Peeps-brand Marshmallow candy is serving as more than just a tasty treat this month, as Washington, D.C.-based artist David Ottogalli has used the candy to create a giant sculpture, “Real Peeps Vote!” The sculpture uses more than 3,000 Peeps chicks, bunnies, hearts, stars, cats, ghosts, cut-outs, snowmen, trees, the new Peeps chocolate mousse-flavored bears and [...]
Declines in demand and crude prices could perpetuate the recent drop in gas prices, albeit at a slower rate, according to the nationwide Lundberg Survey. The country has seen a 53-cent decline in gas prices the past two weeks – a record decline – with the average price of regular unleaded at about $2.78 per [...]
As part of its growth plan, Wal-Mart’s U.S. division plans to spend more on remodeling existing stores and less on opening new ones, according to MarketWatch.com. Capital spending for Wal-Mart’s U.S. presence is expected to drop by about a third to $5.8 billion to $6.4 billion for 2009, down from $9.1 billion in 2008, Eduardo [...]
Discounted prices, dollar menus and other promotions are driving customer traffic and keeping the restaurant industry in the black, according to Chicago-based market research company The NPD Group. NPD said total restaurant industry traffic was up 1% for the quarter ending August 2008, with the modest gain driven almost entirely by deals and discounts. As [...]
Wisconsin-based Manitowoc Company Inc. said it has completed the acquisition of Enodis plc, a designer and manufacturer of commercial foodservice equipment. The $2.7-billion acquisition establishes Manitowoc among the world’s top manufacturers of commercial foodservice equipment, though the company also makes cranes and lifting solutions for the global construction industry. The Manitowoc-Enodis integration creates a company [...]
Dutch retail group Ahold said it plans to expand its Giant chain in the U.S. with the launch of Giant and Go convenience stores, Just-Food reported. A spokesperson for the company told a Just-Food reporter that the new format, which will be launched in Lancaster, Pa., will feature eight fuel pumps and a selection of [...]
Mike and Ike candy-maker Just Born Inc. has introduced some new flavors to its Berry Blast variety, including strawberry, peach berry, wild berry, blueberry and blue raspberry. Mike and Ike’s Berry Blast flavors will be available in March. “We are excited about the new Mike and Ike Berry Blast variety,” said Donald Houston, senior brand [...]
Diesel volumes at truckstops increased in September over 2007 volumes, according to a fuel survey conducted by NATSO, an association representing 1,100 truckstops and travel plazas. The September results marked the first year-over-year increase in diesel sales volumes since April and followed a sharp 7.8 percent decline in August. NATSO’s survey showed that diesel sales [...]
By Brian L. Milne, Refined Fuels Editor for DTN In a growing number of metropolitan markets, gasoline prices at retail outlets have fallen below their price a year ago, and are still headed lower as demand tumbles on driver conservation and amid a troubled economy. Wholesale markets are factoring in greater decreases in gasoline prices, [...]
CHS Inc. has launched a new Cenex Winter Gift Card Campaign, just in time for retailers to capitalize on an expected increase in demand for gift cards that can be used to pay for household essentials. The winter campaign includes all new in-store merchandising, three fresh gift card designs and professional installation services for retailers, [...]
Worsley Operating Corp. is extending its broadband network to cover the Lil Cricket brand it acquired earlier this year, after signing a new deal with Transaction Network Services. The new deal builds on the success Worsley has achieved with TNS’ FusionPoint solution since switching to broadband just two years ago. Based in Wilmington, N.C., Worsley [...]
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market said it has announced the locations of an additional 11 Fresh & Easy markets in Arizona. The convenience chain, a spinoff of UK-based Tesco, has 26 stores operating in that state, with another store scheduled to open Nov. 13. All 11 of the newly announced sites are in Phoenix and [...]
Canton, Mass.-based Cumberland Farms is partnering with the 4-H organization in that state for a food drive to benefit food pantries, the Boston Globe reported. The food drive will run through Nov.15, allowing residents to drop off non-perishable food at any of the 190 Cumberland Farms stores in Massachusetts, the Globe reported. The 4-H members [...]
Altria Group Inc. said its third-quarter diluted earnings per share from continuing operations were up 15% versus the third quarter last year ($0.46 versus $0.40), while net revenues increased 5% to reach $5.2 billion. The company’s operating income increased 8.8% to $1.3 billion, primarily driven by higher operating companies income and lower general corporate expenses. [...]
Kentucky-based Commonwealth Brands Inc. has announced plans to “significantly expand” its U.S. sales force. A wholly owned subsidiary of UK-based Imperial Tobacco Group, Commonwealth is currently the fourth-largest cigarette and fine-cut tobacco manufacturer in the U.S. The announcement comes 18 months after Imperial acquired Commonwealth, and follows the introduction of several new brands to the [...]