Over $22B Worth of Cargo is Stuck on Container Ships Off California
There was fleeting hope that Southern California port congestion had turned the corner. The number of container ships waiting offshore dipped to the low 60s and high 50s from a record high of 73 on Sept. 19, trans-Pacific spot rates plateaued, the Biden administration unveiled aspirations for 24/7 port ops, and electricity shortages curbed Chinese factory output.
The reality is that the port congestion crisis in Southern California is not getting any better.
The time ships are stuck waiting offshore continues to lengthen...
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Sanderson Farms Stockholders Approve Combination with Cargill and Continental Grain Company
Sanderson Farms, Inc. announced that at a special meeting of stockholders held earlier today, its stockholders approved the previously announced agreement for a joint venture between Cargill and Continental Grain to acquire Sanderson Farms for $203 per share in cash. Upon completion of the transaction, Cargill and Continental Grain will combine Sanderson Farms with Wayne Farms, a subsidiary of Continental Grain, to form a new, privately held poultry business.
“We are pleased Sanderson Farms stockholders approved this transaction and thank them for their support,” said Joe Sanderson, Chairman...
Wayne Farms Completes Divestiture of Laurel Poultry Production Complex to Amick Farms
Wayne Farms LLC, a subsidiary of Continental Grain Company, announced today that on October 17, 2021, it completed the sale of its Fresh Processing Complex in Laurel, Mississippi, to Amick Farms. The complex includes live production, hatchery, feed mill, manufacturing and production facilities. The divestiture is a key milestone towards completing the previously announced transaction which will combine Wayne Farms and Sanderson Farms, Inc. under the joint ownership and control of Cargill and Continental Grain.
Clint Rivers, President and CEO of Wayne Farms LLC, said...
Chipotle Announces Third Quarter 2021 Results
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. today reported financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2021.
Third quarter highlights, year over year:
- Total revenue increased 21.9% to $2.0 billion- Comparable restaurant sales increased 15.1%- Digital sales grew 8.6% and accounted for 42.8% of sales- Operating margin was 12.3%, an increase from 6.7%- Restaurant level operating margin was 23.5% 1, an increase of 400 basis points- Diluted earnings per share was $7.18, a 154.6% increase from $2.82. Excluding a $0.16 after-tax net impact resulting from a tax benefit, which...
North American Meat Institute Statement on Cattle Contract Library Act
The North American Meat Institute, a trade association for meat and poultry packers and processors of all sizes, today released the following statement regarding the Cattle Contract Library Act of 2021, H.R. 5609, which was marked up and reported out of the House Committee on Agriculture:
“Members of the Meat Institute are still analyzing the bill and how it might affect their operations,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “More time is needed to consider how the bill will affect livestock producers..."
IRI Releases Data Detailing Availability of Key Thanksgiving Holiday Sides
IRI®, a global leader in innovative solutions and services for consumer, retail and media companies, today released new data on availability of a basket of five Thanksgiving-related grocery categories across stores nationally.
“As the holiday season approaches and widespread supply chain challenges continue to impact industries across the economy, IRI is tracking a basket of items for their availability, demand, price and promotion for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas,” said Dr. Krishnakumar (“KK”) S. Davey, president of IRI Client Engagement. “Halloween season is shaping up nicely..."
GrubMarket Expands to Canada through Acquisition of Funtech Software
GrubMarket today announced it has completed the acquisition of Vancouver-based Funtech Software, a provider of comprehensive eCommerce systems and online grocery software solutions to both online grocery companies and brick-and-mortar grocery stores, enabling them to manage their business online and reach more consumers. This marks GrubMarket's first acquisition in Canada, and the formation of GrubMarket's first overseas software technology R&D center, leveraging the rich software engineering resources in the Vancouver area.
Founded in 2017 by Sam Qi, Funtech designs, develops and supports eCommerce storefronts across platforms...
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Helps Families Celebrate Together With Care This Holiday Season
This holiday season, care is in the air and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is the perfect one-stop-shop to help guests care for their loved ones and make this holiday season special. After more than a year of interrupted and often cancelled family gatherings, Cracker Barrel boasts a variety of seasonal offerings made with care, fully prepared meals, and holiday gift options to help guests celebrate with family and friends both in store and at home. For a limited time...
Jack in the Box Signs Seven Development Agreements in Q4 of Fiscal Year 2021 to Open 47 Stores
Jack in the Box Inc., one of the nation’s leading QSR chains, announced today it has awarded seven development agreements in Q4 of fiscal year 2021 to open 47 new restaurants. In total, Jack in the Box has awarded 23 development agreements in fiscal year 2021 to build 111 stores over the course of the next several years. The agreements will help the brand grow in existing markets including Los Angeles, Dallas and Houston, as well as new ones such as...
ANALYSIS: Shining Light on Chicken Slaughter
Considering what has been a volatile couple of weeks in the world of chicken, both in terms of pricing and spot availability, we thought it would be a good opportunity to back away from the day-to-day in favor of a broad assessment on the current state of production...
Natural Grocers® Now Taking Reservations for the Humanely Raised Thanksgiving Turkeys
Every October, as the leaves start to fall and the air starts to cool, Natural Grocers® kicks off its Thanksgiving turkey pre-order season at each of its 162 stores across 20 states and on its turkey reservations website www.naturalgrocers.com/turkeys. By securing an early reservation, customers can rest easy knowing they have purchased the perfect variety and size of turkey to help make their Thanksgiving celebration special this year.
As grocery industry leaders in animal welfare standards, Natural Grocers exclusively partners with...
Mercatus Survey Reveals 75% of Online Grocery Orders To Be Fulfilled at Grocery Stores
Mercatus, the leading provider in digital commerce solutions for grocery retail, today announced findings from its annual eGrocery survey of U.S. consumers, conducted in collaboration with Incisiv. The report, titled eGrocery Transformed: 2021 market projections and insight into online grocery's elevated future, confirms that U.S. online grocery customers are predominantly oriented towards grocery pickup services with 75% of survey respondents preferring store pickup.
The number of online grocery customers who report using curbside pickup at least once in the last year increased to 61% on average...
ANALYSIS: Turkey Exports: It’s a Matter of Perspective
Although the majority of our top turkey export destinations continue to register year-over-year (YoY) advancements in volume, the cumulative figures through the end of August tell a slightly different story...
Urner Barry Releases October Emerging Plant Protein Report
According to the latest USDA WASDE, the outlook for 2021/22 U.S. rice this October is for reduced supplies with lower domestic use, unchanged exports, and smaller ending stocks. Supplies were reduced on lower projected imports that more than offset minimally higher production. NASS increased the average all rice yield by 2 pounds per acre, to 7,625 pounds. Total domestic and residual use was decreased by 1.0 million cwt to 146.0 million on lower supplies, and ending stocks were reduced to 33.2 million cwt, down 1.0 million. The season-average farm price for all rice remains unchanged at $14.80/cwt.
Persistent rainfall across the southern United States this spring delayed rice planting and field operations, which has led to slightly slower than average harvest pace to date. For the week ending October 3...
New Korean BBQ Chicken Taquito Rolls Into 7-Eleven® Stores
New this fall: bold flavors to a roller grill near you—because that's how 7-Eleven, Inc. rolls. Inspired by the awesome flavors of Korean BBQ, America's largest convenience retailer is putting a new, Asian fusion spin on its popular taquitos. The Korean BBQ Taquito features crispy flour tortillas filled with a juicy, all-white meat chicken tossed in a sweet but tangy Korean BBQ sauce and is wrapped in the crispy shell customers know and love.
Great for a quick lunch on the run or as a snack...
BASF and Cargill expand partnership for the Animal Feed Industry
BASF and Cargill are expanding their partnership in the animal nutrition business, adding research and development capabilities and new markets to the partners’ existing feed enzymes distribution agreements. Together, they will develop, produce, market, and sell customer-centric enzyme products and solutions. The goal is to bring farmers feed innovations that reduce nutrient waste, improving feed efficiency, and promote animal growth and wellbeing.
“We are proud to enter this next stage of collaboration with Cargill. Through joint solutions we will further increase the value creation opportunities in the enzymes space..."
Yum China Inaugurates Digital R&D Center to Further Implement Digital Strategy
Yum China Holdings, Inc. announced the opening of its Digital R&D Center with three sites in Shanghai, Nanjing, and Xi'an. The inauguration of the Digital R&D Center represents an important milestone for the Company's strategy to build a dynamic digital ecosystem comprised of 1) the Digital R&D Center, 2) joint venturing, and 3) third party collaboration, to provide a solid foundation for Yum China to further develop its brands and businesses, accelerate expansion and capture market opportunities.
The Digital R&D Center will consolidate and...
‘Tis the Season: Ruth’s Chris Steak House Unveils Holiday Offerings
Ruth’s Chris Steak House, known for its unmatched dining experience and steaks served on 500-degree sizzling plates, today announced its holiday offerings available soon in-restaurant or for pick-up at more than 150 locations nationwide.
Enjoy the Holidays at Ruth’s Table
Ruth’s Chris’ in-restaurant menu for Thanksgiving encompasses the following:
Traditional Thanksgiving DinnerSingle portion inclusive of the below; exclusively available in-restaurant on Nov. 25.- Starter: Choice of Caesar Salad, Steak House Salad or Lobster Bisque- Entrée: Sliced Oven Roasted Turkey, Ruth’s Sausage and Herb Stuffing...
Panera Bread Announces Its Goal to Become Climate Positive By 2050
Today, Panera Bread announces its commitment to become climate positive – removing more carbon from the atmosphere than it emits – by 2050. The first national fast casual restaurant company to set a climate positive target, Panera today updated its Food Beliefs to include climate goals, establishing an ambitious vision for its business. With approximately 25 percent of global greenhouse gases created from food production1, Panera hopes to lead and inspire its industry to address the climate crisis.
“Climate change is one of the greatest humanitarian crises of our time..."
NCC Statement on New USDA Plans to Address Salmonella Illnesses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) today announced plans to undertake a new effort to reduce Salmonella illnesses associated with poultry products. The agency said it would be initiating several key activities to gather the data and information necessary to support future action and move closer to the national target of a 25% reduction in Salmonella illnesses.
USDA said it intends to seek stakeholder feedback on specific Salmonella control and measurement strategies, including pilot projects, in poultry slaughter and processing establishments.
In response to today’s...
NAMI: Meat and Poultry Industry to Assist USDA in Reducing Salmonella Infections
The North American Meat Institute (Meat Institute) today welcomed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) new national goal of reducing Salmonella illnesses by 25 percent and committed to continue working with USDA and other groups to achieve the shared goal of reducing Salmonella infections.
“As an industry, our goal is to produce safe products without exception,” said Julie Anna Potts, President and CEO of the Meat Institute. “The industry has significantly improved efforts to reduce incidence of Salmonella, and we will continue to work with..."
Albertsons Sees More Inflation
Albertsons Cos. projected higher inflation for the rest of the year, driven by higher supply-chain and labor costs across the food industry.
The Boise, Idaho-based supermarket chain is passing through some price increases to shoppers but said it is also offering cheaper alternatives. Executives said consumers are still spending heavily on groceries as they stay at home and cook more than they did before the pandemic.
"We have not seen material change in customer behavior," Chief Executive Officer Vivek Sankaran said Monday during a call with analysts.
Food companies say they have been...
Taco Bell® Is Giving Fans A "Wake Up Call" With Free Burritos On October 21
Skip the snooze button because breakfast is officially back at nearly all Taco Bell restaurants nationwide. To ensure that no one is sleeping on its breakfast menu, Taco Bell is giving consumers a craveable reason to celebrate in the form of a free Toasted Breakfast Burrito at Taco Bell restaurants nationwide on October 21 from 7-11 AM (local time), while supplies last*.
Taco Bell is using their late-night influence to encourage fans to get some sleep so they can wake rested and...
Walmart Selects Spartanburg County for New High-Tech Grocery Distribution Center
Today, Walmart announced plans to build a new, high-tech distribution center for fresh and frozen groceries in Spartanburg County, set to open in 2024. The new 720,000+ square-foot facility will create more than 400 full-time regional jobs and will rely on the combination of Walmart associates, automation technology, robotics and machine learning to process grocery perishables – such as produce, eggs, dairy, flowers and frozen goods – and deliver them to nearby stores. The high-tech facility marks Walmart’s largest grocery distribution center to date and...
Butterball Introduces the Turkey Talk-Line Taste Kitchen to Inspire Thanksgiving Hosts
Butterball, the largest producer of turkey products in the U.S. and an authority on all things Thanksgiving, is excited to introduce the launch of the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Taste Kitchen, designed to inspire hosts to cook with confidence this Thanksgiving. After assisting an influx of first-time hosts in 2020, the Butterball Turkey Talk-Line Taste Kitchen was developed to help hosts of all levels find the inspiration they need to pull off a successful Thanksgiving while giving them new vision for their menus...
IHOP® Launches New Hand-Crafted Melts to All-Day Dine in and To-Go Menus
Today, IHOP® introduces its latest menu innovation of Hand-Crafted Melts, a collection of sandwiches with savory flavors, as part of the restaurant’s ongoing commitment to the prioritization of the P.M. daypart and portable menu options. Guests can choose from a lineup of seven different Hand-Crafted Melts – featuring craveable flavors and quality ingredients such as 100% Black Angus steak and all-natural roasted turkey.
The new Hand-Crafted Melts include a range of ingredients, such as signature sweet and tangy IHOP...
Jennie-O Thanksgiving Hotline Opens Nov. 1
Jennie-O Turkey Store, one of the most beloved turkey brands in the world, today announced the return of its 1-800-TURKEYS hotline, as well as additional helpful tools and resources for consumers to help with planning their turkey day meals.
Starting Nov. 1, Jennie-O consumer-engagement experts are available to help ease the stress around holiday meal planning. To make it even more convenient to get those holiday meal prep questions answered, the company’s experts are reachable in many ways, including: the company’s 1-800-TURKEYS hotline...
REPORTER: Acute Shortage of HGV Drivers Leads to Major Supply Issues in the UK
This article was originally featured in the Fall 2021 Edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine.
Critical supply chains are nearing a breaking point in the United Kingdom with the Road Haulage Association (RHA) reporting a shortage of 100,000 drivers in July.
The shortage of drivers has been a key factor in recent inflationary pressure. Delayed deliveries are mounting, and rising driver wages have led to retailers absorbing higher operating costs.
A leading retailer in the UK is offering...
Amazon Hiring for 150,000 Seasonal Jobs to Help Deliver Great Holiday Experiences
Amazon continues to provide diverse employment opportunities for people of all backgrounds and skill levels, announcing today 150,000 seasonal jobs are now available across the U.S. All Amazon jobs in the U.S., including seasonal roles, have an average starting pay of $18 per hour, sign-on bonuses up to $3,000 and an additional $3 per hour depending on shifts in many locations.
“We are proud to be offering a huge range of full-time, part-time, and now seasonal jobs with great..."
September Retail Sales Grew as Delta Variant Favored Spending on Goods Over Services
Retail sales increased again in September as worries about the COVID-19 delta variant pushed consumer spending toward merchandise rather than services like dining, entertainment or travel despite supply chain disruptions and inflation, the National Retail Federation said today.
“Today’s retail sales data confirms the sheer power of the consumer to spend, and we expect this to continue,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “Despite persistent challenges related to the global pandemic, supply chain and labor shortages, retailers and their partners have shown resilience..."
Retail Sales Rise, Showing Strong Consumer Demand and Higher Inflation
Americans stepped up their spending in September, a sign of resilient demand and rising inflation as consumers head into the holiday shopping season.
Sales at retail stores, restaurants and online sellers rose a seasonally adjusted 0.7% in September from the previous month, the Commerce Department said Friday. The rise in sales reflects persistently strong demand and higher consumer prices.
Consumers, armed with stimulus payments and rising wages, have stepped up spending this year, shrugging off the Delta variant of Covid-19, the end of enhanced unemployment benefits and...
Technomic Reveals Global Opportunities for the Burger Menu Category
Technomic released the 2021 Burger Global Menu Category Report exploring an in-depth look into global sales, consumer preferences, menu trends, operator insights and brands to watch related to the burger category.
“Burger is one of the largest and most dynamic menu categories on the global stage, and restaurant operators have significant opportunities as recovery scenarios begin to set in across international markets” explains Aaron Jourden, senior research manager of global at Technomic. “The new Global Burger Menu Category Report allows operators and suppliers alike to..."
Smithfield Foods Wins World Sustainability Award for Innovative Manure-to-Energy Programs
Smithfield Foods, Inc., a vertically integrated food company and the world's largest pork processor, is honored to receive the World Sustainability Awards' (WSA) prestigious "Profit with a Purpose" award. The company is recognized for aligning sustainability and profitability through its innovative renewable natural gas (RNG) programs, which significantly reduce carbon emissions by converting methane from hog manure into clean energy for consumers while presenting new revenue opportunities for family farmers.
Smithfield was selected following a rigorous three-stage judging process and was announced the winner during a virtual...
Publix Announces Three Officer Promotions
Today Publix CEO Todd Jones announced three officer promotions, effective Jan. 1, 2022, to support the company’s growth and expanding initiatives.
Kyle Davis, Director of Warehousing, will be promoted to Vice President of Distribution. Davis, 59, began his career in 1988 at the Miami warehouse. He worked in various positions before being promoted to Boynton Beach warehouse superintendent in 1994, Jacksonville produce warehouse superintendent and Jacksonville distribution manager in 1997 and Deerfield Beach distribution manager in 2004. He was promoted to his current position in 2007 overseeing various warehousing locations across Publix’s operating area...
Taco Bell's® Steal a Base, Steal a Taco Makes History
The 2021 World Series is around the corner which can only mean one thing, free tacos are on the horizon for everyone in America thanks to the highly anticipated return of Taco Bell's 'Steal a Base, Steal a Taco.'* Taco Bell and MLB have continually celebrated the 'Taco Heroes' who have stolen the first base of the Fall Classic and scored free tacos for America, cultivating a loyal fanbase of baseball and taco enthusiasts who look forward to this unique experience each year. To commemorate its 10th year...
REPORTER: Growing Hope Among U.S. Farmers
As the pandemic continues into 2021, the economic impact on the U.S. agricultural system has been well documented. News outlets— this one included—have covered everything from demand shocks, to labor shortages, to trade disruptions. But one of the lesser discussed consequences of COVID-19 is the toll it has taken on the mental well-being of U.S. farmers and farmworkers—a population already prone to heightened levels of depression and suicide...
UNFI to Expand Grocery and Delivery Service for Independent Retailers with DoorDash Relationship
United Natural Foods, Inc., today announced it has entered into a reseller agreement with DoorDash, the nation’s leading last-mile logistics platform, to bring on-demand grocery delivery solutions to independent retailers nationwide through the DoorDash marketplace.
UNFI’s arrangement with DoorDash will give local grocers the opportunity to leverage the DoorDash platform to build an ecommerce and delivery offering that meets the needs of their customer base while enabling UNFI to expand its end-to-end and last-mile-delivery services to its suite of...
Domino's Pizza® Announces Third Quarter 2021 Financial Results
Domino's Pizza, Inc., the largest pizza company in the world, announced results for the third quarter. Global retail sales increased 10.0% in the third quarter, or 8.5% excluding foreign currency impact. U.S. same store sales decreased 1.9% during the quarter versus the year-ago period. The international business posted strong results, with same store sales growth of 8.8% during the quarter. The third quarter marked the 111th consecutive quarter of international same store sales growth. The Company had third quarter global net store growth of 323 stores, comprised of 45 net...
Wendy's and Google Cloud Partner to Enhance the Wendy's Restaurant Experience
Wendy's® and Google Cloud today announced a partnership to enhance the Wendy's restaurant experience and unlock new customer, restaurant, and employee experiences through data-driven insights.
Wendy's intends to leverage Google Cloud's data analytics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and hybrid cloud tools to create new ways customers can order food in the drive thru, on their mobile devices and through other touchpoints. By expanding the ways customers can engage with the brand in the future, using technology like speech-to-text and...
Del Taco Amplifies Delivery Reach through Partnership with REEF
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, today announced a delivery-only partnership with REEF to help expand guest access to the brand. Through REEF’s successful delivery restaurant model, the collaboration will initially kick off this month by expanding Del Taco’s reach to the dense urban Mid City area of Los Angeles, the first of several planned delivery-only locations.
“Our partnership with REEF is an efficient, scalable way to provide even more access and convenience to our loyal Del Taco fan base,” said Del Taco...
This Week in Retail: Spread Between Food at Home vs Away from Home Narrows
The latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) for September, released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), showed the food index up 0.9 percent last month after gaining 0.4 percent in August. The Food at Home (FAH) index showed a 1.2 percent over the month increase with gains across all six major food group indices. The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs demonstrated a 2.2 percent over the month increase. The index for dairy and related products posted the smallest increase at 0.7 percent.
The BLS defines the CPI as the change in prices paid by consumers for goods and services. Overall, the CPI rose by 0.4 percent in September. Notably, gains in the indices for food and shelter contributed to more than half of the monthly all items increase. Over the last 12 months, the all items index rose 5.4 percent before seasonal adjustment.
The BLS reports that the index for Food Away From Home (FAFH), which was up 0.4 percent in August, gained 0.5 percent in September. Over the last year, the FAFH index rose 4.7 percent. Increases for limited and full-service meals offset a decline in the index for food at employee sites and schools...
REPORTER: Here's What's Happening with Urner Barry's COMTELL
Urner Barry is continually pushing limits and exceeding expectations when it comes to providing the highest quality of service to customers. The team has been making some exciting headway on some powerful new tools coming soon to COMTELL.
As far as progress on the COMTELL product roadmap goes, one of the main focuses throughout the last few months has been the development of an Excel Add-In. The Add-In will allow access to the COMTELL historical...
REPORTER: Urner Barry to Host Global Protein Summit In-Person This November
Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit is making its return this November.
Urner Barry’s Global Protein Summit will be held in Chicago on November 1-3, 2021. Specifically designed for those in the beef, pork, and poultry industry, this three-day agenda is packed with intel from the foremost experts on economics and agribusiness.
As the last 18 months have proven—over and over, again and again—producers, processors, wholesalers, retailers and the foodservice...
Butterball, LLC Recalls Ground Turkey Products Due to Possible Foreign Matter Contamination
Butterball, LLC, a Mount Olive, N.C. establishment, is recalling approximately 14,107 pounds of ground turkey products that may be contaminated with extraneous materials, specifically blue plastic, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced today.
The ground turkey items were produced on September 28, 2021. The following products are subject to recall:
- 2.5-lb. trays containing “farm to family BUTTERBALL all natural Ground Turkey” with the case code 50211271, a sell or freeze by date of 10/18/2021, and timestamps from 2123 through...
DoorDash Establishes $1,000,000 Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund
DoorDash, the nation's leading last-mile logistics platform, today announced at the second annual Main Street Strong Restaurant Conference a $1,000,000 Restaurant Disaster Relief Fund to provide relief grants to local restaurants across the United States affected by state- or federally-declared natural disasters throughout the next year in partnership with Hello Alice.
Small businesses are the center of local economies, yet nearly 40% of small businesses are unable to reopen following a disaster according to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Disaster can occur at a moment's notice and access...
Urner Barry Releases October Soy & Wheat Report
In the latest WASDE report, the USDA stated that the outlook for 2021/22 U.S. wheat this October is reduced supplies, lower domestic use, unchanged exports, and decreased ending stocks. Projected 2021/22 ending stocks were reduced by 35 million bushels to 580 million, which are the lowest U.S. ending stocks since 2007/08. The projected 2021/22 season-average farm price was raised $0.10/bu to $6.70/bu on reported NASS prices to date and price expectations for the remainder of 2021/22.
Soybean supplies for 2021/22 were projected at 4.7 billion bushels, up 145 million on higher production and beginning stocks. With higher crush and unchanged exports, 2021/22 ending stocks were projected...
REPORTER: Sugar Prices on the Rise Despite Consumption Normalizing and No Projected Demand Growth
Historically, sugar consumption has been resilient through economic disasters, and we’ve seen the same through the COVID-19 global pandemic. While overall consumption levels were maintained, however, we did see changes in consumption patterns: As foodservice, beverage, and even confectionery consumption fell immediately following shelter-in-place policies, increased retail demand offset much of the declines as consumers took up new hobbies such as cooking and baking...
NRF Statement on White House Supply Chain Summit
The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay following NRF’s participation in today’s White House meeting with the business community, carriers, as well as labor and port representatives in order to find solutions to address supply chain challenges.
“We thank President Biden, Vice President Harris, Secretary Buttigieg, Director Deese and Port Envoy John Porcari for their leadership to address the ongoing global supply chain disruption. It is critically important that we all come together – business, labor and government – to address the current issue..."
Nathan's Famous Announces Agreement with Branded Virtual Kitchens
Nathan's Famous, Inc., the American tradition serving New York favorites for more than 100 years, announces a new agreement with Branded Virtual Kitchens Canada, Ltd (BVK). The agreement will offer operators with existing kitchens the opportunity to add the Nathan’s Famous menu as a virtual concept without any investment from the restaurant.
"We are thrilled with the response we have seen for Nathan's Famous in Canada since expanding there in 2019,” states James Walker, Senior Vice President, Restaurants. "We are excited to move forward with the collaboration with Branded Virtual Kitchens..."
Stop & Shop and Instacart Team Up to Offer 30-Minute Convenience Delivery Service In the Northeast
Committed to providing customers with convenient ways to shop, Stop & Shop is taking convenience to a new level, partnering with Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, to launch Stop & Shop Express. Stop & Shop Express allows customers to shop for groceries, convenience items, and other household essentials delivered to them in as fast as 30 minutes. Stop & Shop is the first grocery retailer in the Northeast to make this service available with Instacart.
Perfect for when you forget the key ingredient in...
REPORTER: Sustainability in Focus
Sustainability within the food supply chain has been one of the biggest themes of 2021. It comes as no surprise given the persistent supply chain challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and growing consumer interest in their food. The term sustainability has popped up everywhere in the past several years and consumers’ definition of the term is anything but uniform. However, it’s not just a buzzword, and sustainability is certainly not a new concept...
REPORTER: Plant Protein Manufacturers Attempt to Get the Next Generation to Jump Aboard
Can you remember sitting at the dinner table staring at those vegetables growing up—perhaps hoping they would just disappear?
Well, those vegetables now come in the form of every child’s favorite: chicken nuggets or a hamburger patty.
Plant protein continues to make headlines with new product launches and partnerships with major restaurant and retail brands. Among them are products geared towards kids...
Fresh Del Monte Further Commits to Sustainable Agriculture Practices
Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., one of the world’s leading vertically integrated producers, distributors, and marketers of fresh and fresh-cut fruits and vegetables, announced today its participation at this year’s World Biodiversity Summit, occurring alongside the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15). Fresh Del Monte’s Chief Sustainability Officer Hans Sauter will join industry leaders in a panel discussion on “Sustainable and Regenerative Agriculture at the Center of Development Strategies - Challenges and Opportunities,” – a conversation centered around how to transition the industry toward more...
Kroger Delivery Expands with New Fulfillment Centers
The Kroger Co., America's largest grocery retailer, today announced it will offer more customers Kroger Delivery through the addition of new Kroger fulfillment centers powered by the Ocado Group, combining vertical integration, machine learning, and robotics to provide an affordable, friendly, and fast fresh food delivery service.
"Kroger Delivery is a thriving part of our dynamic ecosystem and is transforming grocery e-commerce and meeting a range of customer needs through the introduction of first-of-its-kind technology in the U.S. developed by Ocado," said Rodney McMullen, Kroger's chairman and CEO...
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Introduces the Chipotle Chicken Fajita Taco to Its Menu for a Limited Time
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop announces the addition of the Chipotle Chicken Fajita Taco to its menu, available for a limited time. The new taco brings a delicious blend of savory flavors, packed with fajita chicken and grilled peppers and onions, topped off with a smoky honey chipotle sauce.
The Chipotle Chicken Fajita Taco features house-marinated fajita chicken with grilled peppers and onions, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, Fuzzy’s signature garlic sauce and a honey chipotle sauce on a warm flour tortilla.
Guests will be...
Freshly names former Amazon executive Anna Fabrega as Chief Executive Officer
Freshly Inc., the leading fresh-prepared meal delivery service in the U.S., today announced that Anna Fabrega, Freshly's Chief Commercialization Officer, has been named CEO effective today. The appointment comes as Mike Wystrach, Freshly Founder and CEO, has decided to step down from his position and transition to an advisory role to the Freshly Board.
"From small beginnings hand-delivering meals to consumers, to building standard-setting technology and a nationwide network that delivers more than one million meals per week and helps make eating..."
U.S. Fast Casual Restaurant Visits Rebound After Steep Declines in 2020
U.S. fast casual restaurants didn’t fare as well as traditional quick service restaurants early in the pandemic, but their customers are returning, reports The NPD Group. Online and physical visits to fast casual restaurants in the year ending August 2021 were up +8% compared to a year ago, which keeps traffic on par or flat to pre-pandemic visits in August 2019. In the quarter ending June 2020, at the height of pandemic lockdowns and restaurant restrictions, fast casual visits were down -23% compared to the prior year...
Blue Apron Announces Commencement of Fully Backstopped $45 Million Rights Offering
Blue Apron Holdings, Inc. announced today that it has commenced a $45.0 million rights offering as part of its planned $78.0 million capital raise, each as previously disclosed in the Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on September 15, 2021.
Under the terms of the rights offering, the company is distributing non-transferable subscription rights to each holder of its Class A common stock (as well as the holders of certain warrants issued to the company’s lenders) held as...
AYO Foods Expands Nationwide, Achieving 80x Increase in Distribution Just One Year After Launch
AYO Foods, a premium meal solutions brand delivering an authentic and delicious line of West-African inspired cuisine, today announced that its brand has achieved 80 times increase in distribution as their products have now expanded nationwide across leading retailers. Furthermore, the company has been able to achieve this tremendous milestone just one year after launching their operations in 2020 of last year.
"We are so excited to experience such tremendous growth in just a short period of time," said Fred and Perteet Spencer, co-founders...
McDonald’s Accelerating Climate Action to Reach Net Zero Emissions by 2050
Today, McDonald’s Corporation is announcing its commitment to achieve net zero emissions across its global operations by 2050. As part of this initiative, the Company is joining the United Nations Race to Zero campaign and signing on to the Science Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) Business Ambition for 1.5°C campaign. In pursuit of a 1.5°C future, McDonald’s will increase the emissions reduction levels in its existing 2030 science-based target across all scopes of emissions in line with developing SBTi best practices and will set a...
REPORTER: Poultry Industry Labor Woes Birth Automation Initiatives
If there is one resounding and almost universal challenge that poultry processors, deboners, and further processors all have in common, it is the lack of sufficient labor on hand. Although the national unemployment rate continues to descend back down to earth following its COVIDfueled spike to 14.8% experienced back in April 2020, the fact of the matter is that workers are simply not returning to the factory setting...
How Walmart is Navigating the Supply Chain To Deliver This Holiday Season
We have all seen and heard a lot in recent months about supply chain issues across the retail industry. With so many news stories about port delays, increased consumer demand and holiday season forecasting, it’s natural to wonder whether items will make it to store shelves and how this might affect holiday preparations.
But increased demand for the products customers want is nothing new for this time of year, and it’s certainly nothing new for Walmart. We’ve been delivering the holidays for over 50 years. This year, we’re...
REPORTER: Turkey Market is Soaring, Supply Indicators Leave Little Doubt Why
Day-to-day market dialogue, along with the upward appreciation of items such as consumer packed whole birds and breasts, breast meat and parts, continue to underscore this year’s strained supply-side scenario within the turkey complex. While ancillary factors such as plant labor complications, some of the steepest seasonal feed costs realized in the past seven years, and robust, pipelinefilling demand patterns, are all playing a contributing role in the current market environment...
ANALYSIS: Have Times Changed for Chicken Breast Meat?
Several months ago, Urner Barry published an analysis piece titled “Will Chicken Ever Come Up For Air?”...
Retail Imports Remain High, But Could Be Higher Without Port Congestion
Imports at the nation’s largest retail container ports should remain at near-record levels this month but could see a slight dip from last year’s unusually high numbers as congestion slows the movement of backed-up cargo, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.
“The cargo is there for larger gains at several ports but congestion issues are impacting fluid operations,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said...
Instacart Acquires FoodStorm
Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, today announced its acquisition of FoodStorm, a SaaS order management system (OMS) that powers end-to-end order-ahead and catering experiences for grocery retailers. With this acquisition, Instacart is expanding its enterprise technology portfolio to further support its retail partners' ecommerce needs, investing in more innovative technology solutions that help retailers grow, compete, and better meet the evolving needs of their customers.
The process for ordering prepared foods from grocers typically requires customers to call the store or place an order in-person - a labor-intensive and...
This Week in Retail: Seafood Reigns Number One in Retail Ads This Week
Grocers' protein promotions this week included more seafood, which claimed the top spot in retail buying opportunities at about 30%. This is up from 27.3% the week prior and 25% this time last year.
The uptick in seafood featuring might be attributed to increased marketing campaigns for National Seafood Month. Organizations such as NOAA Fisheries utilize this month as a time to educate consumers about the U.S. seafood industry while sharing creative recipes to integrate fish, shrimp, and more into mealtimes and even tailgating parties.
Retailers widely featured 16-20 raw shrimp this week at an average of $7.78 per pound. Down 7.5% from the week prior, this attractive price point could draw more consumers to the seafood case.
The regional price spread for Atlantic Salmon boneless fillet ranged from $7.66 per pound to $8.86 per pound, generally down from week-ago levels but up on average from 2020. In the fresh/frozen fillets complex, tilapia averaged $4.99 per pound, down 8.6% from the week prior and 6.2% below 2020...
Grubhub And Restaurant Strong Fund to Give $4 Million to Restaurants
Today, Grubhub, a leading global online food delivery marketplace, and The Greg Hill Foundation's Restaurant Strong Fund, announced they will be giving $4 million in grants to support restaurants across the country that have been working hard to survive the pandemic. Ranging from $5,000 to $50,000, the grants are part of the Restaurant Strong Fund's All Day campaign and will help restaurant owners fund indoor and outdoor dining improvements, equipment and technology maintenance and upgrades, marketing and promotion efforts, staff hiring and training, Covid-19...
Subway® Continues Eat Fresh Refresh™ with New Fall Menu Updates
Subway® restaurants today announced the latest updates to its menu as part of the brand's Eat Fresh Refresh™, which began in July and continues to elevate the entire guest experience. Joining the Subway menu are craveable new items and reimagined fan favorites that perfectly capture the best parts of fall in every bite.
Headlined by the all-new Baja Steak & Jack sandwich, Subway unveiled new Baja Chipotle and Peppercorn Ranch sauces, more flavorful twists on two of its most popular sandwich add-ons...
PERSPECTIVES: Weinstein Wholesale Meats Rides the Wave of Change to a New Era in the Business
Over the last year, we’ve seen companies that were once thriving struggle to deal with the uncertainty and hardship that the pandemic brought. At the same time, we’ve seen companies quickly pivot and utilize new opportunities that have made a lasting impact on their business model.
One such company was Chicago-based Weinstein Wholesale Meats, a national purveyor of beef, veal, lamb, chicken, and pork. The company has been family owned since its inception in 1959 and supplies their customers with a full range...
ANALYSIS: Hard to Turn Your Back on Breast Meat
Despite the hum of Thanksgiving-induced anticipation surrounding whole birds, turkey market participants can’t seem to pull their eyes away from the whole muscle white meat complex, and with good reason...
Urner Barry Releases October Pulse Protein Report
On October 5, the USDA reported an average $51.00/cwt for U.S. #1 garbanzo beans compared to $40.00/cwt at the end of September. U.S. whole green peas averaged $25.00/cwt as of end-September, a slight increase of $0.84/cwt as of end-August. Prices for North American yellow peas saw an increase of $4.17/cwt last month, totaling $28.33/cwt.
After making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane in Louisiana at the end of August before weakening to a tropical storm, Hurricane Ida caused significant damage to oil and gas processing facilities, grain facilities and ports. After a two-week closure, Cargill restarted its Westwego, Louisiana, grain export terminal and unloaded its first grain barge. Also, power was restored to Cargill's heavily damaged terminal in...
REPORTER: Taking a Look Back at the Development of the USDA’s National School Lunch Program
The USDA’s National School Lunch Program (NSLP) is a federally assisted initiative where participating schools provide free or reduced-price nutritious lunches to children in low-income households.
NSLP was created under the Richard B. Russell National School Act. In 1946, it was signed into law under President Harry Truman. This program has become the Nation’s second largest food and nutrition assistance program...
Cargill Launches Poultry Feed with Essential Oils for Healthy Flocks and Maximized Egg Production
Backyard poultry owners want natural, wholesome feeds that help their birds thrive, keep their eggs strong and keep coops fresh. Cargill is delivering on this demand by adding essential oils to its Nutrena® Naturewise® poultry feeds. The natural* essential oils contribute to the promotion of egg weight, size and production, enhanced palatability and a fresh aroma direct from the bag.
"We listened to what poultry owners and soon-to-become owners want most and expect from their poultry feed," said Stephanie Poupart, poultry strategic...
Del Taco Expands Southeast Footprint with First North Carolina Deal
Del Taco Restaurants, Inc., the nation’s second largest Mexican quick service restaurant*, has signed a deal with successful North Carolina-based franchise group, Ram Restaurants Inc. (“Ram Restaurants”) to open five units within the Raleigh and Durham areas. The deal, expected to bring Del Taco restaurants to North Carolina for the first time, comes only weeks after Del Taco announced a development agreement for Southern Virginia.
“On the heels of a great run of multi-year same store sales growth and a stated desire to penetrate the Southeastern US..."
Sanderson Farms Increases Pay Rates for Hourly Employees
Sanderson Farms, Inc. announced today that it has increased pay rates for the company's hourly employees as of Sunday, September 26. The decision marks the third consecutive year the company has given an across-the-board pay increase to hourly employees as part of their ongoing effort to recruit and retain employees in today's competitive business environment.
With the pay increase, hourly line operators at Sanderson Farms will earn at least $16.70 an hour. The new pay scale for hourly line operator positions provides for additional rate increases after reaching...
New COMTELL Feature: "Manage Quote Days" Button in My Items & Databuilder
COMTELL users can now specify exactly which weekdays they would prefer to see in their MyItems and Databuilder groups!
Urner Barry has added a “Manage Quote Days” button to the menus of My Items and Databuilder! This highly requested feature can be particularly productive for users who price their proteins off of one or two specific weekdays. By clicking on the Manage Quote Days button, users can choose which days of the week they would like to see their items quoted...
REPORTER: Quick Bites: What’s New and Interesting in Foodservice
THE VEGAN TREND CONTINUES
Grubhub released their third annual “State of the Plate” report, a mid-year report that analyzes what Grubhub users ordered from the platform between January and June 2021. It should come as no surprise that vegan options continue to be a hot trend for diners. According to the global online food delivery marketplace, so far this year vegan orders have increased by 17%, with plant-based burgers specifically increasing by 28%...
The Kroger Family of Companies to Hire 20,000 Associates
The Kroger Co. today announced its Family of Companies' second nationwide hybrid hiring event, including virtual and on-site interviews, will take place from 2-5 p.m. ET on Wednesday, October 13. The organization's mission is to hire 20,000 associates by finding talent for retail, e-commerce, manufacturing, supply chain, merchandising, logistics, corporate, and pharmacy and healthcare roles.
"The Kroger Family of Companies is eager to welcome 20,000 associates to our organization as we prepare for an incredible holiday season where customers are planning to return to larger family gatherings and..."
Do Good Foods Launches Infrastructure Platform That Combats Climate Change
The Kamine Family, an established pioneer with a 40-year history of building large-scale infrastructure projects nationwide, today announced the launch of Do Good Foods. Backed by a $169M investment from Nuveen, Do Good Foods is the first scalable solution to eliminating the 48 billion pounds of food waste generated by grocery stores each year. The company’s closed loop system collects foods such as fruits, vegetables, and meats after human donations can occur, and upcycles them into a nutrient-dense animal feed to create sustainable animal protein...
NRF Statement on Biden Administration’s China Trade Policy
The National Retail Federation today issued the following statement from Senior Vice President of Government Relations David French in response to United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai’s announcement on the Biden administration’s China trade policy.
“American businesses across the country continue to be severely impacted by the tariffs put into place by the previous administration. Today’s long-awaited announcement proved the Biden administration’s trade strategy on China to be lackluster at most, and will further inflict unnecessary damage to the American economy and retail supply chains.
“The continuation of these harmful..."
REPORTER: With Commodity Prices Surging Higher, is this the Next Supercycle?
Inflationary pressures have been discussed ad nauseam in 2021 as a reviving U.S. economy and a cash infusion by the government pushed many items higher. But as the effects have spilled over to reach Main Street, there has been growing concern. Many CEOs of the largest companies have discussed the impact inflation has had on their business as it is top of mind for many...
On The Border Launches Major Menu Enhancements with New Bold Offerings
On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, the world’s largest Mexican casual dining brand, has introduced more than 20 new menu items this past year, including the following that launch today:
- Honey-Chipotle Shrimp Tacos – Crispy-fried shrimp, hand-tossed in honey-chipotle sauce with cilantro, spicy avocado ranch and shredded cabbage.- Tacos Al Pastor – Braised and seasoned carnitas with pineapple salsa.- Tacos Al Carbon – Corn tortillas with fajita chicken or steak, served with Jack cheese, pico de gallo, fresh guacamole and roasted red chile-tomatillo salsa.- Smokehouse Fajitas...
Del Monte Foods, Inc. Publishes 2021 Sustainability Report
Del Monte Foods, Inc. today published its fiscal year 2021 Sustainability Report, highlighting progress toward its sustainability goals and reaffirming the company's mission to nourish families with earth's goodness to create a healthier tomorrow where nutritious foods are more accessible to all.
"At Del Monte, we're growers of good. This past fiscal year, we extended this ethos not only to growing what's good, but also to taking care of what's good: our team members, our growers, our customers and our communities," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods...
Publix to Hire 30,000 Associates in Fourth Quarter of 2021
Publix plans to hire approximately 30,000 associates across the company’s seven-state operating area through the remainder of the year. The company will hire associates to work in stores, distribution centers and manufacturing facilities for nonseasonal positions.
“As we continue to grow, having a dedicated team ready to meet our needs is vitally important,” said Publix Vice President of Human Resources Marcy Benton. “Whether associates are new to the workforce or making a career change, Publix provides great benefits and a strong culture in which its associates build long..."
Kraft Heinz Completes Purchase of Assan Foods, Expanding Presence in Key Growth Markets
The Kraft Heinz Company announced today that it has completed the purchase of Assan Foods from privately held Turkish conglomerate Kibar Holding. The proposed deal was first announced on June 11, 2021.
Assan Foods, headquartered in Istanbul, is a rapidly growing sauces-focused business with local manufacturing facilities in Balikesir and Izmir, Turkey. Assan Foods has been a certified Kraft Heinz production partner since 2019 and offers Kraft Heinz the opportunity to further build its retail and foodservice businesses across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa...
McCormick® Celebrates National Taco Day with Announcement of Director of Taco Relations & Free Tacos
In honor of National Taco Day, the McCormick® brand announced today the hiring of their first ever Director of Taco Relations, a position for which they received more than 5,000 applications. Storyteller, content creator, and taco connoisseur Jo Luna has officially been chosen for the highly sought-after role. Jo's love of tacos is rooted in her Hispanic heritage and upbringing in the border town of El Paso, Texas; but has only grown as she's traveled around the world, sharing her culture and...
NRF Economist: ‘Watch What Consumers Do, Not What They Say’ as Recovery Continues
Despite falling consumer confidence numbers amid the recent rise in COVID-19 infections, shoppers are continuing to spend, National Retail Federation Chief Economist Jack Kleinhenz said today.
“With consumer spending accounting for roughly two-thirds of U.S. gross domestic product, all eyes are closely watching shoppers’ ability to drive the economy,” Kleinhenz said. “If consumer finances are any indication, there’s reason to be optimistic: Households remain in good shape, with consumers in the aggregate actually underspending relative to current income. Even though enhanced unemployment benefits have expired..."
Blue Apron Brings Back Thanksgiving Offering in Time for Holiday Planning
Blue Apron is bringing back its popular Thanksgiving menu available to order starting on October 11, just in time for the holiday season. The offering includes a wide variety of options for customers to build a dinner experience that fits their holiday plans and dietary needs, whether it’s a cozy dinner for two or a friendsgiving for up to eight, all with the ease and convenience that comes from cooking with Blue Apron.
“Thanksgiving is a holiday that can be filled with great traditions and delicious meals..."
Technomic’s Latest TIndex Release Reveals Reasons for Softening of Foodservice Industry Growth
Technomic’s August TIndex, Technomic’s index on the total foodservice industry, showed decelerated growth. The number dropped to 98.1 in August from 101.1 in July, meaning the industry declined 1.9% over a two-year basis but has grown by 28% compared to the same month in 2020.
“There are a few clear reasons for this softening,” explains Joe Pawlak, managing principal at Technomic. “First, of course, is due to increased fears of the delta variant. This deceleration is also seen mostly within the travel and leisure segments..."
REPORTER: Transportation Faces an Ongoing Struggle with No End in Sight
Players have had their fair share of obstacles and sleepless nights when it comes to anything transportation-related this year.
In the early days of the pandemic, all of the attention was on the plants themselves and the struggles happening within their walls—and rightly so. But as time has gone on and adjustments were made, the bigger problem that many were facing came after the plants were done and the product needed...
National Taco Day Means Big Deals on Mini Tacos at 7-Eleven
Calling all taco-lovers! National Taco Day is Monday, Oct. 4, and participating 7-Eleven® stores are celebrating with "grande" deals on their popular mini tacos, because even the smallest things should be celebrated.
The world's largest convenience retailer is offering separate mini taco deals for in-store purchase and delivery orders. No matter if you're throwing a fiesta from home or grabbing delicious mini tacos on the way to wherever Monday takes you, 7-Eleven mini tacos fit every occasion. The one-day deals include...
This Week in Retail: Looking Ahead to October
Don’t blink—it’s nearly October. Corn and soybean harvests are underway, sweater weather is approaching, and grocers are seeing additional opportunities to promote protein sales. Pork and seafood are receiving special accolades next month, as October is recognized as National Pork and Seafood Month.
Both campaigns are aimed at supporting farmers and encouraging household consumption by showcasing creative ways to incorporate pork and seafood into mealtimes. Whether it's for back-to-school lunches or family-time dinners, there are no shortages of pork and seafood-centric recipes to celebrate October and fall time festivities.
Traditionally, hogs were marketed in October. These days, specialized facilities allow for year-round production. While every...
The Popularity of Golf Throughout the Pandemic is Driving Increases in Foodservice Shipments
As an outdoor sport that enables players to socially distance themselves from one another, golf has proven to be the perfect pandemic sport. Golf equipment dollar sales grew by +37% from January through August 2021 compared to the same period a year ago, reports The NPD Group. Often indicative of new players, year-over-year sales of golf club sets and balls grew by +37% and +27%, respectively. In addition to golf equipment manufacturers, foodservice operators at country clubs and golf courses...
Canada’s Foodservice Industry Recovery Overall Is Steady in August, But Has Some Declines
Canada’s commercial foodservice industry remained on a stable course to recovery in August, reports The NPD Group. In August, online and physical visits to restaurants and other foodservice outlets increased by +16% compared to August 2020 and were down -4% compared to the pre-pandemic level in August 2019. Consumer spending increased by +23% in August compared to the same month year ago and is up +1% from August 2019.
While total foodservice traffic and consumer spending continued to improve in August, the...
Walmart to Hire 150,000 Associates to Serve Customers for Holidays (and Beyond)
As the most wonderful time of the year approaches, we’re planning to hire approximately 150,000 new U.S. store associates, most of them permanent, full-time positions across the country. This will ensure we’re ready to help customers shop however they want, whether they’re in a store, using curbside pickup or shopping online.
We’re always looking to add great talent to our incredible team of dedicated associates – the every day heroes who have been a constant force for good in their communities amidst the uncertainty of...
Sanderson Farms Releases 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report
Sanderson Farms, Inc. has released its 2020 Corporate Responsibility Report detailing the company’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. In this report, the company was able to estimate the percentage of feed grains sourced from regions under high or extremely high water stress during fiscal year 2020, which is a metric under the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board’s reporting standards that the company was unable to estimate in prior years. Additionally, this report includes the Human Rights Statement adopted by the company’s Board of Directors in October 2020, and incorporates the most recently...
Portillo's Announces Filing of Registration Statement for Proposed Initial Public Offering
Portillo's Inc. ("Portillo's") today announced that it has publicly filed a registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") relating to a proposed initial public offering of shares of its Class A common stock. The number of shares to be offered and the price range for the proposed offering have not yet been determined. Portillo's has applied to list its shares of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "PTLO." The offering is subject to...
The GIANT Company Partners With Instacart To Launch “Instant Delivery” From All Stores
As part of its omnichannel growth, The GIANT CompanyThe Giant Company together with Instacart, the leading online grocery platform in North America, announced today the launch of GIANT Instant Delivery and MARTIN’S Instant Delivery, providing customers with convenience delivery chainwide. With convenience as one of the most popular categories on Instacart, GIANT Instant Delivery provides customers with fresh groceries, convenience items, and household essentials from early morning to late at night in as fast as 30 minutes.
“While no two families’ grocery experiences are alike..."
Cécilia Manget Joins The NPD Group as Head of Foodservice Europe
The NPD Group today announced that Cécilia Manget has joined the company as Head of Foodservice Europe. In her new role, Cecilia will oversee the continuing development of the company’s foodservice practice, and the expansion of NPD’s ongoing tracking of the foodservice markets throughout Europe. NPD offers its services in 19 countries worldwide, with operations spanning the Americas, Europe, and Asia Pacific.
Prior to joining NPD, Cécilia spent 18 years at Nielsen, which included 15 years in the global fast-moving consumer goods industry. In her last...
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Urner Barry Releases September Emerging Plant Protein Report
Urner Barry’s Consulting Division to Launch Egg Market Forecasting Report