BAKERSFIELD, CA - When it comes to fresh produce, keeping it short and sweet is always best. Matching the namesake of its label and the industry’s need to get to the point, Western Veg-Pro has introduced its Short N Sweet Market Updates. A twice-weekly newsletter, the recently launched tool looks to ensure retail partners have the inside track to all it offers.
“We want to keep our customers informed and further enhance our business-to-business communication. In our industry, knowledge is power, and this will give retailers and those we work with everything they need to know every Tuesday and Friday,” Dylan Lym tells me.
In these updates, subscribers can expect everything from crop and weather updates, to voices from the company and even recipes to inspire cross-merchandising and retail strategies. And because Western Veg understands the inbox can get crowded, it’s offering an extra incentive to show you Short N Sweet’s merit.
“We are sure once buyers try this they will find it valuable, so we are offering the chance at a $100 giveaway for those who subscribe now through December 31,” Dylan reveals.
This is just the beginning, he assures me, as the company also looks to increase its consumer-facing content through its Short N Sweet website. A taste of what that boost has to offer might even make its way into the market updates now and then for operators to see the company’s market and brand strategy on the shoppers’ side.
Curious? You can subscribe here, and might even find yourself $100 richer. Still need convincing? Western Veg-Pro will be holding an exclusive event at PMA Fresh Summit in Orlando Florida, October 19-20. Keep an eye out for more information on where you can see what this expanding company has up its sleeve.
ZAANDAM, THE NETHERLANDS - Ahold Delhaize introduced a new store concept last week. The Delhaize banner opened the first iteration of a new convenience-focused supermarket based on the brand’s recently updated positioning.
"Delhaize is listening more than ever to its customers in order to respond even better to their current needs,” said Delhaize CEO Xavier Piesvaux, in a press release. “I believe that we have succeeded with this new store, and we will soon launch even more new concepts.”
In that press release, the company noted that the new store concept was developed after a thorough analysis of customer needs; it leaves the classic store design to respond to the ever-evolving expectations of today’s consumers.
The renewed store location opened September 20th, 2018 in Nijvel, Belgium. It’s the first of nine newly reconceptualized stores expected to open in 2018, and the company is launching an additional 36 more in 2019. The remodels are part of an ongoing commitment on the part of the Delhaize brand to invest €200 million ($235.27 million USD) each year to renovate its owned and independent stores.
The new stores will feature the following:
- A “Fresh Atelier” offering ready-to-eat meal solutions freshly prepared on a daily basis, using recipes that contribute to a balanced diet. In order to combat food waste, the company plans to use fruit juices and soups of the day made using unsold products from the fruit and vegetables department
- A “fresh triangle” that the brand calls “the heart" of Delhaize’s new store concept. The fresh triangle includes the bakery department, fruits and vegetables, prepared meals, sushi, fish, meat, a new concept butcher’s shop, cheese and charcuterie, and a vegetarian range of products—all staffed by expert associates
- A wider selection of products—as many as 20,000 in-store items—and a spotlight on organics and environmentally friendly formats such as the bulk department
The new concept store will also offer digital channel shoppers a more streamlined experience. The store offers both “Collect,” which enables customers to pick up products they have ordered via Delhaize.be, and the chance to order online while shopping through five screens positioned within the store.
To read more about the new store format, click here.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report with important retail news.
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - For the first time since 2012, Del Monte Foods is undergoing a massive rebranding initiative that shines a light on its relationship with growers, health, and produce.
The move was orchestrated by its new Chief Marketing Officer, Bibie Wu, who started in March of this year and has hit the ground running with the marketing launch.
Wu worked with Doner LA to create the company’s first branding work since starting her role: “Growers of Good,” a video exemplifying its new strategy. This piece is part of a larger whole that includes TV spots that will air on TNT, TBS, Lifetime, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Bravo, and TLC. In addition to getting some time on the small screen, the campaign will get some digital and social media love, spanning the company’s platforms.
“We believe our brand can help provide delicious nutrition to today’s busy families and also connect with consumers on a personal level by telling the story of how we care for the produce, the farms, and our environment today—and how that will benefit our world tomorrow, so we can nourish families for another 100 years,” Wu shared in a Q&A with Marketing Daily.
The goal for the campaign is to focus on the company’s relationship with its farmers, the communities that it serves, and its natural resources.
“We previously pursued individual campaigns to support each of our businesses: vegetables, which were more meal-centric, and Del Monte Fruit Cup Snacks, which were more for snacking and lunches. We feel it’s time to reconnect the brands under this platform, given the product innovation we are planning, and to drive more scale and efficiency across the portfolio,” she commented
Wu explained the approach builds on Del Monte Foods' most recent vegetable advertising, which has been focused on the product benefit of three simple ingredients: Just green beans, water, and a dash of sea salt.
"The new campaign brings all subcategories—vegetable, fruit, and tomato—under the Del Monte brand together under the ‘Growers of Good’ message,” Wu said. “The new direction plants us firmly in our great farming heritage but also moves the brand forward to connect with consumers of all ages, including millennials, about what matters most to them: families and communities.”
The company’s campaign is integrating more digital and social aspects, but it continues to focus on strong ROIs on its TV investment, as well as coupons supporting item launches, a Pinterest partnership, and PR and shopper marketing.
How will Del Monte Foods' new marketing measures increase interest in the growers our industry knows and loves, and will that transform the face of produce, fresh and beyond, in other ways as part of a ripple effect? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest.
LONDON, UK - A UK grocer sentenced to 16 years in prison for his role in smuggling cocaine in crates of pomegranates, watermelons, strawberries, cauliflower, and broccoli is back in court this week.
John Fowler, who operated a greengrocer in the Covent Garden neighborhood of London’s West End, has been ordered to pay back more than £416,739 in profits he had gained through the drug trade—more than $540,000 USD—or face additional years in prison, according to the Evening Standard.
Fowler was described by the Standard as a “top lieutenant” and “right-hand man” of Kevin Hanley—a “top, top man” in the cocaine trade who transported “vast quantities of cocaine,” sourced from Venezuela, across Europe and the UK. Fowler was the front for the operation that ferried through at least £5 million ($6,452,000) of drugs.
Fowler appeared in court via video link from prison—and detailed plans to sell assets, including a flat in Bermondsey, to settle his debt. If Fowler fails to pay his debt in a timely fashion, he may face another four years in prison.
For more produce news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
WASHINGTON, DC - Sarah Grady—U.S. Strategic Supply Chain Manager at McDonald’s Corporation for Produce, Fruit, Potato, & Beverage categories—has been appointed to the United Fresh Produce Association’s Board of Directors by Chairwoman Cindy Jewell.
Grady is stepping into her new position with the Association as Shannon Mikulskis with Chik-fil-A exits the Board. Mikulskis shared that she and the Chik-fil-A team will continue to support United Fresh’s work moving forward.
“We appreciate Shannon’s service on the United Board, and congratulate Sarah on her new appointment to the Board,” Jewell expressed. “McDonald’s has been a long-time supporter of United, and we appreciate the company’s commitment to providing great-tasting, high-quality, fresh produce to consumers at their restaurants across the world.”
Grady will step into the Vice Chairman role of the Retail-Foodservice Board at United Fresh, a Board of which she is a current member.
In her current role with McDonald’s, Grady focuses on strengthening strategic partnerships between the corporation’s produce and fruit suppliers along with other companies throughout the industry in an effort to find resolutions for important issues impacting the produce and fruit supply chains.
Prior to her career and endeavors, Grady received her Bachelor’s degree in economics from Knox College and an MBA from Kellstadt School of Business at DePaul University. In addition to her participation on United Fresh’s Board, Grady is a board member of the Illinois Medical District Guesthouse Foundation.
Congratulations to both Sarah Grady and the United Fresh Produce Association’s Board of Directors on this exciting addition to the organization!
LAGUNA NIGUEL, CA - LIV Organic Produce is making moves to build its sales team and grow its profile in the landscape of organic produce. The grower partnership, launched earlier this year, has added Carrie Briones to its team—in order to oversee sales and grower relations. Carrie brings nearly two decades of produce experience to her new role—building out the burgeoning company’s citrus program.
“Having our relationships with many families and multi-generational growers, over decades of service, has given us a tremendous start in achieving our goal—to continue to help them establish, maintain and leverage a stable spot in the supply chain,” Carrie said. “We are here to be long term partners, but we also understand we need to show results sooner than later. There’s an immediate need for these established family farms to have a presence and some level of security in the changing marketplace.”
Carrie began her career as a coordinator at Riverside Arlington Heights Fruit Exchange—a Sunkist-affiliated exchange—at the age of 20. She has, since then, accrued 17 years’ experience in the produce industry—including 15 years in sales and 12 years working with organic commodities.
LIV Organic Produce’s inaugural citrus season is currently heating up, Carrie tells me, and customers can look forward to a strong season—with year-round supply of a citrus staple and good supply coming in a variety of key citrus categories.
“We currently have year round lemon supply and a good season coming on for California-grown minneolas, navels, and grapefruit—with packaging to fit retailer’s needs.
We at AndNowUKnow congratulate Carrie on her new role and the entire LIV Organic Team on an auspicious start to the season and to the company. Stick with us for more fresh produce news.
PROVIDENCE, RI - Earlier this year, United Natural Foods, Inc. (UNFI) announced it was acquiring SuperValu for $2.9 billion a day before its fourth quarter and fiscal year ended July 28, 2018. This week, UNFI reported its financial results from that time period, noting growth across the board and plans to continue that upward momentum through the 2018 calendar year.
“We are on track to close the SuperValu transaction in the fourth quarter of calendar 2018, and our teams are hard at work planning for the integration to capture the significant synergies and strategic benefits of this transformative combination, positioning our company for growth and value creation,” said Chairman and CEO Steven Spinner.
UNFI also announnced in its earnings conference call that it has appointed Sean Griffin as the new SuperValu CEO.
"We have a robust plan and team in place, and we're delighted that Sean Griffin is energized to lead this effort as the incoming CEO of SuperValu," said Spinner in the conference call. "Sean has more than 30 years of industry experience, and with him at the helm, we have a high degree of confidence that we'll be able to capitalize on the synergy opportunities and realize the full potential of this transformative combination."
According to a press release, the company’s fourth quarter fiscal 2018 results included the following:
- Supermarkets net sales of the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 were $707 million, a 1.1 percent year-over-year growth compared to fourth quarter sales of fiscal 2017 of $699 million
- Gross margin for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 was 14.50%, a decrease of 125 basis points from 15.75% for the same period last year
- Operating expenses increased $19.1 million, to $326.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $307.1 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017
- Operating income decreased $11.7 million to $49.8 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 compared to $61.5 million for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017
- Net income for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2018 decreased 15.6%, or $6.1 million, to $32.8 million from $38.9 million, for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2017
“We continued to deliver solid top-line growth across our customer channels, demonstrating sustained strong demand for UNFI’s product assortment and services. On the bottom-line, our results reflected the impact of customer mix shift and higher than anticipated freight costs, while improvement in our working capital has resulted in record free cash flow for the quarter,” Spinner said about the company’s financial report.
For more information regarding the pending SuperValu acquisition, set to close in the fourth quarter of the 2018 calendar year, and UNFI’s financial report, click here.
For more fresh produce and grocery retail news, keep reading AndNowUKnow.
MURIETTA, CA - It’s no secret: avocados have taken over the world. Or at least, the world’s taste buds. Those at West Pak Avocado recognize this, as the company announced its continued export growth for 2018, and forecasts additional progress with global markets for 2019.
Having recently returned from Asia Fruit Logistica in Hong Kong, the avocado supplier experienced a marked increase in commitments with existing and new customers. The company noted that it has seen exponential growth in its export program over the last two years in traditional markets such as Japan and Canada, along with new emerging markets such as the Middle East, Korea, and other Southeast Asian countries.
"The popularity of avocados is increasing across the globe thanks to education efforts to help people realize the benefits of green fruit,” said Vice President of Global Sourcing and International Business Development Kellen Newhouse. “Also, avocados as a whole have been deemed a wholesome part of a healthy lifestyle, and more people want to be a part of it. As the popularity of avocados continues to expand, West Pak will do its part to supply the tremendous demand.”
According to a press release, West Pak has expanded its presence across Asia, into China, Singapore, Korea, Indonesia, and Malaysia. West Pak’s I Love Avocados™ brand of bagged avocados has also been placed into retailers throughout Singapore and Dubai.
“The growth of our export program has been pretty robust over the past few years. In addition to our dedication to supplying the best possible avocados and building strong long-term client relationships, I attribute our success with exports to the way that we manage things. We run West Pak differently than other companies and our export customers appreciate it. When they have a request, we make a decision and respond to them right away—whether it’s a price, a response to a price, or even marketing or other support. They are not waiting for a communication chain. Because of that speed and our attention to detail, business has been very good for us,” Newhouse added.
To meet the global demand for avocados, West Pak has tapped its mastery of transportation logistics, ripening technology, and marketing expertise. The company has increased production with local growers and processing facilities in the U.S. and Mexico, with additional sourcing from Chile and Peru. The idea is to supply year-round options for avocados to customers around the world.
“Looking ahead, we forecast continued growth into 2019 with increased avocado orders in existing territories,” he concluded. “The world is falling in love with avocados, and we will see growth in traditional export markets as well as new ones for the foreseeable future.”
For the latest in fresh produce buzz, keep reading here at AndNowUKnow.
SALINAS, CA - At the upcoming Monterey County Sustainability Working Group (MCSWG), recycling issues plaguing the industry—including China’s closed doors to recycling imports from the U.S. that has, consequently, led to an impending crisis for recyclers in the ag industry—will be addressed. The event is set to take place on September 27th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the CSUMB at Salinas City Center in Downtown Salinas; an RSVP is required to attend.
“This meeting is intended to be informative, start the conversation, inspire collaboration, and support this industries efforts in taking a proactive approach to finding solutions to the growing recycling crisis,” said Nikki Rodoni, Founder and CEO, Measure to Improve. “No one company or industry alone is going to solve this issue. It's going to take partnerships, investments, creative thinking, and most importantly, collaboration up and down the supply chain.”
Monterey County’s agriculture sector is one of the most productive in the world and a major economic force for the region. With that being said, growers, processors, and shippers will see big financial hits to dispose materials that have been traditionally recycled because the County will be without a recycling solution for a large percentage of the materials (waste) it generates, according to a press release.
China’s National Sword is a strict policy that restricts the amount of contamination allowed in a shipment of recyclable materials and has banned other materials outright. This has, therefore, resulted in a disruption in recycling operations at regional and local levels, and the new higher standards pack on more labor and resources in the U.S. to prevent bales of mixed paper and plastics from being landfilled, the press release conveys. As a result, there has been a decline in recycling revenues, a strain in the economic viability for current recycling operations.
“The produce industry is always responding to the changes in conditions under which they operate, and always looking for ways to improve their processes. It is how the industry succeeds. Now, more than ever, we need to develop new partnerships and ways to manage plastic waste. The MCSWG meeting will provide a great beginning to the conversation,” Agriculture Commissioner for Monterey County Henry S. Gonzales shared.
The MCSWG’s meeting will dive into the urgent issue. New and innovative solutions are needed for the agriculture industry or else the region will struggle to reach recycling goals and be met with mounting costs, the organization shares in the release. The MCSWG meeting will offer a platform for stakeholders to gather insight from each other as they look for solutions, reframing the future of recycling for the fresh produce industry, among others, in Monterey County.
“The produce industry is tremendously resilient and has overcome many past challenges. Today, we are confronted with a new challenge: recycling ag-related plastics. To overcome this challenge, the Monterey County Sustainability Working Group meeting will present an opportunity to prepare and position the industry for long-term success,” President of Grower-Shipper Association of Central California Jim Bogart explained.
Almost 100 attendees are expected to turn out for the meeting to provide a voice for their companies based in the Central Coast region.
Speakers include the following:
- Teresa Bui, Special Advisor to the Director of CalRecycle
- Tim Brownell, Director of Operations for Monterey Regional Waste Management District
- Louis Vasquez, Director of Corporate Development for Revolution Plastics
- Marcy Rustad, Chief Operating Officer for Think Beyond Plastic
Those wanting to RSVP can visit the Eventbrite page here. The password is “Recycling.”
“Monterey County Farm Bureau supports recycling of farm waste, particularly plastics, and works to find solutions for our members. The Future of Recycling event will help members to become more aware of their waste stream and how they can improve the environment around their fields,” said Norm Groot, Executive Director of Farm Bureau of Monterey County.
For more fresh produce news and the inside scoop on how industry professionals are working to improve business, check back with us at AndNowUKnow!
CHESAPEAKE, VA - As college students return to their campuses this fall, Dollar Tree associates might soon be making their way to a campus all their own. As part of its continuing integration of Family Dollar, Dollar Tree is consolidating its support centers in Matthews, North Carolina, and Chesapeake, Virginia, to a newly completed corporate campus in Chesapeake.
“Leadership from both banners has continued to work together to integrate our two organizations and invest in future growth,” said Gary Philbin, Dollar Tree's CEO, in a statement. “The completion of our expanded headquarters in Virginia will facilitate the most important phase of the integration."
A company press release relays that Family Dollar will close its Matthews, NC, headquarters following the consolidation, while the Matthews distribution center will remain open. The new centralized support center is expected to be completed by the fall of 2019—approximately 700 associates will be offered an opportunity to relocate to the new center when it opens.
Dollar Tree Officials said the move to bring the two teams together will improve and streamline the company’s ability to support its stores more effectively via enhanced collaboration, communication, and teamwork.
“Our new 12-story, 510,000-square-foot office tower represents the anchor of a dynamic campus environment serving the needs of our associates," said Bob Sasser, Dollar Tree's Executive Chairman. "We are eager to welcome all associates relocating to the Chesapeake area to participate in, and benefit from, the company's next phase of growth."
Will this corporate campus work in the discount chain’s favor? AndNowUKnow will keeps its eyes peeled for the latest.