UNITED KINGDOM – As competition in the buy-side segment continues to tighten, retail companies across the board are shifting strategies in order to jump to the front of the pack. Morrisons is now the latest to unveil a new plan for streamlined growth with a set of 12 pledges to overhaul its system and improve relations with suppliers. 

The chain unveiled the new list of commitments during its annual supplier conference. According to news source IGD Retail Analysis, Commercial Director Darren Blackhurst asserted that buyers must also “listen,” “show mutual respect,” and “act with honest and integrity.”

In a similar vein, Morrisons has also put forth four tiers of supplier partnerships to look for further efficiencies and relationship opportunities. The tiers involve trusted strategic partners, transactional suppliers, and more engaged suppliers who will receive preferential access to the senior team of Morrisons. The highest tier will have regular access to the chain’s Chairman and CEO, along with improved access to Blackhurst and subsequent category directors. 

The set of 12 commitments, titled The Way We Work with Suppliers, are as follows:

These new initiatives were composed by the chain in efforts to improve its working relationships with suppliers, which will allow Morrisons to continue the forward trading momentum for the company. Morrisons itself pledged that the new commitments will allow the chain to “pay on time, and work hard to resolve disputes quickly.” 

Morrisons further detailed to IGD that the new focus will allow it to place more emphasis on everyday low price strategies with fewer promotions running. IGD also reported that this announcement comes soon after Morrisons reduced its number of commercial types of income from 37 to just three in recent months. 

The UK-based chain is not the first to place a new highlighted focus on the supply chain in efforts to achieve greater company growth. As we recently reported, Walmart has also announced specific changes to its relations with suppliers.

Will other chains soon pick up this new trend that focuses on the supply-side, and what impact will it have on the industry? AndNowUKnow will break the latest as it unfolds.   

Morrisons

SALINAS, CA - Tender hearts of broccoli, shredded carrots, and red cabbage are joining together this year to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Mann Packing’s nutrition-packed Broccoli Cole Slaw. Welcome to What’s in Store. With Mann’s product innovation continuing to evolve within the fresh-cut and value-added sectors, the company is looking to this time-tested favorite with a quarter-century of popularity under its Cole Slaw belt.

From the mind of the late Joe Nucci at the beginning of his career with Mann Packing, the idea of creating a healthy and unique value-added product using broccoli stalks was, at first, a way to use the part of the company’s product that would otherwise go to feed livestock. Nucci then joined forces with late industry legend David Stidolph to collaborate with expert chefs who coined the term “Hearts of Broccoli.”

Thus, Broccoli Cole Slaw was born, and the rest was history. The innovative product set a precedent for what would become Mann’s expertise, paving the way for other “vegetable-based” or more “nutrient-dense” salad blends such as Mann’s Power Blend and Rainbow Salad.

Widely regarded by the industry as the “Father or inventor of broccoli cole slaw,” Joe Nucci brought value and innovation by creating a value-added product from what was once a byproduct. 

Mann Packing is continuing to celebrate Broccoli Cole Slaw's 25th anniversary with new packaging, a recipe contest, and more, so keep your eyes on this inventive company. Thank you for watching What’s In Store.

Mann Packing 

YAKIMA, WA - Fall is here, and Domex Superfresh Growers® signature Autumn Glory® Apples are coming off the trees just in time for PMA Fresh Summit. The proprietary Autumn Glory variety is crisp and juicy with subtle notes of caramel and hints of cinnamon. Some tasters report an apple cider taste, embodying the essence of fall.

"Autumn Glory provides a consistently delicious and exciting eating experience, and it is easy to grow, producing attractive, eye-catching fruit," says Mike Preacher, Director of Marketing and Customer Relations for Domex Superfresh Growers®, according to a press release.

The Autumn Glory apple is the pride and joy of Superfresh Growers, meeting the company’s high standards. Grown both organically and conventionally, Autumn Glory has options for all consumers and retailers. Superfresh Growers will be producing 100,000 boxes this year, with a projected growth to more than one-million boxes in the next five years. With the volume increasing, Autumn Glory will soon be a year-long program. For the 2016-2017 season, Autumn Glory will be available starting November and until supplies last.

Superfresh Growers is pleased to announce they are a finalist at the Sensory Experience Contest at PMA Fresh Summit on Friday afternoon. The recipe contest features bold, fresh, and innovative recipes that will be judged by both kids and produce professionals. Autumn Glory will be featured in their recipe, Open Faced Autumn Glory Sliders.

These kid-friendly apple sliders use Autumn Glory apple slices as the "bun," and feature three unique toppings. Each topping accents the caramel-cinnamon notes of the apple: Yogurt & Granola; Peanut Butter, Banana & Candied Bacon; and Kale Pesto & Prosciutto. Fresh Summit attendees are invited to sample recipes from the winners and finalists during the Fresh Ideas in Action Reception on Friday, October 14, from 4:00-5:00 PM.

Autumn Glory apples will also be sampled at the Domex Superfresh Growers' booth all weekend long. Stop by booth #2173 for a taste of autumn!

Domex Superfresh Growers®

LEAMINGTON, ON - The countdown to PMA Fresh Summit is on, and on the list for finalists for the association’s Impact Award is Pure Flavor, which recently launched new developments in packaging and sustainability innovation.

“Sustainability has always been a top priority of ours,” said Matt Mastronardi, CMO of Pure Flavor. “We are thrilled to be selected as one of the Impact Award finalists. This nomination truly demonstrates the ability of our marketing/packaging team to push for the highest level of innovation and deliver one of the most sustainable packages in the industry.”

Most recently, the company introduced new packaging made from tomato plant fiber, and the new Cloud 9 snacking tomato; a premium, light red, round cherry tomato with a crispy, crunchy, and juicy bite. These introductions meet the rising demand for both earth-conscious offerings and the snacking tomato trend.

And there is even more in the works, according to Director of Marketing Sarah Pau, who shared with me that the company has spiced up its cyber presence with a new website.

“We’ve made significant changes to the site, including a new modern design, easy navigation for all types of users, and an abundance of new and delicious recipes featuring Pure Flavor® produce,” Sarah shares.

Not only does it feature enticing graphics and an inviting start menu to enhance visitors’ understanding and experience, but the new website also recognizes the importance of staying in the know through blog posts and news updates.

“With this update, users can leave with a thorough understanding and satisfaction–whether it’s regarding our products, company information, or any updates in the media,” Sarah tells me.

You can visit the new website here, giving you a healthy taste of what to expect when you swing by booth #451.

Good luck, Pure Flavor, on this latest nomination and we will see you in Orlando.

Pure Flavor

SALINAS, CA - The clock is running down on the PMA Fresh Summit kick-off, and Church Brothers Farms is showcasing two all-new products and packaging for the big event.

Enter the company’s newly-developed value-add diced broccoli stems, and cleaned and cored Redy-Pep™ Peppers.

“Broccoli is highly nutritious and adds great color and flavor to food,” said Kori Tuggle, Vice President of Marketing. “Our partners are excited about the convenience these items bring to their operations; both save labor and food waste.”

Tuggle added that the diced broccoli stem brand meets the company’s goal of both reducing food waste and increasing grower yields, according to a press release.

The Redy-Pep™ Peppers bring uniformity and convenience, already topped and seeded. Church Brothers noted that the new-to-market format:

• Reduces food waste
• Has a longer shelf life than traditional peppers, reducing labor and freight costs
• May be stored from 34 degrees to 38 degrees

While there, you will also have an opportunity to see Church Brothers Farms’ organic tender-leaf product line, the latest blends of Kale Color Crunch and Baby Kale Medley, and its full line of commodities and value-added packs for foodservice and retail.

Stop by and see it all firsthand October 14-16.

Church Brothers Farms

ARLINGTON, VA – The highly competitive Texas retail market may have a new contender to add to its ranks. Lidl US is now eyeing the state for its latest expansion to support the chain's forthcoming US debut.

"We are in the early stages of our preparation to launch in the U.S., and have not yet made individual store announcements," Lidl's Public Relations and Communications Manager, Will Harwood, said in an email to the Houston Business Journal. "Our focus right now is in our operations along the East Coast, but we are also looking at sites in Texas."

Lidl US emphasized that it was unable to list specific locations or regions that the discount retailer is eyeing in the market, but has added Texas to its prospective list. As we previously reported, Lidl US had recently stated that it was specifically planning new locations in the East Coast, which makes the addition of Texas an even bigger boost to the expansion of the German-based chain. 

Lidl first announced its plans for a U.S.-based expansion in 2015, and since then has purposefully been selecting locations for its corporate headquarters, regional headquarters, distribution centers in several states, and planned store locations.

If Lidl US chooses Houston, TX, as one of its southern launch spots, the retailer will join the competition in the regional market with the likes of Aldi, Walmart, Kroger, H-E-B, and more successful banners.

So just where will Lidl US focus its aim in the Texas market? AndNowUKnow will be ready to break the latest as it is unveiled.

Lidl US

SACRAMENTO, CA - California’s rainy season looks to be off to a good start, with not one, but two storms headed its way. Forecasters predict Northern California could receive more than eight inches of rain throughout the mountains, signaling a healthy beginning to our fight against the drought.

According to the Sacramento Bee, the state will see the first of the dual storms beginning Thursday, heading in from the tropical Pacific Ocean. Along with a substantial amount of rain, Northern California, Oregon, and Washington will be experiencing several wind storms as well.

The Sacramento Valley, where our own ANUK offices are, will see about 1 to 3 inches of rain, while further north will likely see much more. According to the Bee, the area surrounding the state’s largest reservoir, Lake Shasta, could be hit with at least 6 inches of moisture. Shasta is currently at about 60 percent of capacity, but the paper reports that this downpour could raise the level of the lake by as much as half a foot.

“It will be rather juicy, I think, when it does arrive to the north part of the state,” Maury Roos, Chief Hydrologist with the state Department of Water Resources, told the Bee.

With many of the state’s reservoirs not yet at capacity and with the drought making soil particulary absorbent, there should be is a very low risk of flooding below Shasta and other Central Valley dams.

“The ground is very dry so we expect much of the precipitation to soak into the ground from the first few storms,” Spokesman for the Bureau of Reclamation, Shane Hunt, told The Sacramento Bee. “We are hopeful that this is the start to a good rain/snow season. We have been reducing releases lately from Shasta and Folsom to conserve storage in the meantime just in case it remains dry.”

We’ll keep our eyes on the state’s reservoirs as the storm blows through, so stay tuned to AndNowUKnow.

LINDSAY, CA - With demand increasing and retail growth, LoBue Citrus announced excitedly that Heritage Reserve Navel Oranges will be back to the U.S. for a limited time beginning February, 2017, for select retailers.

“We continue to receive many wonderful compliments each year from our customers telling us how much they love Heritage Reserve Navel oranges and raving that they are the best-eating navel they have ever eaten,” Joe LoBue, Vice President of Sales at LoBue Citrus, said. “This wonderful flavor is a testament of our growers’ commitment to keep these original groves productive for over 100 years.”

This newest season will mark the product’s sixth, according to a press release, and the company reported that participating retailers have seen postive consumer response and a substantial boost for the naval category.

Grown within a subsection of California's Central Valley citrus-growing region, Heritage Reserve Navel Oranges were first planted with the original Washington-variety budwood between 1898 and 1960, and have not been replanted since.

The program comes fully supported at retail, including:

• High-graphic packaging
• Point-of-sale materials
• Merchandise bins
• Blogger partnerships
• Social media

LoBue Citrus also offers a free downloadable e-cookbook, available here, as well as a Facebook page. The company’s Heritage Reserve Navel oranges Facebook page will be available from February to May, 2017.

LoBue Citrus

BENTONVILLE, AR - Walmart has raised its salaries for entry-level managers, bumping up its average from $45,000 to $48,500 annually. The retail giant is the largest private employer in the United States, with 1.5 million workers, Reuters reports. 

In tandem with its second quarter bonuses of more than $201 million for meeting its service targets, the raises went into effect in September of this year. This is on top of an increase of the company’s entry level wages to $10 an hour in December of last year—$2.75 an hour above the federal minimum wage. As we reported back then, Walmart announced it would be investing $2.7 billion in employee compensation and training over a two year period.

So, why the increase? Analysts at Reuters have tied it to the upcoming new overtime rule, which extends mandatory overtime pay to more than 4 million of the country’s workers. Set to begin this upcoming December 1, the new rule will require employers to pay overtime to salaried workers earning less than $47,500 a year—double the current threshold of $23,660.

"We think the starting rate of $48,500 a year...would make a lot of business sense for our company,” Director of National Media Relations, Randy Hargrove, told Reuters.

However, this law may be in limbo for some time, it seems. In September, officials from 21 U.S. states filed a lawsuit claiming the new overtime rule will “place a heavy burden on state budgets,” according to Reuters, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other business groups filing a separate challenge. Additionally, business groups have said the rule may lead to employers demoting some salaried management workers to hourly positions, creating part-time jobs that do not offer benefits.

Will other major retailers follow suit as the law inches closer? Keep watching AndNowUKnow for updates on this, and other wage rulings affecting the industry.

Walmart

ORLANDO, FL – Welcome to What’s In Store.

With 67 years of business success under our garlic belts, at Spice World we pride ourselves on our state-of-the-art operations, from the beginning soil level to the end store level, providing America with its favorite quality garlic products year-round.

Currently in the midst of harvesting our 2016 crop from California, Spice World garlic is grown in the San Joaquin Valley to offer consumers both conventional and organic selection throughout the seasons.

Spice World is able to retain a supply of premium garlic by properly storing it in our leading-edge coolers, specially designed for the exact storage specifications that garlic needs.

These fresh selections from California are supplemented throughout the year with imported crops from around the globe to ensure our customers receive the freshest crops whenever they need.

Our offices and distribution centers span the length of the country from coast to coast, to better offer a range of Spice World products to display at the retail level. 

Have your consumers craving to spice up their lives with selections extending beyond just our fresh garlic. Whether you like it jarred, peeled, or squeezed, answer your garlic needs with our range of products including specialty products, shallots, and squeezed ginger. 

With three generations of family owned and operated garlic affairs, you can trust Spice World to continuously fulfill your every flavor demand. 

Thank you for watching What’s In Store.

Spice World