GOODLETTSVILLE, TN - Dollar General recently reported financial results for its fiscal year 2024. One highlight of the report is that net sales increased 6.1 percent to $9.9 billion.

“We are pleased with our start to 2024, including top and bottom-line results that exceeded our expectations in the first quarter,” said Todd Vasos, Dollar General’s Chief Executive Officer. “These results were driven by strong customer traffic growth and market share gains during the quarter, which we believe is a testament to the relevance of our unique combination of value and convenience, as well as to improved execution across our organization.”

Several other highlights from the report are listed below:

• Same-store sales increased 2.4 percent
• Operating profit decreased 26.3 percent to $546.1 million
• Diluted EPS decreased 29.5 percent to $1.65
• Cash flows from operations increased 247.3 percent to $663.8 million

“I want to thank our entire team for their dedication to fulfilling our mission of Serving Others every day. Because of their efforts, we continue to make progress executing on our Back to Basics strategy, which we believe is resonating positively with our customers in the store. Looking ahead, we continue to focus on actions designed to enhance the way we support our teams and serve our customers while creating sustainable long-term value for our shareholders,” Vasos continued.

To read the report in its entirety, click here.

MADISON, WI - ReposiTrak continues to make inroads in the industry with new partnerships. Its latest partner to use the ReposiTrak Traceability Network® is Certco.

“There are real legal and competitive risks for wholesalers and distributors who choose not to do traceability, or who choose to do traceability in a way that doesn’t meet the FDA’s requirement,” explained ReposiTrak Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Randy Fields. “The most difficult part of traceability is taking the first step and starting to get your suppliers ready and able to share the data. Certco has taken that first step and we’re thrilled to be working with their suppliers to get them connected.”

According to a press release, Certco suppliers will now be able to share the complex set of Key Data Elements (KDEs) that are required under the FDA's FSMA 204 food traceability law.

The ReposiTrak Traceability Network enables the exchange and maintenance of KDEs between trading partners to meet and exceed the requirements of the FDA’s FSMA 204 food traceability law.

“As a distributor, we are required to collect and store more traceability data than ever before, for every shipment of the fresh, frozen, and even shelf-stable food products covered by the FDA’s food traceability law,” said Certco President and CEO Amy Niemetscheck. “We found a solution that would make the process fast, easy, and affordable for our suppliers, and one that is scalable.”

We’ll continue to keep you in the loop on all partnerships occurring within the industry.

HOUSTON, TX - Brighter Bites is all about distributing better-for-you foods, and its latest partnership will do just that. GoodPop® announced it will make a financial donation, including a $40,000 matching of Brighter Bites’ summer Core Campaign. The brand will also participate in a volunteer day at one of the Austin summer program sites, contribute fresh watermelon from its supply chain, and execute a product cause marketing strategy to raise awareness of Brighter Bites’ back-to-school campaign.

“We are honored to have a partner like GoodPop to support our mission, especially during our summer programming months,” said Rich Dachman, Chief Executive Officer of Brighter Bites. “Summer programming is crucial for the communities we serve in providing access to fresh produce when school is out. To have partner support during this time of the year is always welcomed and appreciated.”

Brighter Bites is also giving back to GoodPop’s cause by participating in Good Deeds Day. Since 2007, millions of people and thousands of organizations from 110 countries have come together annually to volunteer and #DoGood, a press release explained.

This partnership is just the beginning of many connections with organizations across the country to provide people with an opportunity to do good and volunteer.

“At GoodPop, it is our mission to provide families with more wholesome, delicious treats made with real and simple ingredients while also doing good in the communities we serve," says Clara Tomlin, Director of Brand Impact at GoodPop. "GoodPop is proud to partner with Brighter Bites, uplifting two of our giving pillars: Supporting Equity and Inclusion and Ending Hunger in America. This partnership feels especially important to us as we always strive to bring joy to families during the summer through our products and mission."

To stay informed on additional ways to support the organization, follow Brighter Bites on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, or YouTube. And stay tuned to ANUK for more industry news.

WASHINGTON, DC - The International Fresh Produce Association’s (IFPA) Washington Conference is taking place next week, and IFPA recently announced an update. United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will deliver remarks at the event with IFPA Chief Executive Officer Cathy Burns during the State of the Fresh Nation Breakfast and morning General Session.

“We look forward to welcoming Secretary Vilsack back to our Washington Conference next week and hearing his perspectives on the needs of a successful specialty crop industry,” Burns said. “Advocacy is not just about voicing our industry needs, but it’s also about establishing connections with the people that have the power to address those needs. Secretary Vilsack’s participation at The Washington Conference is a testament to just how important specialty crops are to our food system and nutrition security which we know is a matter of national security.”

Secretary Vilsack joins a powerful lineup of speakers from the industry, Congress, and the Administration. The event will provide not only the opportunity to hear from policymakers and experts, but most importantly, serves as the gathering point for hundreds of industry leaders.

In addition to education sessions which include speakers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, United Natural Foods, Inc., and more, the founding members of the Congressional Specialty Crop Caucus are also featured.

“Good policy doesn’t happen overnight, and it requires a constant drumbeat of support to gain traction and create change,” said IFPA Vice President of U.S. Government Relations Rebeckah Adcock. “The Washington Conference is the moment for the industry to come together to share their voices and stories to Congress and the Administration. Taking time to share these personal stories is an investment in the fresh produce industry’s efforts to support policies that allow us to grow a healthier world. We look forward to seeing everyone there.”

The Joy of Fresh activation will welcome DC influencers, key congressional and administration staff, consumer advocates, industry leaders, and more. Attendees will celebrate the bounty that fresh produce and floral provides for health, happiness, and the economy.

To register, click here.

ANUK has more news coming your way, so don’t go anywhere.