Market News
Save-A-Lot Stores to Double
Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert “plans to double the size of the underperforming grocer’s discount chain Save-A-Lot to about 2,400 stores over five years,” which he told analysts is not an abandonment of traditional grocery, The Wall
Street Journal reported, “this is an acceleration of Save-A-Lot.”
The Save-A-Lot format is similar to that of the fast-growing Aldi chain. It uses a small box to sell about 3,000 mostly private label items, offering no service and limited hours.
According to the story, Supervalu has struggled to capitalize on its national scale since it acquired more than 1,100 Albertson’s stores in 2006. A more centralized purchasing structure for the chain’s 2,500 stores and the 1,800 supermarkets it supplies as a wholesaler should drive down nondiscounted, or everyday, prices of national-branded items. Mr. Herkert called the disparity between discounted and nondiscounted prices “out of whack.”
LOBLAW Launches Bath and Body Range
Canadian retailer Loblaw has launched a new set of bath and body products called “Joe Fresh Bath,” reports www.canadanewswire.com.
The launch follows the success of Joe Fresh Beauty and will include products priced between USD2 to USD6. The line will launch in over 400 stores in October.
The Joe Fresh Bath offers lime, grapefruit, nectarine, pomegranate, marine and lemon scents and textures with vibrant packaging in green, pink, orange, red, blue and yellow colors.
“The approach we’ve used with both the fashion and cosmetics collections translates perfectly to the new bath line. For us, it’s always about value, style and quality for our customers,” says Joe Mimran, creative director, Joe Fresh Style.
The collection includes a special Wash & Go with Joe travel kit, Body Wash, Body Balm, Body Polish, Body Mist, a fragrant Liquid Hand Soap and Scrubbies available in an array of colors.
A & P Appoints Andreas Guldin
Greater Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co., parent of the A&P supermarket chain, last month appointed Andreas Guldin to the position of vice chairman and chief strategy officer reporting directly to Christian Haub, executive chairman.
Dr. Guldin originally joined the company in May 2007 as executive managing director, strategy & corporate development and at the same time joined the board of directors of A&P.
Prior to his time at A & P, Dr. Guldin was a senior executive vice president and co-chief financial officer of Tengelmann Warenhandelsgesellschaft KG. He has also served as an advisor to the executive chairman and board of directors of the company since late 2005.
Harris Teeter Brands Video Contest
Harris Teeter has a new twist on promoting their private label brands with the Harris Teeter Brands Recipe Video Challenge. The contest page, found on http://recipecontest.harristeeter.com/htchallenge/, asks consumers to break out their video camera and get cooking. An instructional video presented by Rob Carson shows consumers how to make their videos for submission. Among Carlson’s tips is to “most importantly be sure to use Harris Teeter brand products and let us know why you like to cook with them.”
If consumers don’t have their own recipe to film themselves cooking while utilizing the products, Harris Teeter Executive Chef Phil Anderson has provided eight holiday recipes, which can also be found on the site.
Videos should be uploaded and then the public will vote on them. Online votes will determine the top 20 videos and then judges selected by Harris Teeter will choose the top 4 videos. The winners will be announced on December 1st on the website and the first place winner will win $2,500 with runners up receiving $500 in Harris Teeter gift cards. Voters will be entered into a sweepstakes to randomly win $500 in Harris Teeter gift cards.
Duane Reade Launches Dr Delish
Duane Reade has launched its exclusive brand of food and beverage items under the DR Delish brand name, according to www.food-business-review.com.
DR Delish will debut 25 new items which will include gluten-free trail mixes, vitamin-enhanced teas without artificial colors or flavors, 100% juices, all-natural baked potato crisps with zero cholesterol, and soy snacks made without trans fats.
The September launch will be followed by an expanded launch of products in time for the 2009 holiday season, and by the end of 2009 more than 100 products will be available under the DR Delish brand. Upcoming products will include Organic Lemonade, Belgian Chunk & Chip Cookies, Soy Crisp Caramel Chips and a variety of unique, 100% Arabica coffee blends.
7-Eleven Adds Private Label Bakery Items
7-Eleven, Inc. is rolling out nationally its new line of 7-Select private-label snack cakes and pies, mini-donuts and breakfast pastries. Pictured here is an in-store shelf display of the proprietary sweet snacks.
Among the 15 new packaged bakery items now offered at participating 7-Eleven stores is a 10-ounce bag of powdered sugar mini-donuts.
For more information see the upcoming Private Label January/February 2010 issue.
