SALISBURY, NC – There’s a host of new possibilities on the horizon for Food Lion, with a new remodel looking to lead the company’s latest strategy. The retailer has announced that 93 stores in the Greensboro, North Carolina market will undergo significant changes throughout the year.
"We're proud to have been a part of the greater Greensboro community since 1968, and are excited to bring our newest format to this market," said Food Lion President Meg Ham. "We look forward to making significant investments in our stores, our customers, our associates, and our communities to offer a new grocery shopping experience. We want to ensure our customers can easily find fresh, quality products to nourish their families at affordable prices every day, delivered with caring, friendly service every time they shop."
This strategic move was undertaken in efforts to make shopping easier and more affordable for Food Lion customers. According to a press release, the company will make a $178 million investment into the remodels.
The remodels will boast a fresh and new layout designed to make stores easier to navigate, boosting the convenience factor of shoppers. Food Lion will also expand the variety of its products in each store to feature more local products, natural and organic selections, and healthier snacks. Greensboro is the fifth market to receive a remodel by the chain.
As part of its “Easy, Fresh and Affordable… You Can Count on Food Lion Every Day!” strategy, the company has already brought some enhancements to stores within the Greensboro region which included product expansions, new registers, price investments, and enhanced service. Food Lion stated that as part of the remodel, the chain will be making additional price investments throughout the year, in addition to investments in associates and their community through Food Lion Feeds.
The stores will be updated and completed on a rolling basis between March and August 2017. A full list of the locations to be updated is available for download here. The company also stated that it will continue remodeling and enhancing its more than 1,000 stores throughout the year, as well as investing in other markets over time.
So far, Food Lion has completed updates to 142 stores in Charlotte, NC, 162 in Raleigh, NC, and 76 stores in the greater Wilmington and Greenville, NC markets.
With retailers continuing to put an extended focus on fresh with their store layouts, AndNowUKnow will have all the latest as new formats unfold.
SANTA PAULA, CA – Extending its prodigious footprint even further throughout the globe, Limoneira Company has just completed the strategic acquisition of Chile-based Pan de Azucar S.A. (PDA).
"With its favorable climate for citrus, PDA's productive orchards and strong relationship with Rosales was a perfect fit for our international expansion plans. Our acquisition of PDA is consistent with our long-term strategy to expand our agribusiness internationally as a global, year-round supplier of lemons complementing our One World Of Citrus™ strategy,” stated Harold Edwards, President and CEO of Limoneira. “We expect the acquisition to be immediately accretive and will benefit our business by owning more productive acreage and increasing our ownership in Rosales."
Through this purchase, Limoneira has acquired around 210 acres of lemon and orange orchards located near La Serena, Chile. According to a press release, this purchase has also provided Limoneira with an equity interest in Rosales, S.A., which packs, markets, and sells citrus in the same region as PDA.
"We are very excited about our expansion in Chile," said Alex Teague, Senior Vice President of Limoneira. "The majority of the orchards we acquired are young and just beginning to enter into its prime production time period. Our management team has a long-standing relationship with PDA, and we are excited they are now part of the Limoneira team. Along with expanding our participation in the growing global lemon business, this enables Limoneira to provide citrus on a year-round basis to our customers around the world and evaluate future potential investment opportunities in Chile's vast, productive agricultural properties."
Limoneira stated that it expects annual production increases from PDA’s orchards, because the majority of the trees are young and will increase yield as they mature. Rosales packs and sells all of PDA’s citrus production, and also partners with Limoneira’s One World of Citrus™ marketing team to sell its produce throughout Chile and the world.
The acquisition was completed on February 24, 2017, through Limoneira’s wholly owned subsidiary Limoneira Chile SpA. Limoneira acquired 90% of outstanding stock for PDA for around $5.8 million in cash. Limoneira will now own 48% of Rosales, and PDA’s 10% stockholder will own the remaining 52%.
PDA had approximately $450,000 of net income on around $1.9 million in sales for the year ending on December 31, 2016. PDA's operation results will be included in Limoneira’s consolidated results of operations from its acquisition date.
PDA also had approximately $1.7 million in long term debt, which was assumed in the transaction. The company stated that a holdback of 10% of the purchase proceeds to be paid to the seller were withheld for a six-month period to allow for potential contingencies. PDA's total assets of approximately $5.5 million on the acquisition date includes a 13% equity interest in Rosales in which the Company owns a 35% equity investment, which was acquired in 2014.
La Serena is in a coastal region of Chile, and serves as a major citrus and avocado growing area of the country.
As Limoneira and other companies look to extend their international reach, count on AndNowUKnow for the breaking news.
BENTONVILLE, AR – In what seems to be an effort to close the price gap between itself and German-based discounter Aldi, Walmart has begun to run new price-comparison testing in 1,200 U.S. stores—potentially spurring a price battle between the company and its rivals.
The company’s price test has been launched across 11 Midwest and Southeastern states—including important markets in Iowa, Illinois, and Florida—and focuses mainly on the stores’ grocery business, according to news source CNBC. Other markets include: Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Reuters has reported that spot checks of five cities throughout Iowa and Illinois showed Walmart is already working to lower prices in a bid to attract more shoppers.
According to CNBC, Walmart held a series of meetings last week with major suppliers like Procter & Gamble, Unilever, and Conagra Brands, in which the retailer reportedly requested a 15 percent reduction in cost. The news source’s vendor sources reported that Walmart expects suppliers to help the company in its effort to best rivals on head-to-head pricing on 80% of their offerings.
These efforts to combat competitors come at a time when another German-based discounter, Lidl, is set to make its first foray into the U.S. market this summer.
"Wal-Mart is trying to go back to where they were 10 years ago when they were absolutely the low-price leader," an anonymous representative of a large packaged food supplier reportedly told Reuters. "We understand they are willing to give up profits to a large extent in some cases, so they can invest in their own brand."
In the U.S., Aldi is still a small presence, with Lidl set to open its first store this summer. Aldi, with roughly 1,600 U.S. stores, accounts for only about 1.5 percent of the U.S. grocery market—but it is growing at 15 percent a year. Walmart currently controls roughly 22 percent of the market—but is growing at a much more staid rate—two percent this year, according to CNBC.
We previously reported on independent analysts’ take on Walmart price cuts in markets traditionally predominated by Kroger stores.
How is this heated price competition primed to shape the retail landscape in the next few years? AndNowUKnow will keep you up to date with developments as they occur.
LOS ANGELES, CA – Viewers in Southern California will be getting a special dose of fresh produce over the next few years, with the issues of the industry now brought to their homes through media. Fusion Marketing President Steven Muro has been named as agricultural specialist for KCET’s Community Advisory Board (CAB).
“When KCET approached me to serve on their advisory board, I was very honored as KCET provides such a wide array of programming covering important issues. I’m happy to utilize my expertise in agriculture to play an integral part of the planning and implementation of many KCET outreach programs,” said Muro.
As agricultural specialist for the station’s viewing area, and representative for the agricultural sector in KCET’s outreach programs, Muro will bring his decades of experience to the Southern California area. According to a press release, as a CAB member Muro will become the station’s eyes and ears of the community as he advises the KCET body on programming and policies that will meet the viewers’ needs.
CAB members serve a six-year term and meet quarterly. The members of this board represent a plethora of issues like community services, culture and arts, economy, health/medical services, aging/senior citizens, science/technology, youth, and education/schools in addition to agriculture.
Topics specific to agriculture broached by KCET include the following:
- Inside LA’s Vast Urban Agricultural Landscape
- The Changing Faces of California Agriculture
- Sustainable Agriculture
As President and Founder of President Marketing, Muro possesses a unique fresh produce background to bring to the role with his work with fresh produce suppliers, associations, and retailers. Fusion Marketing specializes in the fresh produce industry and providing customized marketing and sales solutions to various commissions and produce companies.
SACRAMENTO, CA - Storm after storm has brought just what Californians have been hoping for—some sweet relief from the drought. According to yesterday’s report from the U.S. Drought Monitor, just 17 percent of the state remains in conditions that the state considers a drought.
“Days of heavy precipitation continued to improve mountain snowpack, but created areas of flooding,” shared Richard Heim, author of this week’s Drought Monitor report and a meteorologist with NOAA/NCEI.
This comes not long after October’s report, when almost 84 percent of the state was still in drought. Thursday’s report now claims that no districts in California are classified as in “extreme drought” for the first time in four years. As reported by The Mercury News, every coastal county north of San Luis Obispo and all of the Central Valley and Sierra Nevada are completely drought-free. The only nine 58 counties that are suffering from drought are in Southern California—notably Ventura, Santa Barbara, and Imperial counties.
Reports on Thursday also highlighted that the Sierra snowpack, one of California’s key indicators of being able to store water once the rainy season dies down, was 188 percent of its historic average for the date. The snowpack is also at 154 percent of the much-watched April 1 average, and even more storms and snow are forecast for the upcoming weekend.
Legally, California still remains in a drought emergency that was declared by Gov. Jerry Brown in January 2014, The Orange County Register noted in its report. State officials predict Brown will wait until April, the typical end of the rainy season, to either alter or rescind that declaration.
Will these conditions remain even after the rainy season ends? Keep watching AndNowUKnow for the latest updates on California's ongoing battle.
SACRAMENTO, CA - As Michael Teel, Owner and CEO of Raley’s, continues to push healthy food choices, he has announced he will step down as President to further focus on the cause.
Teel stated he expects to focus "more on where we are going in the future and how we can realize our vision and purpose."
"I am committed to continuing to build on our strong culture, and to support the passion our people have to infuse life with health and happiness by changing the way our customers eat, one plate at a time," the executive commented in a prepared statement, according to the Sacramento Bee.
In his stead, the retailer’s Chief Operating Officer Keith Knopf has been named as the new President. Additionally, the company’s Senior VP of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Mark Foley, was promoted to Chief People Officer.
Knopf, who joined the team just after Teel acquired majority ownership of Raley's in 2015, steps in to lead a chain of about 5,600 workers and 121 stores under four brands:
- Raley's
- Bel Air Markets
- Nob Hill Foods
- Food Source
With $3.1 billion in annual revenue, the report noted that the retailer is the California capital’s fourth-largest private company and the fifth-largest private-sector employer in the region.
As the company’s Owner and CEO looks to further promote healthy foods, what strategies might this latest move yield for produce in the retail sector? AndNowUKnow will keep you updated on all the latest.
PLANT CITY, FL – Wish Farms has partnered with the Florida Strawberry Growers Association to raise more than $100,000 for the Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) at the association’s Strawberry Picking Challenge.
The day-long event featured amateur and professional picking challenges, and included a charity-u-pick event, a strawberry shortcake eating contest, festive activities and games, an appearance by the Florida Strawberry Festival Queen and Court, and performances by singing group N.R.G.
“This has been our best year yet,” said Gary Wishnatzki, Owner of Wish Farms. “The weather was gorgeous and the competition was exciting. We hope that we were able to recognize and bring awareness to our dedicated field workers and farmers, as well as the tremendous support that RCMA gives to the farm worker community.”
The strawberry fundraiser featured 20 teams, each sponsored by a different corporation, competing in an relay-style strawberry picking race. Sponsors include International Paper, Publix, Farm Credit of Central Florida, Amalie Oil, and ATP. Strawberry growers from throughout the state motivated and coached competitors through the challenge.
The Temp Labor team coached by Hector Cruz Jr. was ultimately crowned 2017’s “Best Harvest Crew” and received the Strawberry Joe Trophy.
In addition to the amateur picking challenge, local strawberry growers participated in a professional picking competition. Misael Bautista of Fancy Farms received the highest judge’s score for speed and quality and won a cash prize of $300.
All proceeds from the Strawberry Picking Challenge will benefit the RCMA, a nonprofit that operates childcare centers and charter schools for Florida’s rural poor—particularly the children of farm workers.
Wish Farms is a long-time supporter of RCMA; since the Strawberry Picking Challenge began in 2014, the event has contributed $250,000 to the children of RCMA.
For more on produce companies making a difference and giving back to their local communities, check in with us at AndNowUKnow.
CALIFORNIA - Powerful storms early this week resulted in flooding, localized damage to the state’s water infrastructure, and evacuation orders.
Roughly 500 residents of California’s Central Valley were forced to evacuate Monday night, as floodwaters breached the levee along the San Joaquin river, according to CNN.
The breach occurred near the town of Manteca, in San Joaquin County, and an evacuation order was issued around 7:30 p.m. Monday evening. By 8:45, crews had stopped the breach, but evacuation orders for many residents in the important ranching and farming region reportedly remained in place well into the week.
According to ABC News, storms resulted in mandatory evacuations in Lake and Monterey County—where some Salinas residents had to be evacuated by boat—as well as voluntary evacuations in Sacramento County.
In a dramatic turn of events, several thousand residents of rural Spring Valley were trapped after storm waters and mudslides washed away the community's two entrance roads.
This week’s storm is the latest in a series of storms that have hit California over the Winter—providing much-needed water to the parched state but also causing damage and overflowing reservoirs.
For more on the effects of the storms on this important growing region, check in with AndNowUKnow.
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN – Dollar General is making good on its promise to significantly expand in 2017. In what will make it the company’s 16th distribution center, the retailer has announced plans to build a new facility in Amsterdam, New York.
"Dollar General is excited to add another state-of-the-art and highly-efficient distribution center to support our growing store network in both New York and throughout the northeast," said Todd Vasos, CEO. "It's very exciting to move forward on a project that will create more than 400 jobs in Montgomery County. I am grateful for our continued partnership and support on this project from New York Governor Andrew Cuomo, New York's Empire State Development, and local leadership in Montgomery County."
The 750,000-square-foot distribution center will service roughly 800 stores in the Dollar General chain throughout the Northeastern states, according to a press release. The company chose Amsterdam for the facility’s location due to its proximity to the region's Dollar General stores, local business environment, workforce quality in the area, and local and state incentives.
To exact its plans, Dollar General purchased 103 acres of land from the Montgomery County Industrial Development Agency for $1.545 million. The new facility will cost a reported $91 million, according to the Albany Business Review.
The project is estimated to begin later this spring with a completion date of fall 2018. The facility itself will bring a predicted 430 jobs to the region, in addition to the 200 construction jobs the project will require.
This distribution center falls in line with the retailer’s last headlining announcement that the chain would be adding 10,000 workers to its forces throughout 2017. With further strategies in store, Dollar General is also testing a new small format store this year which will feature fresh groceries.
Which retailer will invest in the U.S. consumer next with big distribution plans? AndNowUKnow will keep you up-to-date with all the latest.
IDAHO FALLS, ID - Kent Romrell, one of the original founders and former Senior Vice President of Sales at Potandon Produce LLC has passed away at the age of 70. Survived by his wife Deon, four children, and several grandchildren, Kent had succumbed to an inoperable brain tumor which he had been undergoing treatment for since August 26th, 2016.
Kent dedicated more than 30 years of his life to the fresh produce industry, retiring from Potandon Produce in March 2013. Throughout those three decades in the potato and onion industry, his career has been interwoven with many companies and many lives.
Kent began his produce career in 1983, joining the R.T. French Company, and later with Pillsbury Foods after its buyout in 1985. In 1995, Kent, with the aid of fellow Pillsbury management Jeff Sholl, Mel Davenport, and Steve Ottum, formed Potandon Produce following a buyout of the company’s fresh potato and onion division.
"There are some people you meet, as you go through your career, who are bigger than life. Kent was one of those people,” Jeff Sholl, Managing Partner Potandon LLC, shared about his longtime cohort. “Kent was a true character, and his passing makes the world a poorer place. We all have lost true friend and important colleague. Kent left his stamp on Potandon and his many contributions and lasting legacy will not be forgot. Kent will be missed.”
As one of the founding partners of Potandon Produce LLC, Kent led the sales department until his retirement, according to a press release. The company stated he was an integral part in guiding Potandon on the path that would see it grow to be one of the largest marketer of fresh potatoes in the U.S, as well as helped introduce many new potato varieties into the marketplace. His guidance and forward thinking made an impact on the fresh potato industry that will not be forgotten.
“I’m going to sorely miss Kent and his passing leaves a huge hole in my life,” Dick Thomas, Potandon’s current Senior Vice President of Sales said of Kent’s passing. “He taught me the fresh potato business over the 23 years we worked together. Whether it was business, personal, or on the golf course, Kent was always there for me.”
Mel Davenport, CEO of Potandon also shared his thoughts on the CoFounder’s passing, “Kent was a terrific friend and partner. He was one of a group that established Potandon as an innovative and leading produce company. He will be truly missed.”
Steve Ottum, Potandon’s President added, "If it were not for Kent, Potandon would not be where it is today. But more importantly he was a great partner, friend, and one of the most caring people I have ever known. And oh my how he loved golf. He would teach you little things about golf, even while he was taking your money! He will be missed. On behalf of the Potandon employees and owners our thoughts and prayers are with Kent's entire family."
“Kent’s contributions to the produce industry are too numerous to count, and the impact he had on my life, both professionally and personally, cannot be expressed with words. He lived his life to the fullest and he will never be forgotten,” remarked Ralph Schwartz, Vice President of Sales.
As of the time of the company’s notice, arrangements had not been yet been announced.
The AndNowUKnow staff would like to offer our sincere condolences to Kent’s friends and family during this difficult time.