Content about Food industry

May 21, 2013
Kroger places Empowered Products' Pink in 1,400 stores across U.S.

Empowered Products Inc. announced Kroger has placed its first batch of orders for Empowered Products' Pink line of personal lubricants for five of Kroger's distribution centers across the United States.

LAS VEGAS — Empowered Products Inc. announced today The Kroger Co. has placed its first batch of orders for Empowered Products' Pink line of personal lubricants for five of Kroger's distribution centers across the United States.

Kroger, the largest grocery store chain in the U.S., will now offer Pink Silicone and Pink Water at approximately 1,400 retail locations across the United States.

May 14, 2013
Former Morrisons executive appointed group chief information officer at Ahold

Royal Ahold has appointed Ben Wishart as group chief information officer, the Dutch supermarket operator said.

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold has appointed Ben Wishart as group chief information officer, the Dutch supermarket operator said Tuesday.

In the newly created position, Wishart will report to CFO Jeff Carr and will work out of the company's Amsterdam headquarters. He previously worked at U.K. food retailer Morrisons as chief information officer. Ahold operates the Stop & Shop, Giant-Landover and Giant-Carlisle supermarket chains in the United States, as well as the Peapod online grocery service.

May 14, 2013
Kroger promotes two finance executives

Kroger announced two finance executive promotions that will be effective with their elections by Kroger's board of directors expected on June 27.

CINCINNATI — Kroger on Tuesday announced two finance executive promotions that will be effective with their elections by Kroger's board of directors expected on June 27. Scott Henderson has been named VP pension investment and strategy and Todd Foley has been named VP and treasurer. 

Henderson, 57, currently serves as Kroger's VP and treasurer, a position he has held since 2003. He will lead a new team that is responsible for overseeing nearly $12 billion of assets.

May 7, 2013
Target soft opens western Canada stores

Target opened 22 of its stores in western Canada Tuesday and will open two more next Tuesday, the mass merchandise retailer said.

MISSISSAUGA, Ontario — Target is opening 22 of its stores in western Canada Tuesday and two more next Tuesday, the mass merchandise retailer said.

Target announced that it would soft open stores in British Columbia, Alberta and Manitoba. Most of the stores will include pharmacies and in-store Starbucks. The chain plans to open 124 stores across Canada this year and opened 24 in Ontario in March.

May 6, 2013
Dove's Self-Esteem Project launches new campaign

Unilever’s Dove has announced the launch of a new initiative, “Let’s Make Girls Unstoppable,” as part of its commitment to reach 15 million girls by 2015 with self-esteem programming.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Dove has announced the launch of a new initiative, “Let’s Make Girls Unstoppable,” as part of its commitment to reach 15 million girls by 2015 with self-esteem programming.

May 3, 2013
Retail sector's success shows the importance of innovation

Jobs data from the Department of Labor released Friday show that among the 165,000 jobs added overall were 29,000 in the retail sector, results that industry trade group the National Retail Federation heralded as possibly boding well for the economy in the future.

While the numbers themselves speak volumes, it's important to consider some of the factors behind them that explain why the sector has thrived.

Jobs data from the Department of Labor released Friday show that among the 165,000 jobs added overall were 29,000 in the retail sector, results that industry trade group the National Retail Federation heralded as possibly boding well for the economy in the future.

While the numbers themselves speak volumes, it's important to consider some of the factors behind them that explain why the sector has thrived.

April 29, 2013
Safeway elevates president Robert Edwards to CEO

Safeway announced that Robert Edwards, currently the company's president, will succeed Steven Burd as CEO when Burd retires as chairman and CEO on May 14. Edwards, 57, will also join the company's board of directors.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway late Monday announced that Robert Edwards, currently the company's president, will succeed Steven Burd as CEO when Burd retires as chairman and CEO on May 14. Edwards, 57, will also join the company's board of directors.

"Since he arrived here in 2004, Robert has successfully met every challenge he has faced," Burd stated. "He has demonstrated the ability to lead the company in all facets of its operations, and has earned the respect of the entire organization."

April 17, 2013
Ahold 'shocked' by Boston attack, CEO tells shareholders

Royal Ahold CEO Dick Boer expressed condolences for the victims of Monday's bombing of the Boston Marathon in a meeting with shareholders Wednesday.

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold CEO Dick Boer expressed condolences for the victims of Monday's bombing of the Boston Marathon in a meeting with shareholders Wednesday.

"The Boston area is, of course, one of our main U.S. markets, and our thousands of employees are shocked by Monday's events," Boer said. "Our thoughts are with everyone in the city of Boston and the surrounding communities, and especially the families and friends of those affected."

The company's Stop & Shop banner has a prominent and long-standing presence in the area.

April 17, 2013
Dove taps FBI-trained forensic artist for new beauty campaign

The way women depict themselves is dramatically different from how others perceive them. That’s according to the research findings by Unilever’s Dove brand.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — The way women depict themselves is dramatically different from how others perceive them. That’s according to the research findings by Unilever’s Dove brand.

April 15, 2013
Kool-Aid launches new ad campaign coinciding with new drink mix

Kool-Aid, a Kraft Foods brand, announced the launch of a new multimedia campaign to reintroduce the company's iconic Kool-Aid Man "spokespitcher" that will coincide with the release of a new liquid drink mix available on store shelves now.

NORTHFIELD, Ill. — Kool-Aid, a Kraft Foods brand, announced today the launch of a new multimedia campaign to reintroduce the company's iconic Kool-Aid Man "spokespitcher" that will coincide with the release of a new liquid drink mix available on store shelves now.

April 10, 2013
Bumble Bee Foods makes push for growing Hispanic market

Seafood brand Bumble Bee Foods has hired Hispanic celebrity chef Doreen Colondres in order to connect with the growing Hispanic market in the United States, the company said Wednesday.

MIAMI — Seafood brand Bumble Bee Foods has hired Hispanic celebrity chef Doreen Colondres in order to connect with the growing Hispanic market in the United States, the company said Wednesday.

March 29, 2013
Ahold appoints former IBM executive as chief information officer

Ahold USA has appointed Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, the supermarket operator said Friday.

CARLISLE, Pa. — Ahold USA has appointed Paul Scorza as its chief information officer, the supermarket operator said Friday.

Ahold USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Netherlands-based Royal Ahold, said Scorza would assume the new position on Monday, based in Quincy, Mass., overseeing all Ahold USA information management functions, with a focus on systems and business processes to improve efficiency, effectiveness, controls and operations, reporting to EVP finance and CFO Paula Price.

March 26, 2013
Safeway signs agreement to install SoloHealth Stations across store base

Safeway has agreed to install SoloHealth Station kiosks across almost 700 stores as part of a multiyear agreement, SoloHealth announced Tuesday.

ATLANTA — Safeway has agreed to install SoloHealth Station kiosks across almost 700 stores as part of a multiyear agreement, SoloHealth announced Tuesday. 

“Safeway shares our commitment of empowering consumers to take charge of their health,” stated Stephen Kendig, chief commercial officer and EVP SoloHealth. “We believe that access, awareness and education are keys to a healthy lifestyle, and we’re bringing comprehensive health and wellness services directly to Safeway’s customers.”

March 21, 2013
Ahold plans completion of ICA sale Wednesday

Royal Ahold expects its deal to sell its share of the European supermarket chain ICA to Hakon Invest to be completed next Wednesday, the Dutch supermarket operator said.

AMSTERDAM — Royal Ahold expects its deal to sell its share of the European supermarket chain ICA to Hakon Invest to be completed next Wednesday, the Dutch supermarket operator said Thursday.

Ahold said the conditions for the sale of its 60% stake in ICA to Swedish investor group Hakon Invest had been met.

March 21, 2013
Starbucks expands loyalty program to grocery purchases

Starbucks today at the company's annual meeting of shareholders unveiled plans to expand its My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program to reward customers who purchase Starbucks-brand products in their local grocery stores.

SEATTLE — Starbucks today at the company's annual meeting of shareholders unveiled plans to expand its My Starbucks Rewards loyalty program to reward customers who purchase Starbucks-brand products in their local grocery stores.

March 20, 2013
Coke's Glaceau introduces sparkling Fruitwater

Glaceau, a Coca-Cola brand and maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater, is injecting a little sparkle into its lineup with new Fruitwater set to hit store shelves on April 1.

NEW YORK — Glaceau, a Coca-Cola brand and maker of Vitaminwater and Smartwater, is injecting a little sparkle into its lineup with new Fruitwater.

March 18, 2013
Ahold repurchases 960,596 shares

Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold has repurchased nearly 1 million shares as part of its $647.3 million share-buyback program, the company said.

AMSTERDAM — Dutch supermarket operator Royal Ahold has repurchased nearly 1 million shares as part of its $647.3 million share-buyback program, the company said Monday.

Ahold said the 960,596 shares were repurchased at an average price of $14.91, for a total of $14.33 million.

The company announced the share-buyback program in late February. Ahold operates the Stop & Shop, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover supermarket banners and the Peapod online grocery service in the United States.

 

March 14, 2013
Safeway named to think tank's list of 'World's Most Ethical Companies'

Safeway has been named one of the 2013 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, the company announced Thursday.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has been named one of the 2013 World's Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute, the company announced Thursday.  

March 13, 2013
Dove Men+Care adds fatherhood to the sports spotlight during March Madness

Unilever’s Dove Men+Care has teamed up with basketball greats to share a different side of themselves with sport fans throughout the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Dove Men+Care has teamed up with basketball greats to share a different side of themselves with sport fans throughout the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball tournament.

March 11, 2013
Ahold starts 500 million-euro share-buyback program

Ahold is buying back about $650 million worth of shares, with plans to finalize the deal within 12 months, the Dutch retail company said.

AMSTERDAM — Ahold is buying back about $650 million worth of shares, with plans to finalize the deal within 12 months, the Dutch retail company said Monday.

Ahold — which operates the Stop & Shop, Giant-Carlisle and Giant-Landover supermarket banners and the Peapod online grocery service in the United States through its Ahold USA subsidiary — said the purpose of the share-buyback program was to return value to shareholders.

March 11, 2013
Unilever's Degree launches new unisex campaign

Unilever’s Degree deodorant has teamed up with basketball stars Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, track and field world champion Lolo Jones and gold-medal-winning soccer player Alex Morgan for a new integrated unisex campaign that focuses on challenging yourself, following your passions, trying something new and living life to the fullest.

ENGLEWOOD CLIFFS, N.J. — Unilever’s Degree deodorant has teamed up with basketball stars Carmelo Anthony and Kevin Durant, track and field world champion Lolo Jones and gold-medal-winning soccer player Alex Morgan for a new integrated unisex campaign that focuses on challenging yourself, following your passions, trying something new and living life to the fullest.

Starting in March, Anthony, Durant, Jones and Morgan will appear individually in a series of Degree television advertisements that showcase how they always DO:MORE.

March 8, 2013
Honest Tea expands Honest Fizz soda line across the country

Honest Tea, maker of organic bottled teas, is expanding its line of Honest Fizz naturally sweetened, zero-calorie sodas nationwide after a successful pre-launch, the company announced.

BETHESDA, Md. — Honest Tea, maker of organic bottled teas, is expanding its line of Honest Fizz naturally sweetened, zero-calorie sodas nationwide after a successful pre-launch, the company announced last week.

Honest Fizz is naturally sweetened with a blend of stevia leaf extract and erythritol, a natural sugar alcohol. None of the ingredients in Honest Fizz contain GMOs. There are four varieties to choose from in the new line of soda drinks: Lemon Limey, Orange Pop, Professor Fizz, and USDA Organic Root Beer.

March 8, 2013
Juice meets coffee

PepsiCo is testing the waters of a new beverage segment with Kickstart, a new breakfast drink that's a mix of Mountain Dew and 5% real fruit juice.

PURCHASE, N.Y. — PepsiCo is testing the waters of a new beverage segment with Kickstart, a new breakfast drink that's a mix of Mountain Dew and 5% real fruit juice. The beverage comes in two flavors, orange citrus and fruit punch, and has 80 calories per 16-oz. can, about half the calories found in a typical soda.

So far, Kickstart is being positioned as an alternative to coffee or juice, and not as an energy drink.

 

 

March 8, 2013
Unilever to launch spray-on lotion

Unilever is launching a new spray-on lotion through its Vaseline division, according to published reports.

NEW YORK — Unilever is launching a new spray-on lotion through its Vaseline division, according to published reports.

Spray & Go will be available in Aloe Fresh, Total Moisture and Cocoa Radiant varieties, selling at $8 for 6.5-oz. cans.

The company is launching an online commercial featuring dancer Emma Chadwick, which it will launch on Monday.

 

March 7, 2013
Safeway provides glimpse of new wellness platform

Safeway offered a glimpse of its new wellness platform, slated to launch in the second quarter, to analysts during the chain's 2013 investor conference.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway on Wednesday offered a glimpse of its new wellness platform, slated to launch in the second quarter, to analysts during the chain's 2013 investor conference here. "Today, we're a supermarket company … selling wellness services and wellness products," Steve Burd, Safeway chairman and CEO, told analysts. Within 10 years, Safeway will transform into a wellness company that happens to sell food, Burd said.