IndependentVIEW

August 20, 2007


	IGA CEO Perspective Stay Connected with The Independent View A message from... Mark Batenic IGA CEO
	Welcome to your first edition of IGA's E-Newsletter, The Independent View. This concise digest of breaking industry news, compelling IGA-related commentary, and timely IGA-specific news will quickly become your daily "must read" source for information. In five minutes or less you'll get everything you need to stay connected, both with IGA and the industry as a whole. The launch of The Independent View is just one of many innovative changes taking place at IGA USA. Each day we are working to develop programs and projects that will reinvigorate the IGA Brand and create a catalyst for growth within our IGA system. The Independent View will allow us to communicate these changes to you in a timely manner, so that you may see firsthand the progress of your IGA USA Family. No longer will we hear people say "I remember IGA …" From this point forward, they'll be saying "I know IGA and they are on the move." We look forward to reaching out to you, and ask that you do the same. Should you have any suggestions regarding The Independent View please share them with us by clicking on the "Send Feedback" link at the top of the page. Thanks and enjoy your reading. Mark Batenic IGA CEO



	Retail News Sales of beer are edging back up, after the beverage's share of the market had fallen during the past decade as younger consumers converted to liquor and wine, reported Brandweek. Beer sales from food, drug, liquor and convenience stores for the year ended June 2 grew 1.1% in volume, while spirits edged up 0.3% and wine grew 2.7%, according to Nielsen Monitor Plus. Meanwhile, Information Resources Inc. figures show case sales of imports and craft beers increased 3.7% for the year ended July 15 while spirits, primarily value brands, dropped 1.1% and wine increased 4.4%. Full Story Nearly two-thirds of Americans reported paying significantly more for their groceries per week, between $8 to $20, according to a survey by America's Research Group, reported Houston Chronicle. Full Story (Free Registration Required) Wal-Mart is working on plans for smaller outlets in response to Tesco's November launch of grocery and convenience stores. One idea calls for urban convenience stores less than a tenth of the size of the company's supercenters and stocked with groceries geared to more affluent tastes. Another plan calls for stand-alone stores offering a variety of health services and products. The new outlets are being prepared for introduction early next year, reported The Wall Street Journal. Full Story (WSJ Subscription Required) Deweese Enterprises Inc. is selling its convenience store chain through NRC Realty Advisors LLC. The company's operates 45 SUPER STOP! convenience stores in the Mississippi area, reported Convenience Store News. Full Story The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company lowered its prices on some varieties of cookies and crackers as part of its Value Improvement Program. Full Story Kenyon's Variety, NOCO Express Shop, Wilson Farms and Super Saver/Grocery Delivery Service will be featured in the National Association of Convenience Stores "Ideas 2 Go," a video which spotlights innovators in the convenience store industry. The Buffalo-area businesses demonstrate how convenience stores are using creativity to compete, according to The Buffalo News. Full Story The Seattle Post Intelligencer examines several food labels that are confusing and how retailers deal with such problems. Several chain stores stressed that they rely on the integrity of the companies from which they purchase to assure product safety. Full Story Hurricane Dean may have devastated the banana industry on three small eastern Caribbean islands, according to authorities, reported The Associated Press. Full Story NEWS STORE NEWS: BI-LO opened a Super BI-LO in Clemson, SC and another is slated to open in Anderson, SC, reported Independent Mail. Full Story (Free Registration Required) ... Sheetz plans to build a 4,000-sq. ft. store in Northern Cambria, PA, reported The Tribune-Democrat. Full Story ... A Wal-Mart Supercenter recently opened in Livonia, MI, reported Detroit Free Press. Full Story Manufacturer News Anheuser-Busch introduced Pumpkin Spice Ale nationwide through November. The Pumpkin Spice Ale is brewed with caramel and carapils barley malts, a blend of imported and domestic Hallertau hops and domestic Saaz hops. Full Story Kellogg Co. introduced new cereal package designs intended to make it easier for consumers to quickly find key information about nutrition. Starting in October, the front of all Kellogg's ready-to-eat cereal packages sold in the U.S. will feature "Nutrition at a Glance" banners, reported CNNMoney.com. Full Story Sealed Air Corp. is close to a deal to buy the packaging arm of Alcan Inc. for $4 billion to $5 billion in cash. The purchase would more than double the size of the business in terms of sales of Sealed Air, which, makes food packaging and protective packaging, including Bubble Wrap, reported Reuters. Full Story Diversity Brands LLC is coming out with a line of Mayberry's Finest baking mixes and canned goods inspired by The Andy Griffith Show. The lineup of 32 products, including a peach cobbler mix, collard greens and, eventually, Aunt Bee's pickles, will be sold under the brand Mayberry's Finest. Diversity plans to launch the Mayberry line in six Southern states in the fall and begin selling the products nationwide in 2008, according to The Tennessean. Full Story M&M'S Chocolate Candies rolled out two new flavors: M&M's Dark Chocolate Peanut Candies and limited edition M&M's Razzberry Chocolate Candies. Full Story Health News Women who get plenty of whole grains in their diet may lower their risk of developing high blood pressure, according to researchers at Harvard University, reported Reuters. Full Story A higher intake of added sugars or sugar-sweetened drinks may lead to higher blood levels of uric acid in men, according to researchers at Harvard School of Public Health. High serum uric acid has been suggested as a possible risk factor for high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, as well as metabolic syndrome, reported Reuters. Full Story Most people who say they have food allergies have not been tested by a doctor, despite the fact that one in five American households includes at least one person who suffers from food allergies, according to a survey by Harris Interactive. Full Story A new presidential report on cancer takes on not only tobacco companies but the food industry while calling on the federal government to "cease being a purveyor of unhealthy foods" and switch to policies that encourage Americans to eat vegetables and exercise, reported Reuters. Full Story Washington News BREAKING NEWS: The federal appeals court needs more time to consider whether to block Whole Foods Market Inc. from buying Wild Oats Markets Inc. Whole Foods is now blocked "from taking any further steps to acquire the stocks, assets or any other interest" in Wild Oats until the judges issue a further ruling, reported Forbes. Full Story In related news, the Federal Trade Commission appealed a court ruling that would allow Whole Foods Market Inc. to purchase Wild Oats Markets Inc. Federal regulators want to block the $565 million acquisition, arguing that it would stifle competition and lead to higher prices in the premium organic food market. However, the companies say the deal will not hurt consumers because they compete with conventional supermarkets, which are selling increasing amounts of organic products, reported The Associated Press. Full Story FDA canceled plans to close more than half its field laboratories, reported OregonLive.com. The proposed closures, part of a reorganization of the agency's field operations, were previously suspended to await recommendations from a presidential panel about how to better guarantee the safety of imported food and other products. Full Story United Food & Commercial Workers Local 655, the union representing 9,500 grocery workers in the St. Louis, MO, area tentatively reached a contract agreement with Dierbergs Markets Inc, Schnuck Markets Inc. and Shop 'n Save. The contract covers 56 Schnucks stores and 5,000 workers; 21 Dierbergs stores and 2,500 workers and 24 Shop 'n Save stores with 2,000 workers, reported St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Full Story FDA amended its food labeling regulations to permit the egg industry to place the safe handling statement for shell eggs on the inside lid of egg cartons if the statement "Keep Refrigerated'' appears on the principal display panel or information panel. Full Notice Philadelphia, PA-based Ocean King Enterprises Inc. recalled Ready-to-Eat Seafood Dips because they have the potential to be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. Full Notice
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