Content about SuperValu

EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. — As part of its commitment to greener operations, Supervalu announced plans to transition 40 Albertsons banner stores to zero-waste operations before the end of the fiscal year on Feb. 29, 2012.

Last November, two Albertsons stores achieved zero-waste classification, which was highlighted in Supervalu's corporate responsibility report that was released Wednesday.

Zero-waste classification is achieved when stores divert at least 90% of all waste from landfills, Supervalu said.

BOWIE, Md. — Shoppers Food & Pharmacy on Tuesday announced that its bid to purchase a Superfresh store in Ellicott City, Md., was approved by the court handling the ongoing A&P bankruptcy proceedings.

"We are excited to become part of the Ellicott City community," Shoppers president Tim Lowe said. "We're looking forward to serving our new neighbors and friends with a special local focus that can come only from a neighborhood grocer."

CHICAGO — The Windy City’s problem with food deserts is getting attention from the city’s mayor and some of the country’s top retailers, according to published reports.

WHAT IT MEANS AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT — Walmart opened its first Express stores earlier this month to mixed reviews about the impact of the new format on the company domestic growth. At 15,000 sq. ft., Walmart opened the first Express location in Gentry, Ark., last week, but offered media and investment analysts a preview of the store prior to the company’s shareholders meeting on June 3.

(THE NEWS: Walmart Express makes debut. For the full story, click here.)

NEW YORK — Creative agency Kaplan Thaler Group has been tapped to run Supervalu’s latest ad campaign, according to a blog posted on the Kaplan Thaler Group site Monday.

As lead creative agency, the Kaplan Thaler Group’s responsibilities will encompass advertising, digital and direct marketing across all Supervalu banners, including Acme, Albertsons, Cub Foods, Farm Fresh, Jewel-Osco, Shaw’s/Star Market, Shop ‘n Save, Shoppers Food & Pharmacy, Hornbacher’s and Save-A-Lot.

MALVERN, Pa., and VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. — Building on the successful introduction of the nutrition iQ program to stores, two Supervalu banners announced that they will implement an education initiative designed to help grocery shoppers navigate the aisles with great-tasting foods that meet their nutritional needs.

Acme and Farm Fresh Food & Pharmacy said the Colors in Your Carriage initiative shoppers find quick-to-prepare, good-tasting solutions to fill the nutrient gaps highlighted in the "2010 Dietary Guidelines."

CHICAGO — Supervalu detailed its strategic plan to deliver profitable growth in the future for shareholders at an investor event May 3.

Commenting on the company’s plans, Supevalu CEO and president Craig Herkert said, “We are focused on acting as one company, working toward a common goal of delivering increased value to all of our customers and meeting their needs neighborhood by neighborhood.”

CHANDLER, Ariz. — Despite its long history of troubles, things appear to be looking up for regional supermarket chain Bashas’.

Bashas’, which operates more than 130 stores in Arizona, California and New Mexico under the Bashas’, Food City and AJ’s Fine Foods banners, announced plans Thursday for job fairs in Arizona — including in Phoenix, West Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson — where it will hire 400 new employees.

Bashas' spokeswoman Kristy Neid told Drug Store News that sales and customer counts lately had been increasing.

Armed with the positioning line, “It’s Time To Get Better,” Sav-Mor Drug Stores continues to emphasize the big difference between its network of franchised locations and the corporate mentality of the chain operations.


To that end, its most recent radio and television campaign positioned the pharmacies against the large national chains. The customer-
service-focused campaign established the Sav-Mor pharmacist as “your personal pharmacist” along with the idea that “nobody cares more for the customer than the owner.”


ITASCA, Ill. — Supervalu banner Jewel-Osco on Wednesday announced its "Eating Healthy with my Diabetes" in-store tour schedule for 2011. The free educational tours are designed to help customers learn to choose better-for-you foods and promote healthy eating, while incorporating foods they love into their meal plans.

MINNEAPOLIS — Four Supervalu banners are looking to boost healthy eating among children by offering parents fresh ideas for nutritious snacking.

Acme, Farm Fresh, Shaw's and Shoppers stores will launch on their respective Facebook pages a video grocery tour with Supervalu's registered dietitian, Jennifer Shea, who will share the secrets to filling a shopping cart with the great-tasting foods kids want and the nutrients they need.