SOUTHERN FAMILY BEGINS REBRANDING
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Southern Family Markets last week officially rebranded three of its stores under the Food World banner. Two of the stores, both located in Florence, Ala., most recently operated under the Southern Family Markets name; the other was a Piggly Wiggly store in Muscle Shoals, Ala. The changes are part of an ongoing program to roll out and/or reintroduce the Food World banner further across the Southern Family chain. SFM, a division of C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keane, N.H., was founded in 2005 when C&S acquired a number of stores, many under the Food World banner, from Ahold. Southern Family acquired the rest of the Food World chain in a bankruptcy auction last year. The company said the Food World stores would focus on perishable foods including meats and produce, as well as manufacturer specials known as “Power Buys.”
UFCW IN LABOR DISPUTE WITH MARSH
INDIANAPOLIS — United Food and Commercial Workers Local 700 has filed charges against Marsh Supermarkets with the National Labor Relations Board, alleging that the chain, based here, fired a worker in retaliation for attempting to organize a union. Earlier this month, the union said Marsh workers and Indiana community leaders marched on the Marsh headquarters and delivered a petition with 5,000 signatures asking the chief executive officer of Sun Capital, Marsh's parent company, to meet with workers about the future of the company. The union said it also alleges that Marsh used “illegal interrogation practices” against employees. “We will vigorously defend ourselves against these unfounded allegations by the UFCW,” Marsh said in a prepared statement.
SWEETBAY TOUTS PRICE COMPARISONS
TAMPA, Fla. — Sweetbay here has launched a website that allows customers to compare its prices against those of Winn-Dixie Stores and Publix Super Markets. The site, www.takebackyourlist.com, is part of Sweetbay's new ad campaign promoting its EDLP positioning against the promotional stance of its two largest traditional supermarket rivals. The campaign encourages shoppers to “take back their grocery list” — meaning that they “don't have to buy 10 for $10, or buy two to get one free” to get low prices, said Nicole LeBeau, a spokeswoman for the chain.
BI-LO LAUNCHES WELLNESS INITIATIVE
GREENVILLE, S.C. — Bi-Lo last week said it has added a full-time dietitian, Monica Amburn, to head a new health and wellness initiative to be known as “Bi-Lo thrive!” Amburn will provide customers with free health and wellness tips, while showing shoppers that buying healthier foods can be affordable and easy at Bi-Lo stores. In addition to making appearance at Bi-Lo stores and company-sponsored events, Amburn will edit a quarterly magazine featuring healthy cooking tips, fitness facts and lifestyle recommendations, Bi-Lo said.
LOBLAW, UNION BREAK OFF TALKS
BRAMPTON, Ontario — Talks between Loblaw Cos. here and union workers in Ontario have broken off over a disagreement on procedures regarding converting stores from one format to another, union sources said. According to United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1000A, one of three UFCW locals representing the workers, talks broke down over Loblaw's insistence the contract allow for it to convert conventional stores to its Superstore or Great Food concept without conditions on worker buyouts. The union said it was scheduling a strike vote for the week of July 5.
