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Commentary and Discussion From the Retail Community
Handheld Watermelons
Families are smaller and more mobile than ever before and so are the watermelons they eat. Smaller, personal-sized watermelons, are proving to be a big hit with consumers who prefer…
7-Eleven Day is Free Slurpee Day
7-Eleven will be giving away up to five million free Slurpees to customers on Friday July 11 to celebrate the anniversary of the chain’s opening 76 years ago. Jim Keyes,…
Co-Branding Costco Style
A visit to Costco these days can turn up Kirkland Signature/Starbucks coffee, Kirkland Signature/Jelly Belly jelly beans, Kirkland Signature/Quaker cereals and, well, you get the idea. While the concept isn’t…
Retailers Get Schooled on Consumer Shopping Behavior
The back-to-school selling period used to be a virtual guarantee of a spike in retail sales, but not anymore. Consumers are putting off purchases, especially in categories such as apparel,…
Kroger Tests Dollar Stores in Houston
The Houston Business Journal has reported Kroger is testing its new dollar store concept in the local market. The dollar stores are located within existing Kroger locations but are setoff…
Execs Multitasking Challenged
Today, technology offers 24/7 connectivity, but does increased access increase productivity? The answer to that depends on whom you ask, according to a New York Times report. Researchers such as…
Rx to OTC Switch Promises Heartburn Relief and Sales
Procter & Gamble is predicting the over-the-counter (OTC) launch of Prilosec heartburn relief medication will be one of the most successful Rx to OTC switches in history. With the FDA…
Europe Requires GMO Labels
The European Parliament has approved legislation requiring food and animal feed containing more than 0.9 percent of a genetically modified organism (GMO), according to a New York Times report. …
Acosta Acquires and Expands
Acosta Sales and Marketing Company has acquired Luke Soules/Acosta Southwest, a broker serving Texas and New Mexico. Gary Chartrand, Acosta’s chairman and chief executive officer, said the acquisition was key…
The Skinny on Kraft’s Obesity Initiative
Kraft Foods announced yesterday it is taking steps to address obesity in the US and abroad. Kraft’s initiatives will eventually include: a cap on the portion size of single-serve…
Supervalu to Downsize Dominick’s
A piece by Jim Kirk in The Chicago Tribune reports Supervalu may be planning on shuttering 30 or more stores if it is successful in its bid to takeover Dominick’s…
Bashas’ Supplies IGA Stores
The Arizona Republic reports Bashas’ will supply groceries to 32 IGA stores in Arizona and New Mexico. The stores had been receiving supplies from Fleming. Bashas’, a 137 store chain,…
Wal-Mart’s Expands Policy to Protect Gay Rights
According to a report in The New York Times, Wal-Mart has expanded its corporate policy to protect homosexual employees from discrimination. Mona Williams, vice president for communications, Wal-Mart told the…
Consumers Don’t Want To Be Bothered
With more than 10 million phone numbers registered on www.donotcall.gov or called into (888) 382-1222, its clear most consumers don’t want to be bothered with telemarketing calls. Does the Do-Not-Call…
IDDBA Practices Customer Service 101
Considering the state of the convention business, it’s nearly astounding to read some of the statistics on the International Dairy-Deli-Bakery Association’s (IDDBA) annual convention, recently held in Las Vegas. Compared…
Starbucks to Shakeup Beverage Lineup
Starbucks is introducing a new line of iced coffee, tea and tea lemonade drinks called ice shaken refreshments. The new drinks are created by shaking the ingredients poured into a…
Dean Foods Goes Organic
Dean Foods will soon be the top producer of organic milk, after its deal to acquire the remaining 87 percent of Horizon Organic is closed in the fourth quarter. The…
Is Supervalu Dominick’s New Owner
Crain’s Chicago Business, citing sources close to the situation, has reported Supervalu is the probable buyer of Dominick’s Finer Foods. Current owner, Safeway, “is expected to announce the prospective buyer…
C&S Wholesale to Acquire Fleming
C&S Wholesale Grocers of Brattleboro, Vt. is set to acquire Fleming’s wholesale operations after the parties announced they reached a tentative deal. Terms of the agreement have yet to be…
DOJ Wants More Info from Oracle
CNN/Money reported today that regulators at the Justice Department (DOJ) are seeking more information about Oracle’s hostile takeover bid for PeopleSoft. DOJ’s request for additional information indicates regulators may…
A Buck Travels Far At The Dollar Store
An article in the Miami Herald asks the question, “What can a buck buy?” As the reporter and numerous consumers have found out, the answer is quite a lot if…
