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 Revenues Up
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.…
Commonwealth Bolstering Sales Force
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…
Children of the Corn?
A new survey by Mintel researchers indicates that health trends are beginning to impact awareness, and the “eat fresh” concept may be making headway with today’s youth. Indeed, the survey suggests adolescent’s food perceptions and actual eating habits may not be as dire as many adults thought. Asked why they eat what they eat, Mintel…
Food-purchase Quantity, Quality Taking A Hit
A new survey by Princeton, N.J.-based Opinion Research Corp. said 67% of people polled nationwide feel that food prices have increased significantly in the last year, and 58% say they’ve had to make cuts to food purchases as a result, the Atlanta Business Journal reported. The New Jersey firm conducted the survey for Minnesota-based Hormel…
Slashing The Price To Zero
"We never thought this day would come," said Tony Jacobs, vice president of marketing for Dr Pepper. "But now that it’s here all we can say is: The Dr Pepper’s on us." Dr Pepper is aiming to give free soda coupons to every American when the new Guns N’ Roses album is released on Nov.…
ICA Names New Executive Director
The International Carwash Association (ICA) Board of Directors said Associate Executive Director Eric Wulf will assume the role of Executive Director and CEO effective Jan. 1, 2009. Wulf succeeds Mark Thorsby who served as executive director of the organization for more than 15 years. “We are thrilled to see Eric take the reigns of the…
Capital Oil & Gas Acquires 16 Sites
Florida-based Capital Oil & Gas said its senior management has agreed to acquire and lease 16 retail locations, including retail gasoline stations that have convenience stores and fast-food operations. The decisions jives with the company’s overall strategy to become a key retailer for consumer-related petroleum products, such as the “lucrative ancillary consumer services” found in…
ConocoPhillips Profits Rise
Houston, Texas-based ConocoPhillips posted a 41% profit increase to exceed analyst estimates after gains in petroleum prices made up for a drop in production, Bloomberg news reported. ConocoPhillips said its third-quarter net income of $5.19 billion, or $3.39 per share, compared to $3.67 billion ($2.23 per share) in the same quarter last year. Revenues were…
Hot Stuff Foods Unveils ‘Store of the Future’
Hot Stuff Foods unveiled its Store of the Future at the 2008 NACS Show in Chicago this past month, a program offering an entirely new food-solutions initiative. It’s designed to provide multiple food solutions, or “touch points,” for increased convenience and store profitability, says Neal Hollingsworth, Hot Stuff’s executive vice president of marketing. “The six-point…