PASADENA, CA - As Vallarta Supermarkets celebrated the unveiling of its 50th location earlier this week, the Latin-inspired retailer debuted a new format that offers expanded inventory, a complete remodel, and a colorful, fiesta-worthy presentation.
"The opening of our 50th store located in Pasadena provides us with an opportunity to expand into a new arena and expand the Vallarta brand," said Rick Castillo, Marketing Director. "Our motto is that we are a supermarket for all families, so we do not necessarily differentiate between consumer profiles. However, we are confident that the products we offer in our stores satisfy the tastes and needs of all ethnic groups."
The 50,000-square-foot facility, formerly a Vons, has been completely revamped with an $8 million investment, according to a press release, hiring renowned interior design firm of DL English Design which has extensive experience in the design of grocery stores in the U.S., Mexico, and Europe, to create a bold new look.
"The result of our investment was a new supermarket with a contemporary style and very colorful patterns in vibrant pastels," said Castillo. "With 32 years of grocery success under our belt, the company wanted to introduce an image that looked and felt more contemporary for our customers."
Providing locals with a wide variety of food and bev products and services, the milestone location offers:
- An authentic Mexican kitchen or “La Cocina” with authentic, ready-to-eat meals, and a hot and cold food island with fresh salads, enchiladas, build-your-own taco bowls, and more
- "La Isla" (The Island) will provide refreshing made-to-order fruit beverages and ice cream
- Latin-infused sushi prepared daily by an in-house sushi chef
- A full service floral department and expanded wine selection
- A Tortilleria to produce freshly made tortillas and masa for holiday tamale making needs
- The Panaderia to produce made-from-scratch items like pan dulce, bolillos, savory cakes, pastries, and more
- A Cremeria (Deli) which will offer a wide selection of fresh Latin-style cheeses, cremas, store prepared chorizos, salsas, guacamole, and pico de gallo
Also keeping true to its "Home of the Original Carne Asada," Vallarta will have a full-service meat and seafood department including a wide variety of fish, beef, pork, and chicken, along with grass-fed and organic selections.
With the opening of its new store in Pasadena, the team said that Vallarta Supermarket has launched into a new, multicultural market with a store that could improve the quality of life for local residents with convenient one-stop shopping and access to traditional, healthy food options.
As made-from-scratch foods and Latin flavors continue to climb the trend ladder, AndNowUKnow will report the latest developments.
CAMARILLO, CA – With 39 years of service to the fresh produce industry, Houweling’s Group is pleased to congratulate and announce the retirement of RJ Deakins after an accomplished produce career in sales management.
RJ’s history in the produce industry extends back to 1979, when he began working with Sunkist. He then worked for Perricone, Genova & Associates, Eco Farms, Oceanside Produce, and Sun Pacific before finally becoming an integral member of Houweling’s sales team in 2011.
At an intimate gathering of Houweling’s colleagues to celebrate his retirement, RJ reflected on his nearly 40 years in the industry, recalling fondly the many people he had met and the incredible changes he has seen since starting at Sunkist. In his speech, he revealed his greatest pride in looking back is the relationships he forged with colleagues and customers over the years.
Reflective of RJ’s strong character and ability to maintain personal connections is his eulogy for his second-grade teacher a few years back. His ability to foster and maintain strong relationships over the years is also something of value he carried into his professional life.
A man of many interests, RJ is an accomplished body surfer, competing in last year’s Manhattan Beach Gillis Body Surfing Competition, and finishing 3rd in the Master’s division. He swims every day, enjoys the serenity of the golf course, can talk Lakers Basketball to anyone, and is an avid reader and music lover.
In retirement RJ will have the opportunity to pursue his athletic and intellectual passions, while spending more time with his wife Ruthie, and their adult children Casey and Brooke. All at Houweling’s, including his customers and former colleagues, offer RJ thanks for his dedication to our industry, and we here at AndNowUKnow wish him the best in his retirment.
Houweling’s Group is an industry leading greenhouse vegetable grower, propagator and marketer with operations in Delta, BC; Camarillo, CA; Mona, Utah; and Loveland, CO. A year-round grower, with over 200 acres of greenhouse farms, Houweling’s sustainably produces fresh and flavorful tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers.
For more produce industry news like this, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
ORLANDO, FL – This week, Village Farms and Produce for Kids celebrated #GivingTuesday—a global day of giving fueled by the power of social media and collaboration—by volunteering time at Second Harvest Food Bank in Orlando.
“Being able to give back to our community alongside friends from the produce industry is so rewarding,” said Helen Aquino, Director of Brand Marketing and Communications, in a company press release. “We are so grateful for the ability to do our part in assisting in the fight against hunger.”
A team from Village Farms and Produce for Kids spent the morning sorting produce that would go on to make more than 4,000 meals.
In its press release, Village Farms noted that Second Harvest Food Bank provides a particularly important service in the Orlando area—where one in six Central Floridians are food insecure and one in four kids are at risk of going to bed hungry. Second Harvest supplies more than 550 local nonprofit feeding programs to help remedy the situation.
#GivingTuesday is celebrated on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving (in the U.S.) and has gained traction over the last six years amongst the widely recognized shopping events Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Kudos to the Village Farms team from all of us at AndNowUKnow.
CINCINNATI, OH - Today is a good day for Kroger and its ongoing efforts with its Restock Kroger campaign; the company announced its third quarter’s 2017 fiscal results, and it looks to be enjoying large net earnings. When faced with the constantly evolving and competitive market, Kroger seems to stand down for no business.
The company's strong core business results, strong fuel results, and incremental $111 million contribution to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan in the third quarter have all played important roles in the outcome of Kroger's successful third quarter. The supermarket’s net earnings for the third quarter last year came in at $391 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, while this year’s third quarter’s net earnings climbed to $397 million, or $0.44 per diluted share. The identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, was 1.1 percent in the third quarter this year.
With so much success and growth in the face of a market always vyying for new ways to woo consumers, Kroger's success comes from many different angles of its business.
"Restock Kroger is off to a great start. Customers are recognizing our efforts to redefine the customer experience and rewarding us with their loyalty. We continue to accelerate our digital and ecommerce offerings, to grow Our Brands, to lower prices for customers, and to invest in our associates,” said Rodney McMullen, Chairman and CEO, in a recent press release. “The holidays are always Kroger's time to shine. In fact, we had our best ever Black Friday results for general merchandise, led by record sales at Fred Meyer. Everything we are doing revolves around our associates providing friendly service and fresh products to our customers. This quarter shows that by investing for the future, our business continues to improve and gain momentum. We remain confident in our ability to continue to grow identical supermarket store sales and market share for the balance of the year and in 2018."
According to the press release, the following stats detail its third quarter success:
- Total sales increased 4.5% to $27.7 billion in the third quarter compared to $26.6 billion for the same period last year. Total sales, excluding fuel, increased 3.0% in the third quarter compared to the same period last year
- Gross margin was 22.4% of sales for the third quarter. Excluding fuel, ModernHEALTH and the LIFO charge, gross margin increased 30 basis points from the same period last year. Lower cost of goods and sales mix more than offset continued price investments
- Kroger recorded a $3 million LIFO charge in the third quarter of 2017, compared to an $8 million LIFO credit in the same period last year
- FIFO operating margin dollars for the third quarter of 2017 increased $38 million, or 5.5%
- Operating, General & Administrative costs as a rate of sales – excluding fuel, ModernHEALTH, and a $111 million contribution to the UFCW Consolidated Pension Plan – increased 18 basis points. Rent and depreciation with the same exclusions remained consistent
The press release's success story is also vindication that the company's Restock Kroger efforts were worthwhile pursuits, as can be seen in the following highlights from its Third Quarter 2017:
- Redefine the Grocery Customer Experience—launched the We are Local campaign, hosted the first natural foods innovation summit to expand its natural foods offering, launched the new restaurant concept Kitchen 1883, announced two new Our Brands product lines (a clothing line due out in 2018 and Bloom Haus™)
- Partner for Customer Value—used cost savings to reduce prices for customers, launched home delivery service using Instacart in Southern California, announced its media solution that offers CPGs a service that offers personalized communication to Kroger’s customers through a multitude of digital and media channels called Kroger Precision Marketing, announced cloud computing portfolio to expand its Google Cloud platform
- Develop Talent—announced $500 million incremental investment in associates over the next three years, hired about 14,000 part-time and seasonal employees this holiday season, named one of the “Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America” by Healthiest Employers, Loweres prices for healthcare services at The Little Clinic® for company associates and their immediate families
- Live Kroger's Purpose—launched Zero Hunger | Zero Waste as an initiative to end hunger in the communities in which Krogers reside and eliminate waste throughout the company by 2025, named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index-North America for the fifth consecutive year, generated $7 million to support recovery efforts in Texas, Florida, and Puerto Rico, donated $3.2 million to the USO with its Honoring Our Heroes campaign to show its long-standing commitment to all service men – both veterans and current – and their families. Named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index-North America for fifth consecutive year
- Financial Strategy—the use of cash to contribute an incremental $1.1 billion to company-sponsored pension plans, repurchase 59 million common shares for $1.7 billion, pay $446 million in dividends, and invest $2.9 billion in capital
It appears that not everyone was a true believer this holiday season. After speculation from anaylists who were initially leery of the company's success when positioned against industry titans such as Amazon and Walmart proved to be mistaken, Reuters reports that shares shot up to 13.6 percent.
Want more details on how Kroger managed to do so well this holiday season? Check out their full press release here, where you can also locate its plans moving forward.
For more fresh produce industry news, keep checking back with us at AndNowUKnow for the latest!
SANDPOINT, ID – With organics rising in demand and the tart taste of lemon sending consumers’ cravings into a craze, North American Refrigerated Salad Dressing brand Litehouse Inc. adds its Organic Lemon Herb Vinaigrette to its Organic family. Big on flavor, yet light on calories, the new vinaigrette can add zest to salads and other recipes as it's bursting with the crisp, bright taste of lemon and delicious hints of herbs.
“Consumers love our Organic dressings, and we continue to expand the line by delivering new and delicious flavors that make every dish exceptional,” said Brooke Gansemer, Assistant Brand Manager, in a recent press release. “Pair this dairy-free dressing on a dark green salad, drizzled over grilled vegetables, or as a chicken marinade – the options are endless!”
According to a Litehouse press release, the overall organic refrigerated salad dressing category is growing in popularity at 49 percent. With only 50 calories per 2-tablespoon serving, Litehouse’s light and refreshing Organic Lemon Herb Vinaigrette joins its USDA triple certified Organic, Certified gluten-free, and Non-GMO project verified Organic line that also includes Organic Balsamic, Organic Ranch, Organic Caesar, Organic Raspberry Lime, Organic Rosemary Balsamic, and Organic Ginger with Honey.
Look for the new Organic Lemon Herb Vinaigrette, with a retail price of $5.99, in the produce department next to the rest of Litehouse’s refrigerated dressing line beginning in December.
For more news like this, AndNowUKnow will continue to report on the rise of organics within the produce industry.
DENVER, COLORADO – Chipotle Mexican Grill’s Steve Ells has stepped down from his position as CEO after founding the company in 1993. Eater reported that along with missing earnings projections in the third quarter of 2017, the role change for the Denver-based fast-casual food chain has been in the works for a while after multiple food safety issues, subsequent lawsuits, and lower sales for the past couple of years.
“Steve is a visionary leader and one of the most successful restauranteurs in history, having grown Chipotle from a single restaurant in Colorado to more than 2,350 restaurants today,” said Chipotle Lead Independent Director Neil W. Flanzraich in a company press release. “Steve made the decision, and the Board agreed, that now is the right time to identify a new CEO who can reinvigorate the brand and help the company achieve its potential. We are committed to recruiting a world-class CEO for this incredible opportunity.”
Searching for a new leader with demonstrated turnaround expertise in order to address the challenges facing the company, improve execution, build customer trust, and drive sales, the Board has formed a search committee that includes Ells and Directors Robin Hickenlooper and Ali Namvar.
“I am incredibly proud of Chipotle and our people—and grateful to our loyal customers—and while we are continuing to make progress, it is clear that we need to move faster to make improvements,” said Ells in a company press release. “Simply put, we need to execute better to ensure our future success. The Board and I are committed to bringing in an experienced leader with a passion for driving excellence across every aspect of our business, including the customer experience, operations, marketing, technology, food safety, and training.”
The Denver Post reported that the market is responding positively to the news of the role change, with trading at $274.52 and shares valuing at more than $293—which at their peak in 2015 closed at $757.77.
Along with the leadership change, Chipotle also plans to prioritize its food safety procedures, introduce new menu items, jumpstart its marketing campaigns, and give out lots of free burritos in the upcoming year.
Will a new CEO guide Chipotle back to clear waters as the company plans to expand in 2018? AndNowUKnow will continue to bring you the latest.
McALLEN, TX – Getting fresh produce cooled and shipped to customers is key for importers at the U.S.-Mexico border, and the recent joint-venture between Allen Lund Company and Santos International, TransKool Solutions, is helping its customers get the freshest food possible in the timeliest fashion.
I had an opportunity to catch up with Carlos Santos at PMA Fresh Summit last month to find out more about the partnership, the supply-chain services TransKool Solutions provides, and the way in which the venture is uniquely-positioned to meet its customers’ needs.
“In 2016, Santos International and Allen Lund Company opened up a joint venture—TransKool Solutions—offering cold storage in McAllen, Texas,” Carlos explained. “By working with Allen Lund Company on the transportation and Santos International in the customers brokerage, we believe that we’re able to offer…information quickly and accurately.”
Specializing in storage and cooling from 33 to 34 degrees, TransKool Solutions boasts impressive customer satisfaction and retention rates with the joint-venture’s complete end-to-end supply chain services, and because of the venture’s prodigious first-year success, TransKool Solutions is already expanding to an impressive new facility.
“We’re now moving into a new facility, which is 40,000 square feet, located in McAllen, Texas,” Carlos added. “We’ll have plenty of room to work on the floor and to move product in and out quickly.”
Watch our complete interview above for more.
ROSEMONT, IL - Today, US Foods Holding Corp announced an offering of 39,955,545 shares of its common stock by investment funds associated with Clayton, Dubilier & Rice, LLC and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P, according to a press release. In addition, US Foods intends to repurchase 10,000,000 of the 39,955,545 shares of common stock from the underwriter at a price per share equal to the underwriter’s price of purchase.
Acting as the underwriter for the offering, Morgan Stanley proposes to offer the shares that are not subject to the share repurchase from time to time for sale in one or more transactions on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market, through negotiated transactions, or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices, subject to receipt, and acceptance by it and subject to its right to reject any order in whole or in part.
US Foods is not selling any stock in this transaction and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of common stock by the selling stockholders. The closing of the share repurchase is conditioned on, and expected to occur simultaneously with, the closing of the offering, subject to the satisfaction of other customary conditions. The offering is not conditioned upon the completion of the share repurchase.
US Foods has filed a shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a prospectus, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, effective now. The offering will be made only by means of a preliminary prospectus supplement related to the offering being filed today by US Foods with the SEC. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, and the final prospectus supplement, when available, may be obtained from Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC or by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov under US Foods’ name.
For more industry news like this, AndNowUKnow will continue to report.
KINGSVILLE, ON – This week, SUNSET® is kicking football season into a healthy high gear by introducing the Flavor Bowl™, an innovative football-shaped container filled with one pound of flavorful, premium snacking tomatoes.
“Snacking and watching football go hand in hand,” said SUNSET® CEO Paul Mastronardi, in a press release. “We wanted to offer tailgaters and TV-viewers a fun way to bring healthy snacks to the party in a package that fits right into game day entertaining.”
According to the company’s press release, each Flavor Bowl™ comes equipped with a specially-designed lid that both acts as a base and locks the football into place so consumers have an exciting, convenient bowl to serve their snacking tomatoes to friends, family, and themselves. The innovative design makes SUNSET®'s latest offering the ideal game day centerpiece.
SUNSET® is also supporting the Flavor Bowl™ launch with an on-pack and digital contest at www.sunsetgrown.com/gameday; consumers are invited to enter to win the ultimate game day prize—a 75” Samsung 4K Ultra HD Smart TV—or one of three tailgating prize packs—including a Yeti Cooler®, a Yeti Tumbler®, and a Sunset® Stadium Blanket.
“We are very thrilled about bringing this limited edition Flavor Bowl™ football to our retail partners as it generates excitement in store and encourages impulse purchases in the produce aisle,” Mastronardi added. “This innovative new concept is part of our commitment to provide retailers with limited edition products that will surprise and delight consumers while driving incremental growth to the category.”
For information on product innovations, exciting consumer promotions, and more, stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.
KEASBEY, NJ – The newly rebranded Price Rite Marketplace is welcoming a new executive to its team. The 65 store-strong and nine state-expansive chain is saying hello to Jim Dorey, its new President. This is exciting news for both Price Rite Marketplace and Wakefern Food Corp., one of the nation’s largest supermarket cooperatives and the company under which it is a registered trademark.
“Jim has consistently demonstrated the leadership traits and vision to position Price Rite Marketplace for success even in the face of major market changes, competitive challenges and a changing business landscape,” said Joe Sheridan, President and COO of Wakefern, in a recent press release. “It’s an exciting time for Price Rite as we refresh our stores with new décor and private label products, and Jim will help lead the company in this next step forward.”
News of Dorey’s admission into the Price Rite Marketplace executive family trails Neil Duffy’s retirement from the chain in October. Dorey’s responsibilities will include the company’s comprehensive rebrand by introducing new store décor, signage, and private label products to the stores over the course of the coming year. On top of these aesthetic shifts, Dorey will be heading business efforts, including sales, merchandising, retail operations, human resources, and corporate administration.
Dorey’s academic background includes a bachelor’s degree from Montclair State University, as well as Harvard Business School’s Advancement Management Program. When it comes to his career endeavors, he is well-established in Wakefern Food Corp.’s culture and development. After starting his career in 2004 as manager of real estate, he progressed in the organization to hold several other management positions in procurement. There, he reinforced frozen foods and the dairy divisions. He moved over to Price Rite in 2009, where he most recently held the title of Executive Vice President. In this role, he worked steadfastly alongside Duffy, which helped to ease his transition into his role as President.
With recent plans for a more visually appealing, fresh, modern take on the company’s stores, Dorey’s hand in the upcoming rebrand is one way that it is seeking to become more appetizing for consumers, all the while staying true to its promise of low prices, high quality goods, and friendly service to make shopping simpler and streamlined.
Congratulations to Jim Dorey, from all of us over at AndNowUKnow! We wish you every success your new role at Price Rite Marketplace offers you.