Latest News From Retail

StePac has introduced a new line of packaging for fresh products, for products needing a modified atmosphere/humidity environment.

After nearly 20 years at Amazon, the vice president of Amazon Prime is leaving the company.

Raley’s has promoted Kevin Konkel and Paul Gianetto to leadership positions.

Albertsons Cos. has selected Jim Donald as its president and chief operating officer.

Los Angeles-based The Wonderful Co. has seen continued sales growth for its branded Pom Poms pomegranate arils.

Fresh produce volume gains led all retail fresh departments in the fourth quarter of 2017, according to the latest FreshFacts on Retail report from the United Fresh Produce Association.

Walmart has designed and started using a new platform to track produce freshness.

Fresh Thyme Farmers Market is partnering with Bags 4 My Cause, which provides reusable bags to retailers while getting shoppers involved in supporting local nonprofit causes.

Oxnard, Calif.-based Mission Produce is launching a new product — Grade 2 avocados in packaging that dubs them Emeralds in the Rough.

For the third year, the U.S. Apple Association is promoting Munch Madness, asking consumers to fill out brackets of their favorite apples in a takeoff of the NCAA basketball tournament.

“Here you go, kid. Have a banana.”

Walmart division Sam’s Club is now offering same-day grocery delivery through Instacart in certain markets.

Gold Nugget mandarins are now available from Fowler, Calif.-based Bee Sweet Citrus through March.

Frieda’s Inc., Los Alamitos, Calif., plans to show off a three-tier display unit and dragon fruit March 3 at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure.

Wenatchee, Wash.-based Stemilt Growers suggests retailers consider some sweet promotions along with savory ones for the upcoming Cinco de Mayo holiday.

Scan women’s online dating profiles — which I have done as a recently single man — and you will be struck with the commonalities.

Tom Karst and Ashley Nickle discuss why Western Growers opposes the latest Goodlatte guest worker bill and why the slowing of Walmart's e-commerce growth does not necessarily portend anything bad for online grocery.

More than 270 retail stores have signage featuring Produce for Kids and Feeding America this year as part of a partnership with the Springfield, Mo., division of Associated Wholesale Grocers.

The Agriculture Department has begun talking with grocery retailers about their potential role in a proposal to replace some food-stamp allocations with prepackaged boxes of groceries.

The Agriculture Department has begun talking with grocery retailers about their potential role in a proposal to replace some food-stamp allocations with prepackaged boxes of groceries.

Avocados From Mexico is set to launch its fourth consecutive Fanwich campaign, tapping into college basketball excitement to promote avocados on sandwiches, burgers and hot dogs.

Ippolito International is adding California asparagus from Coastal View Packing, Gonzales, Calif., as well as adding organic asparagus.

In the first two months available in wide distribution, Sunions “tearless” onions from Bayer Crop Science have topped a billion media impressions and are finding a spot in shopping carts.

Now Corona beer drinkers in the U.S. can add slices of Corona limes to their drinks.

Domex Superfresh Growers, Yakima, Wash., is eager for retailers to stock plenty of granny smith apples for St. Patrick’s Day sales.

Walmart reported a 23% increase in e-commerce sales for the fourth quarter — a significant number that nonetheless pales in comparison to the 50% third-quarter increase.

Bi-Lo LLC, which owns Winn-Dixie stores, and Tops Friendly Markets are planning to file for bankruptcy, as Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods continues to put pressure on retailers.

I was visiting the other day with produce consultant Bruce Peterson about the blueberry category, related to pending coverage of the Southeast berry section for The Packer.

The “B” shift is when you have to “be” at work in the produce department in the morning, “be” there at closing time, and generally, just “be” there.

Cartons of Del Rey Avocado Co.’s conventional avocados from California now sport the American Heart Association’s Heart-Check logo.

The entire berry business is booming, and strawberries still remain the top draw for consumers.

People ask “How can a country as rich as the U.S. have people who go hungry?”

For those who think eating healthy is too hard and expensive, actor/model Marley Ficalora has a message.

Pamela Riemenschneider, editor of The Packer's sister publication Produce Retailer, attended the NGA show and spoke with retailers about the new "Harvest Box" proposal.

The Brentwood, Mo.-based Produce for Better Health Foundation has announced its 2017 honorees for Fruits & Veggies — More Matters Retail Role Models, Champions and 2017 Supermarket Dietitians of the Year.

I think about repeat sales, especially in so many walks of life, such as when I get my hair cut. My neighborhood barber shop (Louie’s) is always there for me and countless others, to trim and tidy up what nature grows.

Prominent nut varieties are seeing the same positive eating trends seen elsewhere in the produce department, such as convenience and healthy snacking.

This year Feb. 14 marks not only Valentine’s Day, but also the beginning of Lent, when many people consume seafood on Fridays or abstain from meat during the 40-day period.

The Viva Fresh Produce Expo has lined up Phil Gwoke, a generational expert and consultant at BridgeWorks, as the speaker for the event’s keynote luncheon April 6.

While the Winter Olympics plays in South Korea, Williamsville, N.Y.-based retail chain Tops Friendly Markets holds its own Olympic-themed produce competition.

Fellsmere, Fla.-based B&W Quality Growers is partnering to support families affected by cancer.

Monterey Mushrooms Inc., Watsonville, Calif., plans to showcase its Let’s Blend diced mushroom line at the Southeast Produce Council’s Southern Exposure event, March 1-3 in Tampa, Fla.

Roger Schroeder, who recently retired as vice president of produce at Stater Bros. Markets, was the man of the hour at a Fresh Produce & Floral Council dinner to celebrate his career.

Dole Food Co. is adding to its chopped salad line with a Greek Chopped Salad Kit.

See what you missed this year at the first Global Organic Produce Expo and plan ahead for next year's event.

Albertsons will soon open two locations of its new premium banner Market Street Idaho.

Produce Marketing Association CEO Cathy Burns was the guest speaker at the Fresh Produce & Floral Council’s February membership luncheon.

Buoyed by consistent quality and convenience packs, per capita use of fresh pineapple continues to rise.

Amazon Prime shoppers in certain cities can now get free two-hour delivery on groceries from Whole Foods Market.

Executives at Supervalu continued to express confidence about the direction of the company Feb. 7 as investor Blackwells Capital ratcheted up its calls for drastic change.