The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York declared null and void the New York City resolution mandating that retailers who sell cigarettes display signs containing graphic health warnings, according to Philip Morris USA. The court ruled that such requirements were preempted by federal law. “We are pleased that the Court…
Some 1,264 C-Stores Add Purple Stuff
A large number of retailers have added Purple Stuff, a relaxation/focus soda into their 2011 store sets. The retailers joining the Purple Stuff family in January 2011 include: Mini-Mart Convenience stores operating 18 convenience store locations around Kerrville, Texas; Signature Austin Stores with 20 locations in and around Austin, Texas; EZ Go Foods out of…
California Rolls Out Improved Cigarette Tax Stamp
Improved high-tech tax stamps with a new design will soon be available and affixed to packs of cigarettes sold in California. The Board of Equalization (BOE) has approved the use of the updated stamp to further reduce the trafficking of counterfeit cigarettes and related excise tax evasion in California. The BOE is responsible for the…
New Bill To Overhaul Food Safety Laws
The U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate approved a bill that will overhaul the nation’s food safety laws for the first time since the Great Depression. President Obama has indicated that he plans to sign the bill into law. Debra Strauss, J.D., associate professor of business law at Fairfield University, explained that the legislation…
Geo H. Green Oil Co. Raises $24,000
Pictured: John Bushaw, general manager of Fairburn Family Travel Center for the past eight years, and Donna Nichols an 18-year veteran Green Oil employee and champion fundraiser. Geo. H. Green Oil Co.’s annual Charity Fund Raising efforts were successful in raising some $24,000 for its three adopted charity partners – Greater Atlanta’s “Empty Stocking Fund,”…
Subway Opens 500 New Locations
The Subway restaurant chain is growing at a fast pace. Subway’s franchisees, between Oct. 1 and Dec. 21, opened more than 500 new restaurants around the globe. Milestones for the period include reaching more than 33,700 locations worldwide, of which 9,900 can be found in international markets. The 500 new Subway restaurants accounted for some…
Egg Lawsuit Filed in Pennsylvania Court
A group of grocery and convenience store chains, including Kroger, Walgreens, Safeway and Albertsons have filed a lawsuit claiming many of the nation’s largest egg producers, egg processors and their trade groups have engaged in a decade-long price fixing conspiracy for eggs sold to stores and restaurants nationwide, the Hoosier AG Today reported. The grocery…
Pa. Retail Groups Partner on Emergency Response Guidance
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) and Pennsylvania Convenience Store Council (PCSC) have partnered with the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture (PDA) to create Emergency Preparedness and Response Guidance for wholesale distributors and retail food merchants that can be leveraged during times of emergency. This guidance establishes a foundation upon which Pennsylvania’s food distribution network and PDA, as…
Swiss Farms’ First Franchise Store Opens
Swiss Farms, America’s Drive-Thru Grocer, opened its first franchise store on Dec. 17, with veteran Starbucks and Auntie Anne’s franchisee and a 2010 IFA Franchisee of the Year, John Betz. The store, which is located at 6 South White Horse Pike, Somerdale, N.J., is also Swiss Farms’ first expansion into New Jersey. “I am excited…
Thorntons Debuts “CofFREE Day”
Thorntons Inc. has announced its first-ever “CofFREE Day Celebration” on Friday, Dec. 24, at all 165 Thorntons locations in Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee. From 3 p.m. to midnight (Central & Eastern Standard Times) on Christmas Eve, customers may enjoy a complimentary coffee, cappuccino, or hot chocolate. Thorntons signature coffee blend is made from…