ARLINGTON, VA - New formats with a greater focus on fresh look to be a rising trend in retail, with Aldi being the latest to unveil a new interior. The german-based discount chain has launched a new format in Richmond, Virginia, offering a boost to its produce department among other changeups.
Fruit, salad greens, and vegetables are offered in an expanded fresh produce section, as well as premade dips and soups, according to news source Business Insider, with large digital displays and lit signs promising quality and freshness.
Additional changes include:
- Refrigerators lining the store
- Electronic displays on the walls
- Permanent eye-level shelving fixtures
- Wider, more spacious aisles
While the exterior is much the same, inside the news source reports a clear focus on fruits and vegetables. Stores contain a large refrigerated section devoted to produce, and a spotlight making the fresh produce department a central focus.
The chain continues to sell the majority of produce in bulk packaging, and looks to be on a track for further growth in the U.S.
As we recently reported, the traditionally low-cost retailer has expressed interest in wealthier, suburban areas, and has also recently looked to more locations in the Texas market. Already with 1,500 U.S. stores, Aldi wants to add significantly to that number in the next couple of years.
Will this new, produce-fueled strategy soon spread with that growth? AndNowUKnow will report as the story develops further.
SALINAS, CA - Josie’s Organics’ was among the projects that won accolades for full service marketing agency Moxxy at the 2016 Summit Creative Awards competition.
The agency’s Wordplay campaign for grower-shipper Braga Fresh Family Farms took Silver for the B-to-B Campaign category, while its beautifully designed and strategically developed website for Smith Family Wines snagged Bronze in the Consumer Product Website category.
“Since Josie’s Organics had only been on the market for a few years, with Wordplay our goal was to create a campaign that transitioned from introducing the brand to building awareness of their extensive product line, as well as encouraging affinity for the brand,” said Karen Nardozza, Principal at Moxxy. “By making the ad campaign lighthearted and memorable, we were able to more effectively tell the Braga story of three generations of family farming, vertically integrated operations, and premium organic products, and still be unique and genuine.”
The Wordplay campaign consisted of a series of inventive print and digital ads, according to a press release, focusing on seven products from Josie’s Organics premium line of vegetables.
Headlines included:
- Simply Dillicious
- Tap Into Caulipower
- Let’s Celerybrate
- Hopeless Romaintic
The integrated campaign ran in a number of trade publications, with high quality photography and sophisticated graphic design the circulated for nearly a year.
In speaking on the Smith Family Wines website, Nardozza said, “Before creating the website, Moxxy first helped develop an umbrella brand for the Smith’s multiple wine and vineyard companies. Prior, they didn’t have a straightforward, easy way to tell their story—and it’s a powerful story—so they needed a solid base from which to tell it. Creating the Smith Family Wines name and logo were the first steps, and designing the website was the critical next step.”
Nardozza explained that Moxxy developed the site to clearly explain its three wine brands—Alexander-Smith, Paraiso and Irie—as well as to entice visits to their Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards and two tasting rooms.
The Summit Creative Award, now in place for 22 years, brings together judges from around the globe to represent all sizes of firms and universities. This year brought entrants from over 20 countries.
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Produce has once again met the White House, this time with industry leader Cathy Burns meeting face to face with Barack Obama to speak on our nation’s plan for childhood obesity. Burns represented PMA on October 5 at a White House capstone event for Michelle Obama’s Let's Move! campaign, highlighting various programs, including eat brighter! and FNV.
"Marketing works, let's use it!” Burns told attendees of the presidential event. “As a mom with a teen and a tween at home, I'm alert to what they see. It's my job to be sure they grow up healthy, smart, and strong. We know marketing works. Let's be sure we're using those tools to shape children's desire for fresh produce."
So, how can you help Burns and the White House continue the fight towards healthy eating and against childhood obesity? In an email to PMA attendees, Bryan Silbermann outlined the following tips for suppliers and retailers:
- Suppliers—Encourage your retail partners to join and place your healthy eat brighter!-branded products in their stores
- Retailers—Encourage your suppliers to join and send eat brighter!-labeled products to you. Consult the list of suppliers that are already in the movement and/or talk with your wholesalers about sourcing eat brighter! products.
“Marketing works and so do supply chain partnerships. Cathy and I are proud of what you, our members, have done to advance these programs. But we are not finished,” Silbermann urged in his email. “I call on you to do even more. Marketing efforts can influence our kids in ways that build their bodies, their minds, and their futures. And when they and their families eat more produce, you sell more produce. Join the eat brighter! movement today and let's build more consumers for life.”
To learn more about what you can do to help push produce, visit PMA’s webpage for the eat brighter! campaign, and stay tuned for more news on the intersection of produce and politics.
BOISE, ID - Winco has joined the small format revolution, it seems, revealing a new 40,000-sq.-ft. store in Keizer, Oregon. With full produce, meat, and bulk foods department, this format designed for special markets revives the retailers original “Waremart" banner name.
“We’re bringing the Waremart name back for this special store,” explained a WinCo Foods spokesperson in a press release. “WinCo just recently closed on the purchase of the property and will commence construction just as soon as they have permits in hand to remodel the store.”
In addition to its full departments shrunken down to fit the new format, the Waremart by WinCo store will also focus on a variety of organic, gluten-free, and natural foods items. When complete, Winco says the new store will employ approximately 75-80 individuals, and will be open daily from approximately 6 am to 11 pm.
According to a report by the Statesman Journal, the land the store will be on has seen ownership by several different retailers after Haggen tried its hand there in 2015. The now bankrupt grocer purchased this property and others following the merger between Safeway and Albertsons. That Haggen location shuttered within months, the report states.
“WinCo Foods has long been looking to open in the Keizer area,” added the WinCo Foods spokesperson in a press release. “We’ve heard the voices of Keizer residents and are happy to bring a unique store to the Keizer market. Our employee-owners look forward to serving our customers in this new location. We also want to thank the people of Keizer, who have been so patient as we work through to complete the project.”
Founded as Waremart in Boise, Idaho in 1967, WinCo Foods changed its name in 1999 to reflect the employee ownership aspect of the company, but retained the rights to the Waremart name. This will be a revival of that original banner.
ROSEMONT, IL - US Foods Holding Corp. is looking to restructure on a corporate level at its headquarters.
“This is a continuation of work we did before our IPO… and something we believe will further support our long-term growth,” a US Foods spokeswoman said, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The purpose of the restructuring, according to the news source, is to trim costs. Earlier this year the foodservice distributor hired a “Vice President of continuing improvement” to make its distribution facilities leaner and more efficient. Additional moves could include cutting back hundreds of jobs, with WSJ having reported that US Foods told employees Thursday that it plans to cut jobs in corporate roles like accounting, IT services, and human relations over the next 12 to 18 months.
Currently, US Foods employs upwards of 25,000 people across the U.S., operates 62 distribution centers, and reports about $23 billion in sales annually.
This is the latest in a series of strategic moves from the distributor, who recently acquired New York-based Italian specialty distributor Jeraci Foods to bolster its portfolio and in May acquired fresh fruit and vegetable processor, repacker, and distributor Freshway Foods. It also holds the title for one of the largest IPOs of the year, $1.02 billion, at the beginning of last summer.
AndNowUKnow will continue to report on this and other moves in foodservice strategy as details emerge.
ORLANDO, FL - This year’s PMA Fresh Summit went off without a hitch, with record attendance, a buying community in force, and products to raise the bar in how we define flavor and produce innovation. Each year, for the past five that I have called this industry home, I have been constantly delighted and thrilled by how much the produce possibilities continue to evolve; from show-to-show, season-to-season.
As I walked the show floor this year, I took in the sights and sounds, flavors and trends, conversations and stories, of an industry that compares to no other. So what stood out to me in 2016? Here are a few of the many items, that caught my eye in Orlando, Florida.
Sun Pacific Mighties®
The first time I had a piece of kiwifruit, my mother told me to eat the peel. It has been one of my favorite fruits since then. I love a dynamic produce item; one that is flavorful and complex, convenient and colorful, nutrition-packed and in this case…fuzzy. What Sun Pacific has done with its Mighties campaign is introduced pure joy and fun into the produce department by bringing kiwifruit into the consumer fold. With vibrant, high-graphic merchandising support, and an on-trend product that is growing across the consumer palate, I can’t wait to see what this company will be bring to the category next.
SUNSET® Dill It Yourself™ Pickle Kits
When SUNSET® says that this is not your typical pickle, the team means it. With pickling trends skyrocketing at both retail and food service, its easy to see why this company created a product like this as it continues to bring value to the retailer. I grew up on pickled everything with my Japanese background, and this pickling kit calls not only to my current flavor preferences, but to my childhood as well. With a mix of nostalgia and a desire for amazingly flavorful produce options, I chose the kit to accompany this list. Consumers are presented with a pail of mini cucumbers and a perfectly portioned spice packet. Simply slice the cucumbers, add water and vinegar, stir in the spice packet, and refrigerate overnight. My kind of product!
Braga Fresh’s Josie’s Organics Sweet Kale Chopped Salad and Asian Chopped Salad
Yes please! Convenience is a theme here at AndNowUKnow. We are constantly looking for those items that build the trends we see in the value-added category and I believe that Braga Fresh has hit the mark. The company recently debuted its new Organic Chopped Salads under the Josie’s Organics brand and with the growth in organics, I can only see the popularity rising. What I really like about these items is the way they build flavor. The company’s Organic Sweet Kale Chopped Salad brings together dried cranberries, roasted pumpkin seeds, and poppy seed dressing, combined with kale, broccoli, green cabbage, and radicchio, while the Organic Asian Chopped Salad combines wonton strips, sliced almonds, and sesame dressing along with green onions, cilantro, celery, carrots, and green cabbage. Definitely adding these to my consumer basket.
Monterey Mushroom’s Portabella Porter
The first time I tried this libation, I was walking the floor at PMA Foodservice in Monterey. After trying it out, my only complaint was that the glass was not nearly big enough. This creation by Chris Thomsen, a spawn maker and mushroom grower for the company, is infused with Portabella mushrooms, and has a smooth delivery, with a subtle earthy, and sweet, finish. Just like the end of a show Should be. Lucky for those who attended Fresh Summit, Monterey Mushrooms brought out the treat again and quenched the thirst of many an attendee. My request now for Monterey Mushrooms…make it for mass market consumption, please! I would be a loyal customer.
Yerecic’s FlagTag! Label
Packaging should be an experience, at least I think so. The new FlagTag! label construction duo, is just that. This innovation seeks to add value tailored to the demands and desire of the customer, whether a company wants to add height to an item on the store shelf, or a pop of color on a clamshell, the FlagTag! Enhances a product to promote impulse purchases. Essentially it will “flag” you down, and then deliver added-value by showcasing dinner inspirations on the label, or highlighting low-price promotions. A win-win? I think so.
Walking the show floor from end-to-end is a great reminder of how our industry drives and answers trends and demand. Cheers, to PMA and the all that gathered in Orlando, on another amazing show!
Sun Pacific SUNSET® Braga Fresh Monterey Mushrooms Yerecic Label
WENATCHEE, WA – Fall and winter are the perfect time for retailers to keep their market share of organic apples with new and exciting promotion opportunities. This year, Stemilt Growers is supporting its retailer partners with its Artisan Organics™ program to drive sales in the category.
“The organic apple crop in Washington State is very high quality this year, with high-colored fruit and slightly larger-than-normal sizing that lends well to bulk promotions,” said Marketing Director Roger Pepperl. “This time of year is historically a time when local apples are merchandised and organics can take a backseat since they aren’t readily available in all regions. However, now is not the time to ignore one of the fastest growing items in produce—organics. Organics are growing rapidly—especially in the produce department—and the fall and winter is the ideal time to promote organic apples with the same vigor and excitement as conventional apples.”
Along with the incredible evolution of organics, retailers are also continuing to celebrate October’s National Apple Month and are preparing for big holiday promotions around apples.
Pepperl says that keeping the gas pedal down on organic apple promotions is a must to help the category grow. He adds that the key in organic marketing success is in lining up the 4P’s of marketing—product, price, promotion, and placement.
This year, Stemilt’s Artisan Organics™ program has grown to include a new Fresh Blenders™ 4 lb pouch bag of organic apples, as well as a full line-up of organic offerings in its popular Lil Snappers™ kid-sized fruit pouch bags.
“Fresh Blenders and Lil Snappers market intended usage to consumers right at the point of sale, making for easy in-and-out promotions that work. Fresh Blenders brings a value offering to the organic category, especially when featuring a variety like Red Delicious, which is high in antioxidants and the best juicing apple around. Lil Snappers™ come in 3 lb pouch bags to keep the organic apple purchase size high. They are only available in flavors that kids love, which makes parents happy along with the convenience the product provides them with,” said Pepperl.
Stemilt recommends using its new “There’s An Apple For That” display bins to merchandise bulk organic apples. The bin calls attention to apples and promotes the website, appleforthat.stemilt.com, which educates consumers on what the best apple is to use when making their favorite recipes and dishes.
“It’s a great program to highlight apples—including organic apples—as we near the holiday season,” Pepperl said. “It’s a fun promotion that we support digitally as well in order to help retailers inspire consumers and give them new ideas for using the many apple varieties available today.”
Looking for some numbers to satiate your organic growth curiosity? According to the Organic Trade Association and Nielsen Fresh Facts scan data, more than half of households in the U.S. purchase organic produce. On top of that, in 2016 organic produce grew by 16.4% in dollar sales when compared to the year prior. The 2015-16 organic apple crop was down in volume from normal, but increased 6.2% in dollars over the year prior, making up nearly 10% of the total apple category dollar sales, and 7% of the volume sold.
So what varieties rose to the top? The fastest growing organic apple varieties last season were: Fuji, Honeycrisp, Gala, and Pink Lady®, which highlights the fact the organic shoppers are not only willing to pay a premium for organic, but also for new, flavor-forward varieties, according to a press release.
“Organic apples are an important part of the overall apple category, and need to be promoted regularly between now and June. We encourage retailers to include organic produce in every weekly ad, and apples should be a big focus in those ads since they are in season and incredible in quality this year,” Pepperl added.
Stemilt has been growing apples organically since 1989 in Washington State, which offers an arid climate. Little precipitation results in cleaner, higher color organic fruit, the company adds. Nearly 30% of Stemilt’s apple crop is grown and certified organic, with a focus on the varietals that consumers demand, including Honeycrisp, Pinata®, Pink Lady® to name just a few.
“With Stemilt’s diverse offering of consumer favorite organic apple varieties, and packages and merchandising programs that are proven to work, we can help you make every promotion a success and grow your organic apple category,” said Pepperl.
As Stemilt helps to evolve both the consumer basket and their palates, stay tuned for more on the company’s organic growth.
LEAMINGTON, ON - It always makes AndNowUKnow warm and fuzzy when a produce brand receives creative accolades outside of the industry. That’s why the Gold and Bronze awards that Orangeline Farms received for its Zing! Healthy Foods™ brand website and packaging, respectively, at the Summit Creative Awards (SCA), makes us proud.
"When we first set out to create a website we felt it was necessary to achieve something unique, offbeat from our competitors. Not just an island of information amidst the sea of internet pages. We had fun creating it and it shows in the final design," says Jordan Kniaziew VP, Sales and Marketing for Zing! Healthy Foods, according to a press release.
Out of 5000+ entries from 21 countries across 5 continents, the Zing! Healthy Foods website won the Gold award. The website takes you from a virtual tour down memory lane on a vintage beach cruiser bike, which are currently used on the farm, to the energizing health benefits the farm fresh food offers. This website also breaks convention and takes advantage of a live Instagram feed. Check it out online at www.ZingHealthyfoods.com or access by searching @ZingHealthyFoods on Instagram.
The companion Bronze trophy was awarded in consumer packaging for its Amazing Chef Sampler. This convenient package contains a unique mix of shepherd, bell, and mini peppers, ranging visually from yellow, orange, red, brown and even purple peppers.
"It’s a rich diverse pack that doesn’t take over your fridge’s crisper had you bought these individually.” says Jordan. "The chef sampler will refresh your taste buds with its menu of colors and you’ll delight in preparing an array of dishes that would impress any chef or foodie alike. It’s a true testament to our hard work and the achievements we have been working towards."
This year SCA recognized and honored various companies for creative endeavours in 20 major categories. The awards were subject to blind judging by industry professionals, with expectations on strong creative and an amazing user experience, alongside the ability to persuade and communicate visually. Zing! Healthy foods did just that.
Congratulations to Zing! Healthy Foods from all of us at AndNowUKnow!
NEW YORK, NY - There are few rare days that I get to go into work knowing I get to write about Beyoncé, and much to my personal delight, today was one of those days. The songstress and entrepreneur is doubling down on her now well-known partnership with WTRMLN WTR, introducing a new product dubbed LMNADE.
When Beyoncé released her visual album “Lemonade” at the end of April, consumers were bombarded by a slew of reviews, articles, and gossip, but they were also bombarded by thirst. Now, WTRMLN WTR is using this buzz to provide the company’s first foray outside its flagship product, combining the freshness of cold-pressed watermelon with organic lemon juice.
“I invested in WTRMLN WTR because it’s the future of clean, natural hydration; as partners, we share a simple mission to deliver accessible wellness to the world,” said Beyoncé upon revealing her investment in the company as part of her recent mission to take on the health and wellness sector. “This is more than an investment in a brand, it’s an investment in female leaders, fitness, American farmers, and the health of people and our planet.”
According to a press release, WTRMLN LMNADE touts the same functional benefits and clean nutritional label as its original product, using only three ingredients—watermelon flesh, watermelon rind, and organic lemon. The watermelons pressed to make the company’s products come from family-owned U.S. farms, and are primarily made from watermelons that would otherwise become food waste.
I don’t know about ya’ll, but I very much look forward to cozying up with my Beyoncé iTunes library and drinking a LMNADE, all the while combatting food waste.
BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart is looking to take on its grocery rivals in a big way, with the potential to cause a pretty substantial shakeup in the industry, according to a report from UBS analyst Michael Lasser. With the company initiating price cuts on thousands of items, particularly in the area of grocery, the firm's research has found that this may result in billions in losses to adversaries like Target.
Lasser's report has shown the price cuts may cost Target, Dollar General, and Family Dollar up to $35 billion in business. And retailers are responding. Fortune reports that Dollar General revealed earlier in the summer that it would take 10 percent off prices for hundreds of its grocery staples, and Target told the news source that it was “re-emphasizing its low prices” in it’s marketing programs.
Lasser’s report marks Target at a particular risk, citing its potential losses at up to $21.5 billion and 6 percent of its earnings per share. He says that 71 percent of Target locations are within a 10-minute drive of a Walmart Supercenter, and 90 percent are within a 20-minute drive, putting them head to head in nearly every market. And with Target focusing massive efforts into revamping its struggling grocery business, Walmart targeting grocery for its cuts makes the move especially challenging.
For discount retailer Dollar General, 81 percent of its locations are within a 20-minute drive from a Walmart. Fortune reports that whereas Dollar General was a big beneficiary of Walmart’s struggle to maintain market share during the great recession, these cuts could mean a reversal of roles. In total, Lasser suggests that Dollar General could lose $9 billion, and a 5 percent drop in its earnings per share.
Big players won't be the only retailers to see issues stemming from the cuts either. “We think Walmart’s price investments could lead to some weaker players getting squeezed out of markets, which in turn should give it more power with its suppliers,” Lasser and UBS’s research reads.
Its too early to tell exactly how soon we’ll see these effects take place, or if they will ever, but AndNowUKnow will continue to keep our ear to the ground.