NEW YORK, NY - Blue Apron is taking its image rehaul seriously, tapping a new Chief Financial Officer with experience from one of the biggest names in consumer packaged goods. Tim Bensley, a veteran finance executive who spent 29 years at PepsiCo, Inc., will assume the new role starting May 21. As CFO, he will lead financial operations across the company, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Brad Dickerson and serving on the company’s executive leadership team.
“I am excited to join the passionate and dynamic team at Blue Apron,” said Bensley. “The company has reached an inspiring inflection point, and as CFO I look forward to contributing to the company’s growth as we build on recent progress in our core business while expanding our powerful brand to new channels and new consumers.”
A veteran finance executive, Bensley will aid Blue Apron with his over 30 years of diverse finance and strategy leadership experience. During his 29 years at PepsiCo, Bensley advanced through the company’s Frito-Lay North America division, progressing through various roles in supply chain operations and finance leadership. He was promoted to CFO of Frito-Lay Canada in 2005, and, in 2007, he moved to PepsiCo’s headquarters in Purchase, New York, to lead the Corporate Strategy Group. Bensley was again promoted in 2008, 2010, and 2012, when he finished out his career at PepsiCo as the company’s Senior Vice President of PepsiCo Global Transformation.
Bensley most recently served as CFO of Acosta, Inc., a private-equity-backed company with more than 30,000 employees in 100 locations globally. Acosta is notable in Bensely’s background, as it provides multi-channel sales, marketing, and business intelligence services to many of the world’s leading food and consumer packaged goods companies, according to a press release.
“Following a rigorous search for a CFO who can make an immediate impact on our business, I am thrilled to have Tim join our team,” said Brad Dickerson, CEO. “Tim brings over three decades of exceptional leadership experience, including a track record of delivering against a growth agenda with a positive impact on business results, and relevant expertise in the food and consumer packaged goods space. He will play an instrumental role in helping us achieve our strategic goals as we continue on the path of taking transformative actions to drive strong and sustainable growth.”
Will Bensley give Blue Apron the extra prowess it needs to turn around its pitfalls over the past several months? AndNowUKnow will continue to follow the meal kit giant for the latest.
FRESNO, CA - I think we all know that life can get a little hectic at times—but the world keeps on turning, so we find ways to make it run more smoothly and efficiently. For Baloian Farms, this means not only finding a way, but creating a new way all together. The company recently crafted, with the help and expertise of Exeter Engineering, bell pepper packing machinery to cater to its needs and further grow, helping operations to run more effectively thanks to the new capabilities offered.
“The new equipment is a bell pepper packing line,” Director of Facilities Jon Baloian tells me, before diving into what this means for both the produce and production capabilities. “The machine helps to clean, sort, grade, and pack bell peppers. We are replacing about 75 percent of our existing line and updating to more modern technology. The key component is changing over to an optical sizer. The machine has been redesigned to be as flexible as possible to meet the varied needs of our customers.”
Located in Fresno, California, the machine resides in the company’s packing house. Baloian went through a two-year process to research and find the right machinery, but now that the implementation of the machinery has reached completion, the company is enjoying the newly installed infrastructure—which includes new mezzanine, concrete work, and electrical improvements.
The journey to the finish line for this project went through phases—it took three months to fabricate, two and a half months to physically install, and one and a half months to fine tune. It was well worth the wait, though, Jon tells me.
“The two biggest known improvements of the equipment are improved sizing and sorting capability and increased volume of fruit handling,” he clarifies. “With improved sizing and sorting capability, there is a slight reduction of labor but, more importantly, a more consistent quality when it comes to sizing and sorting of fruit. The new machine is able to handle a higher volume of fruit, too, meaning we can pack more boxes in a given day. This will be essential during peak times when our production may need to spike due to hot weather, extra orders, etc. This will also slightly shorten the day-to-day schedule, meaning less double time and overtime.”
In addition to these main points, the new machinery will help with real-time data flow by allowing Baloian to track the sorting process in real-time to give sales and marketing more accurate information on what is being produced. It is also ergonomically designed, with packing lines and belts built at ideal heights so workers won’t need to reach or slouch. This, ultimately, reduces the amount of box lifting by about 25 percent, Jon tells me.
All in all, this new step in the company’s operations will benefit capacity and workflow, establishing opportunities for overall growth.
“With our old line, we were maxed out on production for much of the season,” he shares. “The new equipment is set up to not only alleviate the current need to push through more product on a given day if needed, but it was built large enough so that, when it’s time to replace the remainder of the line, we can have the capability to increase our production to around 150 percent of where we are today.”
More fruit readily available? Sounds like a win all around to me!
LAREDO, TX - This week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Laredo Port of Entry apprehended three pedestrians in connection with the seizure of $331,000 worth of methamphetamine—hidden in containers of hominy and jalapeños.
“Our frontline officers continue to maintain vigilance while conducting their inspections and the judicious application of experience and instinct resulted in the arrest of three pedestrians and the seizure of a significant load of hard narcotics hidden within canned produce,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry, in a CBP press release.
According to that press release, the seizure took place Tuesday, May 15, when CBP officers at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge selected three pedestrians—all U.S. citizens—for secondary inspection. CBP canine and non-intrusive imaging systems resulted in the discovery of 23.63 pounds of methamphetamine in cans of hominy and jalapeños in the travelers’ baggage.
CBP seized the narcotics, arrested all three pedestrians, and referred the case for further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.
Where will nefarious types next ply produce to iniquitous ends? AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
FISHERS, NY - We’re in the thick of spring season, and this gorgeous time of year is marked by New York State's blossoming apple trees. 11 million blossoming apple trees, to be precise, and all showing off their blooms. The New York Apple Association (NYAA) announced this spring event on behalf of its members, the 500 commercial apple growers of New York State who produce, on average, 29.5 million bushels of apples annually, making theirs the second largest apple-producing state in the U.S.
"Temperatures have warmed enough statewide to coax blossoms statewide to coax blossoms from their winter sleep," said President Cynthia Haskin in a press release. "Apple orchards are turning into seas of pink buds opening into white flowers. It is a sight to see! The different regions of the state are usually no more than 10 days apart from each other in the process. The bloom season will be over with soon so get out and see what makes New York apples spectacular!"
NYAA noted that New York apples are known all over for their taste and texture.
"New York apples have a distinct character and a distinct flavor that comes from nature and the right conditions coming together in just the right way,” added Haskins. “No other part of the country has quite what New York has when it comes to an ideal mix of climate, geography, and rich glacial soils—the essential ingredients needed to create the extraordinary flavor of a New York apple.”
While it is still too early in a long growing season to speculate about the state’s 2018 harvest size, this year’s bloom is on track with its perennial schedule. Apple harvest dates do vary by variety and growing region, and growers will start harvest in August for some early-season varieties. In the southernmost growing areas, harvest is largely finished by October.
In all, 26 new and classic New York apple varieties are grown in New York, including varieties like Ruby Frost® and SnapDragon®, managed varieties like SweeTango®, and popular varieties like Honeycrisp and Zestar®. New York also has a full line-up of classic varieties like McIntosh, Fuji, Gala, and those developed in the state including Acey Mac, AUTUMNCRISP®, Empire, Fortune, Macoun, and Jonagold.
“It’s likely that New York grows more varieties than other states but one thing we know for sure is there’s a New York apple for every palate!” said Haskins.
For the latest news on the apple category, stick with us at AndNowUKnow.
WATSONVILLE, CA - Now several years into its permission-based consumer insight program, California Giant is once again seeing its marketing approach pay off in spades. The first quarter 2018 results are in, and the data shows that its over 70,000 consumers are continuing to show their appreciation for all things berries.
California Giant’s consumer insight program is all about building “personas.” The company’s marketing team uses each touchpoint with the consumer as an opportunity to gain information, which then provides a chance for California Giant to communicate based on personal preferences, according to a press release. Each follower in the California Giant database is tracked, and questions asked help to refine communication to ensure the shopper only receives information relevant to their preferences. All in all, this helps to build a stronger marketing program that can then be shared with trading partners.
“We love the fact that if a shopper says they prefer strawberries and gluten free recipes, our software allows us to easily program communication that sends gluten free strawberry recipes when we send custom emails” says Cindy Jewell, VP of Marketing.
The following are just a few insights that California Giant garnered during the first quarter of 2018:
Collaborations With Produce Partners
69 percent of California Giant shoppers buy their berries fresh at least once a week or every other week, and 33.7 percent of shoppers are purchasing other fresh produce when they’re shopping. This is why California Giant collaborates with other fresh produce partners like Jazz apples, Duda Farms, and Ocean Mist to encourage basket adjacent purchases.
Promotions and Sweepstakes
48 percent of the California Giant Shoppers value promotions and sweepstakes during the key volume times periods for their berries. The company uses findings like this to share with retailers in cross-merchandising throughout the year and with timely promotional opportunities.
Recipes and Eating Ideas
Data shows that most California Giant shoppers are looking for main entrée ideas, desserts, and smoothie recipes for berries. When it comes to eating occasions, California Giant shoppers are focused on healthy eating recommendations in January, recipes for summer cookouts, and ideas for birthday parties and holiday celebrations.
Food Safety and Farmers’ Stories
The California Giant shopper is also very interested in getting information on the company’s food safety program and stories about farmers and their families. This data gathered helps the company to build their social media communications, featured video stories on California Giant farming partners, and future blog and email marketing themes.
California Giant has made many of its consumer insights available in the blog it emails to hundreds of trading partners in the California Giant database each week. Updated research findings live on the company trade page: https://promos.calgiant.com/quarterly-shopper-insights.
ARLINGTON, VA - Lidl has appointed Johannes Fieber as its incoming President and CEO of Lidl US, succeeding Brendan Proctor. The retailer plans for Fieber to assume responsibility for U.S. operations over the coming months.
“I am honored to be able to lead our expansion in the U.S. and look forward to building on the progress that is underway,” Fieber commented. “Lidl has received positive feedback from our U.S. customers, who are excited about Lidl’s unique offering and shopping experience. I look forward to continuing our expansion into additional markets this year, and introducing more customers to Lidl’s high quality products and low prices.”
Fieber brings extensive retail experience to the position, having been with Lidl for about 10 years, working for the retailer in multiple countries. Most recently, he served successfully as CEO of Lidl Sweden for more than two years, according to a press release.
Lidl management thanked Proctor, outgoing President and CEO of Lidl US, for his service. He has led the retailer’s expansion into and throughout the U.S. since June of 2015 when it first established its U.S. headquarters in Arlington County, Virginia. Today it sells its award-winning products across six East Coast states, adding to its total of about 10,500 stores operating in 28 countries.
WESTBOROUGH, MA - After nearly a decade as a privately held company, BJ’s Wholesale Club has announced that the retailer is going public—again; BJ’s has proposed an initial public offering (IPO), filing a registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
A CNN Money report on the proposed IPO noted that the retailer has experienced propitious success over the past three years—more than doubling profits despite declining same-store sales—and calling the IPO—which could garner up to $100 million—“an unusual sign of health in the troubled world of retail.”
BJ’s had been a publically traded company prior to 2011, when private equity firms CVC and Leonard Green & Partners purchased the company in a deal valued at approximately $2.8 billion, according to Bloomberg.
BJ’s noted in a press release that the registration statement on Form S-1 relating to these securities has been filed with the SEC but has not yet become effective, and that sale of shares in the company cannot legally take place until the registration becomes effective.
Additionally, BJ’s simultaneously announced major changes to the company’s Board of Directors—noting that Christopher J. Baldwin, President and Chief Executive Officer, has added Chairman of the Board of Directors to his responsibilities, effective immediately.
In a separate press release, the retailer announced Baldwin’s new position and the impending retirement of Laura Sen from BJ’s Board.
"I'm pleased to be named Chairman of the Board and to continue leading our team through the next stage of our transformation," Baldwin said. "Most importantly, I want to thank Laura for her countless contributions to BJ's Wholesale Club over her more than 25 years with the company. Her leadership, vision and commitment to BJ's have created the foundation for our long-term success."
The company also announced the addition of Nishad Chande, a Senior Managing Director at CVC Capital Partners, to the company’s board.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this and other important retail news.
WASHINGTON, U.S. - Summertime is nearly synonymous with cherry feasting for my family and, I imagine, much of America and beyond. There is something so satisfying about a bite into a crisp and juicy cherry when the weather heats up, and, lucky for retailers, Stemilt Growers is offering a long window of opportunity to jump on cherry season with its quality Washington-grown crop and promotion ideas to boost sales.
“Washington Cherries have bloomed and will be harvested soon. This year, it’s looking to be a moderate size crop, with great quality and large size cherries. At this point, we are expecting a nice spread of harvest between our growing districts in Central Washington, and Stemilt cherries will go late into August,” Communications Manager Brianna Shales tells me. “The first cherries in Washington will likely harvest around June 10th, although weather can always move that up or back. From there, volume will ramp up quickly, and we should have supplies for 4th of July promotions.”
Brianna had me at promotions—nothing makes my ears perk up like hearing that magical word in the same sentence with cherries. I am chomping at the bit, as I imagine retailers also are, to find out what types of cherry varieties that Stemilt is offering this season and how to best promote them. So I ask her what the company suggests for retailers during this promotion-heavy opportunity.
“Retailers will go on promotions for the 4th of July, and the key is to keep the promotions going after that. Cherries are a unique part of the produce department because they are not available year-round, but when they are available, they generate a lot of sales for the produce department. So, if you miss a promotional opportunity one week, it can really make a difference to the bottom line,” Brianna says. “What we really recommend is promoting size and flavor. Cherries are typically purchased on impulse. Promoting good size fruit and high-dessert flavor is the way to win that impulse sale, but also to earn that repeat sale. In July we have a promotion centered around this notion. It’s called Kyle’s Pick™—named after our 4th generation cherry grower, Kyle Mathison—which highlights our best cherries: largest sizes with dessert flavors and high firmness in key varieties. What that does is help the retailer differentiate itself as one who sells the premium quality.”
The key, like she says, is to keep the ball rollin’. In addition to the 4th of July, there is another fun holiday right around the corner: National Rainier Cherry Day on July 11th.
When it comes to positioning in the produce department, cherries require prime real estate for optimal sales, Brianna explains. At the end of the day, it’s all about the flavor and quality.
“Cherries need to have a prominent spot in the supermarket during their season to promote the sale. We see refrigerated displays, which really helps to maintain quality. The big thing is to tie it back to where it’s grown and the reason why you’re partnering with people who are offering quality. Shoppers want to be wowed—if it looks good, they’ll buy it, and if it tastes great, they will be back again.”
The company has a multitude of options to stock for consumers—Kyle’s Pick, Half Mile Closer to the Moon™, Dark Sweet, and Rainier cherries, among others. Skylar Rae®, she tells me, is a particularly special cherry brand because of the fruit’s off-the-charts sweetness and firmness. With a bi-color and crisp flesh, these cherries are almost apple-like when bitten into, Brianna explains, and high Brix levels make it a real treat for shoppers with a sweet tooth. Stemilt’s dome-style clamshell is another way that Skylar Rae—the third SKU in the cherry category, Brianna tells me—is differentiated from others on the shelf.
Whatever cherry you pick, I look forward to seeing retailers play up the fun that cherries bring to the produce aisle as promotions heat up this summer.
JACKSONVILLE, FL - Almost two months to the day after announcing it will go through Chapter 11 bankruptcy, Southeastern Grocers is taking a step back into the black. The Florida-based retailer announced this week that the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware has confirmed its restructuring plan, which will allow the company to decrease its overall debt levels by approximately $600 million.
"We are delighted with the Court's swift approval which marks a major milestone in the transformation and correction of our business. This confirmation paves the way for us to emerge as a strong, viable business that is well-positioned to succeed in the competitive retail market,” said Anthony Hucker, President and Chief Executive Officer.
According to a press release, Southeastern Grocers expects to complete its financial restructuring process and emerge from Chapter 11 in just a few weeks now that its plan has officially been approved. As previously announced, the $600 million debt decrease includes $522 million of debt exchanged for equity in the reorganized company, which is designed to strengthen its balance sheet and allow it to invest in the business to further support its financial health and long-term success.
"I want to thank our dedicated associates who have remained focused on ensuring our customers and communities can count on us,” Hucker continued. “We're rooted in our purpose and now firmly on our path to success. We're eager to show our customers how far we've come—and how far we're going—as we emerge from this process."
While the retailer reportedly closed 94 stores during its initial bankruptcy announcements, Southeastern Grocers confirmed plans to continue to operate more than 575 stores under the BI-LO, Fresco y Más, Harveys Supermarket and Winn-Dixie banners. Additional information about the Company's restructuring efforts is available at www.segrocers.com/restructuring, and AndNowUKnow will continue to keep our eye on Southeastern Grocers’ progress as it continues to navigate its restructuring plans.
UNITED KINGDOM - It’s a plant-based world, and we’re just livin’ in it. Vivera is proof that consumers are wanting alternatives to carnivore options as it revvs up distribution of its newest item. British-based Tesco is reportedly the first supermarket to sell Vivera's 100 percent plant-based steak alternative starting May 21st in over 400 groceries. Subsequently, several large supermarket chains in The Netherlands will start selling the item in June of 2018, and as of the second half of 2018, Vivera will sell its product throughout Europe, with German, French, and Italian markets leading the way.
Perfect for vegetarians, vegans, flexitarians—shoot, even carnivores since this new item is enjoying some serious hype—all consumers can join in on the fun since the plant-based product uses wheat and soy as just two of its ingredients.
"A large group of vegetarians, vegans, and flexitarians have been very interested in such a product for years. With the breakthrough of its market introduction and large-scale production, a large group of consumers can enjoy this very tasty plant-based product,” Gert Jan Gombert, Commercial Manager of Vivera, said in a recent press release. “The smell, taste and bite can hardly be distinguished from real steak and we are convinced that this product will meet a large need of consumers. It is very important that we eat less meat, both for our own health, animal welfare, and for our planet. Innovative and high-quality plant-based products can make a significant contribution here."
Vivera’s production fits in with the growing demand for healthier and high-quality meat replacements, since interest in sustainable foods that are healthy has risen throughout much of Europe. One of the company’s focuses is to establish a 100 percent plant-based product portfolio by the end of the year, while its current standing includes over 40 different meat alternatives.
How will Vivera’s inclusion into mainstream supermarket trends launch more interest in plant-based meat alternatives in other avenues of culinary exploration? Will this further shape the mealtime landscape as consumers look for healthier ways to eat well? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated with the latest.