CITY OF COMMERCE, CA - 99 Cents Only Stores has named Andrew Giancamilli, Chairman of the Board, as the company’s Interim President & CEO following the resignation of Stéphane Gonthier. The reason behind Gonthier’s departure was not announced.
“We would like to thank Stéphane for his service. He has been instrumental in leading 99 Cents Only Stores through a transformative period of dynamic change,” said David Kaplan, a Board of Directors member and Co-Founder and Senior Partner of Ares Management.
Gonthier was named President and CEO of 99 Cents Only Stores in September 2013, and formerly served as the COO of Dollerama, Inc. Under his guidance, 99 Cents Only Stores opened a record 40 net new stores during its fiscal 2015 year and completed a major store remodeling program under its “Go Taller” initiative. The “Go Taller” initiative raised the height of shelving across the chain to “create a dramatic canvas for visual merchandising,” according to a press release.
Fresh produce has proven to be a key sales driver for 99 Cents Only Stores, as previously seen in its Q1 2014 report, but only time will tell whether Giancamilli will bring a renewed focus on the category. As we previously reported, our local 99 Cents Only store sold items from companies including Tanimura & Antle, Taylor Farms, Freska, Well-Pict, and more. For now, however, Giancamilli suggests that store operations will proceed as usual.
Giancamilli, who brings more than 30 years of experience in leading large retail businesses to the brand, said in a press release, “Our plan during this time is to continue business as usual while we work to execute on the company’s growth strategies as one of the leading extreme value retailers in the country.”
In 99 Cents Only Stores’ most recent Q4 2015 financial report, net sales increased $6.9 million to $512.6 million, compared to $505.7 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2014. During the fourth quarter, the company opened 21 net new stores, coming to a total of 383 stores.
CHICAGO, IL - With United Fresh just two short weeks away, and a busy itinerary lined up, a short list of a few must-see spots can go a long way. That’s where we come in. From the typical recommendations to the actual inside experience, AndNowUKnow is here to give you a lineup of what you don’t want to miss while in the Windy City.
Experience the Untitled Supper Club
When you’re this chill, you don’t need a title. With a classic appearance, dinner, drinks, and live shows you can have some of Chicago’s best experiences in one spot. And if you stop in on the last night of United Fresh, June 10th, you can catch a live jazz performance by local up-and-coming artist Alyssa Allgood.
Stroll through Eataly
When it comes to the Italian cuisine Chicago is famous for, this array of cuisine and market experiences is a one stop shop. You can dine in the cafe and experience the flavors that Founder Oscar Farinetti and Creatve Partner Mario Batali intended, or shop in the market that presents what Eataly calls the “agricultural act” of eating Italian, something they feel everyone has a right to. This place is such that they are opening a "Disneyland of food" in Italy, and you can have a taste while in the Windy City.
Stop by Millennium Park
It shows up on every Chicago list for a reason, and not just because it’s fun to see your reflection in The Bean. Millennium Park offers events like shows, movie viewings, and cultural displays. If you arrive the day before United Fresh begins on June 7th, you can experience free tours of the Lurie Gardens, or listen to the “Downtown Sound” on June 8th featuring local musical artists Andrew Belle and the Birds of Chicago.
But yes, definitely stop by and snap a picture of yourself and those with you reflected in The Bean.
Eat at The Purple Pig
On the Magnificent Mile, this is a delicious spot to take in some Chicago culture and maybe have a glass of wine. The product of four chefs’ collaboration, your palate will hardly know what to do except just absorb.
Grab a drink (or five) at the Tavern On Rush
Yes, it’s on Rush Street. And it’s a good thing they put the location in the name, in case the drinks are a little too tasty for the patrons who need to remember where to have themselves picked up. Try it, we won’t judge you.
Now there are other popular places definitely worth stopping by, like the Navy Pier or Willis Tower, but we know you’re going to be short on time. Hopefully you make time for these notable locations we listed above. You will probably see one of our team members there.
CALIFORNIA - As El Niño continues to develop, many weather organizations have been debating what the strength of this year’s conditions will be. But one thing forecasters can agree upon is that extra rain, while it will not alleviate the drought conditions, would be more than welcome in the Golden State.
As we’ve previously reported, El Niño is a warming of a certain patch of the central Pacific that changes weather patterns worldwide, associated with flooding in some places, droughts elsewhere, a generally warmer globe, and fewer Atlantic hurricanes.
A CNBC analysis of annual California rainfall over the past 60 years shows a significantly wetter rain season that averages up to five extra inches of rain during “moderate” to “very strong” El Nino events. CNBC reports that the six wettest years on record for the last 50 years in California followed at least a moderate El Niño recording. The likelihood that the United States will experience an El Niño through summer is now 90 percent, according to the Climate Prediction Center.
As severe as California's drought has become, a strengthening El Niño season could mean that showers are on the way, bringing some much needed moisture to California. The issue is that El Niño may cause some problems of its own.
Mainly, due to California being a mountainous state, it is more susceptible to landslides than places like Texas and Oklahoma. CNBC reports that in 1982, more than 30 people died when 18,000 landslides ripped through the San Francisco region, destroying more than 7,000 homes and businesses and causing nearly $1 billion in inflation-adjusted damage. This again occurred in 1998, causing $200 million in damage, according to some estimates. Both years presented particularly strong events—the only two in history to be categorized as "very strong," which means ocean temperatures were at least 2°C above average.
While those 5 extra inches will be a welcome sight to our California soil, we may be seeing those unpleasant aspects of El Niño as well. Stay tuned as we keep you updated on this developing weather pattern.
TEFEN, ISRAEL - StePac has announced it has been acquired by Johnson Matthey Plc, a company providing sustainable technologies. The company says the transaction, which includes all assets of StePac, is an important step in the development of Johnson Matthey’s Atmosphere Control Technologies business.
"Under the umbrella of Johnson Matthey, we expect to make major advances in modified atmosphere packaging technology that will bring unparalleled added value to the fresh produce industry,” said StePac’s General Manager Asaf Shachnai. “This represents a springboard for further development of StePac and we look forward to undertaking this challenge and serving our customers with even better packaging products that offer more benefits."
According to a press release, StePac is a provider of modified atmosphere packaging, which works closely with growers and distributors of fresh produce to develop, manufacture, and supply application-specific products. Atmosphere control technologies for shelf life extension in the fresh produce supply chain is one of Johnson Matthey’s new business areas, and the company believes this is an attractive market for the development of advanced packaging solutions that can prolong shelf life and thereby reduce food waste.
Robert MacLeod, Chief Executive of Johnson Matthey, said, "The acquisition of StePac is an important step in the development of our Atmosphere Control Technologies business. The combination of Johnson Matthey’s expertise in advanced materials and StePac’s complementary technical and applications knowledge will enable us to develop new, sustainable technologies for customers in the fresh produce supply chain that prolong shelf life and reduce waste."
StePac is also bringing an established network of relationships across the fresh produce supply chain which will inform future technology and product development. These provide a strong platform of complementary technical skills and market access to enable Johnson Matthey to accelerate the selection, development and commercialization of new technologies.
SCHILLER PARK, IL - Sun Belle Inc. has added Bob Hylka and Jan McDaniels, two senior produce specialists, to its sales and marketing team.
Bob Hylka, a former Produce Buyer at Jewel Food Stores, has joined Sun Belle’s sales office in Schiller Park, IL, where he will be responsible for handling national and Midwest retailers. Prior to joining Sun Belle, Hylka worked in a number of retail positions, including produce department manager and produce operations specialist, as well as store management and sales and merchandising management, according to a press release. He became a Produce Buyer at Jewel in 2011, and in 2013, joined Aldi as a Corporate Produce Manager.
“We welcome Bob’s breadth of retail produce experience, both at the corporate and store level,” said Janice Honigberg, Sun Belle’s Founder and President. “Bob brings to Sun Belle a deep understanding of the retail buyer’s viewpoint and needs which will help customers drive their produce sales.”
Jan McDaniels will oversee the company’s distribution facility near Los Angeles International Airport and handle West Coast and national sales.
For over 20 years, McDaniels has been involved in fresh produce sales and logistics, having worked with Gourmet Trading in Auckland, New Zealand and moving stateside in 1997. While at Gourmet Trading, McDaniels handled retail, club, and foodservice sales in the U.S. and Canada, with a focus on logistics and quality details to ensure successful sales of asparagus, blueberries, blackberries, and cherries, according to a press release. In 2011, she founded Fresh Girl Trading, which specialized in asparagus and blueberries.
“We are very pleased Jan has joined us, and know that her entrepreneurial experience and hands-on skills provide Sun Belle a very solid presence in West Coast markets, furthers Sun Belle’s product offerings, and strengthens Sun Belle’s commitment to quality, value, and service,” continued Honigberg.
Sun Belle currently operates four distribution centers in the United States – in Jessup, Maryland; Schiller Park, Illinois; Miami, Florida; and Los Angeles, California – and is a shipper of South American and North American blueberries, raspberries, red currants, and cranberries with customers in Europe, Asia, and North America.
UNITED STATES - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) released its forecast for the 2015 hurricane season, which officially starts on June 1st.
While it has been determined to be a light hurricane season, officials caution that this doesn’t necessarily mean an easy time for coastal locations like Louisiana or parts of Florida and Georgia, according to a press release.
“A below-normal season doesn’t mean we’re off the hook. As we’ve seen before, below-normal seasons can still produce catastrophic impacts to communities,” Kathryn Sullivan, Ph. D, Administrator for the NOAA, stated in the release.
The NOAA's reported predictions for the season include:
- A 70 percent likelihood of 6 to 11 “named storms,” meaning winds of 39 mph or higher
- The possibility of 3 to 6 of those storms forming hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher)
- A chance of 0 to 2 major hurricanes - category 3, 4 or 5 with winds of 111 mph or higher
While a below to normal season is predicted to be 70 percent likely at this point, the NOAA report also lists a 20 percent chance of a near-normal season, with a 10 percent chance of an above-normal season.
The chances of the hurricanes remaining minimal, officials stated, is due to our being in an El Niño year.
“The main factor expected to suppress the hurricane season this year is El Niño, which is already affecting wind and pressure patterns, and is forecast to last through the hurricane season,” Gerry Bell, Ph.D., the Lead Seasonal Hurricane Forecaster with NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, commented. “El Niño may also intensify as the season progresses, and is expected to have its greatest influence during the peak months of the season. We also expect sea surface temperatures in the tropical Atlantic to be close to normal, whereas warmer waters would have supported storm development.”
NOAA will reportedly issue an updated outlook for the Atlantic hurricane season before the peak portion of the season in early August. The end of the hurricane season comes to a close on the 30th of November.
ZAANDAM, NETHERLANDS - Ahold has released its Q1 2015 financial report, highlighting an increased market share in the U.S. for the third consecutive quarter.
Just in Q1, Ahold USA added 183 stores, bringing the total of U.S. locations to 704. The company says the next steps in growth for the U.S. is the rollout of Super KVI (Know-Value-Item) price drops and the continued launch of 75 new produce departments. As we’ve previously reported, Ahold and Delhaize have confirmed that they are currently in merger talks. Ahold shares jumped nearly 18 percent and Delhaize shares rose 15 percent following reports of a potential merger.
Discussing Ahold’s financial results, CEO Dick Boer commented, “We are encouraged by the positive momentum in our sales trend, with sales growth of 3.1% excluding gas and at constant exchange rates, despite the adverse timing of Easter. We have continued to respond to the changing needs of our customers, by making further price investments, increasing and improving our assortments, expanding our store network, introducing new formats and continuing to strengthen our leading online proposition.”
Total net sales for Ahold USA during the first quarter were over €7 billion ($7.6 billion), up 19.9 percent over last year. First quarter sales for all sectors of Ahold were €11.3 billion ($12.3 billion), up 14.9 percent.
Other highlights from the report include:
- Net income was €213 million, up €163 million compared with last year
- Underlying operating income was €390 million; €2 million lower than last year.
- Sales excluding gas up 3.1% at constant exchange rates.
- Sales in the Netherlands up 5.7 percent.
- Underlying operating margin of 3.5 percent.
Continue watching AndNowUKnow for all the latest industry financial news.
5/27/2016 9 a.m. PST - The story below includes the following correction: Golden Eagle Farm Group is owned by the Aquilini family of Vancouver, British Columbia, and not Munger Farms.
SALINAS, CA - Naturipe Farms partner Munger Farms has announced a joint venture agreement with Golden Eagle Farm Group, boosting the company’s market share in the Pacific Northwest and British Columbia.
“This addition will complement our current production from Naturipe Farms partner MBG Marketing’s, premier grower base in British Columbia, Washington and Oregon,” said Brian Bocock, Vice President of Product Management for Naturipe Farms. “This significantly boosts our market share in the Pacific Northwest and BC, allowing us to provide domestic and international customers a consistent supply of premium blueberries from this region."
Golden Eagle Farm Group is owned by the Aquilini family of Vancouver, British Columbia, who has several diverse farming operations and are significant growers of blueberries in British Columbia and Washington State, according to a press release.
“The joint venture with the Aquilini family will increase our acreage by 4000,” said David Munger, Co-CEO of Munger Farms. “The Canadian blueberry fields are in full production and the Washington operations will start limited production in 2016."
Munger continued that the decision to expand in this region reflects the company’s confidence in Naturipe Farms grower-owned business model, its market leadership, and the synergies amongst the Naturipe grower-owners.
WATSONVILLE, CA - California Giant Berry Farms has launched a new website with large format visuals and content designed to give each visitor a unique, personalized experience.
The new website features exclusive recipes, free e-books, sweepstakes, content opportunities, and more, aimed at meeting the demand for consumers who browse the web for food photography, recipes, and info with which they connect, according to a press release.
“Today, with social media and on-demand information at everyone’s fingertips, it’s critical for our marketing touchpoints to be colorful, inspirational, and emotional in order to become and remain present in the minds of consumers,” said Cindy Jewell, Vice President of Marketing.
The new website also allows the company’s marketing team to analyze visitor data – including product, content, and communication preferences – to continually update the website, as well as provide visitors with content that is custom-tailored to their exact preferences.
“We are most proud of the many ways that we are now able to connect with consumers on their terms, from detailed, helpful recipes with compelling photography at calgiant.com to our daily conversations with them on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram,” continued Jewell.
The company’s trade website has also been revamped, and members of the trade can subscribe to The Buzz e-newsletter via the site.
Be sure to check out the new and improved California Giant Berry Farms website by clicking below.
TULSA, OK AND BRADENTON, FL - Aldi is increasing its reach with two expansion plans for the near future. Aldi is opening a discount grocery store in Tulsa, OK, and has paid $1.75 million for four acres in Bradenton to open a new Florida store.
The Tulsa location will open on June 10, during which customers can tour the store. The new locations will have high ceilings, natural lighting, and uses environmentally friendly building materials such as recycled materials and energy-saving refrigeration and light bulbs, reports news source Tulsa World.
"We look forward to introducing west Tulsa shoppers to Aldi, where they can find the majority of their average weekly shopping list from our exclusive brand products — including fresh meats, fruits, vegetables and bakery items—for up to 50 percent less," said Mark Bersted, Olathe Division Vice President for Aldi in a statement.
For the Bradenton store, it will be the discount grocer’s second store in Manatee county, the first of which opened in September 2010.
According to the Herald-Tribune, the Manatee County Commission approved a rezoning so Aldi could build a 17,000-square-foot store at the site in March. That followed "a protracted due diligence and closing period," according to Joe C. Hembree and Ken Hoskinson Jr., who represented the sellers. The land was purchased from Route 70 Holdings, a Sarasota company managed by Danielle Gladding and Joann E. Desrosiers, according to state records.
According to Tusla World, Aldi is saving costs on its new stores by using a smaller store footprint, open carton displays and encouraging customers to bring their own shopping bags, as well as a cart rental system whereby shoppers insert a quarter to release a cart and then receive the quarter back after returning the cart.
As we've previously reported, Aldi has been expanding rapidly as of late, with expansions in Virginia, Texas, and its recent 66 Bottom Dollar acquisitions.