Data & Analytics

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) on Wednesday launched an interactive web-based tool for consumers that supports the Facts Up Front nutrition labeling initiative launched by GMA and the Food Marketing Institute (FMI) in 2011.

With Facts Up Front, characterized by the trade group as the most significant reform of food and beverage labels in over 20 years, important information from the Nutrition Facts Panel on the back of food and beverage products are displayed in a simple and easy-to-use format on the front of products.

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Office Depot will team up with ICLEI–Local Governments for Sustainability to expand the National Green Business Challenge, a program that encourages local businesses to take part in a friendly competition to save energy and money, reduce waste and water consumption and procure greener products. 

The program was first piloted in 2010 as the City of Chicago’s "Green Office Challenge."

Third party logistics provider Transplace was selected by Diamond Foods to improve operational efficiencies and supply chain visibility.

Diamond Food wills use Transplace’s Transportation Management System and gain access to the company’s web-based technology and business intelligence analytics to help the company optimize its transportation network, view shipments in real-time, reduce transportation costs and support long-term business goals.

Perryville, Md. -- Ikea said Tuesday it has plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its distribution center in Perryville, Md.
 
The 768,972-sq.-ft. PV array consists of a 2,674.9-kW system, built with 18,576 panels, and is the state’s largest rooftop array.

The Ikea distribution center will produce approximately 3,397,178 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 2,397 tons of carbon dioxide, eliminating the emissions of 499 cars or powering 359 homes yearly.  
 

By Keith Carpentier, Tensator.com/us

Bentonville, Ark. -- In its Global Sustainability Milestone Meeting on Monday, Walmart announced new commitments the retailer says will dramatically increase energy efficiency and renewables, and hasten its path toward being 100% supplied by renewable energy.

Walmart president and CEO Mike Duke outlined specific goals the company said it intends to achieve by Dec. 31, 2020:

New York -- Survey results by Deloitte, released Tuesday, found that even as the economy improves, 94% of Americans indicate they will remain cautious and keep their spending for food, beverage and household goods at its current level.

According to Deloitte's 2013 American Pantry Study, 92% indicated they have become more resourceful, and 86% say they are getting more precise in what they buy -- attitudes that have remained consistent in the three years Deloitte has conducted the study, and across income levels.

Minneapolis -- Target Corp. said Tuesday it will miss its first-quarter profit outlook as seasonal and weather-sensitive items underperformed.
 
The retailer also said it now expects same-store sales to be flat in the quarter.

Target’s quarterly results are slated to be reported on May 22.

New York -- Survey results released Tuesday by Analytic Partners found that 48% of people between the ages of 18-44 feel that any loyalty they have toward brands in the future will have to stem from the types of experiences the brands create for them.

The experience includes interaction such as video/online gaming, social media and third-party expert information through blogs and articles.

Softer than expected sales trends prompted Target to lower its first quarter earnings outlook Tuesday morning.

The company said it now expects first quarter comps to be flat, after previously forecasting a range of flat to 2% growth. The softer than expected sales prompted the company to revise first quarter adjusted profit expectations to an unspecified level of "slightly below" earlier guidance of $1.10 to $1.20.