Trading Partners

Nielsen Chairman and CEO David Calhoun addressed the 53rd CIES World Food Business Summit in June, providing retailers and manufacturers with a comprehensive view of dramatic shifts in the consumer economy amid the global financial crisis.

Nestlé Purina and Cincinnati-based Kroger Co. have joined forces for their second annual “Tales for the Pet Lover’s Heart” campaign, which celebrates people’s connection to their pets while raising funds for animal welfare organizations across the United States.

Ahold USA, operator of the Stop & Shop, Giant, Martin’s, and Peapod banners, is using an online collaboration platform to enhance its communication with its suppliers.

Fry’s Food Stores president Jon Flora will be among three industry executives honored by the Phoenix-based Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) during its annual Excellence in Leadership Awards banquet to be held Nov. 20, 2009 at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel.

In the face of lower sales and smaller margins brought about by bargain-hunting food shoppers amid the ongoing difficult economic environment, Supervalu posted a 30 percent decline in first-quarter profits of $113 million vs. $162 million a year earlier, and a 4.7 percent comparable net sales decrease of $12.72 billion from $13.35 billion, missing analysts’ estimates of $12.82 billion for the period ended June 20.

Customer satisfaction is important across all retail channels. Getting customers what they want, and moving them in and out quickly is imperative, and whether that means getting the store manager out of the back office and onto the sales floor, or offering faster payment options at the checkout, retailers are testing new options.

Weber-Stephen Products Co., a Palatine, Ill.-based manufacturer of charcoal and gas grills, grilling accessories, and other outdoor products, has introduced an application for the iPhone and iPod touch to help consumers with their summer grilling.

Michigan-based independent grocer Hiller’s Markets will host a gluten-free food fair Aug. 15 and Aug. 16 at its West Bloomfield, Mich., store, preceded earlier that week by a demo by the company’s executive chef, Peter Julian, featuring Hiller’s exclusive gluten-free recipes.