Sales & Marketing

New York City -- Mom’s Organic Market has opened its seventh store, in Timonium, Md. Along with featuring 100%-certified organic produce, and organic and natural grocery products, the new Mom’s was built with the environment in mind.

"We believe that we are the most environmentally-responsible grocery chain in the country," said Scott Nash, who founded Mom's in 1987 with a $100 investment, in a report in The Gourmet Retailer.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Food Marketing Institute announced that one of its former executives is rejoining the organization, while another will be retiring.

FMI announced last Friday that Patrick Davis has rejoined the organization as its VP state government relations, where he will serve as the principal liaison between FMI and state associations. Prior to rejoining FMI, Davis served as president and founder of Alliance Consulting.

New York City -- Seattle’s Best Coffee LLC, a division of Starbucks Corp., has asked a bankruptcy judge to reject Border Group’s request to end the companies’ licensing agreement.

Borders is not entitled to cancel the agreement and continue to use Seattle’s Best’s trademarks and products, the coffee company said today in a court filing. Seattle’s Best also disputed Borders’s claim that terms of the agreement are excessive.

MIAMI, Fla.  — Winn-Dixie has completed the remodeling of its Miami-area store in Aventura that wil better cater to the community's Jewish residents with expanded kosher offerings.

The remodeled store also featuresa cleaner and more modern and attractive setting, hardwood flooring throughout the produce, deli and bakery departments, and a dedicated area offering free Wi-Fi access and complimentary coffee, the company reported.

New York City -- The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) has announced the Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers of 2011. The winners are: Central Market, Austin, Texas; Fromagination, Madison, Wisc.; Olives Gourmet Grocer, Long Beach, Calif.; The Cheese Iron, Portland, Maine; The Fresh Market, Greensboro, N.C.; and ZZest Market & Café, Rochester, Minn.

It may have taken longer than originally thought, but competition authorities in South Africa cleared the way for Walmart to move forward with its acquisition of Massmart, the company announced Tuesday.

Old Navy’s updated format is showcased in its new store in Fort Worth, Texas (it is also the first LEED-certified location in the chain’s portfolio). The design is clean and modern, with a colorful palette and a fun, upbeat ambience. A raceway layout and key destination areas make for easy navigation, as do the clear sightlines throughout the space.

Midwestern department store operator Gordman’s Stores was putting up some big numbers last year, and then in early August it decided to go public. Things are not looking quite as good of late, with first quarter comps weaker than planned and guidance for the remainder of the year lowered.