Nonfoods

CARLISLE, Pa. -- Giant Food Stores, LLC here has promoted Jodie Daubert to s.v.p. of perishables, and Todd Patti to v.p. of general merchandise, health & beauty care, and fuel.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- Wal-Mart division Sam's Club is kicking off the playoffs by helping football fans meet their food and party needs with its "Big Game Playbook."

NEW YORK -- The plastic bag recycling bill passed this week by the New York City Council is being seen by many grocers in town as an inevitability for the city and several of them told Progressive Grocer yesterday that they have already implemented bag recycling programs in advance of the legislation.

NEW YORK -- Quick & Simple magazine has named the winners of its 2nd annual New Product Awards, which will appear in the Jan. 29, 2008 issue of the weekly consumer magazine published by Hearst Corp.

MINNEAPOLIS -- More than 197 billion pages containing 257 billion consumer offers were delivered through Free Standing Insert (FSI) coupons in Sunday newspapers during 2007, according to the Marx Promotion Intelligence 2007 FSI Distribution Trends Report, released yesterday by Marx Promotion Intelligence here. These FSI coupons represented more than $320 billion in consumer incentives.

CARLISLE, Pa. -- Customers and employees at Giant Food Stores, LLC and Martin's Food Markets contributed in record amounts to help Children's Miracle Network hospitals in their communities, via the grocery chains' recently concluded annual "Candles for Kids" in-store holiday campaign: A total of $500,000 was raised to help hospitalized kids throughout the Ahold banners' operating areas.

CHICAGO -- Mintel Menu Insights, a national restaurant-tracking service based here, has identified eight key American menu trends for 2008. "Everyone's looking for the next breakthrough item, the next mini-burger appetizer, mojito or pomegranate flavor," says Maria Caranfa, director of Mintel Menu Insights. "This year, we expect to see new twists on already popular items, giving people more flavors and options for the foods they love. Restaurants will get more creative with foods and preparation techniques as they attempt to cater to American's evolving tastes."

MINNEAPOLIS -- More than 197 billion pages containing 257 billion consumer offers were delivered through Free Standing Insert (FSI) coupons in Sunday newspapers during 2007, according to the Marx Promotion Intelligence 2007 FSI Distribution Trends Report, released yesterday by Marx Promotion Intelligence here. These FSI coupons represented more than $320 billion in consumer incentives.