Convenience Stores

OAK BROOK, Ill. — Food manufacturer TreeHouse Foods has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Cains Foods, a privately owned manufacturer of shelf stable mayonnaise, dressings and sauces.

Cains is based in Ayer, Mass., and generates approximately $80 million in annual revenue. The company employs approximately 100 people. Its product portfolio offers retail and foodservice customers an assortment of packaging sizes, sold under both private label store brands and the Cains, Naturally Delicious and Olde Cape Cod brands.

Denver -- Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage said Thursday it is opening its second Oklahoma location – in Tulsa – on June 25. The newest store joins an existing location in Norman.

The Tulsa Natural Grocers continues the organic supermarket’s commitment to the environment, incorporating green features such as energy-efficient motion light sensors, 100% post-consumer content tiles, high efficiency heat-exchange systems, polished concrete flooring and commercial-grade LED lights.

Snyder, Texas -- United Supermarkets’ store in Snyder, Texas, is set to unveil a fresh new look along with added services resulting from a store remodeling effort now under way.  Snyder will be the first store to receive the new décor – as well as the new United logo.

“We are excited about the new look we are introducing this year for our United brand, and we are thrilled to be rolling it out first in our Snyder store,” Monica Schierbaum, senior director of marketing for United Supermarkets.

Canton, Mass.  -- As part of a brand overhaul, Dunkin’ Donuts is switching its focus from doughnuts and baked goods to coffee and other beverages. At this week’s annual consumer conference hosted by investment banking firm Jeffries, Paul Carbone, CFO of parent company Dunkin’ Brands Group, said beverages accounted for 58% of sales at U.S. franchise locations last year.

“We are a beverage company,” Carbone said. “Fred the Baker is not coming back.”

GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General received a Gold Stevie award for Company of the Year in Retail at the 11th annual American Business Awards in recognition of the company’s position as an industry leader in the retail sector.

New York  -- Los Angeles is on the fast track to becoming the largest city in the nation to move toward a ban on “single-use” plastic bags after the City Council passed a resolution barring their use in supermarkets, convenience stores and any big retailer, which would include Target and Walmart, that sells groceries.

New York -- Starbucks Coffee Company is raising prices on some of its beverages starting on Tuesday. Prices will rise an average of 1% starting June 25, but will vary slightly in different regions.
   
"Less than a third of beverages will see a small increase in most stores," said Lisa Passe, a Starbucks spokeswoman, in an Associated Press report.

Kroger trounced first quarter sales and profit forecasts, posting a 3.3% gain in identical store sales that drove a 92 cent a share profit.

Total sales increased 3.4% to $30 billion and the 3.3% gain in identical store sales was well ahead of analysts’ forecast of 2.8% growth. It was the company’s 38th consecutive quarter of positive identical store sales growth. Net income increased 9.6% to $481 million which translated to per share profit of 92 cents that was four cents better than the 88 cents analysts’ forecast.