WEST VIRGINIA and U.S. - Aldi Inc. has made recent plans to open a new prototype store in Hurricane’s Liberty Square, West Virginia, as the company continues with its strategy to potentially double the number of locations in the state in the coming years.
In addition, Russ White, Regional Director of Real Estate for Aldi, said the company hopes to open between 600 to 650 new stores nationwide over the next five years as part of its aggressive nationwide expansion plans.
The Hurricane location will cover 18,000 square feet and will be somewhat larger than existing Aldi stores in West Virginia. White noted it will be Aldi’s latest prototype format, offering expanded selections that are not available in other locations.
“The store is a little bigger, a little more modern and just gives us the opportunity to best serve the customer as our product line has expanded and the store has kind of grown with it,” White said.
Founded in Germany, Aldi began opening U.S. stores in the 1970s, and currently has more than 1,300 stores in 32 states. Most locations are nestled between Kansas and the East Coast, according to the Charleston Daily Mail.
“As a company, we’re growing at about 120 stores a year, give or take, over the next five years,” White said.
White noted that the chain could open six to eight new stores in West Virginia, not counting the Hurricane location — as part of the five-year expansion.
“We’re excited,” White said. “We’ve got the product line, we feel like we’ve got a good niche and loyal customers and we feel like we’re primed to grow.”
Aldi locations have features that differentiate them from normal grocery stores. These features are designed to boost efficiency and cut costs for shoppers. Aldi stores also have a smaller footprint and are designed in a way to boost efficiency and cut costs.
“We keep our operating costs and overhead as low as possible so we can pass those savings on to customers,” White said.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow as we keep our finger on the pulse of this expanding grocery retailer.
LOS ANGELES, CA - Longo’s recently took its entire produce team to California for a 5 ½ day tour covering more than 1,000 miles while visiting 10 of the retailer’s vendor partners. The crew landed in Los Angeles and made its way to San Francisco; setting off on a endeavor that further demonstrates Longo’s commitment to its team, partners and the industry.
Mimmo Franzone, Longo’s Director of Produce and Floral, tells me, “Our goal is to create as many opportunities as we can to enhance our work environment and improve the consumers’ shopping experience. Our passion for family and food inspires us to continually grow Longo’s current vendor relationships while allowing for more occasions to establish new vendor partnerships.”
Growers visited during the California promotion were Fresh Express, Sun World, D’Arrigo of CA, Country Sweet Produce/Valpredo Farms, Ocean Mist, Growers Express, Calavo, Nunes Co., Paramount Farms and Brandt Farms.
Matt Seeley, VP of Marketing for Foxy Produce/Nunes Co. tells us, “Longo’s is one of the most progressive retailers in North America and their banner is synonymous with premium quality products. For them to make the investment to see our facility - and others in the Salinas Valley - is a testament to the commitment they have to their consumers in bringing the freshest products to market.”
Initiatives for the California promotion included an introduction to the day-to-day operations of Longo’s grower partners in California as well as an in-depth excursion into all categories. The trip provided Longo’s produce team with a great opportunity for personal and professional education, along with a taste of the communities and culture in which the growers call home.
Sun World’s Executive Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Gordon Robertson, tells us, "We appreciated the opportunity to tour the Longo’s team in the field so they could see and taste proprietary varieties fresh from the vine. They were able to witness all the work Sun World puts into maintaining quality from the field to the store shelves.”
“Now, the Longo’s team can communicate that quality experience with their shoppers – which is one of the things Longo’s does best, and one of the many reasons we value our partnership with them,” Gordon continues.
The 44 attendees included 27 Produce Managers, the Produce Buying and Operations Team and 10 Longo’s family members, as well as a film and photo crew to capture the journey.
“We always find it highly valuable when retail, wholesale and foodservice customers come to our facility to see firsthand how we grow, harvest and cool our products. It’s a tremendous opportunity for them to see the steps and measures we take to produce premium quality fresh vegetables. Understanding the procedures and protocols we follow throughout the entire production process is very eye-opening for those on the other end,” Matt Seeley, reflects.
In addition, the D’Arrigo Family has had a rich history dating back to 1920 of exceptional quality, freshness, service and value and these key attributes align the company with Longo’s fresh tradition.
Claudia Pizarro-Villalobos, Sales Specialist, D’Arrigo Bros, tells us, “The Longo’s California Tour availed the opportunity for a large group of their team to walk through our fields and state-of-the-art cooler to see firsthand what exactly goes on ‘behind the scenes’. Many of the Longo team members left with a great understanding and appreciation of the vertical integration that encompasses our growing, harvesting, packing and shipping practices.”
Longo’s ongoing relationships with vendors have helped the company to consistently deliver a level of quality that has helped to build and expand a loyal consumer base and also continues to attract new ones. Longo’s is constantly seeking to inspire genuine engaging food experiences, while also connecting team members, and creating better lives for the Longo’s staff, customers, vendors & communities.
VENTURA, CA - We're in the middle of peak mango season, which is exciting news for both retailers and consumers who have grown increasingly drawn to this delicious tropical treat. In order to make your summer even sweeter however, Freska Produce shared with us some of its top merchandising tips for mangos. If you're looking to boost mango sales and please hungry shoppers, these tips are a must read.
Take Advantage of Point-of-Sale Materials
While mangos might be a staple to experienced produce buyers, many less adventurous shoppers may have never tried a mango before, much less know how to cut or prepare one. Luckily, foundations like the National Mango Board (NMB) have a variety of point-of-sale materials available for retailers to help educate customers all about mangos. Take advantage of them.
Avoid Bruising
Retailers are of course encouraged to keep their displays well stocked, but stacking a display too high or stacking heavier fruit like pineapples, papayas, or coconuts above mangos can lead to bruising. One of the great advantages mangos have on the sales floor is their bright, inviting color, and bruising more than anything can really detract from this appearance.
Maintain Visibility
Since mangos make up 40% of tropical fruit sales, it's essential for retailers to maintain a year round mango display that customers can easily find each time they shop.
Displays, Displays, Displays
Take a page out of Whole Foods' book and make mangos an event at your store. Whole Foods drives mango sales with larger than life displays, characterized by vibrant colors and catchy slogans, all anchored by mango themed promotions. You want to make customers feel excited to shop for mangos at your store, and a brightly colored display is one of the easiest ways to do this.
The NMB also suggests having a secondary display elsewhere in the produce department, or in front of the store to draw customers towards your main attraction.
For more about Whole Foods' mango marketing techniques check out our previous article here.
Give Customers Options
American consumers like to have choices and so the NMB advises having multiple varieties and sizes of mangos in stock in your produce aisles. You want to make sure that no matter what the customer is looking for, you have a mango just for them.
Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more great merchandising tips for your produce aisles.
Washington D.C. - The USDA has restricted two companies from operating within the produce industry for failing to pay reparation awards issued under PACA law.
Based out of Yeadon, PA, Killian’s Green Inc., operating as Killian’s Harvest Green, failed to pay a $9,142 award in favor of a Pennsylvania seller. Edward W. Dever was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business at the time of the issuance of the reparation order.
Based out of Greeley, CO, Sunset Trading LLC failed to pay a $29,584 award in favor of a California seller. Tammera A. Anderson and Darin D. Anderson were listed as members of the business at the time of the issuance of the reparation order.
In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed 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.
SEATTLE, WA - The California Walnut Board and the California Walnut Commission have annouced the appointment of the public relations firm Edelman as their new public relations and social agency of record. The new hiring will go into effect as of September 1st, 2014 and all parties are excited about the possibilities this partnership offers.
“The strength of the Edelman network coupled with the team’s creativity and ability to understand our industry showed they could help us expand our presence across the country,” said Dennis A. Balint, Executive Director of the California Walnut Board and CEO of the California Walnut Commission. “We’re excited about what we can do together to raise awareness of California walnuts.”
Richard Edelman, President and CEO of Edelman, seconded this sentiment. “We are ecstatic to add California Walnuts to our growing portfolio of food and beverage clients,” he said. “We couldn’t be more excited to deliver our spirit of public engagement at a time when the market demands healthier, tastier options for everyone.”
Together Edelman, the California Walnut Board, and the California Walnut Commission will be launching an integrated communications campaign over the coming months centered around the great taste, nutritional profile, and culinary versatility of walnuts. According to a press release, the campaign will encompass a variety of topics, ranging from consumer PR, to health professional engagement, to social media counsel, community management, and management counsel and support issues.
Congratulations on the new partnership Edelman!
Douglas Kling, Chief Marketing Officer for Village Farms, sits down with AndNowUKnow to discuss all things tomato. For consumers looking for variety and high flavor, grab and go snacking or family packs with value-added, Village Farms offers exciting tomato options.
The company also holds a strong commitment to the environment. Village Farms is water conservation friendly and has close to a zero percent carbon footprint. The company also just bought part of a power operation in Vancouver to take methane from a landfill and turn it into food-grade CO2 to go back into the greenhouse and come out as oxygen.
For the past five years, Village Farms has worked on developing a customized hierarchy that breaks down consumer pull that represents 82% of the retail fresh market in the U.S., which allows the company to track the insights and best plant and grow to meet consumer needs. To share this information with its retail partners, the company will be releasing three-minute YouTube videos featuring its insights each quarter of 2015.
Check out the video above for this exclusive look.
SANTA PAULA, CA – Limoneira is hoping to connect with a younger audience and promote clean energy with a new video that mixes fun with science. The video features a Limoneira sheep rapping about solar power and the company’s commitment to clean energy.
"Sustainability is an important topic, but we wanted something a bit more light hearted that could connect with a younger audience as well," said John Chamberlain, Limoniera’s Director of Marketing. "We felt that this video allowed us to bridge that gap and cover a serious topic, but in a fun way that everyone could enjoy."
In addition to this latest marketing innovation, Limoneira regularily strives to teach children about the produce industry and what goes into growing the food that they all enjoy every day. John shared with AndNowUKnow that Limoneira regularily partners with local schools to give school kids the opportunity to tour Limoneira's facilities in order to teach them a bit more about its day-to-day operations.
“Every year hundreds of kids tour our ranch, learning where their food comes from, getting a close up look of our solar orchard, and even meeting Limoniera's sheep first hand," he shared. "They love the tours and it really helps us as a business connect with the kids on a personal level."
In 2008, Limoneira completed two state-of-the-art solar projects, according to the company’s website. The first is located at the company headquarters in Santa Paula, CA. It is a 5.5-acre photovoltaic orchard that generates a full megawatt of electricity. Representing one-third of the company’s total use, this clean and sustainable energy powers the lemon-packing house and storage facility.
In the Tulare County town of Ducor, about 150 miles north of Santa Paula, Limoneira installed four smaller solar arrays that together generate another full megawatt of electricity to power 250-horsepower motors that pump deep well water into reservoirs for the reservoirs for the irrigation of 1,000 agricultural acres.
Make sure the check out the video above!
BURLINGTON, MA - Gates-based Wegmans Food Markets is expanding again, annoucing plans to build 10 new stores throughout states in the East Coast over the next several years. The first of the new locations will open in Burlington, MA in the Fall of 2014, followed by 9 more locations in Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Maryland.
These latest expansion plans are the result of countless requests by American shoppers throughout the Northeast.
"Each year, thousands of people who have visited our store for the first time, or moved to a place without Wegmans, write asking that we build a store in their town," Wegmans reveals on its website. "Today, we have stores in New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Maryland and Massachusetts...There are other sites we are working on, but are not at liberty to disclose as yet."
For Linda Horton Bacon, a loyal Wegmans shopper who has been working for much of the last 6 years to bring a store closer to her home in Wilmington, Delaware, this annoucement is a dream come true. Her "We Want Wegmans in Wilmington" Facebook page has garnered quite a bit of support from the local community, with as many as 200 members, according to the Democrat and Chronicle.
"Six years ago we had no hope of having a Wegmans close by, now we do," she said. "While we may not have had any influence on Wegmans choosing a site closer to us, we at least have each other to share the excitement with!!!!"
Company spokesperson Jo Natale shared with the Democrat and Chronicle that Wegmans is currently planning on keeping its expansion limited to the Northeast because it does not want to risk overextending its distribution network at this point in time. Opening stores in Chicago or St. Louis could strain Wegmans' suppliers of milk, exotic cheese, and a variety of other products, a key foundation of the company's success.
In New England however there are big plans in store over the coming years. Wegmans' has been thriving ever since it expanded out of New York state back in 1993 and with customers coming in droves there's no sign of this grocery chain putting on the breaks anytime soon.
SALINAS, CA - Coastline Family Farms has promoted Linda Kivlehan to Sales Manager from Retail Sales Manager.
“I am excited to take on this role,” said Mrs. Kivlehan. “Coastline Family Farms is well-positioned for growth and I am enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. I look forward to my role in this position and being a part of our smart-growth strategy.”
“Linda has been an integral part of Coastline Family Farms for thirteen years. She has worked her way through our organization in several different roles while always maintaining a professional approach and ‘get it done’ attitude. During the last few years she has taken on the role of retail sales manager and once again has done an excellent job,” said Mr. Phil Adrian, Vice President. “We are delighted to see Linda grow and I look forward to continuing to work with her in her expanded role.”
In this new position, Linda will be responsible for managing all day-to-day sales activities for the Company, according to a press release. She will direct sales, implement strategies and support activities to ensure long-term growth, operational consistency and enhanced customer experiences.
Congratulations on the promotion, Linda!
WASHINGTON D.C - Reedley, CA based Dayka & Hackett LLC has posted a $250,000 surety bond in order to employ previous PACA violator Jerald Downs. Downs was once the sole officer of Market 52, a Kingsburg, CA based company which was found to have committed 'repeated and flagrant' violations of Section 2 of PACA regulations.
According to a press release, any PACA licensee wishing to hire individuals who have failed to pay a reparation award or have been subject to a USDA disciplinary action, must post a USDA-approved surety bond.
The USDA will hold the $250,000 bond for four years, providing assurance to the industry that Dayka & Hackett will be able to pay for the produce it purchases and conduct its business according to PACA rules.
In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims filed under PACA involving more than $87 million. This is just one more way USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.