In many ways, fresh food departments are in a great position heading into 2008. Sure, the price of fuel has led to rising transportation costs and to a surge in ethanol production that has sent the cost of corn and thus of meat, dairy and other...
Driven by factors ranging from worldwide droughts to burgeoning demand for corn-based ethanol, food prices rose steadily last year. And there are several indications most notably the federal mandates to continue increasing ethanol production for...
Supermarkets have long been the purveyors of others' brands, but some now see the opportunity to become more like brands themselves. The success of chains like Whole Foods, which had a strong brand image in the minds of consumers as a purveyor of...
After years of reprieves, the produce, meat and poultry industries may finally be required to comply with mandatory country of origin labeling by September 2008. Many retailers are looking forward to COOL with a level of enthusiasm usually...
A leaner, meaner Center Store is emerging from the shadows of perimeter departments. A focus on nutrition, specialty store brands and localized assortments is bringing a whole new luster to the section, which is becoming the beneficiary of...
The Value Improvement Program now under way at Stop & Shop and Giant-Landover stores in the U.S. involves a sophisticated and multidisciplinary approach to pricing, quality perception, costs and category management, but its effect can be summed up...
Some of the industry's most intriguing initiatives require food retailing executives to think in new ways about how they go to business. On the following pages are five ideas for supermarket operators to consider in the year ahead that might at...
The Center Store is packed with a growing number of items that can be bundled for a healthy meal. The problem is getting shoppers to notice them. More and more retailers are solving this dilemma by giving better-for-you items more exposure in high...
With fuel prices at record highs and consumers becoming more aware of the need to protect the environment, energy-saving products are becoming an increasingly important part of retailers' product mixes. In responding to this trend, retailers will...
As mass coupon redemption rates continue to slide, a growing number of retailers are shifting focus to offers that are relevant to individual shoppers. Price Chopper, Ukrop's and Green Hills Farms are among those providing customized offers. Price...