C.A. Fortune Newsletter- April 2017

Newsletter April 2017 Volume 5 - Issue 3

C.A. Fortune Announcements Vol. 5 - Issue 3 Inside This Issue CAF Announcements 2-3 Distributor News 3-5 Industry News 6-9 Consumer Trends 9-13 Retailer News 14-24 Communications 25 Shows & Events 26

Please Join Us in Welcoming the Following New Employees to C.A. Fortune • Mary Klein-Fox, Support Specialist, Natural Channel – Mary joins C.A. Fortune after working for 20 years at ESM-Ferolie as a Customer Service Representative for Confectionary/Specialty. At ESM, Mary worked directly with Business Managers, Salesman, Manufacturers, and customers to process orders and to assure that deliveries were made. She was also responsible for clearing deductions and for the invoicing of orders to be reconciled as well as setting up items and deals in the system. Mary joined C.A. Fortune in April and reports to Ann Altamura, Lead Manager, Distributor Development. Welcome to the team Mary!

• Lisa A Geist- Account Manager, Natural Channel – Lisa comes to C.A. Fortune following working for Distant Lands Coffee/Java Trading. Lisa worked there for nine years as a Retail Manager. She was responsible for private label coffee sales in the Rocky Mountain region, Washington, Oregon, Northern California, Texas, Illinois, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania territories. She also worked with Tree of Life for several years as an Account Representative, with major grocery retailers.

Lisa reports to Rose Pierro, Team leader, Natural Channel in the Western region.

C.A. Fortune is happy to have her onboard!

• Ann Dosen- Executive Support, Corporate– Ann has extensive experience supporting Senior Executives, including PepsiCo’s CEO. We are very excited to have someone with Ann’s knowledge and attributes to help support our organization.

Ann will report directly to Tyler Lowell, Managing Partner and assist with supporting the following: Tyler Lowell’s office, client relations department, C.A. Fortune leadership team and assigned corportate projects. She started in mid-April. Welcome to our awe-inspiring C.A. Fortune family, Ann!

C.A. Fortune Westward Expansion, with Dan Mullen & Associates Contact Headquarter Office 1831-A Howard St. Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 630.539.3100

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With C.A. Fortune’s recent west coast announcements of Northern California, Rocky Mountain, & Arizona successfully integrated into the organization, the company is thrilled to be able to introduce Dan Mullen & Associates as the newest addition. The Southern California based (Los Angeles) sales & marketing agency, founded 25 years ago, represents C.A. Fortune’s expansion across the Southern California, Hawaii, and further expands coverage in the states of Arizona and Nevada. Founder & President/CEO, Dan Mullen, and his team, have excelled at building the premier sales & marketing agency in the Southern California market.

The move is a continuance of the organizations model in identifying the top agency in market, dedicated to the natural/organic, specialty/conventional, and bakery/ deli classes of trade. To name a few, the following now become core customer partners for C.A. Fortune across the Southwest: Bristol Farms, Safeway, Von’s, Pavilions, Ralph’s, Gelsons, Stater Bros, Mother’s, Jimbo’s, Whole Foods So Pac, & Lassens. continues next page...

C.A. Fortune Announcements C.A. Fortune Westward Expansion, with Dan Mullen & Associates cont...

With the inclusion of Dan Mullen & Associates, effective April 2017, C.A. Fortune now proudly provides full-service coverage in 46 U.S. states, all privately owned and operated under one entity.

PRIOR:

APRIL 2017:

Aligned with each of C.A. Fortune’s prior expansion announcements, Dan’s entire team will remain fully in-tact, along with strategic investments being made into the market. Dan will assume a leadership role serving as the Southern California Market Team Lead, in addition, continue in his current capacity as being extremely engaged with the local customer partners.

With Dan Mullen & Associates joining the firm, C.A. Fortune now finds itself one market/region away from formally being able to proclaim a complete national coverage. The company remains extremely motivated to fulfill the commitment made by closing out the Pacific Northwest in the imminent future.

Please join in celebrating the addition of Dan Mullen & Associates to the C.A. Fortune family, and as always, C.A. Fortune will work diligently to assure a timely, seamless integration.

Distributor News Arteasan Expands Distribution with UNFI

Arteasans Beverages (“Arteasan”), makers of a 5-calorie ready-to-drink iced tea infusions, today announced new distribution through UNFI Next, United Natural Foods’ pioneer program designed to identify and grow emerging brands. This strategic partnership with the leading national distributor of natural products will enable Arteasan to expand its reach to retailers and consumers along the EastCoast and nationwide.

Arteasan 5-calorie tea infusions, which launched in June 2016, currently retail in more than 300 specialty stores and chains in NYC. “This growth is mostly due to our own distribution and efforts to build relationships with independent retailers and smaller grocery chains one by one,” said Fernando Rodriguez, continues next page...

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Distributor News Arteasan Expands Distribution with UNFI cont...

Arteasan Founder and CEO. “This new partnership with UNFI will generate explosive growth for Arteasan, connecting us with more retailers and consumers than ever before.”

Arteasan infusions strategically tie into four key trends in the beverage industry.

“We are thrilled that UNFI Next has recognized us as trendsetters in our category,” said Corina Flushing, Arteasan Co-Founder and COO. “Not only is Arteasan a RTD tea, the fastest growing beverage category in grocery, but it also taps into the exploding 5-calorie market and delivers natural functionality. It’s the first and only product of its kind. And, by sourcing only non-GMO certified ingredients, our infusions also align with the market’s growing preference for natural, unadulterated products.”

Arteasan will maximize the impact of this new distribution partnership, which went into effect in April 2017, by participating in the upcoming UNFI/Haddon House Show in May and by continuing to actively support retailers through its aggressive demos and partnerships program.

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KeHE Expands Operations With New LEED-Certified Distribution Center In Atlanta KeHE Distributors is pleased to announce the opening of a new distribution center in Douglasville, Ga., an Atlanta suburb. The state-of-the-art, 450,000-square-foot facility joins KeHE’s network of 17 distribution centers that provide natural and organic, specialty and fresh products to natural food stores, grocery stores and specialty retailers throughout North America.

“We are honored to expand our operations in Georgia,” said Brandon Barnholt, President and CEO, KeHE Distributors. “This new site demonstrates our commitment to serving a geographically diverse customer base and employing innovative practices and sustainability measures to enhance our operations.”

The LEED-certified facility employs energy-efficient practices, from water heaters and HVAC to sky lights and lighting controls. The site also fea tures LED lighting, recycled packaging material and software to monitor electric usage. Nearly 100,000 square feet of freezer and cooler space accommodates an increasing range of fresh perimeter products and market demand. The new site replaces KeHE’s former facility in Kennesaw, Ga. continues next page...

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Distributor News KeHE Expands Operations With New LEED-Certified Distribution Center In Atlanta cont...

KeHE celebrated the grand opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours. KeHE’s leadership team was joined by business and community leaders, fellow KeHE employee-owners, vendor and broker partners, and officials including Douglasville Mayor Rochelle Robinson.

The festivities culminated with a “pick & pack” activity to help local area families in need. Guests volunteered to pack 1,000 boxes of food in support of Children’s Hunger Fund.

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Nassau Candy Distributors Issues Allergy Alert on Undeclared Almonds in H.E.B Brand Pomegranate Infused Cranberries Covered in Dark Chocolate Nassau Candy Distributors of Hicksville, NY, is voluntarily recalling 8 oz. bags of H.E.B brand Pomegranate Infused Cranberries Covered in Dark Chocolate because they may contain undeclared Almonds. People who have allergies to Almonds run the risk of serious or life threatening allergic reaction if they consume this product.

The product is packaged in 8 oz. zipper bags with UPC CODE 041220985883 and has a Best By Date of 02/27/18 on the lower right back panel of the packaging. No other product or Best By Dates are affected by this recall.

The recalled Pomegranate Infused Cranberries Covered in Dark Chocolate was distributed to H.E.B in San Antonio, Texas. All product with the Best By Date of 02/27/18 has been removed from the store shelves and destroyed.

The company has received one allergy complaint to date.

This recall was initiated after it was reported via a social media complaint that a bag contained almonds but were not listed on the packaging. The company continues its investigation into the matter and has temporarily suspended production of this item.

Consumers who have purchased the 8 oz. bags of H.E.B brand Pomegranate Infused Cranberries Covered in Dark Chocolate are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a full refund.

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Industry News Sweets & Snacks Expo 2017 to Host Sell-Out Crowd Annual exhibit will host 17,000-plus attendees from 90 countries.

With only weeks to go until the 2017 Sweets & Snacks Expo, the annual trade show floor has sold out and created a wait list for the fifth consecutive year.

Hosted by the National Confectioners Association, this year’s Expo will take place May 23-25 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. It will welcome more than 17,000 attendees from 90 different countries. Nearly 800 exhibitors will display innovative products from the confectionery, snack and specialty categories.

The 2017 Expo will offer nearly 20 educational sessions ranging from consumer insights to the latest industry trends. New features this year include: - “Eye Opener” Morning Knoledge Building Sessions; - The launch of the Small Business Innovator Award as part of the 2017 Most Innovative New Products Program, which highlights companies with net sales of $500,000 or less; and - The debut of Destination Retail, which encompasses the Merchandising Gallery of Success, as well as new technology pods demonstrating in-store advances from leading companies.

Because of its continued success, Trade Show Executive magazine named the Sweets & Snacks Expo to its “Fastest 50” list, recognizing the fastest-growing trade shows worldwide. The Expo picked up a total of three honors: named to the Fastest 50 list, a “Next 50” award for net square feet of exhibit space, and a “Next 50” award for total attendance.

“We are honored to receive such a distinction from Trade Show Executive magazine as proof that the industry recognizes the Sweets & Snacks Expo as the destination where retailers and exhibitors go to grow their businesses,” said Barry Rosenbaum, Expo chairman and president of Nassau Candy Distributors Inc. “The 2017 Expo promises to be no different as we continually seek to solidify our stature as the must-attend event for the candy, snack and specialty categories.”

Hosted by BZ Media LLC, the Fastest 50 award is given to the nation’s fastest growing organizational events that exceed industry benchmarks. The Sweets & Snacks Expo outpaced industry benchmarks by more than 10 times in number of exhibiting companies, and more than five times in net square feet of exhibit space and attendance. This is the third time the Sweets & Snacks Expo has received a Fastest 50 award, having been first named to the list in 2011 for number of exhibitors and then again in 2013 for attendance.

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Industry News Consumers Seek Healthy Lifestyles, But Food Packaging Can Make It Difficult

Today’s consumers are more concerned than ever before about the foods they eat, yet they struggle to find the nutrition information needed to make informed purchasing decisions.

That’s according to Label Insight’s 2017 Shopper Trends Study, which reveals that nearly half of consumers (49 %) adhere to a particular diet or nutrition plan, and 75 % avoid specific ingredients when shopping for food products. But, 67 % of consumers say it is challenging to determine whether a food product meets their needs simply by looking at the package label, and nearly half of consumers (48 %) consider themselves “not informed at all” about a food product even after reading the label.

“Consumers vary in their definitions of healthy, and they want more detailed ingredient information. Today’s product packaging is not meeting those needs,” said Patrick Moorhead, chief marketing officer at Label Insight. “Keeping pace with consumers’ increasing demand for product transparency is one of the most challenging issues facing the food and beverage industry today.”

The study examines dietary preferences and consumers’ ability to find the nutritional information they need to make informed purchasing decisions. Key findings from the study include: Shoppers seek out healthy choices…

• Health-conscious consumers: Nearly half (49%) of consumers adhere to a particular diet or health-related eating program.

• Dietary restrictions: Nearly half (44 %) of consumers say food allergies, intolerances or sensitivities affect the way they shop.

Focus on ingredients…

• Ingredients matter: 98% of consumers believe ingredients are an important consideration in the food products they buy, and 75 % of consumers examine ingredients before they buy to ensure products meet their dietary needs.

• Ingredient avoidance: 75 % of consumers avoid specific ingredients when shopping for food products, including:

- High fructose corn syrup—56%

- Artificial sweeteners—44%

- Preservatives—36%

- Artificial colors—36%

- Artificial flavors—35% • Superfoods on the rise: 8% of consumers seek out specific superfoods. The top superfoods consumers look for are:

- Blueberries—63%

- Avocado—60%

- Green tea—50%

- Kale —44%

- Cinnamon—44% Packaging makes it difficult to meet needs • Challenges meeting dietary needs: 67% of consumers find it challenging to determine whether a food product meets their needs by reviewing the package label. continues next page...

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Industry News Consumers Seek Healthy Lifestyles, But Food Packaging Can Make It Difficult Cont...

Lack of information: Half of consumers (48%) consider themselves to be “not informed at all about the product” after reading a product’s label.

• Online product research: 83% of consumers take the time to look elsewhere for food information when food packaging and labels are insufficient, and 74% of consumers conduct online research for more information.

Consumers’ focus on health and wellness has driven them to seek out more information about products than is typically included on product packaging. This shift continues to fuel the product transparency movement, and has motivated CPG brands and retailers to provide complete and accurate product information which can unlock value with consumers—from custom merchandising and dietary personalization at the retail level, to enhanced transparency initiatives like SmartLabel for CPG brands.

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Kefir Flourishing in Fermented Dairy Beverage Market

Kefir appears to be bucking the trend that has seen launch activity in drinking yogurts and fermented beverages remain relatively static in recent years…

While kefir launch numbers are still limited globally, Innova Market Insights data indicate that they grew more than three-fold between 2011 and 2016. This is despite launches in the overall drinking yogurt/fermented beverages sub-category rising by a much more modest +60%.

“As interest in fermented dairy products spread in the west alongside the arrival of the so-called functional foods market in the 1990s,” reports Lu Ann Williams, Director of Innovation at Innova Market Insights.

“Kefir started to move out of its home in the Caucasus via limited availability in specialist health food stores in western markets to a more value-added, mainstream positioning, particularly in the US,” she adds.

The US pioneered the kefir market in the west and brought value-added options in resealable plastic bottles to the mainstream market. This allowed for more direct competition with other dairy and non-dairy beverages. It accounted for over one-third of global kefir launches in 2016 and beverages featuring kefir accounted for 40% of US drinking yogurt/fermented beverages introductions overall, compared with just over 8% globally.

Europe accounted for the bulk of the remainder, led by more traditional markets in Eastern Europe, although launches in Western Europe have grown strongly, but from a very small base.

Kefir is strongly promoted on its healthy properties, particularly with rising interest in fermented foods and beverages overall. All US and nearly 94% of global launches used some kind of health positioning in 2016. continues next page...

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Industry News Kefir Flourishing in Fermented Dairy Beverage Market cont...

There was initial emphasis on probiotics, particularly focusing on digestive health benefits. Even though regulatory issues have made this type of claim more difficult in some parts of the world, digestive health claims were still used for nearly two-thirds of global launches in 2016.

Nearly half of kefir launches use low fat claims and the sector has also not been slow to exploit rising concerns over sugar intake in the diet. The number of global launches positioned on low sugar/no-added-sugar and sugar free positionings double in 2016 to feature in 20% of the total. Organic and lactose free variants are also increasingly common, among kefir launches.

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Consumer Trends Be prepared: These 10 Foods Quickly Disappear from Grocery Stores when a Disaster Strikes

There are certain foods that are sell out almost immediately in a disaster, and it is necessary that we all take note.

Why is this important to know? The first is rather obvious: You can begin stockpiling those items now to avoid running out in the future. The second reason is more informative. Assumptions often lead to false conclusions. It would seem that sometimes “common sense� is not so common. OfftheGridNews.com compiled a list based on their own observational study featuring the top ten foods that disappear from grocery store shelves during an emergency.

Staples such as water and bread rank high on the list but there are also a few surprising additions.

Their list is as follows:

1. Water

2. Bread

3. Beer & alcohol

4. Canned fruits & vegetables

5. Canned soups

6. Peanut butter

7. Eggs

8. Meat

9. Coffee

10. Frozen prepared foods These were ranked according to how much of these items were bought and the level of importance consumers placed on them. As you can see, beer and alcohol enter the list as the third most important food item. If you are baffled by this, think again. There are a few psychological and sociological aspects to consider.

The Psychology of Panic Buying A 2015 survey by the Department of Homeland Security found that 60 percent of Americans are not prepared for an emergency. This, despite the fact that 80 percent of Americans reside in counties that are at high-risk for weather-related disasters. Having an emergency plan is essential. continues next page...

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Consumer Trends Be prepared: These 10 Foods Quickly Disappear from Grocery Stores when a Disaster Strikes cont...

When the unforeseen happens, people tend to panic. This leads to questionable buying habits — including, yes, going to the alcohol aisle.

Scientists have found that during cases of emergencies, the brain immediately responds to its baser instincts. It becomes focused on survival. This explains the necessary items like water and bread. Explaining the beer, researchers hypothesize that contrary to Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, vices are considered an essential. During disasters, people need to relieve their stress; they want to forget. Beer and alcohol is a preferred method.

More importantly, people are often triggered to buy what they think they need. Grocery stores have carefully studied the psychology of consumer buying and when a disaster warning is issued, stores stock up on items they believe their customers will find necessary and place them near the store’s entrance. Studies have found that people tend to choose whatever item is most accessible or familiar to them. If the item is placed at the front of the store, or is at eye-level and displayed more prominently, consumers are more likely to stock up on it, rather than something they have to search for. The idea being that they will later have a need for these items.

The concept to remember here is panic, which scientists say is one of the least understood psychological concepts.

People are driven by a self-induced feeling of shortage. This is another reason why shoppers attach greater significance to their food purchases. Even if they overstock, they feel that they have “won” over the competition and are better prepared for the disaster.

So, What Do I Really Need?

Disaster preparedness takes practice. Now that you know what foods are bought first, try buying these items now to avoid a shortage. Peanut butter and canned soups are good recommendations. Avoid items that require refrigeration. Items to consider should be easy to store, easy to prepare, and easy to eat. Think of food that can be eaten without hot water or cooking mechanisms. Thus, contrary to the list, stocking up on instant coffee or frozen prepared food is not really a good idea.

It’s also good to note that water is the fastest item to run out during emergencies. It is estimated that only the first 100 customers at any grocery store will get to buy water.

You should only buy water in quantities necessary for survival. Remember that there are other families who need it. Bread, too, should be bought in usable quantities. Apart from it having a limited shelf life, disaster preparedness should not equate to complete monopolization.

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Consumer Trends 7 Ways Grocery Stores are Changing for Millennials But, you know, not solely for millennials.

These tweaks to the classic shopping experience will make grocery stores faster (and more drunken) for all of us.

If you like the way your grocery store looks and feels now, bad news: Amazon is coming. And Blue Apron isn’t going anywhere soon. And those are just two of the many retailers that are disrupting the grocery store experience to make it more palatable to millennials.

Because here’s the thing: millennials hate grocery shopping. At least, they hate the old-school way of grocery shopping. Millennials are less likely to want to step inside a store—and if they do, they want to be able to drink a beer there.

So grocery stores are changing. They’re making shopping easier, boozier, and in some cases even uglier. Hey, it’s want millennials want; here are seven ways grocery stores plan to give it to them.

MEET THE GROCERANTS You’ve long been able to grab a sandwich or some sushi from a grocery store’s refrigerated case. But now many chains want to go bigger and open dining options that blur the line between grocery store and restaurant—”grocerants,” in industry-speak. Midwestern chain Hy-Vee has opened outposts of a full service restaurant called the Hy-Vee Market Grille next to dozens of its supermarkets, hoping to lure shoppers in with burgers, pizzas, steaks, and wine and beer. Whole Foods has partnered with big-name chefs such as Roy Choi to bring both fast-casual and full-service dining options to its stores, as Eater recently reported. And Eataly, the ultimate high-end grocery-restaurant hybrid, has opened marketplaces in New York, Boston, and Chicago, with an Los Angeles location in the works.

A-LA-CARTE MEAL KITS Meal kit delivery services such as Blue Apron have waged a full-on war on traditional grocery stores. Now, the grocery stores are fighting back by introducing their own fresh meal kits— without the subscription, excess packaging, or delivery markup.

The Maryland-based chain Giant Foods introduced kits for recipes like pork stir-fry and salmon risotto in select stores last year. Peapod, the grocery delivery company, has innovated by offering fresh meal kits in partnership with brands like Campbell’s, Barilla, and Ro-Tel in select markets. And Boston’s Pantry, which touts itself as “a new kind of grocery experience,” is a brick-and-mortar store that sells nothing but meal kits for quasi-homemade ratatouille, poached salmon, tandoori chicken, and more.

BETTER CHECKOUT LINES (OR NO LINES AT ALL) Since waiting in line is the least fun part of grocery shopping, supermarket chains are using technology to reduce, or even eliminate, the holdup. Hy-Vee recently began piloting sensors that detect the number of carts and items in each checkout lane, allowing stores to direct customers to the line with the shortest wait time. Chains like Sam’s Club are encouraging tech-savvy customers use smartphone apps (or handheld scanners) to scan their items as they shop, letting them leave the store as soon as they’ve crossed their last ingredient off their list. Meanwhile, Amazon is aiming to eliminate manual scanning altogether: Its brick-and-mortar grocery store in Seattle (which is currently open only to Amazon employees) uses “Just Walk Out” technology, which detects what shoppers are picking up and automatically bills them after they leave the store. continues next page...

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Consumer Trends 7 Ways Grocery Stores are Changing for Millennials Cont...

UGLY VEGETABLES Throwing away imperfect-looking fruits and vegetables is a major cause of food waste, and the idea of selling ugly fruits and vegetables to consumers at a discount has made its way from Europe to the U.S. Wal-Mart began selling blemished apples and potatoes last year, and Hy-Vee recently introduced a line of “cosmetically challenged” fruits and vegetables called Misfits. And leave it to California to take it one step further: a delivery startup called Imperfect Produce that delivers budget-friendly misshapen produce straight to consumers’ doorsteps in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.

QUICK PICKUP The arms race between Amazon, big box stores, and supermarkets has also resulted in better, easier options for customers who want to order groceries online and then pick them up at their convenience. Kroger and Walmart, among others, now tout same-day pickup for online grocery orders, and you don’t even have to get our of your car—workers will load your car for you. Of course, Amazon isn’t far behind: Amazon Prime members in the Seattle area will soon be able to pick up groceries at two AmazonFresh Pickup locations. Amazon promises lightning-fast fulfillment, advertising pickup as soon as 15 minutes after a shopper places an order.

BETTER STORE-BRAND PRODUCTS Private-label products, long seen as budget-friendly alternatives to their name-brand competitors, are stepping up their game. Grocery chains are putting their names on “higher-tier, health-oriented selections such as items that are gluten-free, organic and non-GMO,” according to the industry magazine Store Brands. The Texas-based chain H-E-B recently introduced a new line of store-brand products without synthetic ingredients, high-fructose corn syrup, or artificial flavors. Kroger’s Simple Truth line includes a store-brand kombucha. And Whole Foods has essentially built an entirely new brand around its private label: 365 by Whole Foods Market is a new line of stores heavily stocked with—you’ll never guess—groceries from Whole Foods’ 365 label.

MORE PERSONAL SHOPPERS Platforms like Instacart and Shipt have expanded their reach across the country, allowing customers to order groceries that are delivered by personal shoppers as quickly as within an hour. Techcrunch reports that major chains like Whole Foods and Costco are adapting by creating Instacart-only express lanes for Instacart’s paid shoppers and by sharing inventory and stocking information with Instacart so it can guide its shoppers through each store more efficiently. With new partnerships between grocery chains and delivery platforms announced practically every week, expect to see more grocery chains redesigning their stores with Instacart and Shipt shoppers (that is, millennials!) in mind.

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Consumer Trends Asian Americans, Baby Boomers Driving Meat Snack Demand Sporting a compound annual sales growth of over 7% for each of the past four years, meat snacks have established themselves as the standard bearer of the salty snack sector, according to a recently released report by The Nielsen Co. In North America, the overarching group of salty selections leads the way for all snacks, followed by refrigerated options, confections and vegetables/fruit.

The two main meat segments — jerky and sticks — contribute almost evenly to the $2.8 billion value of the category. That could change in the near future, however, as jerky’s sales are on a nearly 7% rise as of late, while the sticks division has held steady over the past year.

The main driver of meat snack success appears to be Asian American households, who spend an average of $31.61 per year on meat snacks. Asian American’s are 22% more likely to purchase these items than the average shopper, a fact not lost on VP of Consumer Insights at Nielsen, Jordan Rost.

“Meat snacks have seemingly opened the door for more snacking spending amongst Asian Americans,” Rost said. “Even in the last year, Asian Americans increased their spending on meat snacks more than any other ethnic group.”

Rost added that while this demographic’s consumption of meat snacks is up, its interest in other salty categories is less robust. “On the whole, Asian American households tend to underspend on key snacking categories. For example, they spend 15% less on potato chips than the average buyer.”

While this ethnic group may be a driver, it is certainly not the only slice of the market seeking salty meat options.

Baby Boomers spend more on meat snacks than all other age groups, laying down $28.48 per household each year on jerky and sticks. They are 10% more likely than all other shoppers to grab a meat snack or two during a grocery run.

While Baby Boomers may hold the crown for now, that’s not written in permanent marker.

“Millennials are rapidly increasing their spending on meat snacks,” Rost said. “In the last year, Millennial households grew meat snack spending by 17%, faster than any other consumer segment. So, while Boomers are today’s biggest spenders for meat snacks, that may change in the near future.”

The Nielsen report also showed that supercenter shoppers are inclined to pick meat over traditional salty snack options. Almost 25% of meat snack purchases come from these larger stores, while only 20% of traditional salty options are sold at such locations.

So where do these salty, meaty treats go from here? Rost said variety is in the forecast.

“We’ll likely continue to see new tastes and flavors within meat snacks,” he said. “Consumers are flocking to new Korean barbecue-inspired potato chips [for example] and that seemingly creates a natural opportunity for meat snacks.”

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Retailer News Hy-Vee Restructures to Support, IT, Foodservice and Health Hy-Vee on Friday (April 14th) announced a corporate restructuring that it said would position the company to grow in information techno ogy, health and wellness and restaurant development.

The company said it intended to add almost 70 new positions to its corporate staff in the coming weeks to facilitate the new structure. At the same time, around 60 current corporate positions were being eliminated, although 50 of those people have been offered new assignments in stores or as part of the new corporate positions, the company said in a statement.

More than 50 of the new full-time positions will be IT-based and work at Hy-Vee’s new facility in Grimes, Iowa, the company said. Hy-Vee said the new facility will serve as a creativity center where those in IT and marketing will work together to develop future apps, programs and online content that will provide customers with more convenience and customer service, while showcasing the company’s culinary expertise.

The remaining new positions will work out of Hy-Vee’s West Des Moines corporate headquarters and oversee future development and expansion of the company’s Hy-Vee Market Grille restaurants and HealthMarkets, which provide organic, natural, gluten-free and allergy-friendly foods. The company has 103 Hy-Vee Market Grilles and 179 HealthMarkets across its eight-state region.

Hy-Vee operates 244 stores across an eight-state region in the Midwest. It had annual sales of $9.8 billion and employs more than 84,000 workers.

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Sprouts Reveals Locations For New Stores Sprouts Farmers Markets said April 5 that it intends to open 11 new stores in 2017’s second half. For the year, the Phoenix, Arizona-based grocer will open a total of 32 new stores across the country.

The latest 11 stores will be located in: • Clairemont, California, at 4635 Clairemont Drive • Diamond Bar, California, at 239 South Diamond Bar Boulevard • Las Vegas, Nevada, at 8441 Farm Road • Memphis, Tennessee, at 576 South Perkins • Mesa, Arizona, at Loop 202 and Recker Road • Nashville, Tennessee, at 7620 Highway 70 South • Newark, California, at 6399 Jarvis Avenue • Palm Harbor, Florida, at 33650 US Highway 19 North • Redlands, California, at Eureka and I-10 • Reno, Nevada, at Meadows Parkway and Double R Boulevard • Yuma, Arizona, at 1590 South Fourth Avenue Each store will bring more than 100 jobs to its local neighborhood. The grocery chain says that grand opening dates and hiring information will be shared at a later date.

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Retailer News Supervalu And Unified Grocers Marriage To Create $16B Business

Supervalu is acquiring California-based Unified Grocers in a transaction valued at approximately $375 million.

Supervalu President and CEO Mark Gross said on a conference call Tuesday morning announcing the deal that the sale of Save-A-Lot late last year gave Supervalu the opportunity to pursue a business like Unified. He also noted that Supervalu intends to expand its wholesale operations, possibly through acquisition.

Supervalu will pay approximately $114 million in cash for 100 percent of the outstanding stock of Unified Grocers plus the assumption and payoff of Unified Grocers’ net debt at closing (approximately $261 million as of April 1).

The two grocery wholesale organizations had combined sales of approximately $16 billion in 2016. Together, Supervalu and Unified operate 24 distribution centers supplying customers in 46 states and serve a combined customer base of more than 3,000 stores.

The combined company will be able to serve a broad range of independent customers and offer an array of value-added services.

The acquisition also provides the potential expansion of Unified’s Market Centre division, a specialty and ethnic products business, to more independent grocers.

“We’re thrilled at the opportunity to bring together these two great organizations,” Gross said in a prepared statement. “By acquiring the Unified business, including gaining a wealth of expertise and talent, we will become a stronger and more efficient organization. The transaction will enhance our ability to help our customers better compete in the evolving grocery industry. We’re also excited to serve Unified’s dynamic retailer base. Unified’s members and customers operate some of the country’s most exciting and progressive Hispanic and multiple other ethnic formats, specialty, gourmet, natural/organic, price impact and traditional stores. They complement our existing customer base and we look forward to facilitating collaboration and innovation across such an impressive collection of creative merchants.

“We appreciate the experience, intelligence and dedication of the Unified team, and look forward to welcoming Unified associates to Supervalu and supporting them as we continue the important work of contributing to the growth and success of our customer network and helping to deliver value to our stockholders,” Gross added. “We will make a great team together.”

“We believe this transaction will benefit the members and customers of Unified Grocers as they look for new and innovative ways to serve the communities in which they operate,” said Unified Grocers’ President and CEO Bob Ling. “Supervalu and Unified share a common vision of providing best-in-class services and products to the independent grocer. The cultural fit between Supervalu and Unified well positions the combined company to pursue a shared dedication and commitment to growth and innovation, providing increased value to customers.” continues next page...

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Retailer News Supervalu And Unified Grocers Marriage To Create $16B Business Cont...

Transaction expected to close this summer The transaction, which was unanimously approved by each company’s board of directors, is currently expected to close in mid- to late summer, subject to approval by Unified’s shareholders and other customary closing conditions. Following completion of the merger, Unified Grocers will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Supervalu.

Following the completion of the transaction, Supervalu, with its headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, will maintain a visible presence in Commerce, California, where Unified’s headquarters are located, as well as throughout the West Coast, including management and employees of the combined company.

Supervalu expects to incur transition and integration costs of up to $60 million within the first two years following the completion of the transaction. By the end of the third year following the completion of the transaction, the combined business will achieve a run rate of at least $60 million in cost synergies derived in part from consolidation of some back office functions.

The transaction is expected to be accretive to earnings per share, excluding the transition and integration costs, as well as potential purchase accounting adjustments, in the first full fiscal year following closing that begins Feb. 25, 2018.

Source

Raley’s Opens New Store in Prominent Sacramento Neighborhood Raley’s furthers its vision of health and wellness with the grand opening of a new, state-of-the-art store at Fair Oaks Boulevard & Howe Avenue in Sacramento.

Located in the established Campus Commons/Arden neighborhood, the 35,000-square-foot store will offer customers an extensive assortment of fresh, high-quality food in a unique shopping experience.

“This new store has an even greater focus on health and wellness, with a larger assortment of natural and organic offerings,” said Michael Teel, Raley’s CEO & Chairman of the Board. “The amenities and product mix reflect the direction I envision for all of our stores and will serve this neighborhood well. We are excited to expand our vision to a new market area in Sacramento.”

At the heart of every business decision is Raley’s ongoing drive to infuse life with health and happiness. The store features specialized culinary offerings, including an enhanced food service counter with a Kombucha bar, sushi, a meat carving station, a salad/hot food case, and more. Additionally, the store offers a boutique-like bulk food section featuring spices, herbs and grains, as well as an expanded vitamins and supplements department. To enhance the personalized shopping experience, Raley’s will have on staff two nutritionists and a wine steward to offer guidance in their respective fields to customers. continues next page...

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Retailer News Raley’s Opens New Store in Prominent Sacramento Neighborhood Cont...

“As consumer habits have changed so significantly in the last few years it is very exciting to be a part of this new, more efficient approach to grocery shopping,” said Mark Marvelli, Director of Commercial/Retail Studio, Stafford King Wiese Architects.

Raley’s is a leader in sustainability and strives to contribute to a cleaner community. Environmentally-friendly features were a primary consideration in this development. The store is equipped with solar panels that can generate two megawatts of power. The system successfully generates much of the energy needed onsite, relieving pressure on the grid during peak hours. In addition, the store includes many energy efficient features including refrigeration, lighting, and more. In partnership with EVgo, the store has two fast-charging stations, which can provide up to 80 miles of electric range in 25-30 minutes.

“Sustainability is, and will be, part of infusing life with health and happiness for many years to come, as we pave the way to healthier communities,” said Keith Knopf, Raley’s President & COO. “We designed this store with this neighborhood in mind - offering specialized design features, fresh food offerings and personalized customer service.” Knopf also shared that this is the first of five new stores opening in the next 18 months.

Raley’s is leading the way to a better food system. This new store continues that innovation in both sustainability and in-store experience. Raley’s is known for providing world-class customer service, clean and easy-to-shop stores and high-quality products at a value. For more than 80 years, Raley’s has operated in Sacramento and this store affirms Raley’s commitment and investment in the region.

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Activist Investor Jana Partners Grabs 9% Share in Whole Foods as it Moves to Push Sale Rumors of Whole Foods approaching a possible sale have stirred up yet again after activist investor Jana Partners LLC grabbed up a nearly 9 percent stake in the company. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, Jana Partners has already begun pushing for a possible sale, as well as a potential shakeup of the retailer’s Board of Directors.

According to a regulatory filing posted Monday, Jana Partners now has an 8.8 percent stake in Whole Foods, which the investor says it may leverage to help it better compete with its rivals, shift its board, and as WSJ puts it, find out how much a potential bidder might be willing to pay. The firm will also take another look at Whole Foods’ new small-store format, 365.

Following the move, Whole Foods shares gained as much as 12 percent, reaching $34.66. According to Bloomberg, this is the biggest jump since November 2014.

A Whole Foods spokeswoman shared with WSJ that the company “is open to the views and opinions of all of our shareholders,” adding, “we are committed to driving value for all Whole Foods Market shareholders and will continue to act to achieve this important objective.” continues next page...

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Retailer News Activist Investor Jana Partners Grabs 9% Share in Whole Foods as it Moves to Push Sale Cont...

In what the source says could be a signal that Jana is willing to get aggressive in its approach to shake up the retailer, Jana has already lined up potential new board nominees, all of which it named in the SEC filing. These candidates include industry analyst Meredith Adler, former Harris Teeter CEO Thomas Dickson, GAP turnaround orchestrater Glenn Murphy, entrepreneur Mark Bit man, and former CMO for Safeway Diane Dietz—who was part of Jana’s shakeup of Safeway in 2013.

As we’ve previously explored, there has been much speculation over whether or not Whole Foods will sell in recent months, with many naming Kroger and Amazon as a possible buyers. Some analysts, however, think Whole Foods may end up employing the “poison pill” method—a mechanism used by public companies to prevent hostile takeovers.

After the increase in share value, Whole Foods’ market cap has now hit around $11 billion.

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Mochi Bar? 100 Whiskeys?

New Lakeview Whole Foods Has It All Like an amusement park dedicated to organic produce and dry-aged beef, the new Whole Foods Lakeview is a treat for the eye, as well as the stomach.

Chicago’s second-largest Whole Foods opens at 3201 N. Ashland Ave. at 9 a.m. Wednesday after 16 months of construction and a promise that the new grocery store would revitalize the corner of Ashland, Lincoln and Belmont avenues.

To celebrate the grand opening, the first 500 customers Wednesday will receive a gift card for between $5 and $500.

Whole Foods will also donate 1 percent of sales during the first five days to five nearby schools.

On Tuesday (March 21st), grocers were stocking shelves as others buzzed about, hanging signs and putting the finishing touches on the two-story, 75,000-square-foot grocery store.

Outside, living walls of green, purple and brown foliage conceal a 300-space parking garage, while the largest Whole Foods sign in Chicago perches on a glass-paned facade facing the intersection.

Inside, the first floor is dedicated to Allegro Coffee, the Whole Foods company that will roast small batches of coffee beans for 12 Whole Foods stores in Chicago.

continues next page...

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Retailer News Mochi Bar? 100 Whiskeys?

New Lakeview Whole Foods Has It All cont...

A coffee bar with a long strip of seats facing Ashland Avenue sells espresso drinks and cold-brew coffee, plus wine and several regional beers on draft.

When moving a store, “you need the new one to feel already lived in, comfortable and as special as the old one felt for shoppers,” said Christine Sturch, the store’s design and brand coordinator. “We also wanted to have real subtle callbacks to the whole Lakeview Whole Foods and to our heritage growing up in the Lakeview area.”

A wall mural behind the coffee bar, for example, pays tribute to Rose Records, which used to occupy the building where Whole Foods first opened in Lakeview, 3300 N. Ashland Ave., one block north of the new store.

The 17-year-old location closed Tuesday afternoon, with long lines of customers scooping up half-off merchandise until around 3:30 p.m. Target will replace it in October.

The new store, twice as large as its predecessor, mainly operates on the second floor, where miles of aisles are filled with bulk dry goods, bouquets of flowers, beauty products and accessories, liquor and the typical assortment of high-end, organic products the company stakes its name on.

Surrounding the grocery aisles are kiosks and departments for meat, baked goods, cheese and sushi. Each is elevated in some way, whether it’s the dry-aged beef hanging near seven varieties of in-house smoked bacon or the tuna that is served raw in sushi safely after being frozen at 76 degrees below zero.

A tower of Whole Foods-exclusive Lakeview American Pale Ale from Begyle Brewing is stacked 20-cans deep to mark the Lakeview location’s grand opening. Close to piles of cheese, an extensive olive bar is filled every type of olive one can imagine, plus a few more.

Customers can snag a few cheese and olives and head to the Wine Box in the back corner of the store. With a geometric and vaguely South American mural and rotating window panels, Wine Box will sell a rotating selection of 35 wines by the glass and small plates of cauliflower meatballs, avocado toast, chicken sausage and bacon.

Shoppers can also take the wine (or beer from Red Star Bar) through the grocery store while they browse.

Like many other Whole Foods, including the city’s largest market in Lincoln Park, Whole Foods Lakeview has a host of seating and dining options inside the store.

Beyond the standard hot bars and salads, Snap Kitchen and Real Good Juice Co. serve up some of the same products they serve at their Lakeview standalones.

A self-serve mochi bar is sure to attract fans of the ice cream-filled Japanese rice cakes, which can be bought in nine flavors individually for $2 or in packs of six for $10.

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Retailer News Mochi Bar? 100 Whiskeys?

New Lakeview Whole Foods Has It All cont...

Neapolitan-style pizza cooked in a massive brick oven will be $3.50 per slice or $14 for a large with one topping. A counter next to the Red Star Bar has $7-$9 poutine, sandwiches, burgers, small plates and a children’s menu.

Among them are a chicken and fennel sandwich for $8 that comes topped with black pepper mayonnaise, pickled onion and fontina cheese. Small plates of whiskey-smoked ribs, fire-roasted brussels sprouts and pork carnitas range from $5-$10, and a loaded vegan poutine made with kale, mushroom demi and pickled onion clocks in at $7 and 1,060 calories.

The Red Star Bar — previously only found in Streeterville, Lincoln Park and West Loop Whole Foods — has 100 varieties of whiskey from bourbon to Japanese whisky, plus a couple dozen beers on draft.

The bar will also serve breakfast bowls, a beet burger, brisket poutine and smoked ribs. Around the corner, free arcade games are nestled in a bit-colored alcove.

Whole Foods now has 11 stores in Chicago, plus 14 in the surrounding suburbs. Lakeview’s other store is at 3640 N. Halsted St. in Boystown.

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Retailer News Albertsons combining 2 Texas Divisions

Albertsons Cos. is combining two of its three divisions in Texas in a move company officials said will strengthen its buying power and its operational focus on stores in Houston and Louisiana, a spokeswoman told SN.

The transition, to take effect over the next three months, will consolidate marketing and merchandising functions of Alertsons’ Houston division with its Fort Worth-based Southern division and consolidate the divisions’ respective distribution centers. The move will not affect the United Supermarkets division, based in Lubbock.

Houston will continue as an operations office and Sidney Hopper, currently president of the Houston division, will continue as president of the Randalls banner, which operates 45 stores in Houston and Austin, Christine Wilcox, a spokeswoman for Albertsons, told SN. Stores in Louisiana previously under the Houston division will be overseen

by Rick Sinconis, who has been named operations VP and general manager.

Albertsons previously made similar moves to appoint banner presidents focused on operations, including Joe Kelley at Star Markets, and Jim Wallace at Pavilions.

The Southern division, which will grow to 165 stores, will continue to be led by Dennis Bassler (left), its current president.

As a result of the move, Albertsons said it would close a distribution center in Telge, Texas primarily serving Randalls stores and instead service those stores out of its distribution center in Roanoke, Texas, which currently serves Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores in Greater Dallas. The company said it anticipates the consolidation of the distribution centers would be complete by late summer.

“There will be additional jobs added to our facilities in the DFW area, and our human resources team is actively working to align all Houston and Telge DC employees with those potential transfer options along with positions in Houston or elsewhere,” Wilcox said.

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Lucky’s Market in South Boulder Offering $2 Pints of Beer to Drink while Shopping Lucky’s Market, a Boulder-based chain of natural-food grocery stores, said Thursday it will begin offering its Sip ’n’ Stroll program to shoppers at its store in South Boulder.

The program, already offered in Lucky’s Market stores outside Colorado, allows customers to buy a $2 pint of local tap beer from the Lucky’s Café and drink it while shopping for groceries. Lucky’s Market stores in North Boulder and Longmont are not offering the program.

“We created the Sip ‘n Stroll program at Lucky’s Markets stores across the country because we wanted to offer a more relaxed environment for our customers continues next page...

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Retailer News Lucky’s Market in South Boulder Offering $2 Pints of Beer to Drink while Shopping Cont... where grocery shopping becomes less of a chore and more of an enjoyable experience,” said Kristen Tetrick, director of marketing and community engagement for Lucky’s Market.

Lucky’s Market South Boulder store at 695 S. Broadway in South Boulder’s Table Mesa Shopping Center, will host an event open to the public from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 6, to celebrate the roll out of the program. The event will include $2 pints of beer, homemade street tacos, live music from the Monocle Band Duo, patio games and giveaways.

The Lucky’s Café also serves a variety of flavors of Rowdy Mermaid Kombucha and Nitro Coffee on tap as part of the store’s Sip ‘n Stroll program.

Lucky’s Market recently opened its 24th store in Traverse City, Mich., and has other stores in Savannah, Ga.; Iowa City, Iowa; Bloomington, Ind.; Jackson, Wyo.; Ann Arbor and Traverse City, Mich.; Gainesville, Naples, Coral Springs, Plantation, Neptune Beach, Orlando, Tallahassee, and Melbourne, Fla.; Columbia, Rock Hill and Ellisville, Mo.; Billings, Mont.; Lexington and Louisville, Ken.; and Columbus, Ohio.

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Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Confirms 18 New Stores Fresh Thyme Farmers Market plans to open a number of new stores over the coming months. The Illinois-based chain currently operates more than 50 stores in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Fresh Thyme will open stores on: • April 26 at 2130 E. Kimberly Road in Davenport, Iowa; • May 3 at 403 N. Veterans Parkway, Unit 2, in Bloomington, Illinois; • May 10 at N89W16849 Appleton Avenue in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, and at 17300 W. Bluemound Road in Brookfield; and • June 21 at 7501 North Avenue in River Forest, Illinois.

More Fresh Thyme stores are expected to open this summer, including in Green Bay and Greenfield, Wisconsin, and St. Louis Park, Minnesota. A North Canton, Ohio, unit is slated to debut in the fall.

The grocer also plans to roll out some stores in 2018—in Pleasant Hills and Bridgeville, Pennsylvania; Muncie and Evansville, Indiana; St. Peters and South County, Missouri; Prospect Park, Minnesota; Grand Island, Nebraska; and Ames, Iowa.

This latest store news follows the company’s recent openings in Omaha, Nebraska; Bloomington and Indianapolis, Indiana; and Canton Township, Michigan. continues next page...

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Retailer News Fresh Thyme Farmers Market Confirms 18 New Stores Cont...

Fresh Thyme is a full-service specialty retailer “focusing on value-priced fresh, healthy, natural and organic offerings. It boasts an extensive produce department with organic and local fruits and vegetables, a natural meat department, healthy deli foods to go, bakery goods, 400 bulk food bins, dairy and frozen, and health supplement products.”

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Open for Business: Ruby’s Market Pyramid Foods added the Ruby’s Market brand to its portfolio with the March 15 natural foods store opening at 2843 E. Sunshine St. The Springfield-based grocery chain, known for its 25 Price Cutter stores across southwest Missouri, renovated a former Dillons grocery store acquired in a multistore deal a couple of years ago.

Ruby’s Market Director Jeff Moore said the 54,000-square-foot store has nearly 90 employees but will employ well over 100 at capacity. Moore said grocery ideas drawn from coast to coast resulted in such unique features as a chop shop for custom-cut produce, a nutrition and supplement department, a cooler of meal kits to go, a 10,000-square-foot liquor store and in-store bar with beer, wine and kombucha on tap. The concept also emphasizes food education and local products, with more than 50 items made in Missouri. The Ruby’s name is in honor of Pyramid Foods’ President and CEO Erick Taylor’s grandmother, and Fonnie’s Tap House bar and patio pays homage to her husband, Moore said. Store officials declined to disclose the renovation cost.

Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily Phone: (417) 887-6133 Web: RubysMarket.com

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Strack & Van Til to Sell 22 Stores, Close Remaining 9 Central Grocers said Tuesday that it was in talks to sell 22 stores operated by its largest retail customer, Strack & Van Til, and that it was closing Strack’s remaining nine stores beginning this week.

Central and Strack did not identify a buyer for the stores it intended to sell, but said it intended to sell them as going concerns. The company operates under the Strack & Van Til, Town & Country Market and Ultra banners in Illinois and Indiana, specifically the Chicagoland market. The nine stores that are closing all operate under the Ultra banner. Strack separately closed five stores last month.

Central, a $1.9 billion retailer-owned co-operative, would be losing its largest shareholder and most of its $700 million in retail sales unless the stores were redistributed among existing or new co-op members. Sources said Central earlier this year engaged Peter J. Solomon Co. to seek strategic alternatives and that the process had produced “several indications of interest,” but it was unclear Wednesday when or if a deal for Strack’s stores or Central’s distribution business would be forthcoming. continues next page...

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Retailer News Strack & Van Til to Sell 22 Stores, Close Remaining 9 Cont...

Central Grocers said Tuesday that it was in talks to sell 22 stores operated by its largest retail customer, Strack & Van Til, and that it was closing Strack’s remaining nine stores beginning this week.

Central and Strack did not identify a buyer for the stores it intended to sell, but said it intended to sell them as going concerns. The company operates under the Strack & Van Til, Town & Country Market and Ultra banners in Illinois and Indiana, specifically the Chicagoland market. The nine stores that are closing all operate under the Ultra banner. Strack separately closed five stores last month.

Central, a $1.9 billion retailer-owned co-operative, would be losing its largest shareholder and most of its $700 million in retail sales unless the stores were redistributed among existing or new co-op members. Sources said Central earlier this year engaged Peter J. Solomon Co. to seek strategic alternatives and that the process had produced “several indications of interest,” but it was unclear Wednesday when or if a deal for Strack’s stores or Central’s distribution business would be forthcoming.

Strack & Van Til grew aggressively during a period of upheaval among Chicagoland grocers, as the corporate parents of longtime market leaders Jewel and Dominick’s struggled to invest in their brands earlier this decade.

Jewel, however, has rebounded under ownership of Albertsons Cos., which took back control of the chain from Supervalu in 2013. In the meantime, Dominick’s stores were sold piecemeal by then-owner Safeway, and its onetime position as an upscale grocer was supplanted by Mariano’s, which today is operated by Kroger.

Chicago is also one of the strongest U.S. markets for Aldi, which sources say limited the appeal of the low-price Ultra model.

Observers contacted by SN speculated that Albertsons Cos. would be a store buyer and could add to its Jewel chain, which has a small presence in Indiana already. “Some of the Strack & Van Til stores in Indiana are doing quite well and would make a good buy for a well capitalized retailer,” said David J. Livingston, a Pewaukee, Wis.-based consultant.

Chris Wilcox, an Albertsons spokeswoman, declined comment.

“They are struggling with the same deflationary trends as anyone, but the Chicago market went from being extremely friendly when there was a struggling Dominick’s and a struggling Jewel to now when you have a very good Mariano’s run by Kroger and a much better Jewel run by Albertsons,” Neil Stern, managing partner at Chicago-based consultant McMillan Doolittle, told SN Wednesday. “The competitive nature of the market changed, and pretty dramatically in the last five years.”

Jeff Strack, chairman and CEO of Strack & Van Til, in a statement said: “As we move forward with this sale process, we are as committed as ever to providing our customers the highest-quality products and services and working hard to make sure our customers are completely satisfied. As a third generation member of the company’s founding family, and a proud member of the Northwest Indiana community, I want to assure our customers and neighbors that we take pride in the responsibility we have to the communities we serve and live in. We thank our loyal customers for their ongoing support, and also thank our employees for their continued hard work and dedication.”

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