Latest News From Retail

Produce Retailer editor Pamela Riemenschneider discusses resistance to some value-added products and why Twitter bullies should think twice.

Convenience-centric store Amazon Go is now open to the Seattle public.

H-E-B holds a market share of an astounding 60% in south Texas, but its number in the region slipped slightly in 2017.

Tammy Wiard, who’s background includes marketing positions with the Florida Department of Citrus and Albertson’s/Safeway, is the National Mango Board’s retail program manager.

Walmart has double the market share of any other retailer in north Texas, according to recent statistics from The Shelby Report.

The California Fresh Fruit Association annual meeting will feature experts on robots and retailers.

Good produce managers and their crews achieve more with detailed goals. As promised, here is the last of three sets to help forge into the New Year, with what I call “18 goals for 2018.”

Pamela Riemenschneider, editor of Produce Retailer, sister publication of The Packer, discusses what the reasons might be behind an out-of-stocks problem at Whole Foods.

Friesland, Wis.-based Alsum Farms & Produce Inc., in a partnership with the Green Bay Packers, has named Blaine Lehto of Crivitz, Wis., as the winner of its Free Groceries for a Month Fan Contest.

Frieda’s Inc., Los Alamitos, Calif., has new 8-ounce clamshells for its cipolline onions; red, white and gold pearl onions; and boiler onions.

SAN DIEGO — Giving kids access to fresh fruits and vegetables in schools through the government’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program is just a step toward a greater goal.

Stemilt Growers is expanding its Apple Lover 5-pound pouch bag program to include several organic varieties under its Artisan Organics label.

CMI Orchards, Wenatchee, Wash., is getting ready for peak sales of its Ambrosia apple.

Los Angeles-based The Wonderful Co. is set to debut a new pistachio variety — “natural raw.”

Greens grower-shipper San Miguel Produce Inc. has resumed full operations after the December Thomas fire, which swept through Santa Barbara and Ventura counties.

Produce departments thrive with detailed goals. As promised, here are the second of three sets to help forge into the New Year, which I call “Eighteen goals for 2018.”

Registration has opened for the June 25-27 United Fresh 2018 expo in Chicago.

Autumn Glory, an exclusive variety of Yakima, Wash.-based Domex Superfresh Growers, cracked the top 20 of top apple varieties in November.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Communicating quality expectations clearly is the best way to avoid conflicts in buyer-seller relationships, according to panelists at the 2018 Potato Expo.

Most consumers don’t even know how much packaging technology improves their fruit and vegetable quality.

Pamela Riemenschneider, editor of Produce Retailer, a sister publication of The Packer, discusses Walmart's decision to close about 10% of Sam's Club locations and considers the possibility of Kohl's adding grocery.

Pamela Riemenschneider, editor of Produce Retailer, a sister publication of The Packer, explains how retailers can earn incremental produce sales by tapping into the bone broth trend.

Frieda’s Inc. has a new stand-up display for its shelf-stable, ready-to eat crepes.

Fairtrade America has joined 1% for the Planet, a global group of more than 1,200 companies in 40 countries, as a nonprofit partner.

Sun Pacific is seeing a January bump in sales for its premium navel orange brand, Vintage Sweets.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Keeping up with consumer trends and the breakneck pace of technology may not be easy but it is necessary to thrive, Phil Lempert told 2018 Potato Expo attendees.

Sales of organic fruits and vegetables have been on the rise for several years now, and retailers say movement in the category isn’t showing any signs of slowing.

Specialty potato brand Tasteful Selections has launched a year-long “Always Fresh” campaign, focusing on recipes for consumers to try.

Israel-based CommonSense Robotics wants to make online orders a profitable proposition for grocery retailers.

Nominations for the 2018 United Fresh Produce Association’s retail produce manager awards are due Jan. 24.

Carb alternatives and brain-healthy foods are expected to be popular food trends this year, and blue-purple produce high in anthocyanin can help fulfill consumer demand, according to Frieda’s Inc.

I thought I’d start off the new year with a gamut of goals.

With their pink skin and sweet tart flavor, Pink Lady apples are great for Valentine’s Day promotions, according to Yakima, Wash.-based Domex Superfresh Growers.

Despite the chatter we’ve been hearing about prices, traffic and private-label integration, I’m not sure we’ve yet seen the true grocery (specifically fresh produce) effect of Amazon buying Whole Foods.

Avocados From Mexico has again partnered with Old El Paso on promotions leading up to the Super Bowl.

Long-time Save Mart produce executive Greg Calistro, 59, has died.

Tanimura & Antle is set to launch a three-week “New Year — Fresh Start” promotion running Jan. 9-30 and featuring the company’s Artisan Lettuce and Artisan Romaine.

Pamela Riemenschneider, editor of Produce Retailer, a sister publication of The Packer, discusses specific areas grocers can address to target different generations through marketing and merchandising.

Apple marketers say they’re just beginning to see the marketing boost that social media offers, whether it’s interactive communication with consumers, sharing recipe ideas or linking apples to community events.

Workers at Westlake Village, Calif.-based Dole Food Co.’s Muelle and Bosque farms in Costa Rica recently opened two community centers thanks to Fair Trade pineapple purchases at Whole Foods Market stores.

The RubyFrost apple, developed at Cornell University and grown in New York, is back for another season.

Retail analyst Bill Bishop expects grocers to go beyond analytics in 2018.

I was scarfing down the remaining Christmas cookies at my desk when Russ T. Blade peeked from behind my growing pile of paperwork.

With consumer trends favoring greater fruit and vegetable consumption, the fresh produce industry has come into focus as an attractive sector for mergers and acquisitions.

The general industry wisdom in the United Kingdom is that post Brexit, farmers will need to up their game, almost regardless of what sort of deal we end up with the rest of Europe.

The holidays have always been a big time for produce promotions.

Newness sells apples, and club varieties are proving it, marketers say.

Mann Packing is promoting a healthy start to 2018 with its “New Year, New You” campaign, putting coupons on select products and a partnership with dieticians.

Apple marketers have plenty of fruit to sell in 2018, although U.S. production won’t approach record volume, according to a report from the Vienna, Va.-based U.S. Apple Association.

Whether for business or pleasure, I see a lot of stores.