GREENVILLE, SC - The search is over.
News has broken that Bi-Lo has named Ian McLeod its new President and CEO, effective March 2nd, 2015. He joins Bi-Lo after more than 7 years as Managing Director for the Australian retail group Coles. As Managing Director he lead the turnaround for the retail chain after its purchase by Wesfarmers Group, gaining experience that Bi-Lo valued highly during its search for a new chief executive.
“Ian is a proven leader with more than 30 years of expertise and a strong track record of driving profitable growth,” explained Bi-Lo Holdings' Board of Directors. “In his time running over 2,200 Coles food, liquor and convenience stores, which employs 100,000 associates across Australia and includes over 760 full-service supermarkets, he led a major turnaround in that business, improving the quality and value of products as well as the service and store standards offered to customers. Ian significantly increased sales from AUD$28.8 billion to AUD$37.4 billion (USD$23.2 billion to USD$35.2 billion), doubling profits (earnings before interest and tax) during six years and outperforming in the market for 20 consecutive quarters. We are confident he will be instrumental in driving continued growth and success at Bi-Lo Holdings as we execute our strategy and work to further enhance our customers’ shopping experience.”
"The BI-LO, Harveys and Winn-Dixie grocery store brands have a strong history and today serve our customers through the efforts of over 70,000 hardworking employees; I am excited to move to the U.S. and join the team at this important time,” McLeod replied. “I look forward to leveraging my experience to help build upon Bi-Lo Holdings’ reputation by serving our loyal customers even better, attracting new customers through great quality and value and further strengthening our competitive position within the industry.”
In addition to his experience with the Wesfarmers Group, McLeod has also served as CEO of Halfords Group Plc, as a key member of the U.K. Management Board for ASDA, and as a member of the Executive Board of Wal-Mart Germany.
According to a press release, McLeod received his education at the Harvard Business School, where he attended its AMP program in 1999. He was also awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Scotland in 2010 for services to Business and Retail.
Stay tuned AndNowUKnow as we continue to keep you updated on movers and shakers making news in the fresh produce and retail industires.
MEXICO - Fresh Farms is in the middle of another strong season. Soft squashes such as zucchini, yellow squash and gray squash are some of the grower's leading crops this time of year and quality on all three commodities looks to be robust heading into February.
“A cold blast earlier this season slowed down production a bit,” explained Jerry Havel, Director of Sales and Marketing for Fresh Farms. “Fortunately, warmer weather in mid-January has helped the soft squash plants in Mexico recover and supply should be more available going into late January and February. Of course, there is always a threat of the return of dangerously cold temperatures this time of year which could slow production. If the weather remains warm, however, we look to have promotable supplies going into February and continuing through April. The quality has been very good and if the volumes can remain steady it should lead to a lot of promotional opportunities for the retailers throughout the Spring season on zucchini, yellow straight neck and gray squash.”
Prices out of Mexico for Fresh Farms' full array of soft squash have been strong so far this season. According to Jerry, Fresh Farms is currently enjoying price points of:
- $12.95 to $8.95 for zucchini, dependent on quality and size.
- $20.95 to $16.95 for yellow straight neck, dependent on quality and size.
- $14.95 to $12.95 for gray squash, dependent on quality and size.
In addition to soft squash, Fresh Farms is also an important player in the hard squash category. While early January's cold weather in resulted in some volume loss, the market is currently very active on Acorn, Spaghetti, Butternut, and Kabocha. Due to reduced supply, prices are in the mid to upper teens on all of these varieties, prices which are expected to continue into Spring, according to Jerry.
In addition to squash, Fresh Farms is a large grower shipper of American and English cucumbers, green beans, eggplant, grape tomatoes, green bell peppers and fresh pickles. In April and May, Fresh Farms will begin its watermelon, mini melons, and table grapes harvest.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to bring you the latest fresh produce market news and analysis.
ORLANDO, FL - The National Mango Board’s strategic combination of soccer, salsa and mango snacks are key to its Always Summer 2015 campaign.
According to a press release, “The overall theme in 2015 is Always Summer, in which the NMB will bring the spirit of summer to consumers through programs and events that incorporate soccer, snacks and salsa. The campaign year will have three elements: It’s Always Summer Here (January-April), Celebrate Summer (May-August), and Back to Summer (September-December).”
On the athletic front, the Board will engage as an official partner of the National Women’s Soccer League, incorporating web and social media outreach, athlete appearances and engaging directly with participants at select games to help promote mangos as a primary soccer snack. NMB is also participating as a sponsor of the U.S. Youth Soccer program, with concentrated promotions during U.S. Youth Soccer Month, targeting present and future competitive cravings.
Cooking classes providing chances for new snack and salsa recipes will continue focusing on bringing Summer to professional kitchens nationwide, as well as sending shipments to athletes and celebrities to spread positive mango chats.
Outreach work with chefs, operators, and foodservice media, will also continue, increasing the presence of fresh mangos in foodservice and continuing to educate culinary students and chefs on the benefits and uses of mango through NMB’s Fresh Mango Culinary Curriculum. These strategies will incorporate key influencers in the U.S. market and media to stir public passion for mangos.
DALLAS, TX – The global mushroom market is currently valued at nearly $30 billion, but a new report from MarketsandMarkets suggests it could go much higher.
According to the report entitled “Mushroom Market – Global Trends & Forecast to 2019,” the market is expected to reach more than $50 billion by 2019.
It goes on to say that Europe dominated the market in 2013 and is projected to be the fastest-growing market for mushrooms between 2014 and 2019, followed by the Asia-Pacific region.
Of the more than 2,300 species of edible and medical fungi, the most commonly consumed and produced mushrooms are button, shiitake and oyster. Those combined accounted for almost 76% of the global mushroom market size in 2013.
According to the report, button mushrooms were the first mushrooms commercially exploited on an industrial scale, which is part of the reason they are so popular. The button mushroom segment totaled about 36.1% to the total mushroom market in 2013.
Shiitake mushrooms follow button in popularity and are the most popular specialty mushrooms in the United States and in Western European countries.
With the growing popularity of mushrooms coupled with increasing awareness of the health benefits that they offer, it is easy to see why this market would continue to grow.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest on the mushroom market.
MCLEAN, VA – Gladstone Land Corporation is eyeing more farm acquisitions.
The company has added William “Bill” Hughes to its management team to seek potential acquisitions of farms in the Midwest.
“We welcome Bill to the Gladstone team. He has a long and outstanding career in the farming business in the Midwest. We expect Bill will add many years of experience to our team, which will help us grow even faster,” said David Gladstone, Chairman of the Company.
According to a press release, Bill has been in the farm business for more than 20 years. He will be responsible for originating and managing all new investment opportunities in the Midwestern United States.
He will be looking for farms that grow fresh produce like sweet corn, green beans, melons, potatoes, cabbage and other produce items. The company says that he may also seek out certain specialty crops down the line.
Prior to this new position, he was a manager at U.S. Trust, where he purchased and managed farms for individuals.
MORGAN HILL, CA - Sakata Seed America is excited to introduce its top-quality beet line, specifically the golden variety Touchstone Gold. Sakata’s 2014 merger with Chriseed helped grow its line to include 16 unique beet varieties, boasting qualities such as wide adaptability, high yields, and fresh markets, according to a press release.
“Touchstone Gold is a very exciting variety for our beet program. It’s incredibly unique and offers a better flavor profile and brighter, more ‘eye-catching’ flesh color than competitive varieties,” said Delita Pardue, Sakata’s Product Manager for Beets. “This is the beet for people who don’t like beets – we want everyone to try it for themselves!”
Sakata is also upping marketing support for the beet program. Sakata has released a video featuring some of their most celebrated beet varieties, the ‘Build a Better Beet Program’ video. Follow Delita Pardue as she showcases Sakata’s top beet varieties in the video below.
Additionally, the Sakata Beet Advantage Sheet and Sakata Beet Advantage Brochure condense pertinent information about the beet program. The Sakata vegetables site features a new article that takes a deep dive into the ‘Beet Movement,’ focusing on the surge of beet popularity and includes information about the history of the beet, current trends, and exciting ways to incorporate beets into your diet.
CHARLOTTE, NC – Moving might not seem like a big deal until you’re given a bill for tens of millions of dollars.
That is what has happened to Chiquita. The Charlotte Observer is reporting that Chiquita Brands International’s exit from Charlotte is expected to cost the company between $25 to $40 million.
Much of that money will go to paying employee severance, relocation payments and the cost of exiting its Charlotte lease, which runs through 2025, according to the Observer. The company didn’t specify how much those would cost.
Other expected costs include $10 million to $12 million in write-offs of improvements to its building and office equipment and incentives repayments that are expected to total $3 million.
Initially, Chiquita was promised about $22 million worth of state and local incentives to locate its headquarters in Charlotte on the condition that the company would stay there for at least 10 years. With the closure of its Charlotte headquarters, the incentives that the company has received must be paid back.
To date, Charlotte and Mecklenburg County say they’ve given the company nearly $500,000 each, and the state said it has paid about $1.5 million, according to the Charlotte Observer.
In securities filings, the company said that closing the headquarters will take between 12 and 18 months.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to follow Chiquita's exit from Charlotte.
WASHINGTON - The USDA has filed an administrative action under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) against Phoenix Produce Company, an Illinois-based company, for failure to pay for produce.
The company had allegedly failed to pay $987,843 to 17 produce sellers from March 2011 through February 2013, according to a USDA press release.
Phoenix Produce Company will have an opportunity to request a hearing. Should the USDA find that the company committed repeated and flagrant violations, it would be barred from the produce industry for two years. Its principals could not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee for one year and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,250 PACA claims involving more than $77 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.
WATSONVILLE, CA – California Giant Berry Farms’ “Blended, Splendid, and Smooth” campaign is winding down.
The company enjoyed greater success than anticipated compared to its "All About Pies" campaign held last year, which generated more than 100 new pie recipes from participants. As a result of these campaigns, California Giant has seen 2,500% increase on its website as of this date in January compared to the same time last year, according to a press release.
While this may be a shock, California Giant attributes this achievement to the power of successful partnering with brands like Blendtec blenders, Natural Delights Medjool dates, Noosa yogurt, and SUNSET Produce, rather than whether smoothies or pies were considered more popular.
“Consumers love the opportunity to participate in promotional events, and by combining forces with partners, especially those within the produce department, we are able to extend our reach and bring greater benefit to the consumer,” said Cindy Jewell, VP of Marketing for California Giant Berry Farms.
These alliances provided the chance for California Giant to offer a number of prizes including weekly winners, free recipe e-books for all who enter, and a grand prize for the conclusion of the campaign. The results are increases in followers via digital platforms and more consumers opting in to receive updates by email from the company blog.
“They want solutions and we know from previous success that smoothies are very popular with consumers of all ages right now, so this type of campaign is a homerun for all of us partners in the program,” Jewell said.
Because the contest is not officially closed until mid-February, the numbers are not yet final. But California Giant is far from finished, launching a similar campaign in time for Valentine’s Day and promising many more to come during the 2015 year.
UNITED STATES – It’s a tight mango market, but relief may be on the way. Freska’s Gary Clevenger and Vision Produce’s Jesse Sepulveda weigh in.
“The weather that occurred during the flowering process in Peru delayed the harvest and caused some of the fruit to fall,” Gary tells me. “We are seeing between 30-40% less than last year.”
The unusual weather hit Peru during the flowering process, which is when the fruit is the most susceptible. This has created a void in the transition from Ecuador to Peru, which has not been the case in previous years.
Gary says that volume started coming in around December, but that it has been very light. With this limited supply, prices have been on the rise.
Jesse agrees, telling me that the lower-than-usual volumes coming from both Peru and Ecuador have increased prices. He also added that congestion at the West Coast ports could be helping to drive the prices up.
On January 21, the USDA reported prices for 1-layer flats of Kents 8-10s from Peru between $11-12.50. This is well over the $6-8 for the same date in 2014.
“Pricing is way up over last year. I foresee it staying up until we begin harvesting in Mexico. Luckily we will start that move next week when we start Ataulfo,” Gary noted.
After the Ataulfos arrive in Nogales, Freska is looking to start with Reds around the week of February 15.
“Volumes will most likely remain light until mid-March – April, but then we will have a lot more,” Gary added.
Vision Produce will also be making the move into Mexico. “We are expecting strong volumes out of Mexico this year. Last year started slightly late and saw lower than average volume, but that is not the case this year,” Steve tells me.
He added that Vision will have Ataulfo in February and Tommys available in mid-March.
For now, however, it appears that mango volumes will remain light. Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we continue to track the mango market.