MISSISSAUGA, ON - Wal-Mart is continuing full steam ahead with its plan of opening 11 new stores in Canada to complete its scheduled expansion for the current fiscal year, ending on January 31.
While Target’s decision to pull out of the country is still recent, Wal-Mart Canada plans to not only add to its number of stores, but also offer the full complement of groceries for the first time.
"We're thrilled to bring our Supercenter format, offering a full complement of fresh groceries, to PEI for the first time as well as the other nine openings happening today and next week," Gino DiGioacchino, Executive Vice President of Ecommerce and Chief of Operations at Wal-Mart Canada, said in a press release. "We want to help as many Canadian families as possible save money on their weekly groceries and their general merchandise need. We are looking forward to hearing from our customers."
Aside from bringing its commonly-known low prices, this expansion will also invest more than $500 million into the Canadian economy, as well as its usual practice of services in the community through charities and local organizations.
Once executed, the newest additions will bring the total count of Wal-Mart Canada’s stores to almost 400, including 280 supercenters and 114 discount stores, with a block party at each grand opening scheduled. The festivities will happen at each opening location from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will have live music, face-painting, and samplers for all who attend.
GONZALES, CA - Misionero Vegetables continues to grow and expand, welcoming Ashley Edwards as the newest addition to its sales and customer service team.
Edwards earned a BS in Agribusiness/Agricultural Business Operations from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. Having worked as a Pharmacy Clerk for Health Quest Pharmacy, a Legal Secretary for John M. Carcel - A Professional Law Corporation, and most recently as a Land Use Planner for Kirk Consulting, she brings a diverse and well-rounded background to Misionero.
“Ashley is a great addition to the team,” Dan Avina, Sales Manager of Misionero Vegetables, said. “Her enthusiasm for the job is prevalent in her day to day activities.”
Joining Maria Marin, Christina Moag and Dan Avina, Edwards will be helping to meet the company’s sales objectives by expanding current and prospective accounts.
AUSTRALIA - Costa Group is seeking an initial public offering in the first half of 2015 that could result in a total enterprise value of anywhere from $800 million to $1 billion.
"We don't have what I would consider the correct strength in the family coming on to take over such a big organization now," said Frank Costa, Chairman of Costa Group, according to Australian Broadcasting Corporation News (ABC News). "So you've got a decision to make and it's best to make it when you're in control and you're still able to do things as required and we think the timing is pretty good right now.”
Costa Group has appointed both Goldman Sachs and UBS as joint lead managers on the deal. The IPO plan would aim to raise between AU$300 million and AU$600 million, for a total enterprise value of between AU$800 million and AU$1 billion, according to the Sydney Business Herald. The final size, valuation, and capital structure will depend on the holding retained by current shareholders, which is still being considered.
On the heels of this announcement, the company has also decided to close two of its Australian grape farms, ABC News reports.
Chairman of the Australian Table Grape Association, Richard Lomman, said it will be a huge blow for both communities. Oversupply of grapes have caused them to be advertised for as low as AU$2 per kilo in the major supermarkets, a price Lomman claimed was below the cost of production for most growers. Lomman added that the wide range of summer fruit available this season has made it difficult for grape growers to compete.
"The whole idea of being in these early regions is to get a lucrative domestic market traditionally, but that's not the case anymore,” says Lomman.
Several Australian agricultural companies have been sold to overseas investors in recent years, including the takeover of Warrnambool Cheese and Butter by Canadian firm Saputo last year and earlier deals for the likes of Manassen Foods and CSR's Sugar business.
"We've been in it a long time and I've enjoyed every moment of it," Costa said. "It is a very challenging industry both from a demand and supply structure, where you have to be careful not to grow too much and oversupply the market, and in terms of supply to the big retailers. It certainly keeps you on your toes."
He said the decision for the IPO was the right one, but he would miss being involved with a business that has been as much fun as it has been work.
NIXA, MO - Market Fresh Produce announced that they are welcoming Janelle Haik to fill the Director of Marketing position this morning in a press release.
Bringing over seven years experience, Haik graduated with a BA from Missouri State University, building her career in produce as Director of Member Services, Communications, and Events at the Missouri Grocers Association.
“I am excited to play an integral role in Market Fresh’s continued success," Haik said. "I look forward to growing and expanding the Market Fresh brand."
Steve Phipps, CEO and Owner of Market Fresh, commented, “I am confident that Janelle’s addition to the Market Fresh team will increase our marketing exposure and will bring a fresh perspective to our marketing strategy. Her experience, creativity and energy are a great asset to the company.”
As Market Fresh Produce’s new Director of Marketing, Haik will design, implement, and facilitate all company marketing strategies while working closely with driving the company brand to meet its goals, partners, and potential customers. Discovering new market segments, she will be well-involved with helping Market Fresh continue to to be one of the fastest growing brands in the produce industry.
RIDGE SPRING, S.C. – Bigger may be better, but it can also be healthier for the peach market and the environment.
Focusing on sustainability with a bigger supply of energy and a smaller carbon stamp, Titan Farms, leading distributor of peaches and vegetables, is adding space, equipment, and regulations to further improve the peach market for distributors and customers.
“These are exciting times at Titan Farms,” Chalmers Carr, President of Titan Farms, said in a press release. “We are fully committed to providing our customers with the highest quality peaches grown in the Southeast. This investment in our facility and operations demonstrates our dedication to do just that.”
As part of the expansion to its packing facility, Titan will be adding a new state-of-the-art packing line and new packing equipment to increase overall productivity.
Quantity does not, however, have to be at the cost of quality, according to the plan listed in the company’s release.
In keeping its promise of growing the peach category, implementation of greater fruit-handling, color-sorting, and food safety with improved equipment and automatic bin-washing, are key components in maintaining that commitment.
Expansions and additions are scheduled to be completed by the middle of this upcoming May.
NORTHEAST U.S. – Grocers in the Northeast U.S. have been left with empty shelves in the wake of Winter Storm Juno. One interesting commodity that seemed to be in top demand was kale.
Business Insider reports that in preparation of the potentially historic snowstorm, panicked shoppers took to Twitter and Instagram to document kale shortages in New York and Boston.
Other shoppers took to social media with the hashtags #blizzardof2015 and #Snowmageddon2015 to post photos of long lines at stores like Whole Foods, Trader Joe's and Market Basket.
Time.com points out that this type of pre-storm mad rush to the supermarket is more reliable than the actual weather forecasts. Nearly one year ago in fact, this same set of events happened in preparation to the sub-zero temperatures associated with the polar vortex.
Time contributor and consumer psychologist Kit Yarrow explained his view on this shopping behavior in an email to Time.com. He said, “It starts with a normal impulse to stock up on things that might not be available for a few days. Panic hits when the stores are jammed with other shoppers and the shelves look a little bare.”
Luckily this blizzard wasn't quite the Snowpocalypse that people feared. For now, it appears shoppers have some extra food in their pantries and retailers have a lot of shelf stocking and merchandising to do.
MECCA, CA - Sunkist grower/shipper RBI Packing LLC is pulling in a little more sunshine to its Mecca, California farm. It recently installed its facility’s second solar field.
The 24 new solar panels produce 352 kW of power, creating a surplus that is returned back to the grid and provides energy for the surrounding area.
RBI Packing LLC prides itself on its commitment to sustainability, according to a press release. It invests in multiple sustainability ventures, including low-emissions tractors, drip irrigation, and an additional set of panels at the organization’s other packing facility.
Sunkist growers Golden Valley, Villa Park and Magnolia Packing also have solar power programs in place.
LOS ALAMITOS, CA - With Chinese New Year only weeks away, preparations are in full swing at Frieda's Specialty Produce. ANUK sat down with President and CEO Karen Caplan to discuss Frieda's latest this holiday season.
“Bok Choy and Baby Bok Choys are some of our biggest sellers during Chinese New Year, along with other traditionally symbolic foods like Daikon, Pummelo, and Young Coconut,” Karen shared. “With the crazy weather we get at this time of year, many retailers promote complementary items such as Eggroll and Wonton Wrappers, Tofu, Noodles of all kinds, and Kim Chee.”
Karen also took the time to point out a few 'lesser known' produce items that might move the needle during the lead-up to the holiday. These items include:
- Kumquats
- Buddha’s Hand Citrons
- Oroblancos
According to a press release, Frieda's also recommends the following items as well:
- Wealth and Fortune: Kumquats, Mandarinquats, Buddha’s Hand Citron, Daikon, and Gai Choy Mustard Green. Also representing wealth are Won Tons and Egg Rolls.
- Good Luck: Napa Cabbage, and Zululand Queen Baby Pineapple.
- Abundance and Prosperity: Pummelo, Oroblanco, and Yu Choy Sum.
- Family Unity: Chinese Eggplant, Snow Peas, Water Chestnuts, and Young Coconut.
- Good Health and Longevity: Opo Squash, Chinese Long Beans, and long noodles like Chow Mein.
Retailers looking to maximize ring at the register can also look into festive store promotions and displays, according to Karen.
“A festive destination display always draw a crowd,” she explained. “In-store sampling is very effective leading up to Chinese New Year. Why not include a sign that highlights the Year of the Sheep and the year’s personality traits along with all twelve years on the Chinese zodiac!”
Frieda's will be working with its retail partners throughout the period in order to help them build the best campaigns and displays for boosting sales. Karen shared that the company would also be providing educational resources, product recommendation and POS signage artwork.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to cover the produce industry's preparations for Chinese New Year this coming February 19.
RICHMOND, VA – Performance Food Group has named Dave Flitman to the role of President & CEO of its Performance Foodservice business segment.
According to a press release, Flitman started his career with DuPont where he spent almost 20 years in operational and leadership positions. In February 2005, he joined Allegheny Power and served as President until July 2008.
After that, Flitman became Senior Executive Vice President at Nalco until Ecolab acquired it. He then served as Ecolab’s Executive Vice President and President, Water and Process Services before joining Univar as Executive Vice President in December 2012.
In 2014, he was named Chief Operating Officer and President, USA & Latin America at Univar, the position he held prior to accepting this new role.
As President & CEO of Performance Foodservice, Flitman will report to George Holm, PFG President and CEO.
IRVING, TX - DMA Solutions has launched its newly designed website, created to enhance both the visitor’s and the prospective buyer’s experience.
DMA has created an eye-catching, progressive parallax scrolling website that showcases its commitment to marketing excellence for future clients from the fresh produce industry, according to a press release. The website uses a Content Optimization System or COS, that allows for repeat visitors of the website to have a unique experience based on the way they typically navigate through.
“Our main goal is for our website to provide solutions to marketing challenges our visitors face,” said Dan’l Mackey Almy, President and Owner
. “This website is not only a representation of DMA’s design capabilities, but also serves as a lead nurturing tool, providing the right information to the right people at the right time based on their preferences and marketing needs in 2015 and beyond.”
The new website is fully responsive and able to adapt to whichever device is being used by the visitor. It also features DMA’s full list of marketing services, along with a portfolio of its past and present client work. In addition to these components, free marketing resources are available to website visitors and include downloadable eBooks, checklists and guides covering the topics that DMA believes are most important to produce marketers today.
“It’s important that a website not only reflect ‘what’ you do but also ‘who’ does the work, especially in an industry that thrives on relationships,” said Megan Zweig, Strategic Marketing Director. “We feel that our site accomplishes both and also showcases our commitment and passion to create the best possible digital experience for our existing and prospect clients.”
Visit DMA Solutions' new website and experience it for yourself!