Most Clicked FMI dailyLead® Stories
1. Project proves meal-idea displays increase sales
FMI dailyLead® | May 23, 2012
A pilot program found that retailers that showcase recipes and refrigerated ingredients for specific meals increase sales of those items 19.2% and dairy sales 28.8%. "It really is creating solution centers, and even more so than that, it's centering or positioning the retailer as a solutions provider rather than just a seller of products," said Rebecca MacKay, vice president of strategy, insights and planning at the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy, which released the results. Supermarket News (05/21)
2. Traditional stores close as focus turns to fresh formats
FMI dailyLead® | May 23, 2012
With supermarket formats on the high and low end flourishing, Kroger, Safeway and SUPERVALU each closed more traditional stores than they opened last year. Meanwhile, Whole Foods Market added 12 stores in 2011 and said it has 63 in development. The Fresh Market plans to add 14 to 16 stores this year. Supermarket News (05/21)
3. Giant of Maryland tops list of favorite supermarkets
FMI dailyLead® | May 23, 2012
In a survey of 6,428 shoppers in the U.S. and Canada, Giant of Maryland was ranked the favorite shopping destination, praised for organic choices and fast checkout. ShopRite came in second, followed by Wal-Mart Stores, Publix Super Markets and Costco Wholesale. ALDI was No. 1 for price. ChainStoreAge.com (05/22) MediaPost Communications (05/22)
4. Target taps shopkick for mobile rewards
FMI dailyLead® | May 24, 2012
Target has become the largest retailer to use shopkick, a mobile shopper-reward application. After shoppers download the free app on their smartphone, they gain points, or "kicks," when they enter a Target store and when they scan products. Retailing Today (free registration) (05/23)
5. Tesco revamps prepared meals
FMI dailyLead® | May 25, 2012
Tesco is updating recipes for about 700 prepared meals and launching the improved line with updated packaging, about 20% more meat and better ingredients. "Ready meals are a massively popular part of our fresh-food ranges, and we're really pleased to be able to give our customers even more for their money," said David Harman, buying manager for ready meals. Retail Bulletin, The (05/24)
6. Brands build smaller packages for tighter times
FMI dailyLead® | May 29, 2012
International brands including Nestle and Unilever have been creating smaller packages of many staples including coffee, tea and noodles to cater to cash-strapped European consumers. Tighter economic times are also spurring growth of private-label lines at supermarket chains including Tesco and Carrefour. Wall Street Journal, The (05/28)
7. Breaking sugar addiction one different food at a time
FMI dailyLead® | May 29, 2012
Humans are born craving sweet food, but constantly indulging that craving is unhealthy and can dull the ability to embrace new or more nutritious food, according to The Wall Street Journal. Learning to enjoy nonsweet food takes work but can be accomplished by trying bitter or different food, eating ethnic food and learning more about food that is not immediately appealing. Wall Street Journal, The (05/25)
8. Giant Eagle tests low-cost concept Valu King
FMI dailyLead® | May 29, 2012
Giant Eagle launched a supermarket concept, Valu King, in Ohio that offers low prices and fresh perishables. The store, which has a meat counter and a cheese counter and sells some closeout items, "is a hybrid between a traditional supermarket and a value operator," said John Tedesco, senior vice president of Valu King. "We don't have the variety that you'll find in your typical supermarket, but we do have name brands." Plain Dealer (Cleveland), The (05/28)
9. Supermarkets are top choice for produce, poll finds
FMI dailyLead® | May 24, 2012
In a survey for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, 71% of shoppers said they buy most of their fruits and vegetables at supermarkets. Produce is also purchased at farmers markets and big-box stores, and 45% of survey participants said they grow their own. Supermarket News (05/23)
10. Kroger increases fuel-reward limit to $2 a gallon
FMI dailyLead® | May 25, 2012
Supermarket News (05/24)
Sign up for FMI dailyLead®
