WASHINGTON, DC - Giant Eagle is targeting increased shopper loyalty by upping the value for its customers with personalized cash-back promotions. Following the completion of a successful pilot, the retailer has unleashed a large-scale partnership with grocery ally Upside.

“We’re continually looking for ways to meet new and existing customers where they are, which is why we’re excited to officially roll out this partnership with Upside,” said Justin Weinstein, Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Giant Eagle. “Upside allows our guests to earn cash back while shopping at our stores, including our GetGo convenience store locations. This benefit stacks on top of our myPerks loyalty program and is another way we’re delivering on our promise to deliver value to our customers across all Giant Eagle brands.”

Shoppers at Giant Eagle can now utilize Upside's mobile app to access personalized cash back promotions at more than 180 Giant Eagle and Market District locations and more than 165 of its GetGo locations in Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Maryland, a release stated. The partnership is a milestone for Upside, as Giant Eagle is the first retailer on the platform to offer cash-back opportunities across three categories: grocery, convenience, and fuel.

Access to Upside’s marketplace encourages customer loyalty, as the pilot unveiled. Giant Eagle stores are using the platform to engage new and infrequent customers that are typically hard-to-reach; roughly 10 percent of Upside users are entirely new to Giant Eagle, and 40 percent are infrequent Giant Eagle customers that are now coming into stores more often.

“This partnership with Giant Eagle is an example of the ways we can influence a retailer’s profitability by helping them grow their customer base and increase adoption of their loyalty programs," said Tyler Renaghan, Upside Vice President of Grocery. "We’re excited to grow our relationship and find new ways to drive more people in-store."

This strategic partnership follows an initial pilot launched in September 2023, which has since been expanded to additional sites to monitor performance and impact. Learn more about this expanded alliance here.

For more of the latest retail news, stick around!

WASHINGTON, DC - Yesterday afternoon, we received word that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced it had cited Frozen Food Development, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, for failure to pay for produce. The USDA filed a complaint in January 2023 alleging that Frozen Food failed to pay $2,479,131 to 22 sellers.

Direct from the USDA Agricultural Marketing Serve:

The parties subsequently agreed to a Consent Decision and Order finding that Frozen Food committed willful, repeated, and flagrant violations of the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA) by failing to pay $2,479,131 to 22 sellers for produce from July 2021 to June 2022. One seller remains unpaid in the amount of $1,002,065.

As a result of the violations, Frozen Food is not eligible to apply for a PACA license until May 30, 2026. Furthermore, the company’s sole shareholder and principal, Gary Gregory, may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee until May 30, 2025, and then only with the posting of a USDA-approved surety bond.

USDA is required to publish the finding that a business has committed willful, repeated and flagrant violations of PACA as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business during the violation period. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA approval.

By issuing these penalties, USDA continues to enforce the prompt and full payment for produce while protecting the rights of sellers and buyers in the marketplace.

For contact information, and to read the release in its entirety, click here.

WASHINGTON, DC - Congrats to Dr. Yvonne Bull who was honored with the CEO Update’s Nonprofit Chief Financial Officer of the Year award! Bull is the International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Chief Financial Officer and is now an honorary member of an elite group of professionals.

This award recognizes Bull’s consistent annual fiduciary stewardship and career highlights, which include human resources, I.T. integration, and, of course, the finance side of the IFPA’s legacy organizations.

A press release celebrated the recently awarded CFO’s innate curiosity and drive for professional and personal growth with her recent attainment of a Doctor of Business Administration from Wilmington University, all while undertaking full-time employment.

"For over 20 years, Yvonne has been the cornerstone of our financial stewardship, meticulously managing the resources our members entrust to us. Her thoughtful approach has been instrumental in our efforts to lead and serve the global fresh produce and floral community," said IFPA Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns. "Yvonne's exceptional skills in fiduciary and asset management, combined with her strategic vision for reinvesting in our industry's future, have garnered the unwavering trust of our Board of Directors and auditors. It is a blessing to count Yvonne's unwavering dedication to fiscal integrity and transparency among the many talents represented by our leadership team."

Burns also noted that, coupled with these fiduciary responsibilities, Bull presently co-leads IFPA’s internal culture and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Bull also played an integral role in launching a new staff performance management system and creating professional development programs for staff to support the ongoing creation of its high-performing organization.

Past IFPA Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Vizzone, Executive Director of DiMuto and Co-Founder/Chief Financial Officer of Vertical Ocean commented that Bull’s integral financial stewardship role in the formation of IFPA “cannot be overstated.”

“Tasked with navigating intricate financial landscapes and managing diverse stakeholder interests, she displayed firm leadership and strategic foresight throughout the process,” Vizzone went on to mention. “Under her adept guidance, resources were consolidated, redundant entities were efficiently wound down, and two new organizations were successfully launched, all achieved within a methodically managed budget.”

This October, Bull will be formally recognized during the Nonprofit Legal, Finance, and Grants conference.

Keep with ANUK for more industry awards.

NEW ROCHELLE, NY - In the produce business, being ahead of schedule is right on time. Citrus fans can rejoice as LGS Specialty Sales is offering retailers South African Star Ruby grapefruit early. A leading importer of citrus for over 30 years, LGS stands out as a reliable supplier, and now thanks to the company’s volume of early summer Star Ruby grapefruit, shipments are available out of New Jersey now through October.

“Our customers continue to partner with LGS Specialty Sales because we work to secure fresh produce, like grapefruit, when the market is in need,” said Luke Sears, President and Founder. “If a retailer is having a hard time sourcing import grapefruit right now, look no further!”

The company continues to source grapefruit from the Mediterranean-like climate of South Africa, a region with optimal conditions for producing high-quality citrus.

While importing fruit from select growers around the world for more than 30 years may be a great claim to fame, it's the quality and excellence that continues to keep this company at the top of its game.

U.S. retailers, it's time to get your import programs started with committed companies like LGS. For more of the latest and greatest summer citrus haul updates, stick with ANUK.

CINCINNATI, OH - For those closely following Kroger, you’re in luck! The company just posted its first quarter 2024 results, reaffirming guidance and updating its investors on how the Leading with Fresh and Accelerating with Digital strategy continues to position the retailer for long-term growth.

"Kroger is off to a solid start in 2024 led by better-than-expected performance of our grocery business,” commented Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rodney McMullen.

Highlights from the report include:

• Total company sales were $45.3 billion in the first quarter compared to $45.2 billion for the same period last year
• Executed its go-to-market strategy to deliver value for customers
• Grew digital sales more than 8 percent, with Delivery and Pickup combining for double-digit growth
• Increased total households, loyal households, and customer visits

On the topic of its proposed Albertsons merger, the company made this comment in the release: "Kroger has paused its share repurchase program to prioritize de-leveraging following the proposed merger with Albertsons."

“The long-term investments we have made to strengthen and diversify our model enables us to manage economic cycles and gives us the confidence to deliver on our full year outlook. By delivering value for customers and investing in our associates, Kroger remains well-positioned to generate attractive and sustainable returns for our shareholders,” added McMullen.

To see more form the report, click here.

As always, AndNowUKnow will keep an eye on all things retail.