Supermarket/Grocery

Walmart donates $15.5M to schools
The Walmart Foundation is making a big statement in support of free school meal and education programs.

The organization will give away $15.5 million in grants to seven national nonprofits to support free meal and nutrition education programs this summer and throughout the school year. The programs in more than 7,700 communities across the country will help over 1 million low-income children and their families gain access to critical meals and teach them how to cook and eat healthy together.
Edible Arrangements taps specialty retailer exec as CFO
Wallingford, Conn. — Edible Arrangements International has named Tony DiPippa as CFO.

DiPippa replaces former CFO George Wilson, who moves over to support Edible Arrangements founder and CEO Tariq Farid in the expansion of Edible Brands and his other ventures, including Netsolace, Broadpeak and Naranga.

Kroger’s King Soopers extend organic, omnichannel reach

Cincinnati —The Kroger Co.’s King Soopers division is tapping into consumers’ growing appetite for food delivery and natural and organic products with a new digital initiative.

The company has launched a new website that offers over 36,000 natural and organic products for customers who live in and around the Denver metro area. Every product is free from more than 101 artificial ingredients and preservatives that many customers prefer to be left out of products.
Kroger testing grocery delivery in Colorado

The King Soopers grocery chain is trying to meet rising demand for fresh food delivery with a new digital initiative.

King Soopers, a division of the Kroger Co. has launched an e-commerce website KingSoopers.com/LiveNaturally.
Kroger does it again

Cincinnati -- Kroger Co. on Thursday reported a big increase in its first quarter profit and its 46th consecutive quarter of positive identical supermarket sales growth, excluding fuel.

“Our results show the power of our Customer 1st Strategy," stated Rodney McMullen, chairman and CEO, Kroger. "Our associates are making a difference for our customers by providing excellent service and product quality and selection, and we continue to improve the shopping experience by bringing technology and digital capabilities to our business.
Food phenom Kroger outdoes itself in Q1

Kroger turned in a stunning first quarter same store sales performance while expanding omnichannel and convenience capabilities designed to extend a comp streak now well into the 11^th year.

Same store sales rose 5.7% excluding fuel in the first quarter ended May 23. Net income attributable to Kroger rose to $619 million, or $1.25 per share, in the first quarter, from $501 million, or 98 cents per share, a year earlier.
Guess who topped the Fortune 500, again

No great surprise that Walmart sits atop the Fortune 500 list of the world’s largest companies with its annual revenues of $485.6 billion.

Naturally, that raises familiar questions about future growth which were addressed by president and CEO Doug McMillon.

According to Fortune, Walmart is a crossroads as it transitions from the big-box era that propelled it to the world's largest company, to one in which customers are fussier about what they eat and can easily comparison shop thanks to the internet.
Is A&P poised for sale?

Montvale, N.J. -- The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Co. is actively shopping 137 of its stores, including 10 Food Emporium locations in New York City, according to the New York Post.

Read the full story by clicking here.
El Corte Ingles expands Grability mobile platform into Portugal

Madrid – Spain-based European department store chain El Corte Inglés will launch a mobile shopping platform for its Portuguese market powered by Grability technology. Since launching Grability in December 2014 for the Spanish retail market, El Cortes Inglés says it has experienced a surge in mobile grocery sales, as well as customer enthusiasm for the new platform.

According to El Corte Inglés executives, Grability has also helped position the company as the most innovative online grocer in the countries it operates.
One of world’s largest retailers looking for a CEO

New York -- One of the world’s largest retailers has undertaken a search is underway for a new CEO to execute a massive transformation. But getting to the interview will require U.S. executives to take a very long flight and the successful applicant will need good listening skills to decipher the accent of co-workers.
Corner Bakery Café appoints Pepsi executive as marketing head

Dallas - Justin Lambeth has been appointed as chief marketing officer of Corner Bakery Café.

Lambeth joins Corner Bakery Cafe following several leadership roles at PepsiCo Inc., where he was responsible for marketing, consumer engagement and shopper marketing for the company's Quaker Division as chief marketing officer.

Prior to his work with the Quaker division, Lambeth held the role of VP at Frito-Lay, as well as leadership roles at H.J. Heinz and Nabisco Inc.
Smart & Final launches Instacart delivery

Los Angeles – Discount grocery retailer Smart & Final is offering on-demand Instacart delivery to customers in the Los Angeles and San Francisco Bay areas. Delivery assortment encompasses Smart & Final’s full store offering, including club-sized items to stock households and offices.

Delivery will occur in as little as one hour and match Smart & Final’s normal in-store prices, excluding special offers.