GRAND RAPIDS, MI - With a look at its performance for the second quarter of 2024, SpartanNash is implementing several strategies to drive growth across its retail operations. As the food solutions company released its latest financial report, President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Sarsam noted significant margin gains and the pilot of a new retail initiative.

"The team's execution of our transformational initiatives has created a foundation for future growth while contributing to our margin gains year-to-date," said President and Chief Executive Officer Tony Sarsam. "We are pleased with the progression of our investments in margin-enhancing programs and expect benefits by the end of the year. Building on this progress, we are piloting a Customer Value Proposition initiative that is informed by extensive shopper data and insights, aimed at enhancing freshness, value, and convenience. As part of this store modernization program, we are lowering prices on 6,000 products to bring more value to our shoppers today."

For the second quarter specifically, SpartanNash reported that its net sales were $2.23 billion, a 3.5 percent decrease driven by lower volumes in the Wholesale and Retail segments.

Regarding its newly acquired Metcalfe’s Market banner, the company reported that incremental sales were offset by lower consumer demand trends.

In addition, SpartanNash reported:

• Net earnings of $0.34 per diluted share, compared to $0.57 per diluted share
• Adjusted EBITDA of $64.5 million, compared to $66.1 million

To dive further into the company’s quarterly results, click here.

Keep reading ANUK as we relay insights from the retail space and beyond.

SANTA PAULA, CA - Back at the beginning of this year, Calavo Growers shared some details regarding its 2024 growth strategy, announcing that it was evaluating the potential sale of its Fresh Cut business. Last week, the company announced the completion of the deal, confirming it has sold its Fresh Cut operation to New Jersey-based F&S Fresh Foods for $83 million.

“We are pleased to announce that the sale of our Fresh Cut business has been finalized, which will allow us to focus on our core avocado and guacamole businesses,” said Lee Cole, President and Chief Executive Officer of Calavo Growers. “We would like to thank the team members of the Fresh Cut business for their hard work and years of service to Calavo, and we wish them the best as they transition to F&S. We also would like to thank the team at F&S for partnering with us on this transaction. The Fresh Cut business will be in the very capable hands of F&S, a leader in the industry and one of our long-trusted co-packing partners.”

The deal is subject to various closing adjustments, a press release stated.

Calavo Growers will share another look at its operational growth with the release of its third quarter results on September 9, 2024.

For more industry news, you know where to click.

IDAHO FALLS, ID - New crop onions and potatoes will soon be hitting shelves just in time for cooler weather recipes to rise in demand. Eagle Eye Produce recently announced the start of its shipping season from its facilities in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

“This growing season started off strong with ideal late spring and early summer conditions, but warmer temperatures and smoke created some challenges later on,” said Coleman Oswald, Director of Sales. “Even so, we’re expecting a good range in size profiles and yields just slightly below normal. The investments we’ve made in technology and efficiencies over the past few years, both in the field and in our packing warehouses, have really paid off, putting us in a solid position to deliver consistent, quality packs all year. With everything in place, we’re looking forward to another successful potato season and the opportunities it will bring.”

Eagle Eye Produce offers a wide array of retail and foodservice pack styles for potatoes and onions under several proven brands, with options for private labeling and support from a nationwide sales and marketing team, a press release stated.

By handling everything from roots to routes, growing, packing, and shipping its produce, the supplier’s fully integrated approach sets it apart as an innovative leader in the produce industry.

“This season, our acreage is on par with last year’s crop,” Joe Ange, Director of Onion Sales, shared. “Despite facing hailstorms, periods of extreme heat, and even a straight-line microburst, our yields have held steady. We’ve strengthened our supply chain by partnering with additional growers and warehouses who share our commitment to quality. With harvesting now underway in the Northwest region, we’re seeing excellent sizing across our yellow, red, and white onions, and we’re confident in meeting our customers’ expectations.”

ANUK has more produce news coming your way, so stick with us.

SAN JOSE, CA - One of Canada's leading Asian grocery chains, T&T Supermarket, unveiled plans for its first California store, set to open at the Westgate Center in San Jose in fall 2025. This marks the chain's third United States location, following upcoming stores in Washington.

“We aim to create a destination,” said Tina Lee, Chief Executive Officer. “It’s a place for discovery, innovation, and bringing people together through food. We want to evolve our grocery store beyond the functional—we want to be the place where people want to go, not just need to go. We can’t wait to share that with the people of the Bay Area. San Jose is a very special place to me.”

The new 55,000-square-foot store, located at the intersection of Saratoga Avenue and Prospect Road, will occupy the former Walmart site. A full-service unique shopping experience, the chain is known for a vast selection of fresh produce, authentic Asian products, full-service meat counter, and more standout features.

Likewise, it will offer a variety of fresh features, including a BBQ counter, noodle station, dim sum and street food section, hot food bar, and a made-to-order Chinese crepe station. To discover more freshly prepared offerings, read the full press release here.

As T&T Supermarkets opens its doors in San Jose, it sets a new benchmark for retail innovation, offering a dynamic shopping experience that will inspire and challenge other retailers in the Bay Area to elevate their own offerings.

Keep reading AndNowUKnow for the latest in retail updates like this.

SALISBURY, NC - Today, Food Lion cut the ribbon on 167 newly remodeled locations. The retailer has announced an investment of $365 million to enhance the customer shopping experience in the greater Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, area and Mecklenburg County, Virginia. In addition to providing an easier and affordable shopping experience, Food Lion is collaborating with local organizations to address food insecurity.

“For nearly 50 years, Food Lion has been committed to caring for our neighbors in the Raleigh-Durham area,” said Meg Ham, President, in a press release. “We take pride in serving generations of families and are thrilled to extend that warm welcome to existing and new families in their remodeled Food Lion store. Enhancements were made with our customers in mind. They’ll discover a refreshed look and feel, and more convenient grab-and-go items that make life easier. Our customers can continue to count on Food Lion to help nourish their families as we provide an easy, fresh, and affordable omnichannel shopping experience.”

The investment includes a specific focus on fresh-forward, affordable, and easy meal solutions that are ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, or ready-to-heat. Nearly all stores are introducing self-checkout lanes for an enhanced and efficient shopping experience, allowing customers to choose between traditional cashier-assisted checkout or self-checkout options. Additionally, Food Lion continues to invest in training and developing associates to provide the best customer experience.

Store upgrades include an extensive product assortment, including fresh produce, quality meats, and many other products. Customers also have a large selection of organic, gluten-free, and plant-based items to choose from. Through its Local Goodness program, these Food Lion stores will offer a wide variety of regional items sourced from local growers or manufacturers.

Last but certainly not least, Food Lion has contributed $50,000 through its hunger-relief platform, Food Lion Feeds, to benefit Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh, NC.

For more from the release, click here. And keep reading ANUK for more retail updates.

NEW ZEALAND - After releasing its first full forecast for the 2024–25 season, Zespri reports that it is on track to deliver strong volume back to growers.

“The industry put a lot of work into getting off to a really strong start to the season to meet early season demand and that’s set us up well in a year where we have a lot more fruit to sell,” commented Chief Executive Officer Jason Te Brake. “Although strong competition is always challenging around this time of the year, we’re already seeing signs that this fruit is moving off shelves and we expect this trend to continue over the next few weeks. The fact we’re on track for a strong lift in per hectare returns across all varieties this season, and record returns for green and organic green growers, is a testament to the hard work the industry has put in following a really challenging period.”

The forecast noted that per hectare returns are up from last season for all categories.

“This season’s improved growing conditions have meant grower yields have increased and we’ve got a lot more fruit to sell. But quality and demand are strong and we’re well placed to deliver a strong result to growers,” Te Brake added. “That will also be supported by the exciting campaigns our in-market teams have developed featuring our Kiwi Brothers as we look to take advantage of strong demand for our fruit and maximize the value we return to growers.”

According to a press release, Zespri noted that increasing competition has reinforced the importance of Zespri’s Global Supply (ZGS) strategy, which involves the company working with offshore growers in Italy, France, Japan, Korea, and Greece to provide kiwifruit year-round.

Additionally, now that the maximum 5,000 hectares of offshore SunGold plantings is now allocated and the gap between supply and demand continues to grow, the industry is discussing the potential expansion of its ZGS program.

"We’ve had some good conversations with the industry in recent months on the importance of ZGS and its role in protecting grower value as we face increasing competition,” Te Brake noted. “The next stage of these conversations over the coming months will look at what a potential expansion of our ZGS program might look like, as we make a decision as an industry on how ZGS can continue to deliver value for our industry.”

Zespri is now seeking industry feedback on potentially expanding the current 5,000-hectare cap by up to 420 additional hectares of SunGold Kiwifruit per year over six years across the aforementioned countries. Depending on those conversations, Zespri may consider formally seeking grower support for expanding ZGS via a Producer Vote.

We’ll be on the lookout for additional news, so stay tuned!