Progressive Grocer

Packaging is riding high in the fresh food world, as evidenced by a groundswell of innovation and collaboration taking shape between trading partners in record numbers.   During last month’s Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Fresh Summit in Anaheim, Calif.,...

 “Despite high unemployment, inflation and other challenging trends, opportunities have never been greater for Spartan Stores and our retail partners,” declares Alan Hartline, EVP of merchandising for the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based “hybrid distributor” that he says is laser- focused...

It’s fair to say that Food Lion, LLC, the 1,300-store supermarket chain in the southeastern United States, is nothing like it used to be. What was once a chain that appealed to priceconscious consumers and few others has been...

I have been struck recently by the large effect that little things have on me, and how these little things, both good and bad, can have the effect of turning a great customer experience sour, or vice versa. And...

Bosch packaging technology recently launched the new SVI 2620 packaging machine in India. Attributes such as the machine’s low height and numerous retrofitting options make the new SVI 2620 vertical bagger ideal for a wide range of food and non-food...

The baby care category has taken a hit in recent months from scrimping parents. While customers are still willing to pay for the convenience of disposable diapers and wipes, nonessential extra lotions and other care products may not be...

The back-to-school time period has long been linked with cheese. Whether included as slices in a homemade sandwich, added to a lunchbox as a stick or other fun shape, or enjoyed after school to tide a hungry young belly...

There is little doubt that the shopping cart is one of the most enduring symbols of modern food retail. It is, after all, this tool that greatly enables self service, a necessary feature of the modern supermarket experience, while...

What seems to hold sway over the Indian market today is curiously seeing a revival in the West. Even as India just begins to savour an explosion of out-of-home food experiences, an entrepreneur is staking a claim to reverse...

Innovations in packaging and preparation have kept the frozen vegetable category fresh in recent years. New steam technology and innovative vegetable combinations have captured customer attention and dollars, as many believe frozen is fresher than canned. The latest cook-at-home...

It’s not the sexiest job in the store, nor does it lead directly to sales, although ultimately it can affect sales if left unattended. It can be one of the greatest services you can offer your customers, even though...

After consecutive years of flat sales and stale performance, in-store bakery department performance is on the rise, but there still remains ample room for continued improvement, according to the latest insights revealed in Progressive Grocer’s 2009 annual Bakery Operations...

Food processing has an important role to play in linking Indian agriculture to consumers in the domestic and international markets. With low farmer price realisations and significant wastage in the food supply chain even with the current level of...

While raising consumption is on everyone’s lips when it comes to growth drivers, the real story may lie in technology. Given the price sensitive nature of the Indian consumer, a win-win situation could be achieved by technical improvements throughout...