MISSISSAUGA, ON – Wal-Mart Canada has appointed Dirk Van den Berghe as President and CEO.  Van den Berghe will begin this role August 1^st and will report to Shelley Broader who was promoted to President and CEO of Wal-Mart’s EMEA Region, according to a press release.

"We're very pleased Dirk will be leading Wal-Mart Canada as we celebrate 20 amazing years of saving Canadians money so they can live better," said Ms. Broader. "Under Dirk's leadership, Delhaize has been successful in several countries, and his vast experience will allow us to strengthen our growing food business in Canada and complements our highly-successful general merchandise operation.  One of Wal-Mart's greatest strengths is having exceptional leaders to drive our continued growth, and Dirk is a prime example of this talent."

Van den Berghe is bringing 30 years of international experience across Europe, Asia and the United States.  He was previously CEO of Delhaize Group’s Belgium and Luxembourg operations.

"Wal-Mart Canada is a remarkable and intensely customer-focused business with a track record of growth and performance," said Mr. Van den Berghe.  "I'm honoured to have the privilege to lead this dynamic business and team and serve our customers through Wal-Mart's nearly 400 stores in Canada and its online business walmart.ca.  I look forward to working with our 95,000 fantastic Canadian associates to continue to build on this success."

Adding to his international retail background, Van den Berghe has two decades of experience teaching international business at universities across Europe, Asia and the U.S. and more than a decade of experience as an international trade commissioner for the Government of Belgium, according to a press release.

Congratulations on the new role Dirk!

Wal-Mart

CINCINNATI, OH - Once again Kroger came out of the gate strong yesterday with the release of their financial report for 2014's first fiscal quarter. With reported net earnings of $501 million, identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of 4.6% and excellent sales growth, Mike Schlotman, Kroger's Chief Financial Executive Officer, was understandably pleased with Kroger's performance.

“We continue to see outstanding, double-digit identical sales growth in our Natural Foods department. Our Produce and General Merchandise departments also posted strong ID sales growth, and Kroger’s pharmacy department continued its strong performance,” he shared with investors over a company conference call.

Rodney McMullen, Kroger's Chief Executive Officer, credits increasing customer confidence in the economy for at least part of this impressive sales growth.

“We see growing positive indicators in shopping behavior – our customers have exhibited less cautious spending behavior, for example. Consistent with the rise in the Consumer Confidence Index in May, our own customer research tells us that more customers perceive the economy to be in recovery,” McMullen explained.

Q1, Kroger's 42^nd consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales growth, was also notable because it was the first fiscal period in which Harris Teeter was included in Kroger's financial reports after their recent merger.

“Our merger with Harris Teeter is going exceptionally well. We are learning a lot from Harris Teeter associates and our business is performing well. We are even more excited about Harris Teeter’s people and the opportunities today than we were when we first merged. Across the company, our associates’ remarkably consistent execution continues to generate consistently remarkable results for our shareholders. We will continue building on this resilient foundation to grow aggressively into the future,” said Mike Ellis, President and Chief Operating Officer of Kroger.

Kroger's capital investment was up $69 million compared to 2013's first fiscal quarter, from $640 million to $709 million, according to a press release. Return on invested capital, measured on a rolling four quarters 52-week basis, was similarly strong, holding at a consistent 13.5%. Furthermore, due to the strength of their financial position, Kroger returned over $1.9 billion to shareholders through share buybacks and dividends over the course of the previous 4 fiscal quarters.

Congratulations on the strong quarter Kroger! 

Kroger

LOS ANGELES, CA - Dale Firman and Alan Pollack of Coosemans Los Angeles and Coosemans LA Shipping have created an environment which facilitates employee retention through opportunities for growth.

Firman explains, “Word gets out where the opportunities exist. Because of our reputation as innovators and as fair and creative business people, a lot of highly qualified individuals approach us for jobs.” Once someone is hired, Firman says, “I like to challenge each employee to go out and face their fears—this makes them grow. There’s no reprimand for failing. That’s what builds confidence and in turn, the business. You learn from ordeals—I’m still learning, every day.”

Tony Ramirez started with their warehouse over 20 years ago, leaving at one point in order to open his own auto mechanic business. He missed the Coosemans environment however and returned after two years and has been working with their sales department ever since.

Similarly, Yolanda Ochoa worked her way up from answering phones during the graveyard shift to a key member of the Coosemans sales team and liaison for human resources.

“The owners—Alan, Bob and Dale—make this a good place to work. As a result, 90% of our employees have been here 10 years or more,” Ochoa says.

When it comes to hiring, Dale Firman sums it up this way: “I like to surround myself with smart individuals and I think Coosemans LA Shipping has been successful in large part because of our people. Their tenure builds confidence and makes us stronger. I love to hear great ideas from anyone, whether it’s one of the guys in the warehouse or the receptionist.”

A fixture on the LA Wholesale Produce Market since 1982, Coosemans have been leaders in the sourcing of uncommon specialty produce for the local market and throughout North America.

Coosemans LA Shipping

CHINA - Arguing that it would ‘restrict competition,’ China surprised American and European business leaders on Wednesday by blocking the formation of P3 between Maersk, Mediterranian Shipping Co. and CMA CGM.

“The surprise here is that China has not approved this plan even after regulators in the U.S. and Eurpoean Union have given it the go-ahead,” said Lawrence Li, China Transportation Analyst at UOB Kay-Hain Investment Consulting in Shanghai. 

P3 was a plan that would have created a global alliance between the world’s three biggest shipping lines, allowing them to share vessels among common shipping lanes, according to Bloomberg.

“If there had been a Chinese partner in this I do think it could have gone through,” said Susan K. Ross, who heads up international trade at Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp in Los Angeles. “China wants a global position in a shipping just as in every industry.”

Maersk said it’s considering options on how to cut costs and address overcapacity in the freighter market after Chinese regulators unexpectedly blocked the formation of a global shipping alliance.

“We have different tools in our toolbox to activate,” Vincent Clerc, the Chief Trade and Marketing Officer at Maersk Line, told Bloomberg Television. “We have to look more at how we operate the fleet, at the speed of services.”

Maersk, the largest of these liners, saw its stock fall 5.3% Wednesday to a two year low in response to the surprising move.  Industry competitors also saw their share prices fall in the wake of the decision.  China Cosco Holdings fell by 1.3%, Nippon Yusen K.K. by 2% and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines by 1.6%, according to Bloomberg. 

On Thursday, however, Bloomberg reported that shares began to recoup some of their loses.  Maersk rose by 2.4%, China Cosco Holdings by 0.7%, Mippon Yusen K.K. by 1% and Mitsui O.S.K. Lines by 2.1%.

Despite the steep drop in stock prices, Maersk’s CEO Andersen remains optimistic about the company’s future earnings, saying “P3 would have been nice but it’s not a must have,” he said.  “Maersk is in a very strong position.  We are very competitive and making very good profits.”

Stay tuned to AndNowUKnow for more information as this story develops.

WASHINGTON, DC - The USDA issued sanctions against 4 produce businesses who have failed to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA).

These businesses and individual are currently barred from doing business in the produce industry.

McAllen, Texas based Pina Rica USA LLC, which failed to pay a $43,956 award in favor of a Georgia seller. Fernando Arellano Nunez and Karina Bautista Cadena were listed as business members at the time of the reparation order.

Fort Myers, Florida based Deleon Produce Sales Inc., which failed to pay a $17,136 award in favor of a Florida seller. Mary C. Deleon and Arnold A. Deleon were listed as the business's officers, directors, and/or major stockholders at the time of the order's issuance.

Orlando, Florida based H & H Wholesale Produce Inc., which failed to pay a $57,397 award in favor of a Florida seller. Hassan Hamdan was listed as the business's officer, director, and major stockholder at the time of the order's issuance.

Youngstown, Ohio based Boardman Vegetable Co. which failed to pay a $10,005 award in favor of an Idaho seller. John R. Campolito was listed as the business's officer, director, and major stockholder at the time of the order's issuance.

In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million. Individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed or affiliated with any PACA licensee without the approval of the USDA. The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA.

USDA

EL SEGUNDO, CA - Fresh & Easy is launching a full-scale marketing campaign to reintroduce its brand to consumers. The hope is that 'a new kind of market' will take hold as the intitiative takes off.

“Our goal with this marketing campaign is to welcome shoppers to see the new Fresh & Easy,” said Mike Evans, Fresh & Easy’s Head of Marketing.  “We set out to make our stores and our brand fresher, easier and more relevant to modern consumers who are looking for healthy, convenient options.”

Fresh & Easy will be using radio, outdoor, digital and social media to spread the message that they are anytime, anyway, anywhere solution for healthy, fast, budget-friendly food, according to a press release. Check out the video below for the latest video in the campaign.

The campaign is centered on Five Pillars that make Fresh & Easy stand out for modern consumers.

1. Affordable Organics
2. Handmade in our Kitchen
3. Delivered Fresh Daily
4. No Hidden Unpronounceables
5. Meal Solutions

Fresh & Easy has been under new ownership since last November.

Fresh & Easy

WASHINGTON, DC - The USDA issued sanctions against 5 produce businesses who have failed to pay reparation awards issued under the PACA.  These businesses and individuals are currently barred from doing business in the produce industry.

Miami, Florida based Marco Produce Inc which failed to pay a $69,292 award in favor of a Georgia seller. Marco A. Carmenatis was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business at the time of the reparation order.

McAllen, Texas based Cross Country International LLC which failed to pay a $7,279 award in favor of a California seller. Jaime De La Paz and Gustavo Felix J. Ramirez were listed as members CCI at the time of the order's issuance.

Still Water, Oklahoma based Pioneer Produce LLC which failed to pay a $13,544 award in favor of an Oklahoma seller. Larry D. Stafford Jr. and Larry D. Stafford Sr. were listed as business members at the time of the order's issuance.

Lakewood, Washington based Pal-Do World Inc. which failed to pay a $28,957 award in favor of a California seller. Young S. Park and Byung C. Park were listed as the officers, directors, and/or major stockholders of the business at the time of the order's issuance.

Vero Beach, Florida based Sunny Fresh Citrus which failed to pay a $29,404 award in favor of a Florida seller. Robert K. Robert Marinaro was listed as the sole proprietor of the business at the time of the order's issuance.

PACA provides a forum for settling disputes concerning produce transactions and issues reparation orders for those who are found to not be meeting their contractual obligations. Sanctions or a suspension of their PACA license by the USDA is the consequence for those who fail to pay these reparation orders. Restrictions may also be imposed against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued.

In the past three years, the USDA resolved approximately 4,600 claims under the PACA involving more than $87 million.

USDA

SunFed is now Fair Trade certified on nearly its entire line of conventional and organic produce offerings. The Fair Trade certified, Perfect Produce® lineup includes squash, bell peppers, cucumbers, hot peppers, cantaloupe, honeydew, and watermelon. The company will also introduce newly designed packaging that highlights the Fair Trade certification in the coming months. Matt Mandel, VP of Sales and Marketing, tells us, “This certification is in line with our commitment to a sustainable and equitable workplace, delivering to consumers SunFed’s triple bottom line. This is another way for us to show our appreciation to all those involved in producing the finest fruits and vegetables.”

Sev-Rend Packaging is providing suppliers with domestically produced tags, labels, netting, and packaging. With warehousing locations in Vidalia, Georgia and Bakersfield, California, this vertically integrated company can rapidly ship any of its product throughout the U.S. Sev-Rend also has an in-house branding department that can freshen and expand a company’s brand from concept to delivery. These capabilities provide suppliers with fast response times and high-end graphic quality that they deserve. Greg Petermeyer, VP of Operations, tells AndNowUKnow, “We have designed our business model to be high service, high quality, and very consumer friendly. If a customer has a special product, we can design specific packaging to fit their needs.”

WENATCHEE, WA - A week ahead of last year's harvest, Stemilt Growers has already begun harvesting and packing this year's apricot crop. Because of excellent weather conditions throughout the growing season, it plans to package 300,000 cartons worth of apricots this summer, a 35% increase from 2013.

“Weather has definitely been on our side this season, which is resulting in large-sized, clean, and very high-quality apricots. We’re harvesting Robada apricots now and will quickly move into our leading two varieties, Rival and Perfection. Stemilt will have promotable volumes to ship by the middle of next week, and encourages strong apricot promotions at retail from June 30^th through July 14^th,” said Roger Pepperl, Stemilt Marketing Director.

“The natural farming techniques used in organic production brings orchards into balance from a horticultural standpoint. This combines with the ideal climate in central Washington to produce larger apricots with great color and a true dessert eating experience,” said Pepperl.

Roughly 60% of Stemilt's crop is certified organic, according to a press release.  The company markets its organic apricots under its Artisan Organics label.  For smaller sized apricots, Stemilt plans to again utilize it's random-weight pouch bag “to increase purchase size and build incremental sales. It’s also a way for us to easily message the fact that the apricots inside are organic,” said Pepperl. It's larger fruits will be packaged in panta packs and tray packs.

The Douglas family, 4^th generation fruit farmers operating out of central Washington, are responsible for the majority of Stemilt’s apricot crop. Their orchards are located in the Tri Cities, Columbia Basin, and the Wenatchee Valley.

Stemilt