Corporate Operations: Page 209


  • You want fries with that store? California Whole Foods says yes.

    A San Jose location will begin hosting LocoL next week — a low-price, mission-driven restaurant that serves up $5 cheeseburgers, chopped salads and other fast favorites.    

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 12, 2018
  • Walmart shuttering 63 Sam's Clubs in shift to e-commerce

    Twelve of the locations will be converted to e-commerce fulfillment centers, a symbol of Walmart's growing focus on online shopping.

    By Daphne Howland • Jan. 12, 2018
  • Trendline

    Mergers and acquisitions

    Declining sales and slowing consumption have more companies divesting brands, opening the door for smaller players and private equity firms to expand their portfolios.  

    By Food Dive staff
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    Christopher Doering
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    Analysts confirm produce woes and stock issues at Whole Foods stores

    Barclays said it wasn't sure whether the problems were due to high shopper traffic or whether store managers simply weren't keeping up with inventory.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 11, 2018
  • HEYLO there! A new stevia-based sweetener is coming to market.

    The product, which is water soluble and 10 to 15 times sweeter than sugar, has a clean taste and functionality that its founder claims can't be matched.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 11, 2018
  • Albertsons to grow O Organics by 50% as brand reaches $1B in sales

    The USDA-certified organic line features more than 1,000 items and will add 500 new products this year.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 11, 2018
  • Walmart to bump starting hourly pay up to $11

    The retailer is positioning the increase as a benefit of tax reform, but it could also have a lot to do with rising minimum wage requirements nationwide.

    By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2018
  • Kohl's looks for grocers to fill store space

    The discount retailer hopes to increase sales and drive regular traffic at select locations, according to CEO Kevin Mansell.  

    By Daphne Howland • Jan. 11, 2018
  • Diet Coke debuts new flavors, design in effort to appeal to millennials

    While the relaunch will include new flavors and a different can design, Coca-Cola said it will not change the taste of the zero-calorie soda introduced in 1982.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 11, 2018
  • Food made from 'ugly' produce could be a beautiful business opportunity

    As consumer demand for sustainable, mission-based food grows, manufacturers are transforming unfortunate-looking fruits and vegetables into kettle-cooked potato chips, flour and other products.

    By Cassie Chew • Jan. 11, 2018
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    Megan Poinski
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    USDA: Millennials spend more on prepared foods than other generations

    These coveted shoppers don't visit supermarkets as often as older consumers, and when they do, they seek out convenient, flavorful meal options.

    By Cassie Chew • Jan. 11, 2018
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    Flickr
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    Nutella owner close to buying Nestle's US candy business for $2.8B

    Ferrero is reportedly nearing a deal to acquire iconic brands such as Butterfinger, Crunch and Baby Ruth from the Swiss giant.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 11, 2018
  • Supervalu gets boost from acquisitions, but wholesale earnings slip

    The company’s Unified Grocers business helped boost net sales, while retail operations continued to struggle in the third quarter.

    By Jeff Wells • Jan. 10, 2018
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    Aspall
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    Molson Coors acquires 290-year old cider maker Aspall

    The beverage giant, known for its signature brews as well as Milwaukee's Best and Blue Moon, has seen its beer business slow as consumers flock to spirits and craft products.

    By Cassie Chew • Jan. 10, 2018
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    Copper & Kings
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    Constellation Brands invests in premium brandy and rum craft distillers

    The beverage maker's minority stakes in Copper & Kings and The Real McCoy Spirits could reinvigorate growth in an area that has been a challenge for the company.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 9, 2018
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    Wikimedia Commons
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    Bargain retailer Grocery Outlet will open 25 stores this year

    The company plans to build 14 locations in Los Angeles, giving it 40 in the crowded but ever-evolving market.

    By Pamela DeLoatch • Jan. 9, 2018
  • Complaint against Walmart underscores organic egg industry tensions

    A federal lawsuit argues the retailer has misled customers about its product by claiming its hens have "outdoor access," when in reality the birds are housed in a screened-in structure.

    By Jeff Wells • Jan. 9, 2018
  • Sprouts partners with Instacart for chain-wide home delivery

    The deal expands the grocer's e-commerce presence, which had come under scrutiny following the acquisition of Whole Foods by Amazon.

    By Jeff Wells • Jan. 9, 2018
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    Leaf
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    Back to the Future: Leaf Brands' Wacky Wafers return to the market

    The reintroduction of the original candy has surpassed expectations, with more than a half-million preorders in four weeks despite limited marketing. 

    By Cassie Chew • Jan. 9, 2018
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    Getty / Edited by Industry Dive
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    Barclays: Tax reform will be a windfall for largest US grocers

    The research firm's analysts estimate that Walmart's incremental free cash flow will increase fourfold compared to its nearest publicly traded competitor thanks to the recently passed bill.   

    By Jeff Wells • Jan. 8, 2018
  • Whole Foods hits suppliers with in-store merchandising fees

    The retailer now requires companies to schedule demos and inventory checks with a third party, and has begun charging for a new management program that oversees this effort. 

    By Jeff Wells • Jan. 8, 2018
  • Lactalis purchase of Siggi's could strengthen its yogurt dominance

    The French dairy company, which purchased Stonyfield only six months ago, has been actively expanding its presence in U.S. supermarkets.

    By Cassie Chew • Jan. 8, 2018
  • Hain Celestial struggling to find buyers for its business

    Standing between the natural and organic food company and a sale are its size and complexity, but recent board changes, an activist investor and a new tax rate could change things.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 8, 2018
  • Constellation beer sales shine, but wine and spirits fall

    The company's portfolio of Mexican brews — including Corona, Modelo Especial and Pacifico — continue to grow margins and market share, benefiting from a growing Hispanic population.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 5, 2018
  • Home Chef sees a measured approach as key to meal kit profitability

    The two-year-old company has gone from delivering 70,000 meals each month to nearly 2.5 million now, thanks to a slow but steady growth strategy.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 5, 2018
  • Lamb Weston sales, income jump amid strong potato demand

    The Idaho-based frozen french fry maker posted gains in both retail and foodservice segments. The company also increased its outlook for the rest of its fiscal year.

    By Cathy Siegner • Jan. 5, 2018