Grocery News Archives

“Cardtronics' nationwide presence, processing capabilities, and robust customer service platform allow Cardtronics to provide leading retailers, such as Safeway, with a cohesive solution for their ATM needs.”

Safeway Inc., one of the largest food and drug retailers in North America, has entered into a multi-year agreement with Cardtronics, Inc. via PrimeNewswire

“When it comes to bagging, there is some skill involved”

Angie Fitzgerald bags groceries at the Fareway Store in Papillion. If she wins the National Best Bagger Contest in Las Vegas, she will win $2,000. For nine years, Angie Fitzgerald has put groceries in bags. via Gretna Breeze

“As much as what's going on it is not yet that pervasive or that deep in the economy.”

East Bay Business Times - by Mavis Scanlon U.S. companies are not yet making a big impact at addressing major environmental problems, despite an increase in activity designed to improve environmental ... via East Bay Business Times

“Anytime you've been doing something for a long time you can get tired”

GROCERS

Michael Cianciarulo, longtime chief executive of Asheville specialty grocer Earth Fare, stepped down Friday after 10 years in the job.

Cianciarulo was replaced by Jack Murphy, who co-founded Fresh Fields Natural Grocery, a chain that Whole Foods purchased in the mid-1990s. Murphy has been on the Earth Fare board for about a year. Cianciarulo will remain on the company's board of directors.

Cianciarulo has led Earth Fare through a critical time in the company's history, as the chain sought to expand beyond two stores. Today, Earth Fare has 13 stores in three states, including two in Charlotte, and has revenues of more than $100 million. Read more

“Ultimately, the format did not meet our goals”

Minneapolis-based Supervalu Inc. plans to close its five Sunflower Market locations in February, according to the Indianapolis Star . via Packer

Grocery store chain Ingles Markets reported a 13.7 percent increase in profits this morning. via Black Mountain News

“December trading was solid with the bulk of the Christmas trading occurring later than last year, reflecting changing customer purchasing trends and the timing of Christmas Day”

Australian supermarket chain Woolworths Ltd said today its second-quarter sales rose 8.3 per cent, helped by solid food and liquor sales and a change of ownership at main rival Coles. via The New Zealand Herald

Metro Inc., Canada's third-biggest supermarket chain, reported profit rose less than analysts estimated as sales declined amid more competition for customers. via Bloomberg.com

“Our latest agreement with Kroger further develops a long-time partnership, which previously included wireline and wireless services, and now expands to data center and related services.”

Cincinnati Bell Inc. today announced that it has reached an agreement with The Kroger Co. via TMCnet

“We expect that the issues related to our information systems in Ontario and our food services warehouse will be behind us in the next few months, and are confident that our results will improve.”

Major grocery chain Metro Inc. is getting a new chairman after reporting its first-quarter earnings rose 2.7 per cent to $69.7 million even as sales dipped amid stiff competition. via CBC News

“While the division did not meet our goals, our learnings from this project are invaluable”

Grocery giant Supervalu Inc. is closing its five Sunflower Market organic and natural food stores, ending its efforts to launch a national chain of smaller stores positioned as a cheaper alternative to Whole ... via WCCO

Giant Food, following a voluntary recall by Perdue Farms, announced it is recalling Perdue's "Perfect Portions" chicken because of an undeclared milk allergen. via Earth Times

Supermarket chains Hannaford Brothers and Whole Foods Market have joined a federal green refrigeration partnerships. via Boston Business Journal

The chief executive of Whole Foods Market Inc., the organic and natural food retailer, received compensation valued at $162,160 in fiscal 2007, the company disclosed in a regulatory filing on Monday. via El Paso Times

Jewel-Osco said today it will move its headquarters to Itasca from Melrose Park, where it's been based for 53 years.

The Chicago-area's largest grocery chain plans to sell the facility it owns in Melrose Park and lease over 50 percent of an office building at 150 Pierce Road in Itasca. Jewel, which has over 400 employees at its headquarters, will take up 97,000 square feet at its new home.

The 13-mile move, set to take place in early August, will locate Jewel in a building with more modern amenities, said Keith Nelson, the company's president. Read more

New class member discovery decision: Puerto v. Superior Court In Puerto v. Superior Court , ___ Cal.App.4th ___ , the Court of Appeal held that the trial court abused its discretion by requiring an "opt-in" ... via The UCL Practitioner

“The seamless, integrated AT&T solution addresses technology issues that result in a better in-store experience for our customers while helping us to control technology costs”

AT&T Inc. has announced a contract with Wakefern Food Corporation, a leading retailer-owned cooperative in the United States. via Customer Interaction Solutions

“We saw Redbox as a way to offer convenience to our time-starved consumers -- allowing them to stop in on their way home and pick up dinner and a movie”

Groceries aren't the only items consumers can now pick up at their neighborhood Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie Stores Inc. via Bizjournals

“Pedro's real world experience and expertise will be invaluable to Agilence as we expand our retail solutions business”

Ramos, formerly served as the assistant vice president for Loss Prevention at Pathmark Stores Inc., a northeastern United States supermarket chain recently acquired by A&P. Ramos will have responsibility for ... via PR-inside.com

“Recycling continues to help us drive cost out of our system, produce income and is the right thing for our environment”

Everywhere they looked, volunteers who visited the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina encountered trash, especially plastic shopping bags. via Salisbury Post

“What type of reusable bag do you have today?”

WASHINGTON: The inevitable question faced by shoppers at the grocery checkout, how to tote their food home, might get simpler. via Akron Beacon Journal

Product treated with seasonings was accidentally packaged as all natural, and the packaging does not list the seasonings as ingredients. via Snack Food/Wholesale Bakery

Posted Mon Jan 21, 02:55 pm ET Zacks senior food industry analyst Steven Ralston, CFA continues to remain bullish on United Natural Foods, Inc. via Zacks Analyst Blog

“The co-owned structure of our business - with employees sharing in the profits - means that the service ethos is deeply ingrained in how we work.”

Waitrose supermarkets are named the best stores in Britain today in a report that says shoppers are increasingly willing to pay a little extra in return for better service. via Telegraph.co.uk

“Nash Finch has been diligently working on a series of new pricing initiatives designed to make our corporate retail stores and our independent retail customers far more competitive in our various markets”

Sacramento Business Journal - by Melanie Turner Staff writer Revionics Inc. , a company that develops software to help small and midsize grocery stores price products, has landed its largest customer to date, ... via Sacramento Business Journal

The entrance to the headquarters of French bank Societe Generale. Photo / Reuters Rogue trader defrauds bank to tune of $9 billion French bank Societe Generale said fraud by a single trader had caused it a 4.9 ... via The New Zealand Herald

“We see the cookie sale as building skills and teaching lessons, including lifelong lessons in sales and interacting with people.”

That box of cookies you ordered from the Girl Scout next door could have an impact that reaches around the world. via Courier News

BAGGING IT: Whole Foods introduces A Better Bag, a reusable shopping bag made from recycled plastic . via Miami.com

“So I ate tuna. But a small amount.”

Sara Barokas, a substitute teacher, noticed the yellow-and-red signs above the sushi case at the Gourmet Garage market on Broadway: "Protect yourself and your family!!! Mercury in sushi." By the time the ... via New York Times

“The most serious thing is that this puts into doubt the risk management systems at some banks”

French bank Societe Generale said fraud by a single trader had caused it a 4.9 billion euro loss and that it would seek emergency funds as a result, shocking battered markets. via Reuters

"Bag monster" Andy Keller talks with Alicia Rockwell, a representative of Save Mart Stores, last year after San Francisco banned plastic bags. via Salt Lake Tribune

The Kroger supermarket chain is ending its service agreement with its main warehouse in the Detroit area. via WOOD-TV Grand Rapids

“When I graduated from university, there were 37 major appliance producers in Canada”

Below the noise of turbulent stock markets, John Wood has been quietly selling his 77-year-old family company to Japanese interests, marking the end of the once formidable Canadian-owned large-appliance ... via Globeinvestor.com

“Safeway is proud to lead by example to help protect the environment”

Safeway Inc. announced Friday that it has converted its entire U.S. truck fleet to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel. via WTVJ Miami Channel 6

“People who have any of these products or any food made with these products should throw them away immediately”

INDIANAPOLIS - New Era Canning Company in New Era, Mich., has expanded a canned food recall because of potential botulinum contamination to include all canned green beans and garbanzo beans distributed by the ... via Star-Press

“The general merchandise is incremental. It's quality merchandise at Wal-Mart prices, because they don't have to make a lot of money on it. They approach general merchandise as new sales that they wouldn't have otherwise”

By MARIA HALKIAS / The Dallas Morning News mhalkias@dallasnews.com Kroger Co. plans to bring its larger Marketplace stores - which sell furniture, electronics, linens, dishes and other general merchandise in ... via Quick

“Central to Whole Foods Market's core values is caring for our communities and the environment, and this includes adopting wise environmental practices”

Natural and organic grocer Whole Foods Market announced Tuesday it will stop using disposable plastic grocery bags at supermarket checkouts and encourage reusable bags instead. via KRISTV.COM Corpus Christi

“Our feedback from the CWA and our store managers out in the country is that a lot of people are still doing it pretty tough irrespective of the rain that may have fallen in some areas”

The retail sector is still strong despite uncertainty in financial markets and rising interest rate, the head of Australia's largest retailer Woolworths Ltd says. via The Epoch Times

Inter-American Products, a division of The Kroger Co. , today announced a voluntary recall on all codes of Deli Chef Tri-Bean Salad sold from store deli counters in some states because the product has the ... via Earth Times

Blue Square-Israel Ltd. announced today that further to its announcement on December 17, 2007 regarding the resignation of its CEO, Mr. via The South Mississippi Sun Herald

Spartan Stores, Inc. will announce its fiscal 2008 third-quarter financial results following the stock market close on Wednesday, February 6, 2008. via Business Wire

“The biggest challenge was getting the right talent. These are the most highly qualified and motivated people. We were able to get the right talent to get it back up to speed at an unbelievable pace”

Bottled water is being produced again at the former LeNature's Inc. plant in Latrobe, and the new owners expect to add flavored water, iced teas and even soft drinks. via Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

“She was sitting and screaming”

Posted on 01/20/2008 9:00:36 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom After taking off her underwear in Whole Foods Market in Palo Alto, a middle-aged woman was arrested early Friday. via Freerepublic.com

“We will do all that we can to assist our employees during this difficult time”

A Lehigh Valley-based pet supply distributor plans to move its headquarters into the Supervalu Inc. via Easton Express-Times

“This and many other donations helped make Drought Action the largest ever donation to the CWA. "The drought is still ravaging Australia and we still have a long way to go in getting the farming sector back on its feet.”

Supermarket operator Woolworths Ltd will donate its profits from trading on Friday, February 15 towards helping people in regional areas affected by the drought. via The Age

“NEC and Sumitomo have won this framework contract as a result of the positive reaction of current PASOLINK(R) customers.”

ASIA Japan : NEC Corporation and Sumitomo Corporation have signed a framework contract with Italian mobile phone operator Wind for the supply of NEC's advanced point-to-point wireless access systems, PASOLINK ... via 3G

“Economic benefit or not, we're going to keep pushing ahead”

In another attempt to reduce its carbon footprint, Safeway announced Friday that it will convert its truck fleet to run on biodiesel fuel. via San Jose Mercury News

“We want people to love the last memory of our chocolate”

No, Twenty Ninth Street should have the final say in what goes into that property. via The Boulder County Business Report

Chicago city officials say they've fired an investigator after she was arrested and charged with shoplifting about $100 worth of merchandise from a Whole Foods Market on the city's North Side. via Belleville News

“Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is aware of the lawsuit, denies its allegations and will defend accordingly”

A lawsuit has been filed accusing Winn-Dixie of discriminating against blacks in its check acceptance policies at its supermarkets. via Alabama Live

“Safeway is a very well-known chain”

Using Pasadena City Hall as a backdrop, Safeway Inc. officials Thursday announced plans to convert the company's entire U.S. truck fleet to cleaner-burning biodiesel fuel. via San Gabriel Valley Tribune

“This is an exceptional opportunity for our associates and our customers. We are very pleased to make this investment in their health. As a company, Kroger has been very active in supporting health and fitness in the communities we serve”

Hoosier health and fitness is getting another boost to start the new year. Gov. Mitch Daniels said that more than a dozen companies, led by Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Indiana, have agreed to ... via Indianapolis Recorder

LATROBE, Pa. - Giant Eagle Inc. has reopened a bottling plant once owned by the now-defunct Le Nature's Inc. via Cumberlink.com

“Safeway is proud to lead by example to help protect the environment”

Safeway announces biodiesel use throughout fleet Jan. 17, 2008 JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. via Ag Professional

“John's valuable retail experience and specific insights into Circuit City's business will enable him to act effectively to generate improved performance at Circuit City”

Circuit City Stores, Inc. said that John T. Harlow has joined the company as executive vice president and chief operating officer. via Retail Merchandiser

“Without a comprehensive evaluation it's impossible to assess the actual risk, but there is no doubt that this group of workers should be studied”

A man is believed to be the only consumer to develop "popcorn lung" from regular servings of microwave popcorn. via The Post Chronicle

“We're continuing to push the envelope in the digital advertising realm”

Holdings has enlisted Microsoft's Atlas Division to deliver targeted video ads directly to shoppers at their point of purchase. via MediaPost Publications

“We concur with the National Restaurant Assn.'s conclusion, which is one of support for this technology as long as the FDA has determined it to be safe”

Don't look for much food from cloned animals or their offspring at your neighborhood supermarket or restaurant any time soon. via Los Angeles Times

The Kroger Co. has named two vice presidents to lead its Michigan operations, according to a statement issued Tuesday. via Crain's Detroit Business

“This is new but not surprising”

A Denver man, believed to be the only consumer to develop "popcorn lung" from regular servings of microwave popcorn, filed a lawsuit Tuesday claiming injury from the artificial butter flavouring that previously ... via CFRB

“The scope of discovery is very broad”

After Pioneer Electronics , Inc. v. Superior Court 40 Cal.4th 360 and Belaire-West Landscaping, Inc. via Wage Law

“Plus, on the non-foods side of things, there will likely be a lot of interest in environmentally friendly goods and practices.”

Shamrock Foods will feature samples of new products when it hosts its 21st annual food and equipment show Wednesday and Thursday at University of Phoenix Stadium. via The Business Journal of Phoenix

“Only 27 percent of grocery shoppers are loyal to a store”

NEW YORK - Shoppers need only look to the touch-screen computer for lunchmeat at the entrance to the Kroger Marketplace store in Anderson Township to get a glimpse at what many stores are likely to look like ... via The Cincinnati Enquirer

“The financial markets are valuing highly these Australian companies non-tangible assets such as brand equity, differentiation, innovation, first mover advantage, market dominance, customer loyalty, execution, and customer experience”

The nation's number one retailer, Woolworths Ltd, is the first Australian company to break into the top 25 global retailers list, according to report released on Monday. via The Age

Whole Foods Market, Inc. Whole Foods Market, Inc. Company Profile - View Whole Foods Market, Inc. via The San Francisco Business Times

“Creating loyalty and advocacy with today's sophisticated consumer is a challenge for retailers worldwide. Retailers who create a superior consumer experience will emerge as the clear winners in this intensely competitive marketplace”

IBM showcased 3-D multi-sensory shopping experiences and announced a number of new strategic client engagements, innovations that improve energy efficiency for retailers, new software-based business strategies, ... via IBM Press Releases

“The functionality, reliability and open standards that we are implementing with IBM software and hardware will enable us to deliver continual innovations to our customers in less time.”

A recent IBM study of the grocery industry identified customer experience as a primary driver of loyalty. via IBM Press Releases

“But if you're more of a traditionalist, paper is familiar and this is not.”

Some coupon users are clicking instead of clipping these days to get their grocery discounts.

Supermarket chains are trying out paperless, or digital, coupons, to help the thrifty-minded save time while saving money. Shoppers load the online discounts onto their store loyalty cards, receiving the credit at the checkout.

Grocers see the innovation as a way to build customer loyalty, drawing consumers who are increasingly spending time online to their Web sites and ultimately, their stores. The move could increase coupon use by attracting shoppers who don't bother with paper coupons. It offers convenience for the companies in reducing handling, tallying and shipping of coupons, as well as cutting paper use. Read more

PUT DOWN THE SCISSORS: Some grocery chains are trying paperless, or digital, coupons. via Forbes

A Kroger Company fundraising program for charities has gotten the nation's largest traditional grocery chain in trouble with the coal industry. via WFIE-TV Evansville

“They ought to know better by now.”

Acme Township Treasurer Bill Boltres slew one big-box developer through a lawsuit and now he's targeted a second group he contends tormented him for three years. via Traverse City Record-Eagle

“In 2006, TBC enjoyed another record sales and bottom line year”

Senior management of TBC Corp. used its TBC Private Brands Meeting in Desert Springs, Calif., as an opportunity to showcase its size and financial strength within the market. via Modern Tire Dealer

“Groceries can be replaced, but human life cannot.”

John Schultz, the Whole Foods Market employee who was fired after he tried to stop a shoplifter, said he has received several job offers and lots of support from the public after publicity over the incident. via MLive.com

“Part of the idea from the beginning was to have a clean and pronounceable ingredient list.”

Yotta Bars are now available nationwide at Whole Foods stores for those consumers needing to sneak extra servings of vegetables and fruits into their diets. via Snack Food/Wholesale Bakery

“Food Lion has contributed to the existence of this facility and supports the rehabilitation program and services at LCH.”

Last Friday, Food Lion presented a check for $1.5 million to the Levine Children's Hospital Campaign raised through a multi-year fundraising effort among its associates and customers. via Salisbury Post

Supervalu Inc posted higher quarterly profit on Tuesday, helped by lower employee-related costs and other expenses, but said consumer spending would continue to be pressured by inflation. via Earth Times