Supermarket/Grocery

By Sean Jackson, [email protected]

In recent weeks, there have been some well-publicised examples of retail giants whose financial performance has been severely impacted by breakdowns in the supply chain. As salt in the wound to these behemoths of retail, there are just as many examples of organizations that have exceeded market expectations due to an ability to behave nimbly and respond quickly to changes in consumer demand.

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.

In addition to its renewable energy purchases, Whole Foods Market is generating nearly 258,000 kWh annually with the use of on-site solar arrays. Whole Foods Market adds this most recent award to its three previous Green Power Partner of the Year and two Green Power Purchasing awards from the EPA.

CINCINNATI — Kroger, in partnership with key suppliers, has committed $3 million in donations for local breast cancer initiatives across the country to support National Breast Cancer Awareness month in October.

At the end of this year, Kroger will have donated more than $21 million to support breast cancer research, education and services since Giving Hope a Hand began in 2006.

Little Rock, Ark. -- Shelf-edge communications and marketing services provider Vestcom said Tuesday that regional supermarket chain Belle Foods has expanded its existing partnership with Vestcom to promote a customized nutrition program based on the grocer’s health and wellness goals.

Austin, Texas -- Whole Foods Market said Tuesday it has received a 2012 Green Power Leadership Award for sustained excellence from the Environmental Protection Agency for its renewable energy purchase of 800 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) last year.  

The annual award recognizes leading green power purchasers for their commitment and contribution to helping advance the development of the nation's voluntary green power market.
 

Kellogg Company and leading Asian agribusiness group Wilmar International have entered into a joint venture involving the manufacture, sale and distribution of Kellogg’s and Pringles brand products in China.

The firms are equal partners in the deal designed to accelerate Kellogg’s growth in a market the company expects to become the world’s largest food and beverage market within five years.

A desire to mitigate the impact of increasingly volatile commodity prices has led to the appointment of Craig Parr as Flower Foods first chief risk officer.

As the nation’s second largest producer and marketer of packaged bakery foods for retail and foodservice customers, Flower Foods said the move will result initially in increased focus on commodity hedging and purchasing strategies.

KIRKWOOD, Mo. — Supervalu banner Shop 'n Save has launched a program to combat hunger.

CINCINNATI — Kroger has introduced a new private-label brand that's designed to take the guesswork out of food selection by providing shoppers with access to nearly 250 "honest, easy and affordable items for simply better living."