Market Trends

Alex Miller, president of Daymon Worldwide, Inc. has resigned after 30 years with the company.

A newly released study of linear space allocations reveals key retail merchandising approaches being implemented by major retailers operating across the food, drug and mass (FDM) channels in the United States.

Eight in 10 natural and organic consumers regularly read ingredient labels for health and nutrition content and express interest in purchasing functional foods with additional health, nutrition and dietary benefits, with four in 10, or 39 percent “very interested” in these kinds of foods, according to MamboTrack research from Collingswood, N.J.-based Mambo Sprouts Marketing.

So far, Duane Reade in New York appears to be the most developed of the drug chains in fresh/prepared foods. Recently, the retailer offered Progressive Grocer’s sister publication, Convenience Store News, an exclusive peek into its fresh food strategy.

To ignite consumer awareness and generate excitement throughout the 2010 season, Zespri has launched the Great Kiwi Adventure sweepstakes through a comprehensive marketing communications plan that plays up its dedicated growers and regulated growing systems, along with an internationally recognized brand of flavorful, consistently high-quality green and gold Kiwifruit.

Kings Super Markets is launching a line of Balducci’s branded gourmet foods. As one of the most respected gourmet brands in the nation, Balducci’s products are available exclusively at Parsippany, N.J.-based Kings.

Big Y Foods, Inc. has appointed Kevin M. Barry to the position of director of produce and floral, and Richard D. Bossie to the role of district director for the Western zone of supermarkets.

Rice Epicurean Markets is planning a multimillion-dollar remodel of the store located in the West University/Medical Center at Kirby in the company’s headquarters city of Houston.