Market News
Brookshire Rewards Customers and Stocks Safeway
Brookshire Grocery Co. (BGC) has kicked off the “Food Club Frenzy” January with a chance for lucky customers to win up to $3,000. The Food Club line is sourced by Topco. During the six-week campaign BGC will randomly select 10 customers with a Thank You Card, the chain’s frequent shopper card, and visit the winner’s home to see how many Food Club items are on hand. The winner will receive $100 for presenting their Thank You Card and an additional $100 for every Food Club item presented-up to $3,000.
“People are excited when they are selected to participate and we’ve always had big winners in this promotion,” said BGC president and chief executive officer Rick Rayford. “Each has had plenty of Food Club items in their pantry.”
In addition, BGC’s Super 1 Foods stores in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas have started a “Buy 5 & Save 5%” program. When customers purchase five or more Food Club items they save five percent on their entire Food Club purchase. Total Food Club savings is printed on the bottom of the customer’s receipt.
“This will help budget-conscious customers and hopefully get them more acquainted with our Food Club brand that offers national brand quality with savings,” said Mike Terry, senior vice president-Super 1 Foods store operations. The program started January 6 and will end on February 3.
Stocking Safeway
Brookshire Brothers is also stocking Safeway’s Eating Right and O Organics brands now. Safeway subsidiary Lucerne Foods has been marketing the brands to domestic and international retailers, according to www.supermarketnews.com.
Target Launches New Private Labels
Target has unveiled new developments that impact its exclusive and store brand portfolio, according to www.planetretail.net.
Firstly, it has announced the launch of Giada De Laurentiis for Target, an exclusive line of affordable cookware products and specialty food items, endorsed by the celebrity chef. Designed for everyday cooking, the new assortment will be available at all Target stores and Target.com starting in January 2010. The assortment ranges from kitchen gear, such as cookware, ceramic bakeware and kitchen tools, to pasta sauces and flavored coffees.
“Known for her warm personality and creative approach to everyday cuisine, Giada De Laurentiis brings her signature style to Target, offering a unique and integrated approach to the table,” reads Target.com. Items currently offered online include a Giada De Laurentiis for Target Cast-Iron Panini Pan with Press, $69.99, a 5-pc. Bakeware Set, $39.99, and a 10-pc. Stainless Steel Cookset, $149.99.
Secondly, the retailer has acquired the Smith & Hawken brand and other intellectual property from Smith & Hawken, a subsidiary of The Scotts Company. Target currently offers outdoor furniture, gardening and décor solutions through Smith & Hawken for Target, which has been available exclusively at Target stores nationwide and online at Target.com since 2006.
Lastly, in late 2009 Target launched its new Archer Farms Simply Balanced private-label sub-brand. Products like Archer Farms Simply Balanced Cherry Walnut Chicken Pilaf entrée include the callout “simply nutritious, simply delicious” on the front package along with a vertical strip of nutritional information pointing out nutritional facts such as calorie, sodium, fat and sugar counts.
The line includes more than 70 items that meet nutritional criteria including limits of 30% calories from fat, 10% calories from saturated fat and 25% calories from added sugars. Simply Balanced products are free of artificial flavorings, synthetic colors and trans fats. Products range from whole-wheat pasta for $1.48 to chicken skewers for $5.49. Frozen pizza, pasta, cereal, bread, crackers and granola bars are also part of the Simply Balanced lineup.
Court Rules For Store Brand Formulas
PBM Products, LLC, a leading infant formula company that supplies store brand infant formulas to Walmart, Sam’s Club, Target, Kroger, Walgreens, and other retailers, has received a favorable jury verdict and a $13.5 million damages award in its false advertising lawsuit against Mead Johnson & Co., the operating subsidiary of Mead Johnson Nutrition Company, the makers of the national-brand Enfamil Lipil Infant Formula.
PBM’s lawsuit claimed that Mead Johnson engaged in false and misleading campaigns against PBM’s competing store-brand of infant formulas, suggesting they do not provide the same nutrition as Mead Johnson’s brands.
The $13.5 million in damages awarded by the jury in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia is one of the largest damages awards ever for a false advertising case.
“This decision by a jury of the people confirms that Mead Johnson’s ads have been false in suggesting that there is a nutritional difference between our store-brand formula products and their products, when in fact the only major difference is price,” said PBM CEO Paul B. Manning. “Despite Mead Johnson’s scare tactics, parents are assured that PBM’s formula products are as high quality and nutritious as Mead Johnson’s.”
Food Lion Launches Kid’s Cereal
Food Lion has introduced a low-sugar children’s cereal under the Good 4 Kids private label, reports www.supermarketnews.com.
Good 4 Kids also meets U.S. government requirements for being low in saturated fat and cholesterol, and an excellent source of 10 vitamins and minerals, as well as a good source of calcium and fiber, according to spokeswoman Jennifer Speck.
It comes in four varieties: apple cinnamon, honey, fruity and chocolate. Each 12-ounce box regularly sells for $2.79, but is currently on special at two for $5. “Good 4 Kids is a healthier, low-cost breakfast option for children,” Speck told SN.
The cereal is sold at the retailer’s Food Lion and Harveys banners.
Correction: In the Novemeber/December issue on page 125, under Top 100 North American Distributors, WinCo’s brands are incorrectly listed. WinCo carries Better Valu and Hy-Top brands as their private labels.
