stores in Arizona, two in New Mexico and two in Texas, for $55 million. The two retailers recently formed […]
Posted in, Suppliers, West
GoGo squeeZ Plans $85M Manufacturing Facility In Idaho
Materne North America—the makers of GoGo squeeZ Applesauce On the Go—plans to make an $85 million investment in a new food processing facility that will create a minimum of 230 new jobs in Idaho’s Treasure Valley. The new state-of-the-art facility—the company’s second U.S. location—will be housed at a site formerly owned by Micron Technology Inc., at […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Unified Names Bergmann, Murphy To New Leadership Roles
Unified Grocers’ board of directors announced two EVP appointments on Tuesday. Leon Bergmann was named EVP of sales and procurement, and Dan Murphy was named EVP of fresh programs and manufacturing. Bergmann has served as SVP of sales since joining Unified in December 2012. In addition to responsibility for sales and service functions across all […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, National
Natural Grocers Posts Sales Increase For Fiscal ’14 1Q
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has posted positive results for its fiscal 2014 first quarter ended Dec. 31. Net sales increased $24.8 million, or 25.8 percent, over the same period in fiscal year 2013 to $120.6 million—due to a $14.6 million increase in sales from new stores and a $10.2 million, or 10.6 percent, increase […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Ocean Mist Farms Celebrates 90th Anniversary
Ocean Mist Farms will celebrate a 90-year legacy of growing artichokes and premium fresh vegetables with activities planned throughout the year ahead. The fourth-generation grower-owned business was founded by Italian immigrants in 1924 who started the business by growing artichokes and Brussels sprouts along the Pacific Ocean’s Monterey Bay in Castroville, Calif. Today the company farms […]
Posted in, National, New Products
Pastry Smart Introduces Jack Crisps Brand
Pastry Smart LLC has debuted Jack Crisps, an all-natural cracker cheese crisp. “Our focus is to provide retailers with unique and all-natural specialty items that add value on the shelf and increase customer satisfaction,” said Mark Ainsworth, Pastry Smart founder and CEO. “We are excited to introduce Jack Crisps, nationwide, as a new brand with […]
Posted in, National
Digital Tools, Social Media Insights, Latest Consumer Trends To Highlight 2014 NGA Show
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has posted its 2014 NGA Show agenda and featured speakers online. The 2014 NGA Show will be held Feb. 9-12 at the Mirage in Las Vegas. Fellow retailers and wholesalers will conduct more than half of the 100 scheduled presentations, while nearly 40 retailers are participating in panel discussions. “The […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Better Bean Co. Receives B Corp Certification
The Better Bean Co., the pioneer of refrigerated “rethought” beans, has become a Certified Benefit Corporation (B Corp). The designation is awarded to companies that use the power of business to solve social and environmental problems and meet higher standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. “From the beginning, we were committed to using […]
Posted in, National
FMI Foundation Raises $800K, Bolsters Family Meals Campaign Commitment
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Foundation hosted its third annual gala event Monday evening in Scottsdale, Ariz. The event celebrated the accomplishments and investments of the food retail industry in addressing social concerns. The FMI Foundation raised $800,000 and will continue to concentrate its efforts on food safety and health and nutrition initiatives, research and […]
Posted in, National
FMI’s ‘Celebrating Our Industry’ Event Honors Food Industry Elite
The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) recognized the industry’s acclaimed food retailers, wholesalers and manufacturing partners at its inaugural “Celebrating Our Industry” dinner in Scottsdale, Ariz., on Saturday. FMI added six awardees to its Hall of Fame, and the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) gave a special tribute to one of its supply chain partners. • Joanie […]
Posted in, National, Store News
Sprouts Pushing Expansion Into Kansas, Georgia In 2014
Phoenix, Ariz.-based Sprouts Farmers Market will open a new store in Overland Park, Kan., this week and has plans for five stores in the Atlanta area as part of a continued push to expand beyond its western base of stores, the Phoenix Business Journal reports. Sprouts will open the 23,360-s.f. Overland Park store on Wednesday. […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Whole Foods Commits $25M In Funding For Loans To Local Producers
Whole Foods Market says its Local Producer Loan Program (LPLP) has reached the initial goal of funding $10 million in low-interest loans to local and independent food businesses, and has now committed up to $25 million in funding. The LPLP has provided 184 loans to 155 companies since its inception in 2007. In providing easier […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Inventure Foods To Invest $3.9M In Freezing Capabilities, New Equipment
Inventure Foods Inc., a leading specialty food marketer and manufacturer, plans to purchase two state-of-the-art IQF (Individually Quick Frozen) freezing tunnels in 2014 for an estimated $3.9 million. “We continue to look for opportunities to meet growing demand for our frozen fruit products, while also improving margins in our frozen fruit segment by increasing our […]
Posted in, Executive News, West
Two Promoted At Ralphs
Kenny Kimball, VP of merchandising for The Kroger Co.’s Ralphs division in Southern California, has been named VP of operations for Ralphs. He replaces Steve McKinney, who recently was promoted to president of Kroger’s Fry’s division in Phoenix, Ariz. With Kimball’s move to operations, Valerie Jabbar, VP of merchandising for Kroger’s Mid-Atlantic division, will move […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, West
Unified Selects Nielsen As Analytics Provider
Unified Grocers, the largest wholesale grocery distributor in the western U.S., has selected Nielsen as its analytics and insights provider. Under the terms of the contract, Nielsen will provide Unified with data analytics tools for the exclusive use of its retail partners. “Unified is pleased to work with Nielsen,” says Sue Klug, SVP and chief […]
Posted in, National
Winter Fancy Food Show To Feature Extensive Seminar Program
The Specialty Food Association has a full menu of seminars and workshops for its Winter Fancy Food Show designed for all levels of expertise, from emerging food entrepreneur to seasoned industry veteran. The show takes place Jan. 19-21 at Moscone Center in San Francisco. It is the largest marketplace devoted exclusively to specialty foods and […]
Posted in, Albertsons, National, West
State Of The West: Region Marked By Shakeup In 2013
A number of big stories came out of the western states in 2013. Many of them involved companies having to regroup and/or sell off their holdings, but there were a couple of bright spots as well, including new banners and strong performance. Below are the top 10 most noteworthy as reported by The Shelby Report […]