Supermarket/Grocery

SCHAUMBURG, Ill. — New research from Nielsen shows consumers will be practical and focused on value during the upcoming holiday season, which bodes well for Target as one on the nation’s leading toy retailers and top destination for gift givers.

STELLARTON, NS  and MINNEAPOLIS — Details for Target's entry into Canada continue to fall into place as the retailer announced last week a long-term wholesale distribution agreement with Sobeys Inc.

Beginning in early 2013, Sobeys will supply Target’s food and grocery requirements for frozen, dairy, and dry grocery products, inclusive of both national brand and Target’s private label brands.

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Safeway has appointed Kent Bradley as its new chief medical officer.

In his new role, Bradley will be responsible for developing and guiding the company's extensive portfolio of health care programs including its employee and consumer wellness and prevention activities. Additionally, Bradley also will assist Safeway's Safeway Health subsidiary on a range of business initiatives, the company said. He will report to Safeway EVP and Safeway Health president Larree Renda.

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

"We are honored that so many of our courageous associates are willing to share their experiences as breast cancer survivors," stated David Dillon, Kroger's chairman and CEO. "Their inspirational stories educate and encourage others to better care for each other and their own health."

Pleasanton, Calif. -- Safeway announced that Dr. Kent Bradley has joined the company as chief medical officer, a newly created position focused on further enhancing and building Safeway's reputation as a healthcare innovator. He joins Safeway after a distinguished career in the U.S. Army, where he earned the rank of Colonel and served in a wide of range assignments.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Grocery Manufacturers Association and the Food Marketing Institute have launched a new consumer education campaign around the front-of-pack nutrition labeling system launched in January by the food and beverage industry.

The Facts Up Front consumer education campaign will launch in early 2012, as consumers will see the new icons on a majority of products in the marketplace, the associations announced. The campaign will also be supported by a new website, www.factsupfront.org.

CINCINNATI — Kroger announced that it has become a member of the United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Million Dollar Club.

According to Kroger, membership into the USHCC Million Dollar Club, is awarded to corporations who have spent between $25 million to over $500 million with Hispanic suppliers, in the previous year.

This is Kroger's second consecutive year of qualifying for membership. The company was inducted in the $250 to $500 million annual expenditure category.

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. — Stater Bros. has promoted its senior regional VP.

The Southern California-based supermarket chain said that Dan Meyer, a 41-year company veteran, has been promoted to the newly created role of SVP retail operations. In this capacity, Meyer will be responsible for the retail operations of all 167 Stater Bros. stores, as well as overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Corporate Training Center. Meyer will report to George Frahm, EVP retail operations and administration.