OXNARD, CA - The best part of Thanksgiving is that it seemingly never ends, thanks to the limitless leftovers that crowd the fridge for days afterward. To encourage more consumers to keep avocados top of mind and top of dish in Thanksgiving leftover meals, Mission Produce is launching its “after Thanksgiving” social media and retail campaign, #Green Friday.
“Our #GreenFriday campaign offers retailers a great way to promote avocados after Thanksgiving. Black Friday is America’s day of discounts and Mission Produce’s #GreenFriday program is one of the best deals around,” said Denise Junqueiro, Director of Marketing.
According to a press release, over the past two years, U.S. shoppers have increasingly consumed avocados the week following Thanksgiving. As a result, Mission Produce is teaming up with social media influencer @TheModernProper to add some extra holiday cheer and extra green to its post-Thanksgiving campaign.
“We have noticed that Americans are eating more avocados during this time frame and Mission Produce’s retail partners have profited from it,” said Patrick Cortes, Senior Director of Business Development. “Due to an ample supply of avocados and the opportunity to push a hot item, retailers experienced a 30 percent lift by promoting avocados after Thanksgiving.”
@TheModernProper created four delicious and unique recipes for #GreenFriday, all of which feature avocados as the main ingredient and incorporate Thanksgiving leftovers. Both Mission Produce and @TheModernProper will share the recipes on social media channels throughout #GreenFriday and the week following Thanksgiving.
“After a long day of Black Friday shopping, I am looking forward to #GreenFriday. What better way to end the day than with turkey taquitos paired with avocado cream?” Junqueiro concluded.
To stay in-the-know on the exciting new marketing strategies those across produce are implementing to keep fruit and veg front and center throughout the holidays, keep following AndNowUKnow.
HALLOWEENTOWN - Boys and girls of every age, wouldn’t you like to see something strange? Pumpkins were once your seasonal fave, but avocados might be taking their place!
Fast-casual chain Chipotle is giving pumpkins a new reason to scream in the dead of the night—and it has nothing to do with spooky ghosts and ghouls and everything to do with unemployment blues.
In its latest marketing gig, Chipotle named avocados the new produce go-to to display on your porch, releasing a DIY Avocado Carving video uprooting pumpkins as the face of Jack-O-Lanterns.
In the video, Chipotle walks the curious through how to make an Avocado Lantern—the spookiest of spooky Halloween decorations you could display as the Avocado Lantern is rumored to contain the souls of the industries millennials have killed. If you’re familiar with pumpkin carving, you already know the name of the game; you’ll need a spoon for scooping, a knife for cutting, a candle for lanterning, and a pumpk—I mean, avocado! Duh!
For some inspiration, watch Chipotle’s video above, or if you already find yourself savvy with all things scary, submit your Avocado Lantern creation to our ANUK Halloween Yearbook!
Everybody sing with me, “This is Halloween, this is Halloween! Everybody scream: ‘Avocados reign supreme!’”
SALINAS, CA - Since Ippolito International opened our doors in 2000, founding partners Joel Ippolito and Ron Mondo have looked to build a Salinas-based growing/shipping/marketing operation that prides itself on delivering ‘large company’ volumes and benefits with a purposeful ‘small company’ customer service experience.
Stemming from our roots to complement Toronto-based Ippolito Fruit and Produce, based in Canada since the 1930s, we have grown in leaps and bounds since starting out with the Mondo family specialty of Brussels sprouts. Since that beginning we've added iceberg, broccoli, cauliflower, romaine and all major leaf items, plus specialty items, a full line of organic value-added salads, and so much more.
The result is over 170 commodity and value-added SKUs, and counting. And with the recent completion of a state-of-the-art, value-added facility, we are constantly adding to our already vast array of pre-cut and packaged items, which includes cauliflower florets; Brussels sprouts in whole, gourmet, and Brussels chips; [and] our new asparagus program, available in both conventional and organic.
The combination of this rapid-yet-calculated and strategically-implemented growth, accompanied by the family feel of our everyday customer service and skilled growing operation, gives us the power to provide, on every order, the highest quality products available, delivered the old-fashioned way.
RIO RICO, AZ - MAS Melons & Grapes recently launched its new website, hoping to better align its revamped corporate logo and tagline, while maintaining customer engagement. By making the website more interactive—with a number of features that increase performance, responsiveness, and security—customers are able to have a better navigation experience.
“We are so excited to launch our new website as it is the result of several months of team work aimed at simplifying and reflecting the essence of our company,” stated Miky Suarez, President, in a company press release.
The company noted some of the features on the newly designed website: better smartphone and tablet accessibility, grower partners/staff pictures and contact information, product availability calendar, company videos and press releases, complete quality and food safety certifications, social media venues, growing regions, sales offices and HQ location map, and more.
“MAS Melons & Grapes’ new website will be updated on a continual basis with product launches and recipes, new growing areas, videos, news, and customer and consumer-oriented information,” said Mikee Suarez, Sales Staff and Website Coordinator. “The new website’s tech abilities are mobile-friendly, thus enabling anyone, from any part of the globe, to engage in business, make commercial inquiries, and interact with us at any time from their laptop, smartphone, or tablet.”
For the latest in what’s going down in the produce world, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
DUBLIN, CA - This month, iTradeNetwork—provider of on-demand supply chain and intelligence solutions for the food and beverage industry—introduced a new feature to streamline compliance with with the Safe Food for Canadians Act (SFCA).
The company’s latest module—to be featured in its flagship Order Management Suite (OMS)—will offer iTrade's clientele a number of tools to easily embrace the latest food safety legislation from the North.
“It allows retailers to have control of where specific items may be shipped from per vendor,” said OMS Project Manager, Christian Freeman, in a press release. “It allows the retailer to have better visibility from where items are shipped, and if an approved shipping warehouse migrates to a new region, it enforces the retailer to inspect the new location prior to approval on future purchase orders.”
According to that press release, The Safe Food for Canadians Act focuses on the following important areas:
- Improved food safety oversight to better protect consumers
- Streamlined and strengthened legislative authorities
- Enhanced international market opportunities for Canadian industry
The company’s SFCA module will help safeguard the Canadian food supply chain by ensuring that products are shipped only from authorized shipping locations—from locations like warehouses and packhouses, where adequate documentation and safety protocols are in place. The SFCA module is designed to tackle all the SFCA’s key concerns by specifically strengthening traceability functionality within OMS and improving import controls.
iTrade’s latest launch is taking off in October and will debut with one of Canada’s leading grocery retailers: Loblaw Companies Limited.
For more fresh news in produce, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
BENTONVILLE, AR - It was Albert Einstein who said “imagination is more important than knowledge.” Taking these words to heart, Walmart is running with an idea concocted from a behemoth imagination: that of the Walmart Town Center.
LB Johnson, Walmart’s Vice President of U.S. Realty Operations, presented the idea of these town centers at the 2018 International Council of Shopping Centers Southeast Conference & Deal Making. He stated that the grocery giant is evaluating whether it will transform underutilized land—such as parking lots—into new offerings like restaurants, shops, food halls, entertainment venues, and more.
“We want to provide community space, areas for the community to dwell—a farmer’s market, an Easter egg hunt, trick or treating,” Johnson said. “We want to provide pedestrian connectivity from our box to the experiential zones that are planned on our footprint. We want to augment these experiences and activities with more food and beverage, with health and fitness, essential services and entertainment.”
Walmart's new website, Walmart Reimagined, showcases what plans for these centers might look like, and they look mighty fine—in my humble opinion. Some include walking paths, family-friendly gathering spots, and a host of entertainment and dining options. Johnson also stated that Walmart might add apartments to these sites to create a live-work-play environment.
“As we begin to look across the country and evaluate the Walmart Town Center opportunities, we will be tapping the talent, expertise, and partnership from members of this community to support our efforts,” Johnson said.
![Walmart noted that it wanted to "augment [shopping] experiences and activities with more food and beverage, with health and fitness, essential services and entertainment”](https://d1jie5o4kjowzg.cloudfront.net/multiple-story-images/walmart-dogpark.jpg?Gzkw5dek9O91zUW7_LJd6EgYIr.B7rYV "Walmart noted that it wanted to \"augment [shopping] experiences and activities with more food and beverage, with health and fitness, essential services and entertainment”")
One such Town Center is slated to crop up in Loveland, Colorado, where the retailer has plans to break ground on the project next spring. That site—already a Supercenter—has acres of vacant land next to the store and 6-8 acres of parking lot; an ideal spot for a Town Center, Johnson noted.
“A transformation is underway,” Johnson said. “We are working with the local community to really master-plan a vision, not only for Walmart, but shared with the municipality. We are using terms like collaboration space. We are thinking through dwelling space...We are going to hold ourselves accountable to the community to improving well being.”
A video shown at the conference suggested that Walmart could possibly add restaurants such as Bartaco, Shake Shack, and Chipotle, Austin Business Journal noted.
As consumers become enamored with the idea of a “shopping experience,” will we see more of these Town Centers? AndNowUKnow will keep you up-to-date with the latest in retail.
ANAHEIM, CA - In light of the 2018 Southern California Fresh Produce & Floral Expo’s success, the Board of Directors of the Fresh Produce & Floral Council (FPFC) announced it will be consolidating the Northern and Southern California Expos into a single show in 2019. A new strategic plan for the organization, the consolidated show will undergo a rebrand with a new logo debuting The FPFC Expo.
“We have built such a successful show in Anaheim that it seemed counterproductive to keep the Northern California market separate from it,” said FPFC President Carissa Mace. “Our exhibitors from the Northern California area can now benefit from the attendance of more retailers from more areas, a greater school and institutional presence, and the increased networking available at the Opening Night Adventure.
According to a press release, the addition of the Opening Night Adventure is one show activity that makes the FPFC Expo a success among retailers. The Opening Night Adventure takes executive retail attendees inside Disney’s California Adventure Theme Park for a dinner, photo opportunities with Disney characters, a private viewing area for Disney shows, and more.
“We are building The FPFC Expo into a can’t-be-missed event for retail, foodservice, and suppliers—even beyond the California market,” said Expo Committee Chair Kori Martin of The Oppenheimer Group. “Consolidating the two shows into one Expo will bring together an even larger vendor and retail community and provide exciting new sponsorship opportunities that will elevate our sponsors’ brands.”
Martin also notes that The FPFC Expo will feature an all-new floor layout that encourages attendees to spend more time at each booth. The single show also offers new sponsor packages that provide more versatility and visibility for Expo sponsors.
Mark your calendars for July 16, 2019, and book your plane tickes to Anaheim, California, to be a part of this refreshed show.
MIAMI, FL - Crystal Valley Foods celebrated the first shipments of imported blueberries for the 2018 season this week. In order to provide its customers with year-round berries, Crystal Valley has grown and solidified its partnerships with domestic growers, which is reflected in its 2018 season.
“When we expanded into the berry category, it was imperative that we were not only able to supply great quality and volume during the winter months but also during the domestic season. We have successfully been able to do that,” said Katiana Valdes, Director of Marketing. “We expect good volume and quality from all of our offshore blueberry growing regions. Especially at the end of 2018 and the beginning of 2019 from Chile.”
Crystal Valley is shipping Peruvian-grown berries through Mid-November, Argentinian blueberries through mid-December, as well as anticipating its first Chilean-grown fruit to arrive by air in early December and containers to arrive mid-December through March, according to a press release. The company is also offering blueberries from Mexico.
“Not only are we looking forward to a great import season, we are already expecting good volume with both organic and conventional blueberries when we transition to Florida in late March,” Katiana added.
Crystal Valley’s imported blueberries are available in a 6-ounce, pints, and 18-ounce sizes. The grower also offers organic blueberries during the domestic season and programs for both blueberries and blackberries.
For more fresh produce news, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
SEATTLE, WA - Amazon announced some auspicious numbers this week. The e-commerce giant reported growth across virtually all metrics — with third quarter sales up 29% to $56.6 billion. The Washington Post declared that Amazon had achieved record profits during the period ending September 30, 2018.
“Amazon Business has now reached a $10 billion annual sales run rate and is serving millions of private and public-sector organizations in eight countries,” said Jeff Bezos, Founder and CEO. “And we’re not slowing down—Amazon Business is adding customers rapidly, including large educational institutions, local governments, and more than half of the Fortune 100. These organizations are choosing Amazon Business because it increases transparency into business spending and streamlines purchasing, with increased control. The team is doing a fantastic job building and innovating for customers.”
Highlights from Amazon’s third quarter fiscal report include:
- Operating cash flow increased 57% to $26.6 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $17.0 billion for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2017. Free cash flow increased to $15.4 billion for the trailing twelve months, compared with $8.0 billion for the trailing twelve months ended September 30, 2017.
- Common shares outstanding plus shares underlying stock-based awards totaled 507 million on September 30, 2018, compared with 503 million one year ago.
- Net sales increased 29% to $56.6 billion in the third quarter, compared with $43.7 billion in third quarter 2017. Excluding the $260 million unfavorable impact from year-over-year changes in foreign exchange rates throughout the quarter, net sales increased 30% compared with third quarter 2017.
- Operating income increased to $3.7 billion in the third quarter, compared with operating income of $347 million in third quarter 2017.
- Net income increased to $2.9 billion in the third quarter, or $5.75 per diluted share, compared with net income of $256 million, or $0.52 per diluted share, in third quarter 2017.
Despite Bezos’ insistence that Amazon isn’t slowing, though, many investors reportedly remained unconvinced. Amazon shares plunged, according to Reuters, amidst “signs that both [Amazon and Google-parent Alphabet] were beginning to face tougher competition from tech peers as well as the retail companies Amazon has bullied in recent years.”
The nine percent drop in shares reportedly diminished Amazon’s market value—however temporarily—by $80 million.
Quartz reported that, while still very much growing, the company’s “most important businesses [are] slowing.”
Amazon nonetheless projected robust targets for fourth quarter growth—declaring a net sales goal of between $66.5 billion and $72.5 billion—a 10% to 20% increase—and an operating income target between $2.1 billion and $3.6 billion, compared with $2.1 billion in fourth quarter 2017.
“Our guidance for the fourth quarter implies 10% to 20% growth and includes an 80-basis point unfavorable impact from foreign exchange,” said Brian T. Olsavsky, CFO, in a conference call held October 25th. “Once you adjust for the fact that Whole Foods, it was purchased in August of last year and that has impacted every quarter since then, Q4 will be the first solid non-Whole Foods comp since before we bought them since Q2 of last year.”
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with important retail news.
NASHVILLE, TN - The Florida-based retailer has its eyes on the Athens of the South. According to Metro documents filed by the developer, Publix is in talks to open a store in a forthcoming shopping center, Hill Center Greenwood, in Nashville. The planning document, as Nashville Business Journal noted, shows an image of a trash compactor with a Publix label on it. A source familiar with the development separately confirmed the retailer’s involvement.
In recent months, Publix has finalized plans for two additional Nashville locations, one in the Melrose neighborhood and one in Capitol View. Brenda Reid, a spokeswoman at Publix, said the company has not signed a lease for an East Nashville location. Developer Jimmy Granbery declined to comment. It is not clear when a deal for the location at Hill Center Greenwood might be finalized, although the shopping center is slated for completion in the second quarter of 2020.
Just how far will Publix’s reach expand to? AndNowUKnow will be on the lookout.