BENTONVILLE, AR - Retail giant Walmart launched the delivery membership program, dubbed Delivery Unlimited, in September in an effort to compete with other big-name e-commerce players. The retailer has since made multiple changes to its delivery scheme, parting ways with its partner Skipcart earlier this month. In a recent report, Walmart stated that it is now launching a rebrand of its Delivery Unlimited service and testing a membership program named Walmart+.
According to the news source Vox, the Walmart+ program is designed to offer perks that customers cannot access from other e-commerce operators. This includes a text messaging system that would allow shoppers to place orders more easily. The retailer has also teased discounts in multiple departments and a Scan & Go service that mimics the popular cashierless format.
While a spokesperson from Walmart did confirm that the Walmart+ program is indeed being developed, we currently do not have further details about this innovative concept.
Until then, keep checking in with us at ANUK for all the updates in the retail space.
PLANT CITY, FL - The excitement leading up to Southeast Produce Council (SEPC)’s show-stopping event is palpable this week. What better way to prepare for the Southern Exposure 2020 trade show floor than with equally exciting news? I have been in talks with Amber Maloney, Director of Marketing, and she tells me that Wish Farms is planning to showcase its brand refresh this year, resplendent with a new booth graphic, new berry labels, and its new tagline, “Generations of Sweetness.”
When I asked Amber for more information on the new labels, she did not disappoint—both conventional and organic labels for strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries will have eye-catching colors that are sure to make consumers do a double-take.
“We spent over a year doing consumer and internal research to better understand how people feel when they see our brand,” Amber started. “We chose to feature contrasting colors in a unique gingham pattern to accentuate the fruit and make the labels really pop. We believe it’s a different look than anything else in the marketplace.”
I, for one, was both surprised and excited when Amber told me the color pairings. The strawberries’ new label will have a vibrant teal while raspberries have purple. Blackberries will get a very complimentary pink, and blueberries will be associated with a vibrant orange. Wish Farms’ logo will have a new tagline that now reads “Generations of Sweetness” to portray Wish Farms’ longevity, fun, light-hearted character, and of course, its sweet berries. Wish Farms’ label also incorporates a trademarked emblem with the words “Feel good, eat berries, make a difference™.”
“The emblem is now a staple of our brand. Our label is the best place to communicate who we are, right in the consumer’s hands,” Amber shared with me when I asked how the emblem came into being. “It’s really threefold. You feel good eating nutritious berries. You feel good serving berries to your family because they’re healthy. And finally, we want you to feel good when choosing our brand because Wish Farms is doing our part to give back and make a difference in our community. It’s not just a marketing campaign; it’s our brand commitment.”
The year-round berry grower is rolling out these new labels with a call-to-action on the back reading “You buy, we give, see how” that directs consumers to a dedicated page showcasing the amazing work Wish Farms does. With every berry purchase, a portion goes to the Wish Farms Family Foundation with a focus on three pillars of giving: food insecurity, youth education, and community.
And with Southern Exposure just around the corner, Wish Farms will display its brand refresh that coincidentally falls in line with SEPC’s challenge this year.
“SEPC challenged the exhibitors to showcase ways on how they’re giving back to the community, and it’s really timely because that’s our new messaging, not just for this show, but moving forward as a company,” Amber continued. “We will be featuring our ‘Growing Happiness’ motto on our booth graphics displaying a collage of our growers and staff at various company volunteer outings. Our new brand focus really ties in nicely with the show.”
Wish Farms hopes to connect with other berry growers and retail partners at SEPC to discuss packaging and recyclability. To find out more, visit booth #713.
With inspiring deeds just a berry pack away, it’s hard not to be excited for the innovative ideas that Wish Farms is turning out. Keep checking back with us at ANUK as we bring you more news in the fresh industry.
IRVING, TX - Last March, we reported on 7-Eleven®'s new lab store concept in Texas. Known as Evolution Store, the concept has advanced full-steam ahead, expanding into Washington DC and California. These Evolution Stores will serve as real-time experiential testing grounds where customers can try the retailer's latest innovations in new store formats while centering around one core concept: convenience.
“7-Eleven's mission is to give convenience customers what they want, when and where they want it,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Joe DePinto. “Our Evolution Stores bring outstanding innovation to life through new food and beverage platforms as well as through digital experiences.”
According to a press release, the Texas concept exceeded the retailer's expectations with enthusiastic reviews, crowds of customers, and sales that continue to climb. 7-Eleven ensures that concepts that resonate with consumers are refined before they are incorporated into the next generation of current and new store standards.
“These new stores are invaluable learning labs, where new concepts are tailored to meet the needs of the communities they will serve from sunny southern California to the fast-paced world of the East Coast,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Chris Tanco. “We will continue to evolve based on customer feedback, and we look forward to creating the next generation of convenience together.”
The 7-Eleven Evolution Stores will offer an assortment of exclusive products, services, and features customized to the neighborhoods and customers they serve, such as:
- Laredo Taco Company: 7-Eleven’s authentic Mexican Food Restaurant
- Made-to-order specialty drinks: includes custom coffee drinks, smoothies, agua frescas, tea, kombucha, nitro cold brew, flavored drinks, and more
- Mobile Checkout: customers pay for purchases via the 7-Eleven app and accompanying 7Rewards® loyalty program
- 7NOW® Delivery App: 7-Eleven's on-demand delivery app
- The Cellar: an alcove dedicated to an expanded selection of wines and craft beers
7-Eleven plans to continue to expand Evolution Stores across the country throughout 2020.
Will this new concept elevate 7-Eleven in the convenience sector? Keep reading AndNowUKnow as we bring more retail news.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Dates are often called nature’s candy and more recently, the power-produce item has been used as a sugar replacement in many contexts. Joolies is one company pioneering this specialty category. Known for its fresh, organic California Medjool Dates, the company has now expanded distribution to over 500 stores and is available online on Thrive Market and Amazon.com. After spending 2019 perfecting its product, the brand plans to use 2020 as an opportunity to expand into more retailers and wake up the sleepy date category.
"We've been fortunate establishing a strong base of distribution on our home turf of Southern California and are so excited to have the opportunity to be sought after by other retailers throughout the country and beyond. We believe the rapid success at home will be a springboard for Joolies dates to grow the date category and bring new consumers to organic produce as well," said Greg Willsey, Co-Founder.
Recently, to help with distribution growth, Joolies hired Jason Berry, who previously worked with Clif Bar and Alter Eco, as Vice President of Sales. The brand can now be found at distribution locations on both coasts, including Whole Foods Southern Pacific, Erewhon Markets, Bristol Farms, and Albertsons/Vons/Pavilions on the West Coast; New Seasons and Haggens in the Pacific Northwest; and Shoprite and Donelan's Markets on the East Coast. According to a press release, Joolies now also distributes through Unified Natural Foods (UNFI), regional produce partners, and has solidified plans with KeHE Distributors for a May rollout with the entire product line.
"It's been fun to watch the Joolies boxes pop on the shelf. Our colorful, sustainable packaging made out of recycled paperboard is something retailers buy into as they make efforts to reduce plastic in their stores. We're glad to lead this movement with them," said David Kohl, Co-Founder.
Joolies is known for its product’s nutritious qualities and vibrant cart-stopping packaging, while also being a tasty snack. Its whole and pitted Organic Medjool Dates can be found in the produce department. Joolies also sells Organic Medjool Date Syrup, a healthier alternative for an everyday sweetener.
Here’s to continued growth for the date category! To stay up to date on all the latest happenings in produce, keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - Food safety is one of the biggest concerns in our industry, and companies like SmartWash are taking the initiative to decrease the chances of future outbreaks. Two years before the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) became law in 2011, SmartWash was created to mitigate bacterial cross-contamination in fresh-cut produce wash water environments. Now, it is an ally with an industry-leading wash-water process controller for regular operator training.
“We believe operator training is a critical component to enhancing food safety and ensuring FSMA compliance,” said Angela Nunez, Vice President of Technical Support for SmartWash Solutions. “This hands-on training gives our customer partners an understanding of the science behind wash water cross-contamination and how our products combat these problems, so they can consistently operate their systems to enhance food safety while reducing chemical usage and lessening demands for water, electricity, and labor.”
According to a press release, the FSMA identifies water as one of the largest contributors to foodborne illness outbreaks. The SmartWash Solutions system combines proprietary wash enhancers for both conventional and organic products to ensure quality food safety. Partners who complete their annual SmartWash Solutions training experience interactive sessions presented in English and Spanish gain an understanding of the importance of wash water chemistry in any food safety program as well as the significance of SmartWash equipment and its proper use in fresh-cut produce wash lines.
“This year’s training was very informative. The hands-on technical part and the reference sheets will be very helpful moving forward,” Mike O’Sullivan, SmartWash Technician with Taylor Farms, commented. “I have been a SmartWash champ for several years and still learned a lot this time!”
This annual training offers a more in-depth view into how the system works, allowing partners to use real-world data to ensure best practices. In addition, the training gives participants an opportunity to learn from other SmartWash Solutions partners, while keeping abreast of any regulatory changes and how those affect their existing process controls.
Stay ahead of industry news by following along with us here at ANUK.
LONDON, ENGLAND - Tesco, one of Britain’s biggest retailers, teased the idea of leaving the Asia market back in December. After much deliberation, the company has completed its exit from China with a £275 million deal (around $357 million USD). The joint venture was sold to state-run partner China Resources Holdings (CRH).
Reuters reported the deal is scheduled to complete on February 28. The deal allows Tesco to further simplify and focus the business on core operations, the news site continued, adding that the proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes.
Talks are still in the air concerning operations in Thailand and Malaysia. The Asian exit could be one of the last acts of Tesco CEO Dave Lewis, who will be succeeded by Ken Murphy in October.
Bernstein Analyst Bruno Monteyne expects Tesco to start a 1 billion pound share buyback program in its 2020-21 financial year. “With this transaction and the possible sale of Thailand and Malaysia, Tesco’s biggest short-term concern could be how to efficiently return cash to shareholders,” he said.
For more retail news in the industry, keep checking back on ANUK.
WIMAUMA, FL - A recent announcement stated that industry veteran Brian Rayfield has joined PennRose Farms as its new President. Rayfield will lead the day-to-day operations of the business with a particular focus on the expansion of the supply chain and delivering on PennRose Farms' customer-first strategy.
“I am humbled by this opportunity to work with a group of diverse, but like-minded and committed partners that excels in multiple aspects of the fruit and vegetable industry,” Rayfield said. “My goal is to leverage these strengths, and expand the business through teamwork and the common goal of adding value to our customers and grower partners along the way.”
According to a press release, Rayfield has almost 30 years of experience in the produce industry including over 26 years with J&J Family of Farms and most recently with Border’s Melons.
“We feel that Brian’s experience, focus, and energy is an excellent fit for our culture as a family business and we look forward to partnering with him as we move forward in the next phase of our growth,” said Chuck Ciruli, CEO.
For all those planning to attend Southern Exposure, be sure to welcome Rayfield at the PennRose Farms booth #312 at the upcoming SEPC event. And, as always, stick around AndNowUKnow as we continue to bring you the latest news in fresh produce.
CHICAGO, IL - Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is on a roll with its plans for expansion, announcing an opportunity for Midwest growth in February of last year and a restructuring of its stores in October. Now the retailer is honing in on its marketing efforts, gaining a new partner to head up the initiative, an advertising agency known as The Distillery Project Chicago (DPC).
According to the news source Chicago Business Journal, DCP announced on Tuesday that it will soon be launching a “broad-based brand campaign” for the fresh-focused grocer. For the kickoff of this new campaign, DPC will launch an array of TV commercials as well as ads for remote work, radio, digital, and social media outlets.
This new partnership marks Fresh Thyme’s transition from its previous marketing partner, Schafer Condon Carter Chicago. While the campaign may not be broadcasted on a national scale, this campaign is expected to catapult the grocer into an unprecedented phase of growth.
How will this new marketing partnership help Fresh Thyme Farmers Market expand the organics and produce categories? For more exciting news in the fresh-focused retail sector, keep checking in with us at ANUK.
SACRAMENTO, CA - It’s that time again folks! The time to put on your best detective cap and take to the cover of our February issue of The Snack Magazine. Our beloved apple logo has been lost once again, and we need your help to find it!
On this cover of our magazine, you’ll have to work around Brighter Bites CEO Rich Dachman and one of Houston’s many colorful, produce-forward murals. It may seem like a fairly easy challenge, but I assure you, this round sent me into a full-on apple craze that would have lasted through the better part of the day if I hadn’t begged for hints. In other words, best of luck to all who dare to play!
But I haven’t even mentioned the best part—winners of this titillating contest will win a whopping one hundred dollar prize! Each round, we choose one representative from the buy-side and one from the supply-side, and you could be one of February’s big winners!
If you haven’t received a hard copy of our February issue, click here for the digital cover. Then, to truly prove to us that you’ve found our logo, we need you to snap a pic of yourself with your finger pointing to the logo. I repeat:
- Your FOUND the Apple Logo photo must include your face
- And your finger must be pointing to the AndNowUKnow apple logo
Once your photo checks off the above boxes, email it to [email protected] to join the running for the $100 cash prize! If your photo lands in our inbox ahead of everyone else’s, you could join the winners circle with some of the quickest produce people, like:
- David Liesenfelt of Fresh Concepts (reigning supply-side champ)
- Kelly Mejia-Cruz of Denny's (reigning buy-side champ)
- Monina Knox of Sobeys
- Chris Olsen of Gold Coast Packing
- Kimberly Chan of 99 Cents Only
- Danny Ortiz of Sysco
- Brandi McGuire-Sisco of Topco Associates
- Mike Mendez of NatureFresh™ Farms
Interested in receiving a copy of The Snack to give you a leg up in future challenges? Subscriptions are valued at $129 per year, click here to subscribe.
Best of luck to all!
SEATTLE, WA - As March nears, my sights are set firmly on the warm weather that spring brings. Two produce categories come to mind when the sun shines: tomatoes and Brussels Sprouts. Oceanside Pole is reading my mind—and the minds of other spring-obsessed consumers—as it recently announced an outstanding vine-ripe tomato season to go along with its high-quality Brussels sprouts.
“Retailers continue to look forward to Oceanside Pole’s tomato season and this year is no exception,” said James Galindo, Senior Sales Representative for Oppy, the exclusive marketer of the Oceanside Pole brand. “The reputation of these tomatoes precedes itself, making them highly sought after and rightfully so—their taste, texture, and shelf life are truly exceptional.”
According to a press release, Oceanside Pole Brussels sprouts complement the legendary grower’s much-anticipated round and Roma pole-grown tomato crop, tuning up the soil while extending the opportunities for the workers on the farm.
Oceanside Pole attributes the cool night temperatures and foggy, salt air as contributors to great-tasting Brussels sprouts in California. The multi-generational family farm offers sprouts through the first week of June and will ship its popular vine-ripened tomatoes by the end of June through to the first week of November.
Keep a tab open for AndNowUKnow as we continue to report on the latest in the produce world.