Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

CHICAGO -- IGA here announced yesterday it has tapped retail veteran Douglas Fritsch as v.p., U.S. chief growth officer. Fritsch, who begins his appointment immediately, will report directly to IGA chairman and c.e.o. Thomas S. Haggai.

CHICAGO -- Retailers are vulnerable to lost sales and unhappy customers, because manufacturing planning processes and support levels for Rx-to-OTC (over-the-counter) switches and drug recalls/withdrawals are sub-par, said healthcare executives from the country's leading chains in a new survey from Information Resources Inc., and the National Association of Chain Drug Stores (NACDS).

The consumer focus on nutrition and convenience has spurred the growth of the yogurt market.

It's lately been a barren landscape for supermarket nonfoods. But smart ideas at retail are nourishing robust growth in some categories.

Because of packaging's ability to enhance perishables, fresh suppliers are cooking up clever solutions to address the needs of today's consumers and supermarket operators.

WASHINGTON, DC -- Ron Pearson, chairman of Hy-Vee, Inc., Des Moines, Iowa, was elected chairman of The Food Marketing Institute Foundation (FMIF), succeeding Jim Ukrop, chairman of Ukrop's Super Markets, Inc.

RICHMOND, Va. -- Ukrop's Super Markets here will host the first-ever Ukrop's Richmond Race Fest this week to celebrate the Chevy American Revolution 400 NASCAR race at Richmond International Raceway.

ABINGDON, Va. -- Jessie Lewis, s.v.p. and c.o.o. for Food City, was named Grocer of the Year by the Tennessee Grocers Association during its annual convention held late April.