The Kroger Co. reached a deal yesterday to acquire regional grocer Harris Teeter Supermarkets Inc. in a $2.5 billion deal, the latest in a string of grocery industry consolidations. The deal, approved by the boards of both companies, is expected to boost Kroger’s presence in the U.S. southeast. Competitors there include Publix and Wal-Mart Stores…
New Jerky Tastes
Golden Island Jerky Co., a leading producer of jerky products based in Southern California, plans to launch six new flavors of jerky, made in America and inspired by flavors from around the world. Golden Island’s latest flavors include the following: hickory black pepper (beef), chili lime (beef), mandarin orange (beef), teriyaki (pork), grilled barbecue (pork)…
Americans Favor Fuel From Grocery And Wholesale Markets, Study Finds
Traditional gasoline and c-store brands continue to sell the most gasoline, but consumers are increasing their tendency to fuel-up at grocers or warehouse retailers. A survey of 4,500 consumers, completed by Market Force Information, reports that Costco and Kroger are consumers’ favorite places to fill their gas tanks as of April 2012. The survey found…
Speedway and Costco Rank High On Services
American consumers rate Speedway, Costco, Walgreens and Target high in Harris Poll’s latest study. While some retailers have been challenged this year by the U.S. economy, some retail brands managed to keep business steady, partly due to their brand equity. The 2012 Harris Poll EquiTrend (EQ) study surveyed American consumers about brands across several retail…
Wal-Mart Discounts Soda
At Chicago area Wal-Mart stores, shoppers are finding Coke cases at a special price: 24 cans for $5, the Chicago Tribune reported. The 20 cents per can price demonstrates Wal-Mart’s purchasing power, and is less than good news for the beverage industry, where after higher bottling prices and 10 years of stagnant pricing beverage companies…
Listeria Found in Parkers Farm Products
Parkers Farm Inc. of Coon Rapids, Minn., is recalling products because they have the potential to be contaminated with listeria monocytogenes, an organism that can cause serious and sometimes-fatal infection in young children, frail or elderly people and others with weakened immune systems. Although healthy individuals may suffer only short-term symptoms such as high…