Supermarket & Grocery Industry News

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- The California Grocers Association has named Timothy James its manager of Northern California local government relations. In this newly created position, James will advocate for association members before local elected and regulatory officials throughout Northern California.

ZAANDAM, The Netherlands -- At its shareholders meeting this week, Ahold c.e.o. Anders Moberg told shareholders substantial progress is being made on the company's "Road to Recovery" plan implemented to remedy mounting losses in the wake of a large accounting scandal that erupted two years ago.

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).

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.

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

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.