SUNBURY, PA - Retailers need to invest within current infrastructure just as much as new. Weis Markets recently completed the remodel of one of its Pennsylvania stores located in Tannersville.

“The remodel of our Tannersville location is done, and we are ready to show off our store’s new look and upgrades,” said Vice President of Marketing and Advertising Maria Rizzo. “The expanded beer and wine café, the increased product selection throughout the store and the overall new look will provide an enhanced shopping experience for many years to come.”

The store upgrades include an updated interior and fresh look, complimenting the retailer’s expansion of fresh options such as a new deli and foodservice cases, and an upgraded bakery and floral department.

“A big thanks to our store team and partners for their hard work on our project,” continued Rizzo. “We can’t wait to celebrate this milestone with our valued customers.”

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DALLAS, TX - Back for the second year in a row, Avocados From Mexico® announced its partnership with the College Football Playoff (CFP), taking its spot as the Official Avocado Brand of the CFP. Backed by this alliance, the avocado titan is helping shoppers score big wins in the avocado category with the new Always a Good Play campaign.

"As the first produce brand to advertise in both the Big Game and the College Football Playoff, we are proud to have built such close ties to the game of football," said Alvaro Luque, Avocados From Mexico President and Chief Executive Officer. "It's a sport that brings people together—and there's no better feeling than rooting for your favorite team over a freshly prepared bowl of guacamole. We know that our brand plays a big role in making football season extra special and aim to continuously find innovative ways to show shoppers how they can make their game day one to remember."

With its Always a Good Play campaign, Avocados From Mexico is fueling demand for avocados with in-store promotional programs, thematic packaging, consumer savings, and digital engagement. This includes a digital toolkit for stores, complete with logos, high-resolution assets, social posts, and more to arm retailers with everything they need to reach consumers online.

According to a press release, the College Football Playoff is expanding to 12 teams for the 2024–25 postseason, and increasing from three playoff games to 11, in addition to the 1,500+ games during the regular college football season—which means more opportunities for this exciting partnership!

"Football and guacamole go hand-in-hand, and this year the CFP is anticipated to have even more viewers and occasions to enjoy fresh Avocados From Mexico," added Stephanie Bazan, Senior Vice President of Commercial Strategy and Execution. "That's what makes this partnership such a perfect fit. Being the Official Avocado Brand of such a beloved event allows us to reach football fans across the country and remind them to shop for fresh avocados to prepare their game day recipes, whether they're tailgating or watching at home. We're incredibly proud that Mexico is the leader in avocado imports October through December, allowing us to provide a steady supply to meet demand, even beyond the College Football Playoff."

To read more about this partnership, click here. As always, leave a tab open to ANUK for more fresh produce news.

MONTEREY, CA - A recent partnership was announced between PRO*ACT and Pepper to offer PRO*ACT members exceptional digital tools and marketing opportunities through Pepper's platform. It is designed specifically to bolster companies’ competitiveness in a rapidly evolving market.

“We are thrilled to announce our partnership with Pepper,” said Chip Walker, Chief Executive Officer, PRO*ACT. “This collaboration represents a significant opportunity for our distributors to access tools and resources that will not only streamline their operations but also provide them with the analytical insights and marketing support needed to thrive in today’s competitive landscape.”

According to a press release, this collaboration will allow PRO*ACT distributors access to Pepper’s robust suite of services. This will allow them to leverage cutting-edge technology at an accessible cost.

Not only that, but both PRO*ACT and Pepper are developing tailored customer-facing dashboards and reporting tools specifically designed for national chains. This will help distributors effectively manage and grow their local and regional chain business with enhanced insights and analytics.

“Joining forces with PRO*ACT reaffirms our mission to enhance the foodservice distribution landscape,” said Wes Finch, Vice President of Produce, Pepper. “We are excited to bring our technology and marketing capabilities to PRO*ACT’s distributors, helping them not only meet the demands of the market but also exceed their customers’ expectations.”

Additionally, PRO*ACT’s extensive network of grower relationships will create unique access to marketing revenue. The press release noted that distributors will have the chance to participate in nationwide product campaign advertisements and special promotions, amplifying their visibility and reach.

We look forward to seeing this partnership come to life!

ST. LOUIS, MO - The latest news from Schnuck Markets has unveiled not one, but two newly appointed Chiefs. Kim Gray has joined the company as Chief Merchant as Ryan Cuba takes over as its first-ever Chief Growth Officer.

As Schnucks’ new Chief Merchant, Gray will lead and provide a strategic vision for merchandising strategy, category management, procurement, assortment, pricing, promotions, and supplier diversity, a press release explained. With experience in fresh, center store, and e-commerce operations, Gray brings over 20 years of expertise to Schnucks’ executive ranks. She previously held various positions at retail companies like Ahold Delhaize USA, Hannaford Supermarkets, and Food Lion.

While at Hannaford Supermarkets, Gray held leadership roles with the United Way of Southern Maine and was honored by her colleagues with the prestigious John J. Russell Award for Excellence for innovative thinking, integrity, and employee development.

“Kim steps into this role ready to lead thanks to her depth of category management leadership in Fresh and Center Store, her experience in E-Commerce, and her keen eye for merchandising,” said Ted Schnuck, Executive Vice President, Supermarkets. “Her passion for developing talent as well as for serving customers position her for success as she returns to the Midwest for this leadership role with Schnucks.”

As Gray takes on this role, she succeeds Ryan Cuba, newly named Chief Growth Officer. Both Gray and Cuba will begin their new roles on September 2 and will be members of the retailer’s Strategy Team.

As Schnucks’ first Chief Growth Officer, Cuba will oversee the teams responsible for strategic planning, acquisitions, business development, real estate, store design, construction, and maintenance. Cuba has been a part of the Schnucks operation for 19 years, serving as Chief Merchant for the last four. Prior to that, he held leadership roles in Store Operations and Business Development.

The St. Louis native holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Finance from the University of Missouri - Columbia, and an MBA with an emphasis in Finance from Saint Louis University.

“With his cross-functional retail experience and understanding of our business from Merchandising to Store Operations, Ryan is the ideal leader to step into this role as we position Schnucks for growth,” said David Bell, Executive Vice President - Chief Financial and Administrative Officer. “He was responsible for a number of successful moments in our company’s history, including the sale of our pharmacy business to CVS as well as the integration of 19 Shop ‘n Save stores.”

Congratulations to both Chiefs on their latest appointment!