GRAND RAPIDS, MI – Meijer Inc. will open four of its new Wisconsin combined supermarket-discount stores next year.
Frank Guglielmi, Meijer’s Senior Director of Communications, tells the Milwaukee Wisconsin Journal Sentinel that the company plans to open stores in Kenosha, Grafton, Oak Creek and Wauwatosa in 2015.
Meijer also has plans to open area stores in Waukesha and Greenfield. Waukesha’s Plan Commission is conducting a final site plan review this Wednesday, and Greenfield’s Plan Commission is conducting a conceptual review this Tuesday, according to the Journal Sentinel.
“We are also talking to numerous other communities, but can’t confirm those sites yet,” Guglielmi added.
These stores are the start of Meijer’s move into the Wisconsin Market. In March, we reported that Meijer revealed plans to expand its footprint into that state.
“We expect to concentrate a lot of our expansion the next few years in Wisconsin,” Meijer noted. “Milwaukee ought to be able to support a dozen stores, but whether we will find a dozen sites in short order is another question.”
For the full article on Meijer’s expansion plans, click here.
Meijer has also recently announced a new distribution center in Wisconsin with the $146 million purchase of an existing facility.
The distribution center is expected to serve stores in states that include Wisconsin and Illinois. “This is great news for Kenosha County, which has proven that it is a very attractive area for job creators looking to grow and expand here in Wisconsin,” said Governor Scott Walker. For more information on this new distribution center, view our previous article by clicking here.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for the latest information as Meijer continues its rapid expansion.
SHERMAN OAKS, CA – Sunkist Growers has announced plans to move its headquarters from Sherman Oaks to Valencia, California this fall.
“This is an exciting time for Sunkist Growers,” said Sunkist President and CEO Russell Hanlin. “In the past few years, we have made significant advances on key strategic initiatives to position Sunkist for long-term growth and profitability – and the relocation of our headquarters is part of that strategy. We look forward to welcoming our growers, customers, licensees and other business partners to our new home in Valencia.”
Sunkist’s new building will be situated between the I-5 Freeway and the Magic Mountain theme park at 27770 N. Entertainment Drive in Valencia, according to a press release. This location is also closer to Sunkist’s multiple growing areas and allows the company to keep its current employee group intact.
The Sunkist cooperative of family farms was founded in 1893 and offers more than 40 fresh citrus varieties.
Good luck on the move, Sunkist!
BELARUS - Belarusian scientists have just finished a nine-year breeding process that could soon bring pink and blue potatoes to the produce aisle. According to Ivan Kalyadka, head of the Research Centre for Potato Cultivation and Horticulture at the Belarusian Academy of Sciences, the new potatoes preserve the hearty taste of traditional white-yellow potatoes, while offering customers a whole new color palette to choose from when designing their dishes.
According to BBC, the new potatoes are slated to be used in a variety of dishes in the food industry with plans to incorporate them into everything from chips to instant mashed potatoes. First however they will have to finish their current rounds of state testing.
Once they are released to the market it will be interesting to see how these new potato varieties effect consumer purchasing decisions. A study conducted by Rajesh Bagchi, Associate Professor of Marketing in the Pamplin College of Business, and Amar Cheema, from the University of Virginia, showed that in the retail environment the color blue tended to correlate with a higher willingness-to-buy.
“Because these consumers were also only competing with the seller, purchase likelihoods were lower with red backgrounds compared to blue, indicating that their willingness to pay may have been lower,” Bagchi told writers at VirginiaTech.
It's too soon to tell whether a feature backdrop of blue potatoes might spur increased spending in the retail aisle. I'll be certainly be paying attention however.
I'll have to send Mr. Kalyadka an email asking if he can cook up some orange and black potatoes in time for next year's baseball season. The Giants are famous for their garlic fries after all you know.
PERU - Avocados from Peru is ramping up its U.S. presence with a host of radio campaigns this summer to promote the popular fruit. The initiative, which has gained momentum, is now expanding on a national scale. Initially kicking off with a soft launch, the campaign has evolved from 8 markets to 25 and spreading. More than 120 stations are airing over 25,000 Avocados from Peru spots. The campaign is slated to extend over a 10-week period, providing a unique platform for marketing Avocados from Peru and establishing the origin as a competitive player in the game.
“Peruvian avocado volumes have seen unprecedented growth this season. This campaign creates a new type of media experience for the avocado category and is a part of the Peruvian Avocado Commission’s expanding international brand platform. The summer months are a great time to promote avocados and Peruvian avocados are one of the only origins at this time, promoting such a strong marketing campaign at a national level,” Xavier Equihua, CEO of the Peruvian Avocado Commission (PAC), tells me. “These radio commercials provide each customer and station with the chance to record unique messaging with their own individual nuances and flare.”
One of these popular campaigns promotes “5 avocados for $5” and is being utilized by Giant and Stop & Shop in the organization’s top East Coast markets in New York and New Jersey, each lasting about a week.
“This ‘5 for $5’ campaign is a great example of how micro-tailored this campaign is. Instead of offering a pre-recorded spot with a tag we are offering retailers an opportunity to fully customize their promotions through radio spots. We believe this is a first for the category at the national level," Xavier notes.
Avocados from Peru is also ramping up its social media presence on the web and on its Facebook page, to support the radio campaigns and international platform. This month, the Association is looking to launch several more social media initiatives. So, keep on the look out.
The Association is partnering with two radio stations in Los Angeles, California, to offer kitchen prize packs for a Avocados from Peru Color Kitchen Makeover with kitchen accessories such as an avocado-green Kitchenaid Mixer, oven mitts, wall clock, and Benjamin Moore avocado green paint. On the horizon, Avocados from Peru will begin on-air demos in select markets that will include coupon giveaways and contests tailored to regional demographics. Other stations are taking the Avocados from Peru program to their own websites for contests, recipes introductions and consumer engagement.
“This different approach to traditional radio spots and tags stays away from pre-recorded messages that tend to be very specific and inclusive in style. Everyone has their own messaging…from country music to top ten. This platform is a collaboration that gives our partners the best tools we can, to deliver the message.”
“We will deliver our avocados directly to the show locations, allowing DJ’s to create a conversation around recipes, usage and of course the wonderful flavor and versatility. This advertising and consumer response is continuing to drive retailer interest in our campaign. It is an exciting time.”
This season will see the largest crop of Peruvian avocados to-date, ready and waiting for promotional opportunities. The company tells me that no other avocado brand has offered so many radio market programs during a specific period at a national level, in this case the summer months.
“Demand for fresh avocados in the United States is increasing approximately 10% every year and Peru is poised to meet this growing consumer demand, as we are demonstrating this summer,” added PAC Board Chairman Enrique Camet.
Stay tuned for more buzz from Avocados from Peru.
ANUK has 3 more supermarket technologies that could change the way the retail business is done in the near future:
Self-Serve Scanning
Recently acquired by Catalina Marketing, Modiv Media is pioneering self-serve scanning technology. According to Mashable, an online tech publication, the hand-held in-store scanners and Stop & Shop SCAN IT! mobile app which it has developed allow customers to ring up their own purchases as they shop, eliminating the need for the long checkout lines that are as much a headache for shoppers as they are for managers.
Automatic Checkout
IBM is developing a technology for the Australian grocery chain, Coles, that would a eliminate the need for checkout lines altogether by installing radio tags on store products. As the customer walked out the main doors with their groceries, the system would record the tag numbers and bill their credit wirelessly through the customer's smartphone.
Goodbye Barcodes
Mashable notes how Toshiba has created a new scanner which uses pattern and color recognition algorithms to identify any product in a grocery store. No barcodes needed!
Toshiba's Keichi Hasegawa explained, "Fruit and vegetables in supermarkets don't usually have barcodes because they're put out while they're fresh. So these items can't be read at the register using barcodes which means staff need to input data to record them....[this] can cause delays. We're developing this new scanner to solve that problem."
DigInfo published a feature video on Toshiba's technology. Check it out below:
If you liked these innovative ideas, be sure to check out part 1 of our series on supermarket tech innovations here.
Stay tuned to ANUK for more exciting supermarket technologies!
PHOENIX, AZ – Sprouts Farmers Market is expanding its national footprint by opening 14 stores during its third quarter this year.
“We’re on track to open a total of 14 stores during the third quarter, putting us at 24 stores for the calendar year, or 14% unit growth. Our growth plans currently includes 67 of pre-sites, and 42 signed leases for the coming years. All of our new stores are performing better than we expected, as we continue to serve as the healthy grocery store for our customers,” said Doug Sanders, Sprouts President & CEO during the company’s Q2 earnings conference call.
As we reported last week, Sprouts released its Q2 financial report on August 7th, 2014, beating analysts expectations across the board. Net sales rose 20% over numbers from the same period in 2013 to $743.8 million and comparable store sales grew 9.5%.
Other highlights from Sprouts Q2 Financial Report were:
- Net income rose to $30.2 million with a diluted earnings per share of $0.20
- A 68% increase in adjusted net income to $30.2 million. During the same period in 2013 this figure was $18.0 million
- A 43% increase in adjusted diluted earnings per share to $0.20. During the same period in 2013 this figure was $0.14.
- A 31% increase in adjusted EBITDA to $69.1 million.
- A increase in Sprout's 2014 Guidance
For more info on Sprouts Q2, check out our previous article by clicking here.
Amin Maredia, Sprouts CFO, said during the call, “With the opening of 14 new stores for the third quarter, we expect pre-opening cost to be approximately $2 million higher than the prior year. Further, as you know, in our new store model, our new stores start off with a lower gross margin than our mature stores and we have built in the compression to the gross profit and overall EBITDA margins from the new store openings for remainder of the year in our guidance.”
Sanders added, “I'd like to take time to recognize the tremendous effort of all our team members throughout the Company and especially those involved in our numerous new store openings. Our Southeast expansion involved combined efforts of countless team members from across the Company, and I cannot thank our entire team enough for all their hard work and dedication.”
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow to see where Sprouts will be popping up next.
ST. LOUIS, MO - Mike O’Brien, 42-year veteran of Schnuck Markets, is retiring from his role as Vice President of Produce and Floral. Its been quite a ride, the produce exec tells me, especially for someone who had his eye on broadcast journalism in my colleges years, and the D.J. arts.
“I originally saw myself going into some form of journalism, but instead I got my MBA and then produce got its hooks in me,” Mike notes.
Mike will be retiring at the end of October, but is planning on remaining in the produce sector.
“I see retirement in a different sense of the word. It’s more of a transition for me into something new, but I am looking to stay in produce if I can help it,” he tells me. “Although I am exploring many different options, Schnucks and produce are in my blood, so it makes sense tome to stick around.”
Mike started “as a puppy” at Schnuck Markets, getting his start with the company as a bagger in 1972. He was promoted through a host of different positions that included Department, Store and Division Manager roles before assuming his title as VP of Produce and Floral.
“I am indebted and grateful to Schnucks for everything I have experienced and become over the years. Working for this company has allowed me to collaborate with so many different people and aspects of the industry,” Mike reflects.
Mike has a world of knowledge under his belt, with an expertise in marketing, merchandising and operations as well as analytics and category management.
“I know how to get things done and bring the right people together. Who would have thought I would be here after all these years? It began with a need for supplementing my gas money,” he laughs. “It’s exciting to sit back and watch things take their course."
Mike will be at PMA Fresh Summit this year in Anaheim, California. If you don’t get a chance to congratulate the produce veteran before then, it will be as good a time as any. See you there, Mike!
Congrats again, from your friends at AndNowUKnow.
TORONTO, CANADA - Scout Logistics Corporation has announced the promotion of Ryan Kern to Vice President of Sales for its West Coast operations.
"I am excited to take on this opportunity and increase Scout's presence in the West Coast – US market,” Ryan said.
An over 15 year veteran in the field, Ryan will now oversee Scout Logistics' future sales growth with an emphasis on loads transitioning from the Western United States to the major North American international produce hubs, according to a press release.
"With Ryan's new position, Scout is looking forward to continued growth and a renewed focus on Western growing regions," said Lorne Swartz, President of Scout Logistics Corporation. "He is well known and respected in the industry and his outstanding ability to manage both client and carrier needs seamlessly, only strengthens our position in this market. His promotion is well deserved and is a result of his hard work and outstanding contributions to Scout's exceptional growth."
According to a press release, before this latest promotion, Ryan spent 3 years with Scout Logistics as its Sales Manager for California Freight, where he lead his team to record sales numbers during 2013.
Congratulations on the new position Ryan! I'll be looking forward to reading about your early successes in Scout Logistics' next press release.
JAPAN - Nichimo International is introducing two new mechanical slicers to its existing line of Seven Chefs commercial grade products. The ECM-200 and ECM-200T promise to increase efficiency by eliminating waste and decreasing product preparation time.
Nichimo describes the ECM-200 as a belt-fed slicing machine featuring an exit conveyor to protect the structural integrity of the finished product. Because it is able to slice a product while maintaining its original shape, the ECM-200 is excellent for delicate, traditionally cut-by-hand products such as fresh mozzarella or tofu. Nichimo has designed this product to make disassembly and cleaning quick and painless. The conveyor belts and blades can be totally removed and put back together in about 3 minutes according to a press release, allowing for fast transitions between numerous products.
Nichimo highlights its second new machine, the ECM-200T, as a versatile, dynamic slicer able to dice, slice, or make slit cuts depending on the needs of the user . The slicer has two round blades facing the same direction as its belt along with a crosscut blade, allowing for slab cuts, slices, and stick cuts, but it is also able to dice products such as peppers and onions if needed. The ECM-200T was designed with the same quick change and cleaning features possessed by the ECM-200.
As shown on Seven Chefs' website, both machines will feature a digital command screen using Nichimo's Touch Liquid Crystal technology as well as memory stores able to hold up to 5 presets, allowing for quick changes between settings. Error messages have also been streamlined and made easier to read and respond to.
According to a press release, these products will join the existing Seven Chefs line, featuring Seven Chef's versatile slicing machine, the ECD-202, its larger counterpart, the ECD-302, as well as its precision dicing cutter, the DC-202.
GONZALES, CA – Misionero Vegetables has added new Peel and Reseal lidding film, offering consumers the power of choice.
“We have been working on this new technology for over a year. The lidding film eliminates the need for a top lid and shrink band which has helped reduce plastic by 20%. Less plastic means less waste in our landfills. Our customers now have the power of choice…they can choose our new peel and reseal technology or continue to order our current packaging options,” said Misionero’s Dan Canales.
The Peel and Reseal technology offers:
- Effective use of retail shelf space
- Easy, open container
- Quicker access to produce
- Flexible closure with ability to reseal multiple times without loss of functionality
- Reseal-ability consumer uses what they need and simply reapply film
- Environmentally friendly packaging… Less plastic, less waste in landfills
This new innovation also features a tamper evident seal to boost consumer confidence in the integrity of the packaging. The Peel and Reseal technology can be found on Misionero’s Garden Life Washed and Trimmed Lettuce and Misionero Earth Greens Organic Salads.
The Peel and Reseal film is now available nationwide.