Progressive Grocer - Latest News

A Year-End Holiday Spending Forecast in July

Mark Dolliver — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:05:00 EDT

There’s nothing like a holiday-spending forecast to help you ignore the hot, humid weather of mid-July. Worthington, Ohio-based BIGresearch offers such a distraction with a poll (fielded at the tag end of June and beginning of July) that asked consumers to predict what their holiday spending will look like this year.

Real-Time Promo Alerts Launched for Consumers

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:04:00 EDT

Mass Connections (MC) has introduced “Consumer Alert,” a communications program that sends real-time messages about retail promotions to consumers through advertising media such as mobile devices, in-store radio and television programming. The program alerts can effectively provide instant information on such events as product savings and last-minute price reductions.

Study: Consumers Want More Innovative Packaged Goods

Alex Palmer — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:03:00 EDT

Consumers are eager for innovation when it comes to packaged goods, household and personal products, according to a new study from New York-based Ipsos Marketing, Consumer Goods.

Barilla, Celeb Fitness Coach Urge Whole Grain Consumption

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:00:00 EDT

The Barilla “That’s Whole Grain?” Taste Challenge, which includes the participation of celebrity fitness coach Bob Greene, invites consumers to sample Barilla Whole Grain pasta line. Anyone who isn’t satisfied with the taste of the product will receive a free box of his or her favorite regular Barilla pasta.

PG Unveils 3rd Annual Top Women in Grocery List

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:53:00 EDT

Progressive Grocer is recognizing the industry’s leading women in the traditionally male-dominated business in its June/July 2009 issue, available now.

Acme Markets Workers Ink New Pact

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:51:00 EDT

After weeks of tense negotiations, unionized employees at Philadelphia-based Acme Markets reached a new labor accord with the company that runs through February 2012. In a 985-19 vote, members of United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 1776, which represents 4,000 Delaware Valley Acme workers, agreed to a contract that continues the health care plan and secures pensions.

Walmart Unveils Sustainable Product Index; Tabs Three-Step Rollout

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:50:00 EDT

Walmart made good on its intentions to develop a worldwide sustainable product index, as revealed during a meeting with 1,500 of its suppliers, associates and sustainability leaders this week at its home office. The index will establish a single source of data for evaluating the sustainability of products.

Haggen CEO to Retire

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:50:00 EDT

Dale C. Henley, president and CEO of Bellingham, Wash.-based independent Haggen, Inc., plans to retire from the company by June 2010 or earlier if a replacement is found beforehand.

Supervalu Taps Cub Prez For New SVP Post

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:48:00 EDT

In tandem with a realigned leadership structure at retailer/distributor Supervalu announced last week by new CEO Craig Herkert, Brian Huff, president of the retailer/distributor’s Cub Foods division, was tapped to serve in the newly created position of SVP/specialty retail.

Bi-Lo Names Two SVPs

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 11:47:00 EDT

Bi-Lo, LLC has named Bill Nasshan SVP of merchandising and marketing, and has promoted Anthea Jones to SVP of store operations.

Back-to-School Spending Still Strong for College Students

Lindsay Gordon — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:59:00 EDT

Parents and students won’t skimp on college school supplies this year. However, back-to-school spending for grade school children is expected to experience a steep decline, according to the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) 2009 Back-to-School Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, conducted by Worthington, Ohio-based BIGresearch.

June Retail Sales Up, With a Catch

Alex Palmer — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:57:00 EDT

Consumer spending is up, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. But there’s a catch.

The Public Loves Private Label

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:56:00 EDT

Be still my heart! Is that a private label brand in your customer’s shopping cart?

Blue Bunny Hands Out Champ! Cones in Times Square

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:53:00 EDT

In honor of National Ice Cream Month in July, Blue Bunny has ventured from its home base in the American Heartland to give away 50,000 Champ! Cones to people at the famous “crossroads of the world,” New York’s Times Square.

NSF, Paragon Partner to Develop Future Food Industry Leaders

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:48:00 EDT

NSF International, a nonprofit public health and safety organization, and Paragon Leadership International, a Michigan-based leadership development firm, have teamed up to launch a new series of food safety leadership forums called the Food Epprentice Experience.

RILA Names VP for Tax Policy

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:47:00 EDT

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) has hired Mark Warren as VP for tax policy.

Progressive Grocer Debuts New Interactive Blog Community

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:46:00 EDT

Progressive Grocer’s Aisle Chatter is the grocery industry’s newest in-depth blog, written by editorial professionals with more than 100 years of journalistic experience. The blog came to life on Wednesday, July 15. This initial launch is brought to the industry by Sony.

Whole Foods Celebrates 1 Million Twitter Followers With Contest, Prizes

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:45:00 EDT

Natural and organic foods retailer Whole Foods Market celebrated its first 1 million Twitter followers by giving away a $50 gift card to its millionth Twitter follower and hosting a contest where 10 additional $50 gift cards will be given away.

Ukrop’s Might Go up for Sale: Report

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:44:00 EDT

Ukrop’s Supermarkets is considering buyers for a potential sell-off of its stores, with Matthews, N.C.-based Harris Teeter said to be one of the frontrunners, according to published reports.

Winn-Dixie Upgrades 51 North Florida/South Georgia Stores

Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:42:00 EDT

Winn-Dixie has remodeled and upgraded 51 of its stores in the north Florida and south Georgia, with many including expanded produce departments, custom sandwich shops and other improvements in tandem with the launch of a new motto -- “Fresh Checked Every Day” -- to celebrate the enhancements.