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July 4, 2008
- What's the Buzz
- 'Pick Ontario Freshness' Takes Place in Queen’s Park
- Unilever in Talks to Sell Laundry Business
- Campbell Purchases Wolfgang Puck Soup
- Caramilk Secret Turns 40
- In the News
- Food Price Inflation Slower in Canada
- Loblaw's SaveEasy Stores Get a Facelift
- Empire Earnings Rise on Improved Sobey's Sales
- Metro Launches Private Label Frozen Treats
- Wal-Mart U.S. Revamps Logo
What's Happening-
- We Want to Hear from You
- Please send us your comments, questions and suggestions.
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What's the Buzz
'Pick Ontario Freshness' Takes Place in Queen's Park
Several hundred people, including Minister of Agriculture, food and rural affairs Leona Dombrowsky, checked out the ‘Pick Ontario' mini farmers' market at Queen's Park in Toronto. The event was part of the ‘Pick Ontario Freshness' campaign, launched by the Ontario government last year, designed to showcase the abundance of fresh, home-grown, high quality foods produced in Ontario. Longos Bros. Fruit Markets represented independent grocers and the Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers, with a display of Ontario's best fruit and vegetables.
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Unilever in Talks to Sell Laundry Business
Unilever is in late-stage talks to sell its North American laundry business to Huish Detergents. The deal would turn the category's leading U.S. private-label manufacturer into the biggest premium-brand challenger to Procter & Gamble Co. The deal would also position equity fund Vestar Capital Management as the leader in North American laundry products, potentially ahead of Henkel, owner of Church & Dwight.
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Campbell Purchases Wolfgang Puck Soup
Campbell Soup Co. has purchased the Wolfgang Puck soup business from Country Gourmet Foods. Campbell said it struck a master licensing agreement with Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. for the use of the Wolfgang Puck brand, one of the leading organic brands in the U.S., on soup, stock, and broth products in North American retail locations, with an option to extend the brand into other related categories and channels. Top
Caramilk Secret Turns 40
Cadbury Adams Canada Inc. is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Caramilk secret. In 1968, the first Caramilk secret television aired with the announcer asking, "How do they get the caramel into the Caramilk bar?" Since then, there have been more than 15 different television commercials featuring this theme. Top
In the News
Food Price Inflation Slower in Canada
The rate of food-price inflation is not nearly as extreme in Canada as it is in other countries, Statistics Canada says. However, the price of eggs climbed 5.8% in 2007. Bread products cost 7.1% more in 2007 than they did in 2006. Chicken prices rose 7.2% last year, pasta was up 6.4%, milk was up 4.4%, and fruit juice prices rose by 13%, Statscan said in a review of consumer prices in 2007. When all food items were taken into account, Canadian consumers faced a 2.7% increase in food prices in 2007 – the second-fastest increase in 16 years – with the higher costs of bread, milk and chicken offset by lower prices for potatoes and tomatoes. A strong Canadian dollar may have helped contain food inflation, according to Statscan.
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Loblaw's SaveEasy Stores Get a Facelift
Loblaw Cos. Ltd. is unveiling remodeled SaveEasy grocery stores that is said to offer "a shopping experience that focuses on fresh food and personalized customer service." According to Loblaw director, public relations David Primorac, the revamped stores under the value format, are located in the Atlantic Canadian provinces of Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Ninety-five percent of the 50 SaveEasy stores were renovated in time to be rolled out on June 21, with the balance of locations currently undergoing renovation, said Primorac.
Top Empire Earnings Rise on Improved Sobey's Sales
Empire Company Ltd., owner of the Sobeys grocery chain, reported a fourth-quarter profit of $66.5-million, up from $64.8-million a year earlier on increased sales at its stores. Empire, which also has real estate holdings, reported earnings before one-time items of $73.6-million, versus $64.1-million in the prior-year period.
http://www.reportonbusiness.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080626
.wempire0626/BNStory/Business/?page=rss&id=RTGAM.20080626.wempire0626
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Metro Launches Private Label Frozen Treats
Metro, Inc. has launched a private-label line of frozen novelties called Selection Gourmet Iced Treats. The frozen yogurts, sorbets, and ice creams are CAC (Certified Allergen Control) certified peanut- and almond-free. The Selection Gourmet Iced Treats line is available in flavors ranging from vanilla and chocolate to chocolate caramel ripple and orange pineapple. It also includes such items as fudge bars, ice cream sandwiches, icy pops, and ice cream cones.
Top Wal-Mart U.S. Revamps Logo
Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will begin replacing logos on the front of its U.S. stores with a new design beginning this fall. Wal-Mart spokesman Kevin Gardner said the change will reflect modifications customers already have seen in some store signs and advertisements. Gardner provided no other information about the change. However, the Wall Street Journal reported the new look would include eliminating the hyphen in the company's name, now shown as a star at its more than 3,600 U.S. stores. The new logo would show the company's name in white letters on an orange background, followed by a small starburst, the Journal reported.
http://www.marketingmag.ca/english/news/marketer/article.jsp?content=20080702_142915_9932
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What's Happening Send information about your event to Emily Gravelle, Canadian Grocer, One Mount Pleasant Rd., 7th floor, Toronto, Ont., M4Y 2Y5, or e-mail emily.gravelle@canadiangrocer.rogers.com.
July 14-24: Cornell University's 2008 Food Executive Program, Cornell University, Ithaca, N.Y. Visit http://fimp.aem.cornell.edu/exec_food_exec.htm or call 607-255-5024.
We want to hear from you
Would you like to comment on an article we've written? Do you have an opinion you'd like to share on an important industry issue? We want to hear from you! Please email us at:
emily.gravelle@canadiangrocer.rogers.com.
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M4Y 2Y5
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