Food Hoping That Con - 21 the World’S Greenest Sumers Who Go There for an Array of Other Consumer Products Will Pick up Their Gro - Grocery Store? Ceries As Well

MAY/JUNE 2014

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Serving Western Canadians for Over 98 Years publisher’s perspective

50 Could Loblaw be One Step MAY/JUNE 2014 • VOLUME 100, NO.2 Ahead of the Game?

Loblaw’s blockbuster deal to acquire the Shoppers In this Issue Drug Mart chain for over $12 billion has been cited as an example of the continued consolidation in the 9 Moving Forward industry driven by intense competition from U.S.- based retailers Walmart and Target, who are both A look at Grocery Showcase West 2013 with CFIG 17 intent on grabbing a larger share of the relatively President and CEO, Tom Barlow. lucrative grocery market in Canada. Already, we have seen big changes and indications 13 The 2014 Edition of SIAL Canada of future directions with Shoppers now stocking Pres - and SET Canada Montreal ident Choice products and talking about offering fresh goods for a more comprehensive convenience solution for consumers. Intended or Back in Montreal for its 11th edition, the Salon International not, this has the advantage to the country’s largest retailer of increasing the num - de L’Alimentation has once again broken a record for attendance! ber of “touch points” with consumers that may drive more business to their tradi - tional business units, let alone how it will help position Loblaw as the go to for 17 Clean & Crisp health and wellness products, a very strong trend with consumers today. Both the cookie and cracker category offer natural and It appears that this could be a better strategy to follow than what the mass dis - perceived healthy ingredients. counters have counted on: using their massive purchasing power and distribution might to offer low prices and adding square footage devoted to food hoping that con - 21 The World’s Greenest sumers who go there for an array of other consumer products will pick up their gro - Grocery Store? ceries as well. To some extent this has worked for them: traditional grocery stores 23 share of the market has been in decline whereas mass discounters have shown Whole Foods Markets sets industry standard. impressive gains over the last several years. It has certainly worked in the U.S. where Walmart is now the largest single retailer of food products in the country. But in 23 The Canadian Grand Prix Canada the story may now be different. Walmart and Target have scaled back their New Product Awards aggressive expansion plans as results have continued to disappoint. Loblaw, on the other hand, has walked into an already lucrative business and can leverage it to build their grocery brands in a way the others can’t. 29 Whole Lot of Everything Time, of course, will tell where the chips fall but it could well be that Loblaw is Whole grains move beyond trend, and become one step ahead of the game. an everyday way of buying. 33 In ‘N’ Out Optimizing the supply chain. 39 Enhanced Eating Frank Yeo, On Our Cover Publisher & Editor Pets are experiencing the benefits of healthier living. 41 Provincial Power Innovation Awarded 2014 may be a banner year for the BC Food Industry. Top Marks Robin Bradley Melanie Bayluk 45 Guarding Against Loss — Security Canadian food manufacturers shine at the latest product awards. Associate Publisher & Western Account National Account Manager Manager 47 The Cool Factor — Refrigeration Cover Photography: shutterstock.com [email protected] [email protected] 50 Super Seasonings

Health-conscious consumers view spice in a new light. Publisher & Editor, Frank Yeo; Associate Publisher & National Account Manager, Robin Bradley; Western Account Manager, Melanie Bayluk; Editor/Editorial Production Coordinator: Nicole Sherwood; Advertising Production Manager, Marsha Coombe; Creative Manager, Sarra Burton; Circulation Department e-mail: [email protected]; Contributing Writers: Robin Brunet, Shayna Wiwierski, 27 Carly Peters, Frank Yeo, Nicole Sherwood, Andrew Raphael, Melanie Franner. Advertising Consultants: David Bastable, Sheilah Davila, Loren Fox, Elaine Dufault, Edna Saito. Publisher: Western Grocer Magazine is published bi-monthly by Mercury Publications Limited Head Office: 1740 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 0E8 Tel: (204) 954-2085 Fax: (204) 954-2057 www.mercury.mb.ca • e-mail: Departments [email protected] Associated Publications: C-Store Canada Magazine, Votre Dépanneur, Commerce & Industry Magazine, Western Hotelier, Western Restaurant News, and Bar & Beverage Business . Circulation: Western Grocer Magazine serves the grocery and allied non-food industries. Readership includes distributors, brokers, manufacturers, wholesalers, independent grocers, food processors, bakeries, supermarkets, convenience stores, principal food service outlets, food researchers and consultants, government, voluntary groups and co-ops in the four Western Canadian provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, Northern Canada and the Northwest Ontario area. Subscription Rates: $45.00 for one year, $63.00 for two years, $93.00 for three years; $5.00 for 6 Market Update 37 Commentary single copy, plus 7% GST. Canadian rates only. Advertising: Deadline is 25th of the first month. Editorial: The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written consent of publisher. Photo credits not given unless requested in writing along with photo submission. 8 Calendar of Events 53 In the Bag Publication Mail Agreement No: 40062509. ISSN# 0705-906X. Return Undeliverable Canadian addresses to Circulation Dept. at 1740 Wellington Ave., Winnipeg MB R3H 0E8 e-mail: [email protected] Printed in Canada

4 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 5 market update Fresh Direct Produce Canada’s Best Managed Companies for 2013 BC Ag Goes Global! market Fresh Direct Produce Ltd. has been cho - sen as one of Canada’s Best Managed From the U.S. to the U.K., throughout Companies for the third consecutive year. This prestigious national award is sponsored by Asia and the Middle East, BC agrifoods CIBC, Deloitte, National Post, Queen’s School of Business, and MacKay CEO Forums. have been circling the globe in pursuit of “It is very exciting and humbling to be chosen again for the Canada’s Best Managed Com - update new markets, thanks to the BC Agrifoods panies award. Fresh Direct Produce has continued to experience strong double digit growth, Export Program. In less than three months and has increased its service offerings over the past year. Passion, people, and persistence are from its November 2013 launch, IAF com - the three key drivers of this growth. We appreciate the support from our business partners, mitted over $600,000 of federal and customers, vendors, as well as from our staff and their families,” says President and Co- Alberta Meat Convention Competition provincial funding into projects to help Founder Davis Yung. Fresh Direct is one of Western Canada’s premier fresh produce importers, Winners Announced BC’s agriculture, food and seafood sectors wholesalers, and marketers with distribution centres in Vancouver and Calgary. Bothwell Cheese showcase their products around the world. Companies like vitamin manufacturer The 2014 Meat Con - Announces Leadership Herbaland Naturals, and Nutraex Food, a vention was held in developer of natural sweeteners for mass Olds, AB on March 14- Transition produced foods, used export funding to 16, 2014 The Friday Night People’s Choice Com - Ivan Balenovic, president & CEO of travel to Southern California and attend petition had 16 entries with 119 ballots cast. Bothwell Cheese has announced his Natural Products Expo West, one of the The winners were: retirement and the divesture of his equity world’s largest natural health product and Spragg’s Meats for Best Deli Tray in Bothwell Cheese Inc. effective June 1st, supplement tradeshows. Calahoo Meats for Best Jerky 2014. Len Thomson and Kevin Thomson, Meyer Family Vineyards also headed Reg’s Meat Shop for Best Pepperoni. president and vice-president respectively south for the World of Pinot Noir Sympo - This year’s processed meat competition included eight entry classes with 10 participat - of Paradise Island Foods will acquire sium in Santa Barbara, where they pre - ing companies; 84 products and 47 ribbons (24 bronze; 13 silver and 10 gold). The Cured Balenovic’s shares. sented their Okanagan-produced wines to Meat Aggregate winner was YB Quality Meats; the Sausage Aggregate was Big Bend Mar - Under Balenovic’s leadership, Bothwell California consumers. The Meyers were ket and the Overall Award went to YB Quality Meats. (see picture above) Cheese has achieved significant growth, also able to travel to London to promote becoming Canada’s largest independently their award-winning pinot noir and AFPA Appoints Marilynn Boehm owned nationally distributed cheese manu - chardonnay at trade and media tastings. facturers. Balenovic is proud of the compa - BC Gourmet Foods pursued target The Board of Directors of the Alberta Food Processors Association ny’s accomplishments and is confident that export markets in Dubai and the Middle (AFPA) and staff are pleased to announce the appointment of Marilynn it is well positioned to continue building on East for their new premium seafood and Boehm as president of AFPA. its successes. He attributes much of the wild mushroom product. As a result of pro - Boehm recently retired from the Alberta Government after 34 years company’s achievements to the dedicated ject funding, the company is currently in of service. During that time she worked extensively with the food pro - and loyal group of employees and to the the process of formalizing a foodservice cessing industry and more recently, other industry sectors as well. outstanding management team. partner agreement in the UAE. Doi Chaang Coffee Company Bothwell Cheese Chairman of the Consolidated Fruit Packers (CFP) pre - Board, Len Thomson confirmed the sented a bounty of B.C. blueberries and Continues to Serve Ontario appointment of Kevin Thomson as tree fruits to president of Bothwell Cheese effec - potential buyers Doi Chaang Coffee Company is moving forward, expanding tive June 1st, 2014. Thomson has in Germany and throughout Ontario. The 50 per cent grower-owned, Certified been working very closely with Japan, through a Organic and Fair Trade coffee company is expanding its prod - Balenovic the past four years and series of meetings uct line with distribution on Longo’s and FreshCo shelves. has extensive knowledge of the com - and events. CFP FreshCo will continue to carry Doi Chaang’s four new 340 g blends; Social Medium (a medi - pany and the industry. He looks forward President Brian um roast), Hardwired (a dark roast), Espress-Yoself! (an Espresso) and Chillin’ (a light roast). to advancing the company’s excellent Messent is partic - It will also carry the company’s innovative biodegradable Keurig®-compatible aroma cups, reputation for producing unique high ularly optimistic which are available in Hardwired and Social Medium. The biodegradable cups come at a per - quality cheese coupled with superior cus - about the con - fect time, as more and more coffee fans are investing in single serve alternatives. tomer service. tacts they were able to establish in Japan, and is confident about their export plans for this new base. After a highly successful pilot year, the BC Agrifoods Export Program has been renewed for 2014-15. Up to $50,000 in matching funds is available for projects that enable industry engagement in inter - national market development activities, including participation in international tradeshows, promotional events and incoming/outgoing missions, and creating marketing materials to support interna - tional market development. Participants must contribute 50 per cent in cash of the total project cost. For more program and application information, visit www.iafbc.ca/export- market-dev.htm

6 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 7 Upcoming EVENTS Q&A By Frank Yeo market May 29-31, 2014 Healthy Beverage Expo Long Beach Convention Center Long Beach, California, U.S.A For more info: update www.healthybeverageexpo.com June 1-3, 2014 How would you describe reaction to this year’s show from exhibitors and attendees? Happy Planet Makes $20,000 IDDBA TB: Booth sales and attendance was up versus the prior year. Comments Donation to Food Banks Dairy-Deli-Bake 2014 I heard were that the show was more relevant to the retailers needs and the Colorado Convention Center suppliers were happy to see senior influencers on the show floor. Happy Planet’s “Help us Nourish the Hungry” campaign to Denver, Colorado, U.S.A. For more info: www.iddba.org promote and support hunger prevention and awareness pro - Now that you have been in your role for close to a year, do you grams across Canada has culminated in $20,000 to nation - see Grocery Showcase West and Grocery Innovations changing in al and local food banks, enabling Canadian consumers to June 3-4, 2014 make a positive impact in their communities. ’We’re tremen - any way going forward? dously grateful to the tens of thousands of Canadians who Store 2014 TB: We have three focus areas going forward — meet, learn and experience. supported the ‘Help Us Nourish the Hungry,’ campaign” Toronto Congress Centre said Happy Planet Co-founder Randal Ius. “This was a true partnership effort with consumers Toronto, ON MEET — GSW is a great opportunity for peer to peer best practice sharing that helped to provide nourishing meals to communities all across the country.” For more info: along with trading partner interaction www.storeconference.ca LEARN — We have heard from our members that they want us to The 2014 Europain & Intersuc June 10-14, 2014 increase the level of education that we are providing. Going forward and SuccessFood Exhibitions we will continue to provide group sessions which focus on the issues that are important to our members. However, we will be adding more The world’s largest bakery and pastry shop has just closed FMI Connect smaller group sessions which will focus on the things our members its doors after five very positive days in Paris-Villepinte, along - McCormick Place (South Hall) and their teams want to know about. Examples of this are supplier Chicago, Il, U.S.A. side Success Food, the contemporary foodservice exhibition. category updates, financial and systems information and human For more info: resource changes. From March 8-12 2014, the 804 exhibitors and brands repre - www.FMIConnect.net sented at Europain & Intersuc and Success Food welcomed 76,950 professionals, including 30 EXPERIENCE — GSW is a great opportunity for suppliers to interact per cent from outside France, who came in even larger crowds than before to discover the with retailers and share with them new products and services, which offering and new products on show. Know-how and creativity, of product and equipment man - Sept. 11-14, 2014 are either in or will soon be in the market. ufacturers as well as service providers in the baking, pastry, chocolate and confectionery-mak - ing industry were there for all to witness. Both were highlighted through the 2,480 demonstra - CFHA East tions over the five days of show. In spite of the subdued general economic situation, this year’s Metro Toronto Convention Europain & Intersuc exhibition kept in line with the sector’s dynamism, with buoyant business Centre, South Toronto, ON activity, and many events and competitions for artisans and industrialists alike. For more info: [email protected] KEY FIGURES: EUROPAIN & INTERSUC – SUCCESS FOOD • A total of 804 exhibitors and brands from 29 countries, including 34 per cent of international exhibitors Sept. 29-30, 2014 on Europain & Intersuc • 76,950 professionals, 30 per cent of international visitors from 138 countries Grocery Innovation • Nine international and French competitions, 170 candidates Canada • 2,480 demonstrations over the five days of the show Metro Toronto Convention Centre • 130,281 pieces of bread made on the show by the exhibitors and the competitions candidates, as well as Toronto, Ontario 35,086 viennese pastries, 89,694 cakes, 23,650 salted snacks and more than 19 tons of flour used during the show For more info: • Nearly six tons of bread, cakes and other food products offered by the exhibitors to the Red Cross at the show closure. www.groceryinnovations.com

8 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 9 What do you feel were the major takeaways from the panel discussions and presentations The 2014 Top 10 that CFIG members can apply to their businesses? Most Innovative • Day one was focused on helping our members think about how they can compete in today’s competitive mar - Products ket. Bob Phipps the retail doctor shared with the group his thoughts on making things happen within your The Canadian Federation of Independent Grocers four walls. announced their top ten most innovative products from • Day two was split into two. The first the annual Grocery Showcase West, Western Canada’s part dealt with the recent consolida - annual conference and trade show for independent gro - tion in the grocery industry. The cers. The show took place on April 6-7, 2014 at the Van - competition bureau commissionaire couver Convention Centre, where industry insiders shared with the group the things that his team looked for during an acqui - judged from 350 exhibitors showcasing the latest indus - sition, and what they look for to help try trends and innovation. ensure fairness in the market. The This year presented an amazing array of creative new panel discussion, which followed the products from which the 2014 Top Ten Most Innovative commissioner made up of both retail - ers and manufacturers, was a candid Products were selected. These items stood out from the discussion around the need for crowd and are sure to be favourites with consumers changes when it comes to certain across the country. practices in the grocery channel. Products were evaluated based on three criteria: most unique, most buzz-worthy and best consumer response. • The second part of day two was focused on the changing mosaic of the Canadian market and what retail - ers need to start thinking about if they want to meet the changing con - sumer needs.

One of the major discussion points was the so-called “Code of Con - duct” being called for by suppli - ers. Has the CFIG taken a position on this? Is such a code necessary? TB: We have taken a position and we do believe that the option of a code must be explored. As Frank Lovsin shared with the group — free enterprise is not free if there are no checks and balances.

The CFIG has come to the end of its Top 10 Innovative last five year strategic plan. What Products do you see as the major compo - (in no particular order) nents of the next strategic plan? Gourmet Yogurt Dips TB: We are still pulling together our (Get Sauced & Spiced Inc.) next five year plan which we will roll out Activate Water (Unique Foods Canada) at our annual general meeting in Sep - Goat Milk Ice Cream (Woolwhich Dairy) tember. However, our early research sug - Moshi Mochi Green Tea Non-Dairy Frozen Dessert gests that we need to focus on the fol - (Canda Six Fortune Enterprise Co. Ltd.) lowing areas to ensure that we are pro - WISE BITES Quinoa Baked Goods viding value back to our members. (Inform Food Brokerage) Arriba Horchata Energy Drink These areas are: (International Herbs (B.C.) Ltd) Quinoa Powder (Organika) * Advocacy Cheese Bread (Gramma Dee’s) * Communication & Education Coconut Oil Spray (Rockwell’s) * Networking Urban Mac & Cheese Balls (Moccia & Urbani) * Leadership Development * Cost Savings For more information about Grocery Showcase West, visit www.cfig.ca/page.asp. More to come in September. ●

10 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 11 POST SHOW REVIEW photos copyright Phil Bernard/photoatwork.com UnveilingUnveiling thethe 1100 ﬁnalistsﬁnalists Back in Montreal for fforor SSIALIAL IInnovationnnovation 20142014 its 11th edition, the Salon International de SSIALIAL InnovationInnovaation pprésenterésente l’Alimentation has once lleses rrésultatsésultats ddee l’éditionl’édition 20142014 ! again broken a record for attendance!

SIAL InnovationInnovatiion acts as a networking sprspringboardringboard to prpromoteomote your new productsproducts to our nanationaltional and internationalinternational visitors, rretailetail purchaserspurcchasers fromfrom the cacateringtering and hotelh sector,sector, and too the media.

SIAL InnovationInnovation est un véritable tremplintremplin de communicationcommuunication qui valorise vos nouveanouveauxaux produitsproduits auprauprèsès de nos visiteursvisiteurs nationauxnationaux GÜ DESSERTS et internationaux,internationaux, acheteursa du Gü Desserts. détail, de la restaurationrestauuration et de l’hôtellerie, mais aaussi auprèsauprès United Kingdom / Royaume-Uni des médias nornord-américains.d--américains. The 2014 Edition of SIAL Canada FOUR O’CLOCK HOT SAUCESAUCE SAFIESAFFIE SPECIALSPECIALTYTY PINK LEMONADELEMONADE SouthernSouthern ArtArt FOODSFOOODS COMPANYCOMPANY HERBAL TEA & SET Canada Montreal SaﬁeSaﬁe SpecialtySpecialty FoodsFoods UUnitednited SStatestates / États-UnisÉtats-Unis Trans-HerbeTrans-Herbe IncInc CCompanyompany Inc.Inc.

CanadaCanada UnitedUniteed SStatestates / ÉtÉtats-Unisats-Unis he 11th edition of SIAL Canada (the both in terms of the variety of its offer - opment! A statement, which is confirmed International Food and Beverage ings and the number of its visitors. For by the 81 portfolios submitted this year Ttradeshow in North America) and SIAL Canada Executive Director Xavier for the SIAL Innovation contest, which OH!CANARDOH!CANARD LINE FRUITFRUIT MAPLEMAPLE SUGAR CanardsCanards dudu LacLac BromeBrome INFUSIONS Y OliveOlive Inc.Inc. SET Canada (the Salon des équipements, Poncin, this 2014 edition has confirmed witnessed British-based GU Desserts tak - BasilurBasilur TeaTea CanadaCanada CCanadaanada des technologies et services pour la dis - that SIAL Canada’s core elements — ing home the 2014 Grand Prize. CanadaCanada tribution alimentaire), which took place namely strong local representation, The event began with an official inau - from April 2nd to 4th, 2014 at the Palais unique international offerings and the guration, which included participation des Congrès de Montréal, just wrapped up numero us innovations developed by from a number of national and interna - HAIKU PURE 1899 HARHARWOODWOOD what was in every way a historic edition. exhibitors of every origin — are the win - tional dignitaries, including François Gen - ASIAN STYLE BLUEBERRIESBLUEBERRIES MINIMINNI CROISSANTS SIAL Canada and SET Canada have estab - ning formula for this unique dron, Quebec deputy premier NOODLES PEIPEI BBerrieserries LLTLTDTD BoulangerieBoulangerie PremièrePremière lished themselves as the uncontested event. “If we’re looking at the and Minister of Agriculture, IDID FoodsFoods MoMoissonisson Inc.Inc. CCanadaanada must-attend event in the Canadian and key components this year, Fisheries and Food; and Valérie CanadaCanada CCanadaanada North American agri-food industries. above all we are talking about Lobry, managing director of the show’s 15 per cent growth, the SIAL Group. The first edi - A Record-Setting, which has allowed the Montreal tion of the Networking Event Popular Edition show to be as big as Toronto’s; of the Agri-Food Industry, SaveSave thethe date:date: April 288 toto 3030,, 22015015 @ DirectDireect EnergyEnergy CentrCentree With 767 exhibitors and brands from an all-time record of 14,685 organized by the Agri-Food 43 countries, exhibiting on over 200,000 professionals, which constitute an Export Group, was a clear success with RendezRendez-vous-vous du 28 au 30 aavrilvvril 2015 au DirDirectect EEnergynergy CentrCentree à TTorTorontooroonto square feet, and some 14,685 visiting increase of five per cent over 2012,; and more than 500 guests invited. It was an professionals from more than 60 coun - finally, a record number of innovations at occasion to hand out a number of prizes, PLATINEPLATINE SPONSORSPONSOR / CCOMMANDITAIREOMMANDITAIRE PPLATINELATINE tries, this edition of SIAL Canada and SET the show. This is without a doubt the including those for SIAL Innovation. The Canada once again proved to be a success definitive platform for research and devel - evening closed with a speech by Valérie PARTNERSPARTNERS / PARTENAIRESPARTENAIRES

world innovationinnovation WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 13 Lobry who, as an official representative of tions joined the ranks of the best oils. the SIAL Group, invited those assembled LA CUISINE by SIAL , was reinvented to be a part of the 50th anniversary of the this year with unique workshops offered NEW - Limited Edition! SIAL brand, which will take place from by industry personalities like Jérôme Fer - October 19th through 23rd in Paris (North rer of Europea, Chef Samuel Pinard of La Paris-Villepinte Exposition Park). Salle à Manger; experts from the Centre SPRING/SUMMER de Recherche et d’expertise at ITHQ; and A Range of Exclusive hosted by a unique master of ceremonies, Captivating Events Mario Martel. COLLECTION This year, the show offered 10 confer - The corporate chef competitions were ences dealing with topics grounded in the also a total success, and included 14 latest developments: ethnic products and major brands: GFS, Compass, President’s buy-local, food wastage and the food rev - Choice, Rouge Boeuf, Sobeys, John - olution. During this edition, SIAL Canada sonville Sausage, Marché Gourmand, Oly - and SET Canada also held contests and mel, Unilever, Sodexo, Fleury Michon, demonstrations promoting the industry’s and Rational. innovative products and businesses. THE LAB For its first edition, THE LAB Cheese by SIAL was a tremendous suc - OLIVE D’OR , the biggest international chose the magical and inspiring world of cess in its first edition; 26 cheeses from extra-virgin olive oil contest in North pastry! With four pastry chefs who are Quebec and Ontario were available for tast - America, attracted record numbers this Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF) and a ing all throughout the show. The “in the year with more than 111 participating small army of recent Calixa-Lavallée shoes of a judge” workshops presented by oils from 14 countries. The 12 best extra graduates as apprentices, the event won Patrick Tirard-Collet and Bernard Aurouze, Bring incremental virgin olive oils submitted by producers over even the most veteran of foodies! co-founders of the Prix Caseus, shared sales with this new from around the world were selected to After offering up three days of sugary their passion — and some thoughts on the be named the golden, silver or bronze spectacle, on the final day of the show art of tasting cheese —with the many irresistible tea drop in their respective categories. New Christian Faure, Jean-Marc Guillot and visitors who stopped by. ● collection! this year: The quality of the oils present - Norbert Vanier unveiled a magnificent ed at the contest clearly improves so piece commemorating the 50th anniver - The next SIAL Canada and SET Canada shows will take place on April 28th and 30th, 2015 much each year that four special selec - sary of the SIAL brand. at Toronto’s Direct Energy Centre. Attract new clientele and increase brand awareness!

Discover these six new refreshing and unique flavours that will delight your senses! ALWAYS DELICIOUS HOT BUT CRAFTED TO BE BREWED ON ICE! The art on these wonderful collection teas has been created by Bruce Roberts.

Also available in shippers

Available in gourmet and health food stores across Canada. www.transherb.com

14 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM COOKIES & CRACKERS

By Carly Peters

gainst the backdrop of relatively lacklustre performance over the last several years, new innovations in cookies and crackers focused on premium products, nat - Aural ingredients and new flavours have re-ignited growth in the category. Winning products today bring an extra element of health, but still feel like an indulgence. “The cookie category has remained fairly flat over the past two years which is why it is important to innovate,” states Julie Therrien of Leclerc, which offers two very dis - tinct types of cookies — Celebration cookies on the indulgent side and The Praeventia and Vital cookies on the healthy side. “The consumer wants to eat healthier but still treat themselves to something tasty. The trend is a lower sugar level, use of natural ingredients and adding chia and other types of healthier ingredients that will add some benefits to their health. Our Praeventia cookies meet those criteria as we are adding ingredients that will provide health benefits but yet offer a tasty product.” Leclerc has just launched two new Praeventia cookies — French vanilla and raspber - ry & white chocolate — which are an extension of their existing line of peanut-free certified and portion controlled packs.

Courtesy of Shutterstock WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 17 “Consumers are looking for cleaner, preser - praline/chocolate Rose of the Dolomites, vative free cookies,” agrees Emily Vosburgh, available in three flavour varieties, and brand manager - new business develop - five different packaging sizes. ment for Tree of Life Canada, a KeHE “Only the best natural ingredients, the Company, which carries an array of ban of whatever is artificial, synthetic, or shortbread and imported biscuits and not easily digestible, high-value recipes, crackers from the UK, as well as a wide state of the art production technology, range of natural, gluten free, and aller - and last but not least the clean water, pure gen free cookies and crackers. air and cold and dry climate of the pristine While Vosburgh admits the overall alpine environment of the production cookie category has been flat, their dis - facilities shall make up the unique and tributed brand, Walkers Shortbread, superior Loacker taste,” quotes Tribus. made with limited ingredients and clean “‘Pure goodness’ thus has become the recipes, has experienced good growth brand claim and corporate mission.” nationally. The key sku, Walkers Short - bread Fingers, experienced double digit Not Just for Soup growth in dollars and units, and the line While the sweet side offers cleaner recently launched Walkers Italian Lemon ingredients, yet still indulgence, the & White Chocolate Biscuits and Walkers savoury side has taken health to heart. White Chocolate & Raspberry Biscuits. According to Euromonitor International, “Consumers prefer natural foods and the cracker category was driven by well - variety in flavour experiences,” says ness concerns and consumers were drawn Christoph Tribus, president, Loacker, which to snacks derived from ingredients per - Bettering based on Nielsen rankings is among the top ceived as healthy such as vegetables, Biscuits premium cookie brands in Canada and the legumes, and ancient grains. highest growth rates within the top five According to Euromonitor Internation - Merchandising tips for players in the premium cookie segment. al, Mondelèz Canada Inc., which was The family-owned company Loacker established in 2012 after Kraft Foods the cookie & cracker from Italy’s Alpine province South Tyrol, Company spun off their grocery portfolio, categories. is also a market leader in Italy with a 52 led the biscuits category in 2013 with a There is more of an impact for 41 per cent retail value share. The compa - the consumer when the product ny’s strong share is due to the success from one brand is merchandised Pick the together as it creates a greater that the company has had with its brands impact. Offer more off-shelf dis - in many biscuit categories. Ritz remains play and cross-promote with the leading brand with an eight per cent other categories. value share (savoury biscuit), followed by - Julie Therrien of Leclerc rose of Oreo with seven per cent (sandwich bis - Secondary displays are key as cuit), and Premium with six per cent premium biscuits are impulsive (savoury biscuit). The company continues items. Using shippers and cross- goodness! to develop new products, in both savoury merchandising in different areas and sweet biscuits. Triscuits brown rice of the store can be helpful. For products were launched in 2013 and con - example, with the new Walkers Biscuits and the fruit flavours, tain brown rice, sweet potato, and the they could be cross-merchan - flavours of roasted red peppers and red dised in produce with fruits or bean. Innovation is also seen in its well- other areas of the store. established Ritz crackers line with vari - - Emily Vosburgh, eties like peanut butter flavour. Tree of Life Canada Dare Foods have also added to their Space is valuable and much con - well-established Breton cracker brand tested. Variety on a clean and with two new gluten-free offerings (Herb nicely arranged shelf is a very sus - per cent share of the wafer market, as & Garlic, and Original with Flax) in 2014, tainable approach, and an envi - well as a 16 per cent share of the premi - as well a Sour Cream & Onion from the ronment the consumer is looking for. Work with category leaders, um patisserie market. In Canada, their company’s cracker-chip hybrid line Bre - but be open to new brands, for - offering includes almost 100 different ton Popped! Supergrains. mats, and flavours. Add variety to items and ranges from traditional Wafer - From the crunch of a cracker, to the the assortment and develop your cookies and Quadratinis to chocolate crumble of a cookie, natural ingredients own personality. enrobed wafercookies, and specialty and perceived health elements have - Christoph Tribus, Loacker cookies (Loacker calls them Gran Pastic - made today’s product innovations win - ceria). The brands latest offering is the ners with snack seekers. ● LOACKER, PURE GOODNESS!

18 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 4/15/14 3:37 PM

GOING GREEN By Frank Yeo

ver the last 10 years, gro - their stores, facilities, and offices cers have significant in the U.S. and Canada. The Ostrides in addressing the company hosts or owns solar environmental impact of their energy systems at most of its store operations — from recy - locations. To cut down on cling, waste diversion, and refrigeration energy use, ener - composting to energy con - gy efficient doors with triple- servation and using alterna - pane glass have been installed tive sources of energy such as on freezer and dairy cases solar. Large chains such as among other energy saving Loblaws and Sobeys annually measures. Disposable plastic gro - set new environmental goals and cery bags were discontinued in publicize the results on their web - favour of recycled paper bags. Every sites, benchmarking against the most store has a cull program for usable per - desirable standards. Smaller chains and ishable food, composts and has a com - independents may be less munity food donation program. public about their efforts Packaging is either recyclable or but are collectively making Whole Foods Markets sets otherwise minimized for deli a big difference in their industry standard. operations and take-out. All local communities. products sold have gone through Developing a “Green Culture” is a chal - sustainable food. Indeed, their new stores a rigorous process of scrutiny to ensure lenge for many organizations. One that built from ground up have been dubbed they too are sustainable. has done an exceptional job is Whole the greenest grocery stores in the world. These are just some of the measures Foods Markets, where they have worked In 2006, Whole Foods made a land - undertaken. Sustainability is evident in very hard to align their operating philos - mark purchase of renewable energy every aspect of their stores, operations, ophy — how they run and build their credits (RECs) from wind farms to offset products, company culture, employees stores — with their philosophy about 100 per cent of the electricity used in and customer interaction. ●

The Whole Foods store in Dedham, Mass., for example is notable because of the actual implementation of so many leading sustainable and energy practices in construction, facility operations, store operations and cultur e:

• All structural steel is made from 100 per cent recycled materials and the building uses a white roof • Renewable constructions materials include Marmoleum surfaces and Trikeenan wall tiles • 90 per cent of the store’s energy needs are met by a 400kWh fuel cell and 80 kWh solar panels • The refrigeration system’s rejected heat is reclaimed and used to heat water • Kitchen exhaust systems are on-demand and do not run continuously • Skylights and automated lighting reduction control are used extensively • 80 per cent of store waste is reused • Grocery bags and cash register tape are made from 100 per cent recycled paper • The store has innovative programs such as wine cork recycling and the promotion of multiple containers for meals and lunches . Customers can come in and try sustainable cleaning products before they buy them in an in-store cleaning and sink area

WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 21 Which grocery products made the most impressive debuts last year? Retail Council of Canada (RCC) have announced the finalists for the 21st annual Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards.

he award program celebrates new products in 26 food, non-food and private- label categories, as selected by a 32-member jury. Winners will be announced Tat the Grand Prix Gala on June 4, 2014 at the Toronto Congress Centre, as part of the STORE 2014 retail conference presented by RCC. “Each finalist represents the collective efforts of product development, design and brand management teams to inspire and delight consumers,” says Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of RCC. “This program recognizes and fosters the grocery industry’s commitment to create products that reflect the latest consumer preferences and trends.”

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11:07 AM The expert panel judging the awards healthier offerings. “We saw a lot of all The Canadian Grand Prix New Product Awards™ comprises consumers, food journalists, natural, no preservatives — simple food recognize food, non-food and private label categories, packaging designers and grocery industry that tastes great,” says Von Albrecht, R&D and marketing personnel. Through a president and COO of Mava Foods. 26 categories in all from dairy to personal care. rigorous process, the jury grades each He noticed simplicity too in the entry on five criteria: uniqueness and easy instructions and convenient innovation, product characteristics, pre - preparation of many of the food selec - sentation and packaging, overall consumer tions. “The consumer still has to Finalists Food value, and consumer acceptance (house - cook, but all the guessing is taken hold penetration rate of a product). away,” says Von Albrecht. Longtime jury chair Marcus Von For the non-food items, judges use the Albrecht says some of the food entries same five criteria. “More emphasis is put demonstrated unique flavour combina - on the usefulness of the product,” says tions. Overall, he noted a focus on Von Albrecht, though he adds that some

This year’s Canadian Grand Prix New A & V 2000 INC. A. LASSONDE INC. B&G FOODS, INC. B&G FOODS, INC. NuTerra™ Granola DEL MONTE WORLD CrockPot® Seasoning Mixes Mrs. Dash® Seasoning Mix Packets Product Awards was open to manufacturers and distributors of all sizes, for products introduced during the CANADA BREAD COMPANY, LIMITED CLEARWATER SEAFOODS COUNTRY MAGIC DARE FOODS LIMITED DARE FOODS LIMITED 2013 calendar year. Dempster’s® Garden Vegetable Bread Clearwater® Scallops & Sauce BLOO Juice Boulangerie Grissol® Sweet Thins™ Breton® Popped !™

products made the cut for the sheer nov - elty. “You would buy it simply because it’s so different.” For their test kitchen, the jury evalu - ated the food and private label products in March at the Institut de tourisme et d’hôtellerie du Québec in Montreal. Judges assessed the non-food products in GAY LEA FOODS CO-OPERATIVE LTD. DELTA DAILY FOOD - FLEURY MICHON FERRERO CANADA LTD. FINICA FOOD SPECIALTIES LIMITED GARDEN PROTEIN INTERNATIONAL Gay Lea Cinnamon & Brown their own homes over six weeks. Fleury Michon Surimi Rolls Tic Tac Zerto Fresh Mozzarella Pre-Sliced gardein™ Sugar Spreadables To become a finalist, a product must score at least 70 per cent in judging. This year, 89 reached that mark. To make the judging as impartial as possi - ble, the panel once again assessed the taste, nutritional value and price of food products “blind”, before they saw the packaging and the manufacturer’s name. This year’s Canadian Grand Prix New GENERAL MILLS GROUPE BISCUITS LECLERC INC. HAPPY PLANET FOODS, INC. KRAFT FOODS CANADA KRAFT FOODS CANADA Product Awards was open to manufactur - Fibre 1 with 6/7g of Protein Go Pure™ Happy Planet™ Fresh Soup Cracker Barrel KRAFT Fruit & Veg ers and distributors of all sizes, for prod - ucts introduced during the 2013 calendar year. The finalists and winners can use the Grand Prix Award logo on their pack - aging for two years. ●

For more information visit KRAFT FOODS CANADA MAPLE LEAF FOODS MAPLE LEAF FOODS Philadelphia Chocolate (Chocolate Spread MAPLE LEAF FOODS Schneiders® Country Naturals® www.retailcouncil.org KRAFT FOODS CANADA Schneiders® Country Naturals® Countryside Kraft Peanut Butter Flavours Made with Cream Cheese Product) Schneiders® Country Naturals® Burgers Pork Sausage in Natural Lamb Casing Sausage Snacks

24 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 25 McCORMICK CANADA® MONDELEZ CANADA NESTLÉ CANADA INC. NEW ERA NUTRITION INC. NUTRINOR PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. Club House* Gluten-Free Gravy Mix Potato Thins Aero® SoLo GI® Energy and Nutrition Bars Laura Secord® Chocolate Milk Bounty® DuraTowel™ Cascade® Platinum™ Febreze Stick&Refresh Gillette® Venus & Olay™ Exfoliating Razor IAMS® So Good™ with Savory Chicken

PREMIERE MOISSON PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PROCTER & GAMBLE INC. PACIFIC FOODS PARMALAT CANADA Mini pastries 189 Harwood QUAKER SMUCKER FOODS OF CANADA CORP. Old Spice® Wild Collection Body Wash Pantene Pro-V Expert Collection™ Age Defy Secret® Clinical* TAMPAX® Radiant™ Compak® ZzzQuil™ Liquicaps® Sleep-Aid Organic Mushroom Broth Astro® Original Greek Yogourt by Première Moisson Quaker™ Harvest Crunch® Quinoa Bars Robin Hood® Nutri Flour Blend™

THE CLOROX COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. S. C. JOHNSON AND SON, LIMITED SAVONS PROLAV INC. SOLO CUP CANADA THE CLOROX COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. Glad® Compostable OdorShield® TREE OF LIFE CANADA ULC ULTIMA FOODS INC. UNILEVER CANADA WAFU INC. WESTON BAKERIES LIMITED Glade® Wax Melts Bio-Vert™ Solo® Varietal 7oz Plastic Wine Glasses Clorox® Bleach Foamer bags with Febreze™ Green & Black’s Organic Chocolate IÖGO 0% with stevia extract Fruttare™ Frozen Fruit Bars WAFU® MAYONAIZU® COUNTRY HARVEST™ VEGGIE BREAD

THE CLOROX COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. Glad® Indoor Easy-Tie® Kitchen Catchers® Bags THE CLOROX COMPANY OF CANADA, LTD. TRUE EARTH PAPER CORPORATION WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION YOPLAIT CANADA Finalists Non-Food with Odour Guard® & febreze freshness güd™ from Burt’s Bees® Dragon Towels Affresh® Coffeemaker Cleaner Yopa!™ Stirred Greek Yogurt Finalists Private Label

FEDERATED CO-OPERATIVES LIMITED SOBEYS INC. Co-op® Gold Saskatoon Berry Premium Ice Cream Compliments presents Jamie Oliver Flattened Chicken Co-op® Gold Strawberry, Yogurt & Banana Smoothie Debi Lilly™ Fluted Petite Vase CARLTON CARDS LIMITED CKF INC. DLM FOODS CANADA CORP. DLM FOODS CANADA CORP. GROUPE SEB Edwards™ Tassimo, 14 pack Sparkle Knits Royal Chinet Meow Mix Tender Centers* Meow Mix* Pâté Toppers* T-Fal® OptiGrill™ Sensations Ice Cream LONGO’S Sensations No Limit Barbecue Sauce Longo’s™ Chicken Pad Thai Stir Fry Sensations Stuffed Burger Longo’s™ White Balsamic Vinegar

WALMART CANADA METRO BRANDS, G.P. Our Finest™ Caramel Clusters Irresistibles™ Gluten Free Frozen Meal Our Finest™ Peanut Butter Burst Cookies Irresistibles™ Life Smart Smoothie Our Finest™ Preserve Style Spread Irresistibles™ Mini Sorbet Bars Irresistibles™ Puff Pastries Irresistibles™ Shrimp JOHNSON & JOHNSON INC. Selection™ Ice Cream IRVING CONSUMER PRODUCTS JARDEN BRANDED CONSUMABLES POLYSPORIN® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS™ KRUGER PRODUCTS L.P. NESTLÉ PURINA PETCARE Selection™ Soft Dairy Swirl Ice Cream Royale® Tiger Towel™ First Alert® ATOM™ Smoke Alarm Daily Moisturizing Cream Cashmere® UltraLuxe™ Beneful® Baked Delights™ Dog Snacks

26 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM AWWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 27 WHOLE GRAINS By Carly Peters

very year it seems there’s a new “hot” food or diet trend for consumers to buy into — remember the acai Eberry, or the Paleo diet? While flavours, fads, and for - mats come and go there are some that stay true to people’s overall desire for health. Whole grains, whether it’s estab - lished oats, or up and coming quinoa, have firmly planted their place in grocery retail. “People crave after the ‘new.’ It’s in our nature, but you also have to see that something like whole grains has been around for a long time. It is a staple, and with good reason,” says Colleen Dyck, founder of GORP Energy Bars, which boast nutritionally dense ingredi - ents, and are the go to post-workout snack for runners, cyclists, NHL-ers, and everyday energy cravers. When developing GORP Dyck looked at a host of whole grains and saw that while they all had their merits oats boasted the best beta glucan — a specific type of fibre that is proven to lower cholesterol, provide cardiovascular bene - fits, and stabilize blood sugar. “The science behind the benefits of whole grains is so strong, it’s irrefutable,” she says, adding the danger of fol - lowing food trends, such as gluten-free or low carb touted

Courtesy of Shutterstock AWWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 29 products means people may consume, front of every box of Cheerios. unknowingly, not-so-healthy ingredients “We are proud that our whole grain such as over processed and refined flours oats in Cheerios have shown to help and fake sugars with little nutritional lower cholesterol,” says Catherine Jack - value. “People want to get back to real son of General Mills Canada. “We will food. And what they want to put in their continue to reinforce this positive mes - body is something that’s natural.” sage plus the fact that whole grain bene - Seven years ago, General Mills Canada fits are not a trend, but connected to was the first company to make whole better health and wellness.” grains the key ingredient in their cereals. Many customers are getting that mes - The benefits of whole grains are now sage loud and clear. According to the 2012 Food & Health Survey from the International Food Information Council (IFIC) Foundation, the pres - ence of whole grains in a product is a strong factor in influencing consumers to buy a product. When asked what considerations drove A Whole Bunch of Information their purchases, consumers’ Cu stomers get the benefits of whole grains, but do top choices were calories they truly understand what whole grain means. Basi- (71 per cent), with whole product introductions, with side dishes cally, your grain needs to contain the whole package - the b grains at a close second at and meals gaining quickly. ran, the germ, and the endosperm. But, there are two 67 per cent. Traditional whole grains, such as oats, big differences between the U.S. and Canada when New product launches of continue to be a staple ingredient, but labeling whole grains: foods making a “whole also a good spring board for other vari - 1 In Canada, “whole wheat” can be missing up to grain” claim have grown eties. According to Cynthia Harriman, five per cen Whole grains have a firmly planted place t of the original kernel and thus is not a in the grocery store. sharply in the last several years. In fact, director of food and nutrition strategies whole grain unless it specifies “whole according to the Mintel Global New Prod - for Oldways / The Whole Grains Council, grain whole wheat.” In the U.S. that term would well-established thanks to the leadership ucts Database, in 2010 almost 20 times as currently three categories of whole be redundant, as flour cannot be labelled “whole wheat” unless it of General Mills and others. In 2011, the many new whole grain products were grains get the most customer interest contains 100 per cent of the original wheat kernel. company saw another opportunity to introduced worldwide as in the year — gluten-free grains, ancient grains, and take a leadership role around whole oats 2000. Again, according to Mintel, bakery, sprouted grains. 2 In the U.S. products can be labelled 100% whole grain if all of the GRA WHAT MAKES with the introduction of the claim that breakfast cereals, and snacks now “Sprouted grains are perhaps the IN is whole grain. In Cana- “oat fibre helps lower cholesterol” on the account for the largest number of new fastest growing category. Six months ago da, the term “100% whole grain” can’t be used unless all of the INGRED we had just 103 sprouted-grain products IENTS are whole grain. in our database, and now there are 178, In 2007, the Whole Grains Council launched The YOUR STORE Whol a 72 per cent increase in just half a year,” e Grain Stamp in Canada which helps consumers find she explains. “Although we think that whole grain foods. Currently, more than 9,000 produ the medical need for a gluten-free diet is cts use the Whole Grain Stamp in 41 countries, SO SPECIAL? and nearly 1,150 products hav limited to a very small percentage of the e received permission to use the Whole Grain Stamp in Canada. population, we’re happy that the gluten Has your grocery store recently: free trend has brought many ‘obscure’ • opened? grains, like millet, teff, sorghum, and • done renovations? amaranth, to the attention of consumers. Having educated employees can be the key to customer comfort. Just as eating the widest possible variety “Today more and more grocers employ retail dieticians to edu - • had a change in management? of vegetables is healthy, since all offer cate consumers about healthy food choices. These supermarket • expanded? different nutrients, it’s a great idea to RDs give store tours and cooking demonstrations, hand out edu - • celebrated an anniversary? eat a wide variety of grains.” cational materials, and make community appearances, all of • rebranded? The Whole Grains Council also cited which help grocers sell more healthy foods,” explains Harriman, global launches of new products made adding the WGC regularly includes supermarket RDs in their pro - If yes, please contact Robin Bradley with quinoa rose 50 per cent in the 12 motional events. “One of the most popular [promotional materi - Tel: 1-800-337-6372 or email: [email protected] months ending September 30, 2013, and als] with grocery retailers is our Whole Grains Store Tour which increased more than five-fold from Q3 introduces consumers to the many whole grain choices in the Let us tell the West Why Your Store is so Special! 2008 to Q3 2013. typical grocery store. We also have handouts. Our handy Wel - With new products, and new grains, come to Whole Grains trifold brochure can even be co-branded the category might be hard to navigate with the retailer’s name.” for consumers who are not comfortable The message is being heard loud and clear — whole grains are with moving beyond traditional wheat. good, and they are here to stay. ●

30 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 31 WAREHOUSING/TRANSPORTATION By Shayna Wiwierski

arehousing and transportation play a significant Harrison says that when customers look inside a ware - role in any supply chain. The competitive grocery house, they look for automation, greater use of technology, Wlandscape continues to intensify and organiza - and greater business processes to drive retail back. He men - tions are realizing that efficiency gains by optimizing their tions that technology is playing a huge role in the business, supply chains and maintaining tighter control on costs will with VersaCold investing more than $7 million in computer always gain an edge. technology over the past two years, with five million in “Companies, manufacturers, and grocery retailers have investments across their network in green initiatives. become aware that the supply chain is a strategic compet - “The technology and data is as important as the physi - itive advantage,” says Doug Harrison, president and CEO of cal movement of the goods in the supply chain. The use VersaCold Logistics Services. of computer systems has increased dramatically over the VersaCold, based in Vancouver, B.C., is Canada’s largest last 10 to 15 years. We invested over a million dollars in provider of temperature-sensitive logistics services. The a supply chain engineering group in the company that company has five business units, including warehousing, uses advanced technology that looks at a customer’s sup - where they have 40 per cent of capacity in Canada for tem - ply chain, where the warehouse should be, where invento - perature-sensitive warehousing. ry should be, the optimum transportation for customers, and so forth,” says Harrison.

Courtesy of Shutterstock

WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 33 mizing cube utilization on pallet return trainers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with an added benefit of optimizing fuel consumption. They have also successfully partnered with multiple distributors to implement on-site total pallet management solutions that are designed to optimize costs, increase efficiency in the supply chain and reduce environmental impact of trans - port services for the distributor. Environmental impacts are a huge fac - tor when it comes to transport. This year’s polar vortex and other weather conditions played major havoc for all ser - vice providers in the supply chain during the first quarter of 2014, says Ruth Yur - chak, president/CEO of Iceberg Cold Stor - On the floors of almost every grocery age Ltd., a frozen food public cold stor - store in Western Canada CHEP’s Canada age warehouse based in Winnipeg, Man. Stringer, Half and North American Block pallets can be seen. “Some shelves at grocery stores remained empty awaiting product to arrive, leaving One area where greater efficiencies in CHEP Canada Inc. “Our CHEP half pallet consumers frustrated at not being able to pur - the warehouse have been gained is the also allows manufacturers to assemble chase their favourite items or having to come roll out of total pallet management solu - display-ready products and ship them back later for a rain check. In the meantime, tions. CHEP is the leading provider of pal - straight through to retail where they trailer loads and containers of goods were let and container pooling services for a can be moved directly to the sales floor stranded miles away from the destination.” variety of industries, including consumer without additional handling.” Yurchak says that Iceberg Cold Storage goods, fresh food, and manufacturing. The company works with their distributor worked with major vendors and service CHEP Canada Stringer, Half and North and retail partners to eliminate inefficiency providers to ensure frozen food products American Block pallets can be seen on and waste throughout the supply chain. A arrived at their destination on time or as Beware of Pests the floors of almost every grocery store in recent area of focus has been around maxi - quickly as possible. She adds that commu - Western Canada supporting branded prod - Pests can make their way into warehouses easily ucts right through to the point of sale. through products coming and going from one “CHEP pallets are maintained to the warehouse to another, or by exterior pressures highest specification at every turn based on geographic surroundings. which minimizes product damage, while Sid Smith, national account QA/customer care at the same time eliminating unneces - manager at Orkin Canada, the nation’s largest pest sary handling at distribution centres control provider and leader in the development of and retail stores,” says John Bock, fast, effective, and environmentally responsible pest control solutions, says that a large variety of pests regional manager, retail supply chain, can be introduced to warehousing, but that Cold Star Freight Systems provides just-in-time mice are always direct-to-store deliveries six days a week to high on their radar. stores in British Columbia’s Lower Mainland, He says that both Vancouver Island and the Gulf Islands. the client and pest management supplier must build a strong part nership to ensure all areas within the fa cility are being properly monitored, Pest Control inspected, and treat- Washroom Care ed if necessary to avoid product adul- Odour Control teration. “Communication, recommendations, corrective actions and documen- tation are pinnacle in building a preventative pest management program. Since most warehousing is 1-800-800-ORKIN audited by a third-party auditor, it’s important both www.orkincanada.com parties understand the auditor’s expectations when it comes to trap placement by pest type, frequency of monitoring, and best practices,” says Smith.

34 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 35 nication, technology, and a quick turn - COMMENTARY By Andrew Raphael around of goods in a very trying time assist - ed in making the first quarter a little more tolerable for grocers and the supply chain. he B.C. Food and beverage processing industry is the By reviewing existing areas of focus, the team will be With grocers looking at every possible largest manufacturing industry in the province, gen - able to build upon present momentum to determine the way to drive costs out of the supply Terating sales of $7.5 billion in 2011 and providing overriding interests of the industry as a whole and align chain, transportation firms that offer 30,300 jobs. 1 But with over 200 commodities generated by the efforts and strategies of members. efficient just-in-time deliveries have a culturally diverse group, the processing sector is too “We don’t want to re-invent the wheel,” explains Human. become highly valued partners as well by often fragmented, reducing its market impact and causing “The folks in Ontario spoke about the significant positive reducing demand on expensive ware - government and other stakeholders concern that the sec - impact they experienced as a result of the study MNP con - house space. tor does not speak with one voice regarding their needs ducted for them and we felt we could build off of MNP’s “As we all know”, says Kelly Hawes, and intended destination. existing experience and efforts. We knew it was a great president of Cold Star Freight Systems, “Previously, food and beverage stakeholders across Canada opportunity to support the industry here in British Colum - “just-in-time service is crucial in ensuring have independently developed industry priorities and strategies bia. This partnership positioned us well to apply for and that the stores can carry less inventory, with the goal of ensuring continuous growth and prosperity for receive funding from government, it brought stakeholders which in turn allows for more skus to be together, bridged gaps across strategies and on the shelf, thus increasing the range of created alliances in the industry.” VersaCold Logistics Services is the country’s largest provider customers that will shop in those stores.” of temperature-sensitive logistics services. The approach is multi-phased: Phase one Cold Star Freight Systems Inc. is a includes understanding the major stakehold - refrigerated LTL carrier that services the independent stores as well. properly cube trailers in our Richmond er visions and strategies and recognizing Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, and “For a just-in-time service to work, the location, which in turn reduces the num - where overlap, dependencies, redundancies, the Gulf Islands in British Columbia. grocery store has to be confident that the ber of trailers that cross on BC Ferries.” and gaps across or conflicts among strategies The company provides just-in-time product that will arrive tomorrow is going Driving costs out of the supply chain exist. Phase two takes that knowledge and direct-to-store deliveries six days a week to be at the right temperature and in pris - has become more imperative now than turns it into industry power by determining to most of the grocery chains and all the tine condition, which enables them to ever before within today’s highly com - how gaps can be addressed to benefit B.C.’s independent grocery stores on Vancouver quickly resupply their shelves,” says petitive environment. This imperative food and beverage sector, and which action Island and the Gulf Islands. They also Hawes. “We invest in things like GPS track - will lead to even greater automation and items will have the most significant impact operate the largest public cold storage on ing to ensure efficient routing, alternate the more efficient handling of goods on improving the competitiveness and long- the island, which helps to support the fuels to reduce those costs, and are able to down the road. ● term sustainability of the sector. Through European Union and Asian Trade B.C. Food and Beverage Industry Aligns Through Gap Analysis

their sectors,” says Nico Human, former CEO of the BCFPA. Agreements the government is “These efforts have resulted in a variety of emerging trends and opening the door to new issues such as consumer food interests, emerging international opportunities. Whether B.C. markets, climate change/environmental issues, advances in food processors decide to processing technologies and methodologies and demographic export or not, they will still changes to the Canadian workforce, among others. face increasing competition at “While well intentioned, the efforts have resulted in a mix home from sophisticated Euro - of disjointed measures that may ultimately conflict and pean and Asian importers — divide and diminish the industry-wide power required to market players B.C. will need align with government and gain stakeholder support,” adds to get ready to compete or collaborate with. Andrew Raphael, director of food and ag processing, MNP LLP. “B.C. is unique. Our industry and interests are wide Recognizing this, and with the support of Investment reaching and there are untapped markets within and out - Agriculture Foundation of B.C., B.C. Food Processors Asso - side our province. The gap analysis will help us speak with ciation (BCFPA) with the B.C. Agriculture Council (BCAC) one voice so we’re more likely to get the required support and the Small Scale Food Processors Association (SSFPA) and an alignment with Government Growing Forward 2 hired MNP LLP to conduct an environmental scan of previ - funding opportunities to cooperate on strategic, sustain - ously identified strategies across B.C. and Canada. The able, competitive initiates to further develop B.C.’s agri- goal: recognize interests, align efforts, and improve the food sector. With MNP we will build upon strategies to help competitiveness of food processors across the province. processors reach their goals,” concludes Human. ●

Andrew Raphael is the Director of Food and Ag processing and can be reached at 877.688.8408 or [email protected] 1 http://www.agf.gov.bc.ca/stats/YinReview/Agrifood-YIR-2011.pdf.

36 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 37 PET FOODS By Nicole Sherwood Product Showcase Pets are experiencing the A Touch of Honey for the Pain benefits of healthier living. OregaPet® First Aid Gel is a natural disinfectant and wound healer, formulated with Oregano Oil and a proprietary blend of medicinal he goal of healthier living is no longer just for honeys. OregaPet® First Aid Gel treats topical infections of all types — whether bacterial, fungal or parasitic — and reduces wound pain human family members. This trend now and inflammation while accelerating the healing of damaged tissue. Tincludes the furry members of the family, and Use for minor cuts and scratches, rashes, burns, hot spots, surgical changes in the pet food aisle reflect this. wounds, abscesses, boils, bites and stings. Oil of Oregano is unmatched in its strength against bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic infections. We created “Canadian pet owners continue to favour products OregaPetTM in response to the huge popularity of Oil of Oregano, and the overwhelming demand for natural pet products that claimed better nutrition, quality, natural ingre - Kibble Innovation containing this proven herbal ingredient. OregaPetTM products are all-natural, non-toxic, safe and effective, and give dients and offered functional benefits,” says Innovation will be key to driving growth in the category. DLM Foods Canada Corp, a subsidiary of Big Heart Pet Brands in 2013 launched pet owners the means to prevent and treat a wide range of common health conditions from the comfort of home. Niloufer Afzal, DLM Foods Canada Corp. For consumers pet health is a top priority and the Meow Mix Tender Centers in the Dry Cat Food category. This new innovation by Meow Mix is one of the finalists for the upcoming 2013 functionality of products is influencing their buying Grand Prix awards. Meow Mix Tender Centers* is the only dry cat decisions. There is even a growing tendency for con - food where every kibble is dual-textured. Each kibble has a crunchy sumers to choose high-quality natural or organic outside with a meaty centre. foods for their pets according to Agriculture and Agri Foods Canada Consumer Trends. Dental Revolution The Euromonitor Internatonal Passport September Another new launch by DLM Foods Canada Corp. in March 2014, 2013 notes that from 2008-2013 dog and cat food Milk-Bone* Brushing Chews* a Daily Dental Treat that provides an sales in Canada have seen a Compound Annual easy and effective way to take care of your dog’s teeth. These daily dental treats are clinically proven to reduce tartar and plaque build- Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.6 per cent in dollars and up, as well as fight bad breath. The revolutionary dental twist bone 1.3 per cent in volume. Sales projections are expect - has nubs and ridges designed to help clean even hard to reach back ed to be driven by the premium and mid-priced seg - teeth and down to the gum line. ments with CAGRs of two per cent in value and 1.2 per cent in volume for 2013-2018. Purina Launches Beneful® Healthy Smile™ “Marketing activations are geared towards consumer Dental health is the most common issue for dogs. In fact, studies education focused on benefit awareness — enhanced have shown that dental care is the second most important thing a pet owner can do to help increase the length of their dog’s life. nutrition, lifecycle products for the various stages of Nestlé Purina PetCare Canada understands the importance of dental ToothpastesDental SpraysDental Health TreatssEar Drops sOil of OreganosShampoo TherapysBed & Body SpraysFirst Aid Gel adulthood and preventive functional benefits such as health for dogs — and they have demonstrated this with the recent daily oral care. If consumers understand the differences launch of their Beneful® Healthy Smile™ product line. This past Feb - and benefits, and trust them, they might be willing to ruary, Purina introduced Beneful® Healthy Smile™ Ridges, Beneful® pay extra for the products,” says Afzal. “Creating/plac - Healthy Smile™ Twists, and Beneful® Healthy Smile™ Dry dog food, a new line of dental snacks and dry food for dogs. The snacks help to : ing secondary displays will help drive impulse purchas - GROWING MARKET reduce tartar and plaque build-up, and are uniquely formulated with A LARGE & es especially with dog and cat treats.” ● a variety of textures and shapes to keep the treating experience fun Seek “Natural” and exciting. Beneful® Healthy Smile™ Ridges feature a savoury Pet Owners meaty middle, made with real meat, with hints of parsley. While ministered to pets at home. Beneful® Healthy Smile™ Twists are peanut butter flavoured and are t 56% of Canadi- easily ad Did you know tha port the immune accented with real parsley. These treats have a lot for dogs to love. y, pets Treatments that sup ans own a dog or a cat? Toda ithout Beneful® also introduced Beneful® Healthy Smile™ dog food that system and speed healing, w ed as family members and features unique SmileBites™, and other crunchy kibble to help clean are view emicals and side effects. ng record num- toxic ch teeth and keep breath fresh. owners are spendi irst Aid & Oral ir pets OregaPet Natural F bers of dollars to keep the wners Hygiene products give pet o nd happy. The pet indus- healthy a GHQFH DQG QHZ ZD\V RI s at an estimated QHZ FRQ¿ try in Canada boom ting all types of strong preventing and trea 5 billion a year, with more ernal $ fections, both topical and int ected. With infection- in growth exp iral, bacterial, fungal, the rise, a - whether v related conditions on is your best us or parasitic. OregaPet ing market of health conscio is grow towards increased sales in th looking for natural al- step Enhanced Eating customers are (Sources: Can ugs and lucrative market. ternatives to prescription dr 48–52; Vet J. 2009 January; 50(1): e veterinary bills. They expensiv d Polls; Pet Industry Joint d effective treat- Ipsos Rei want affordable an f Canada) ly and Advisory Council o ment options that can be safe

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From the makers of the award-winning Joy of the MountainsTM Oil of Oregano. A leader in the natural health products industry since 2001. WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 39 BC FOOD REPORT By Robin Brunet

ccording to provincial government ing & merchandising for Buy-Low Foods. Solanki typifies B.C. food entrepre - statistics, even though British So committed are shoppers, in fact, neurs who think on their feet and adapt AColumbia has only 13 per cent of that Buy-Low Foods management recent - to changing market conditions. All her Canada’s population and just 3.5 per cent ly decided to make B.C. foods a focus. products are gluten-and nut-free, and 90 of its farmland, the province’s food “We’re expanding our boundaries by net - per cent of her ingredients are from industry is a true powerhouse. It gener - working with new manufacturers and Canadian sources; the popularity of these ates $11.7 billion in revenue yearly and drawing attention to made-in-B.C. prod - items is such that her business has employs over 61,000 people. Food pro - ucts via shelf talkers and advertising,” expanded to the point where she is cessing is the largest manufacturing sec - says Dewinetz. exporting to the U.S., the United Arab tor in B.C., with over 1,400 companies Manufacturers are understandably gung- Emirates, Singapore, and Mexico. “We’re responsible for over $8 billion in revenue ho about the current state of affairs. looking seriously at other countries too,” and 31,000 jobs. Burnaby-based Kalpna Solanki launche d she says, adding that domestically it As any West Coast retailer will attest, her Martin’s Marvelous Naturals all-nat - took her less than two years to place her sourcing products from within the ural gourmet crisps, cookies and gra - crisps and granola in 500 stores. “It just province has become vital to retaining nola in 2011 and has grown steadily goes to show that if you have a viable customers and attracting new ones. since then. idea and get enough support, you can “The buy local movement is stronger make it in the food industry.” than ever and we definitely have people If the B.C. food sector is healthy now, who purchase as many items by all counts opportunities for grown and processed within entrepreneurs like Solanki B.C. as possible,” says are about to grow even Troy Dewinetz, general more due to efforts manager – market - from the provincial and federal gov -

Courtesy of Shutterstock WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 41 “For example, Ottawa’s Grow - The food industry in British Columbia generates ing Forward program is $11.7 billion in revenue annually. focused on 10 countries, so in June we’re bringing in 29 buy - ers from those countries to forge relationships with our members,” says Human.

Be Part of the Force that is Building the BC Food Processing Industry

BCFPA is your direct voice with the provincial and federal governments ernments. In 2012, Victoria announced BC Agrifoods: A Employee Benefits Plan – save money Strategy for Growth, a five-year Risk Management – designed for Food Processors plan to boost agri-food revenue The BCFPA, in partnership BC Hydro Power Smart – exclusive programs for members to $14-billion annually by 2017. with Canada Safeway, is also “We first thought it would be responsible for the Buy BC Peer Groups & Committees – provides excellent net - working and sharing of best practices; as well as a Strong impossible to expand so quickly unless we Food campaign, an initiative Voice for the industry through its Advocacy Committee could dramatically improve our export designed to help consumers capabilities, but Ottawa is actively pushing more easily identify and pur - Join us – call 604-504-4409 trade talks and removing barriers and tar - access to South Korea’s 50 million con - the Asia-Pacific region). chase food and other quality or email [email protected] www.bcfpa.ca iffs this year,” says Nico Human, outgoing sumers and annual $1.1 trillion econo - Indirectly, the growth products grown, harvested CEO of the BC Food Processors Association. my. The agreement is projected to of export fortifies the and processed in the province. One example is the March 24 final boost Canada’s economy by $1.7 billion strength of B.C. food com - The campaign has devel - panies on the home oped in-store and web mate - The Buy BC Food campaign is an initiative designed to help consumers front, for the simple reason that rials to help shoppers recognize and choose locally made prod - more easily identify and purchase food and other quality products the more revenue they generate, ucts. Mike Nash, vice-president of retail operations, Safeway, grown, harvested and processed in the province. the more likely they will be a per - told the press during the campaign’s announcement in Decem - manent player in the Canadian ber that “British Columbians will find highly visible signage summary of the Canada-Korea Free and increase exports to South Korea by retail sector. Accordingly, the BCFPA is throughout our stores that specifically celebrates the incredible Trade Agreement, which will provide 32 per cent (it’s also widely viewed as preparing its members to take full advan - local selection available. B.C. companies, both smaller vendors Canada with preferential new market a gateway for Canadian businesses into tage of new markets and opportunities. and nationally known, should benefit in greater sales and pro - duction needs as a result of this initiative.” Not to be outdone, Buy-Low Foods in March met with local producers and manufacturers to dis - cuss the viability of doing business with them. “We met with about 11 com - panies from the dry goods, meats, produce and deli sectors,” says Buy-Low Foods knows that the buy Dewinetz. “Since then local movement is stronger than ever and has made B.C foods a focus. we’ve asked each compa - ny to follow up with our department merchandising managers. We’re impressed by their products, but we need to help educate them on the processes and parameters of doing business with the grocery industry.” Meanwhile, Debra Hellbach, a partner at Grounded Strategies Inc. and president of Dragon SOLV Solutions Ltd., is working in conjunction with the BCFPA to deliver its Path to Commercializa -

42 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 43 Grounded Strategies Inc. works in conjunction with SECURITY the BCFPA to deliver its Path to Commercialization and Growth Program to help start-up and growth By Melanie Franner

phase food companies in the province. Courtesy of Shutterstock

program since 2012 will add 85 employees to their workforce and generate over $1 mil - lion extra in sales due to our networking efforts,” she says. The not-for-profit industry-led Invest - ment Agriculture Foun - dation of BC is yet another organization overseeing numer - ous funding programs made possible by

“So far the 17 companies that have taken the program since 2012 will add 85 employees to their workforce and generate over $1 million extra in sales due to our networking efforts.”

tion and Growth program, designed to government — including export and inno - help start-up and growth phase food vation-related programs such as the BC companies with issues such as finance Agrifoods Export Program, which offers up and exposure to retail buyers. “So far to $750,000 in federal and provincial the 17 companies that have taken the funding (for projects that enable B.C.’s agriculture, food and seafood sectors to increase export sales and expand interna - tional market access). For her part, Solanki thinks govern - ment involvement must intensify in order for the B.C. food industry to flour - ish both at home and abroad. “We have enormous capacity and great processes, but many entrepreneurs still need help to realize their full potential,” she says. There’s no doubt that 2014 is rapid - ly shaping up to be the year in which the BC food industry galvanizes for anadian retailers are losing over valuable products, you feel the loss in do more than eliminate opportunities for growth; and if international trade $10 million a day to shrinkage, so multiple ways. First, you lose the value theft — they have to go on the offensive.” deals proceed as expected, that Cestimates the Retail Council of of the asset from the standpoint of what According to the 2012 Canadian Retail growth could be explosive. ● Canada/PricewaterhouseCoopers 2012 it cost you. Second, you lose the profit Survey, estimated theft by external par - Canadian Retail Survey. Average shrink from the sale of that product. And third, ties (including shoplifters and organized rate, according to the report, is 1.04 your customer experience is hampered if criminals) actually decreased from 65 per per cent of net sales, although it has that product becomes out of stock. cent in 2008 to 43 per cent — which is been reported to be as high as 2.19 per Items out of stock due to theft are not still quite significant. During this same cent by some retailers. replenished as quickly because the period of time, however, estimated inter - reduction in stock is not caught auto - nal/employee theft grew from 19 per A Loss is a Loss by matically by inventory systems.” cent to over 33 per cent. Any Other Name The loss potential to the bottom line “A dishonest employee with inside “Theft is always an issue and maybe can be significant. knowledge of the grocer operations and it is more of a concern today because “More and more, shoplifting is becom - systems has the ability to do more harm profit margins are so slim these days in ing a professional occupation perpetrat - than typical shoplifters,” states Paul grocery — making every dollar count,” ed by organized crime,” states Mike Bowron, director of national accounts states Ravinder Sangha, marketing man - Reynolds, marketing manager, Security and business development, Reliance Pro - ager, Halo Metrics Inc. “If you get hit Product Business Solutions Department, tectron Security Services. “If security is with theft of your meat, cheese or other Panasonic Canada Inc. “Retailers need to lacking, the insider will know.”

44 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 45 Fighting Back “Panasonic security cameras and video access or to cancel access for ex-employ - STORE DESIGN: REFRIGERATION By Melanie Franner There are a variety of ways in which recorders are powerful crime deterrents ees. It also allows for 24/7 control of all retailers can combat increased shrinkage but the analytics software that powers systems through the customer web site, and loss. Statistics from the 2012 Canadi - them is designed to do far more,” he including customizable message notifica - an Retail Survey show that more than 65 states. “It captures broad demographic tions (e.g. temperature change alerts). per cent of respondents are now using data — from the number of people in the Bowron adds that the new system is closed-circuit TV/DVR recording systems store to peak traffic flows (as well as designed to work with most existing versus only 39 per cent in 2008. approximate age and gender) so a retailer motion detectors and camera systems so “We always suggest taking a holistic can optimize everything from staffing and the return on investment can be as lit - approach,” explains Sangha. “This starts merchandising to promotional strategies.” tle as a few months. with your staff and empowering them to Today’s technology advances mean that Another current security trend is provide the best customer service possible. security is available in all shapes and sizes. implementing RFID at the sku level. It is almost cliché to say but it’s true. The “The first line of defence and most cost- “With the economics of scale improv - best loss-prevention program is good cus - effective deterrent is to boost the pres - ing, there are more opportunities to use The Cool tomer service. Thieves don’t like attention ence of security and make it clear that this technology at the sku level to pro - and will likely be deterred by a helpful security measures are taken seriously,” vide better tracking and security for staffer trying to assist. Beyond that, some - explains Bowron, who adds that techno - high-risk merchandise and products sold times you need to deploy actual loss-preven - logical advances now enable a grocer to at the store level,” states Sangha. Factor tion technologies to help prevent theft of remotely control his security system off- high-risk items. There are no cookie-cutter site through the use of the Internet, Maintaining a Presence solutions that will resolve all of your theft PDAs, cell phones and other web-enabled With the advancement of existing grocery issues so it is important to evaluate the devices. “It’s better business intelligence.” technologies, like RFID, and the continuing scope of your losses and pick a solution that Reliance Protectron Security Services proliferation of web-enabled systems, today’s provides the best return on investment.” has just launched its web portal system grocers have more and more options with According to Reynolds, every security in the commercial sector (having offered which to arm themselves against loss. Choos - system is unique, with different combi - it in the residential arena for a number of ing the right one will come down to a mat - nations of cameras, recorders, peripher - years now). The system allows authorized ter of preference, budget and need. But the als, displays, control software, peripheral loss-prevention personnel to easily go end result will be an improved work environ - system products and infrastructure. online and assign security codes to allow ment and an improved bottom line. ● Courtesy of Shutterstock

Protecting the halometrics.com CALCULATING THE COST OF REFRIGERATION EQUIPMENT. shopping experience for 25 years! efrigeration systems represent a sig - There is no doubt that energy consump - system designs, such as ammonia/CO 2 nificant cost to any grocer retailer tion remains one of the key “drivers” in hybrid system and CO 2 transcritical R — be it the initial capital invest - retailers’ potential purchasing decisions. refrigeration systems. This has also led ment, ongoing energy consumption or “Compared to other costs, such as to widespread adoption of energy-effi - maintenance — not to mention the cost to store lighting and the cost of running cient options, such as variable speed PIN Pad Security the environment. But advanced technology other equipment like ovens, the energy compressors/fans, improved case light - and innovative equipment are bringing new consumption of operating refrigeration ing with LED technology and more options to the mix — ones that can better equipment can be significant,” states widespread utilization of doors on position the retailer over the long term. Henry Friedmann, Western Territory refrigerated cases.” manager, Arneg Canada Inc. “I would James Piliero, sales development man - Broader Choice estimate that it could represent as much ager for Traulsen anticipates that there “The system designs available today as 40 to 50 per cent of a store’s total will be more industry regulation over the are much more diverse than ever before,” electrical consumption.” next few years, which will ultimately EAS Keepers, Spiderwraps, & Hard Tags comments Lianne Tombol, Canada gener - result in more changes. For 25 years Halo Metrics has helped retailers al sales manager, Hussmann Canada Inc. Game Changers “There are new regulations coming across Canada nd the balance between retail “There are many internal ‘drivers’ that The industry has experienced a couple down the line that will limit the type security and shopper experience. each retailer must review and prioritize of significant changes as of late that of refrigerants used,” he states. “I before deciding on the type of system have dramatically altered the way refrig - think we will also see more energy reg - Contact us to learn more! that meets their requirements. Some dri - erant systems operate. ulation, with both the Department of vers might include energy consumption, “Efforts to reduce overall environmen - Energy in the U.S. and Enercan in carbon footprint, refrigerant charge and tal impact have had a profound impact Canada driving the trend to lower the total cost of operation. In addition, there on the refrigeration industry,” states consumption of energy in equipment Retail security solutions may also be external local or provincial Nate Sung, marketing director, Heat - operating 24/7. It is high on their list that protect the shopping experience requirements that mandate certain types craft Kysor/Warren. “It has led to the and has already become more and more Contact us: Western Canada: 1.800.667.9199 Eastern Canada: 1.800.667.3390 of systems to be used.” emergence of advanced refrigeration stringent over the last few years.”

46 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 47 Taking the Lead One innovative grocery retailer that has already taken the plunge into new refrigerant systems is Thrifty Foods and its parent compa - ny Sobeys. According to Jerry Wyshnowsky, manager of energy and environment for Thrifty Foods, Sobeys now has 65 CO 2 refrigerant systems operating nationwide, with eight more on order. “That’s more than all other retailers in North America com - bined,” he states. Wyshnowsky credits the changeover to an ongoing com - mitment to the environment. “A large part of a grocer’s carbon footprint is refrigerant leaks,” he explains. “Every store has miles of refrigerant piping in its systems. And every single pound of conventional Arneg Canada Inc. knows that energy consumption for refrigeration refrigerant leaked is equivalent equipment can be significant. Heatcraft Kysor/Warren notes that to between 2,500 to 3,000 ammonia/CO 2 hybrid systems and pounds of CO 2 being emitted includes the environment and our own long-term savings.” CO 2 transcritical refrigeration sys - tems are energy efficient options. into the atmosphere. On the Thrifty Foods worked with Arneg Canada to acquire coolers other hand, a pound of CO 2 that could run on CO 2. leaked into the atmosphere is the equivalent of a pound of CO 2.” Wyshnowsky is quick to add that there are energy savings More in the Mix inherent in the new systems as well. New refrigerants and energy-savings systems are but two of “The energy efficiency of running the CO 2 system is a big the latest trends in the industry. Another one is the increased advantage too,” he says, citing stores in Quebec that are using use of mobile merchandisers. the heat generated in the system to heat the store’s own inter - “Retailers are placing mobile cases in strategic positions nal air and hot water. “For us, it’s a two-pronged approach that throughout the store to market particular products,” states Piliero. “Sometimes, they are even hiring marketing companies to run the promotions for them.” Heatcraft Kysor/Warren’s Sung concurs. “Mobile merchandisers address the need for flexible merchandis - ing options for grab-and-go or seasonal products by enhancing merchandise visibility in high-traffic areas of the store,” says Sung. “Retailers enjoy the benefits of energy efficiency, rapid relocation and incredibly easy installation that can be managed by almost any employee in their store.” Another trend is an aesthetic one. “Retailers are looking for display cases that improve the visual appeal of the store and the Hussmann Canada Inc. advises retailers to review and prioritize before choosing a system that meets their requirements. refrigerated mercha ndise, while lower - ing energy costs,” adds Sung. “Factors such as lighting, enhanced product vis - ibility, energy-efficient features, and increased capacity all play important roles in selecting the best display case to drive sales.” Change is in the Air Although it accounts for a significant Traulsen has seen retailers chunk of a grocer’s energy bill, refrigera - placing mobile cases in tion equipment still remains a must-have strategic positions throughout requirement. The good news is that the store to market products. changes are underway for everything from the equipment itself to the refrigerant used to the equipment’s energy consumption. Combined, these changes will produce a better carbon footprint, a better retailer bottom line and a better consumer appeal. ●

48 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 49 SPICES By Robin Brunet Product Showcase Go Wide Anna’s Country Kitchen line of rubs and spices consist of six rubs, each complimenting a par - ticular meat or fish, and include Tuscan Herb; Herbs of Provence; Zesty Poultry; and Prairie Beef. Chris MacDonald urges grocers to offer as wide a selection of items as possible in order to maximize the visual appeal of this colourful offering.

anadian consumption of spices more than doubled in the Merchandising Maple last ten years, due largely to the prevalence of ethnic cui - Savoury Favourites’ Maple Pep - Csine and the return to home-cooked meals. However, the per spice blends are made with 100 per cent pure maple syrup biggest appeal of spices these days is not just as a flavour that imparts extraordinary taste enhancer, but as an important part of healthy eating. to any food in which pepper is So dramatic are the medicinal properties of spices that an normally applied. “Don’t put the April, 2013 report in the U.S. investment publication The blends in the regular spice aisle or they’ll get lost,” advises Yas - Motley Fool stated, “It’s only a matter of time before min Howell. “Instead, in-store more people start thinking of buying spices in the sampling with prominent dis - same way they do buying vitamins and mineral plays is the best way to draw supplements.” attention to the line.” From a retail perspective, spices are a vital Pungent Pleasure category. “It’s one of the most profitable cat - Splendor Garden’s brand of egories in centre of store,” says Troy spices, herbs and seasonings are Dewinetz, general manager- marketing & organic, gluten-and nut-free in merchandising for Buy-Low Foods. addition to being more aromatic “Sales are by nature slow but steady, and pungent than convential spices. “An excellent way to and you never need to deep discount.” introduce and draw attention to Chris MacDonald, business develop - our products is to use our display ment manager for Bosa Foods, says stand and place it in the produce consumers are responsible for two section,” says Colleen Hausseck - er. “That way our products are recent shifts in the spice category: associated with freshness.” “They’re looking for more selection and also value-added spice lines, All-purpose Premiums including rubs and spice grinders LB Emporium’s premium gluten- due to their convenience and the free seasonings work wonderfully culinary experience they provide.” with all cooking methods and can be used as flavour for marinades Not surprisingly, product innova - or as dry rubs for poultry, pork, tion has characterized the spice beef and seafood. “Our products category because of this heightened lend themselves very well to demand for variety, health attributes cross-merchandising in different departments and we conduct and other value-added features. demos to showcase their versatility ,” Yasmin Howell recently launched a says Donna Stuart. line of Maple Pepper under her Savoury Favourites banner. The tasty Basket Boost seasoning product has a three-year shelf McCormick’s marketing experts life, does not harden with age, and best of suggest that the company’s latest herb and spice offerings, includ - all retains the health properties of maple ing Club House One Step Limited syrup, which is an excellent source of man - Edition Seasonings and Club ganese and zinc. “The feedback has been phe - House Recipe Inspirations, should nomenal, with users putting the product on every - be placed in produce or the meat department to provide opportuni - thing they can think of, from meats and veggies and ties for increasing basket size. even popcorn,” she says. Courtesy of Shutterstock

50 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 51 Colleen Haussecker, founder of Splen - fore the spices retain more flavour.” to always have a new product in their dor Garden, has discovered a niche by When using Splendor Garden products cupboards. “This means people of all in the bag creating a line of 48 different organic less spice is required to flavour the dish - walks of life can afford to purchase spices, herbs and seasoning blends. The es because the products are so flavour - Splendor Garden organic spices.” in the Splendor Garden brand is of high quali - ful, so consumers can buy a smaller But innovation isn’t exclusively the ty, non GMO and non-irradiated, “there - amount of the product, allowing them domain of small manufacturers: it’s also the hallmark of spice giant McCormick, What’s new & improved in the grocery aisle which offers a wide range of specialized bag seasonings to encourage consumers to try new and different flavour combina - tions. Because consumers can often Wise Bites Leads the Health Charge find it difficult to achieve the correct Wise Bites produces healthy baked goods that are gluten-free, vegan, kosher and pending non-GMO verification. Free of the top 11 allergens, its Richmond, B.C. — based factory has no traces of gluten, peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, dairy, eggs, soy, fish, crustaceans/shellfish, mustard and sulphites. Still, founder Cathline James says the top mandate of her company is to bring products to market that have reduced refined sugar, fat and sodium. “Our mission is to make baked goods that are delicious and healthy for everyone, including those who suffer from difficult food allergies and intolerances,” says James. “These products make it easy for everyone to enjoy a healthy snack out of the same box.” Wise Bites cookies, bars and muffins are made from organic quinoa flour and organic kaniwa (baby quinoa) flour, which is high in protein, iron and Omega 3. A complete list of products is available at wise-bites.com.

The Healthiest Brew Available Nationwide

Honeybush Health Ltd has partnered with Elco Fine Foods to distribute its unique line of Honeybush Herbal Iced Teas nationally. These Honeybush beverages, sold under the brand name Heights Honeybush are the embodiment of the new type of healthy beverage which the company predicts will become increasingly common in the Health and Wellness sector: organic, sugar free, caffeine free, and socially responsible. The line includes four flavours; Classic, Rose Petal, Ginger and Blackberry. Honeybush Health Ltd is a Langley, BC-based company founded by two cousins — a marathon runner and a physician. Winners of a National Tea Champion award from the 2013 World Tea and Healthy Beverage Expo, the company has recently been awarded a coveted “Clean Choice” award from the national magazine, Clean Eating. In partnership with Elco, the company expects to see the product in retail stores throughout B.C. and Alberta by early spring and in the Ontario market by early summer — just in time for those hot summer days at the lake. ALWAYS AVAILABLE General Mills Expands NPS Category With 80 per cent of consumers continuing to shop this pillar category, and stats show - ing consumers are buying more units per person than last year, why wouldn’t you offer more great options? General Mills is launching a few tasty new options, such as the Nature Valley Lunch Box bars. These great new bars offer 20 per cent of your daily fibre, no artificial flavours or colours, eight grams of whole grains, and are made in a peanut free facility. The perfect back to school snack! Also launching from Nature Valley are In the past decade the consumption of spices Breakfast Squares in blueberry and cinnamon flavours. And did you say fibre? Fibre 1 is has more than doubled in Canada. launching two great new delights… Fibre 1 Delights in lemon and chocolate chip.

spice combinations for any given dish, the company has made it a lot more Refreshing New Biscuit Flavours from Walkers Shortbread convenient by offering measured amounts of spices combined together Walkers Shortbread is introducing two new biscuit flavours. Walkers Italian Lemon & White Chocolate Biscuits are soft, crumbly and full of Belgian white chocolate chunks and an added zest of Italian lemon. • Model MINI-32 Mixer-Grinder in one package for a specific recipe. Walkers White Chocolate & Raspberry Biscuits are packed full of raspberries and Belgian white chocolate • Hopper Capacity - 65 lb. (30kg.) Other seasonings come with recipe chunks. There are no additives, artificial colours or flavourings in Walkers biscuits. Contact your local • Accepts Standard Lug Loads ideas under a peel back label. These Tree of Life Canada representative for more information. • Hopper and Bowl Assembly easily Removable type of innovations have helped grow • Other Options Available the category as a whole. Spice has always been an essential A Nutritious New Snack – GimME’s Crispy Roasted Seaweed! part of the grocery experience, but with healthier eating becoming increasingly GimMe’s Roasted Seaweed Sheets and Crumbles are a mouthful of taste and texture! To make these snacks, the highest quality seaweed on the planet is harvested, roasted and then seasoned in unexpected ways with important to Canadians, herbs, spices the finest ingredients. Sprinkle GimMe Crumbles over rice, soup, or salads — like crunchy croutons without the %,520DQXIDFWXULQJ&RPSDQ\0DUEOHKHDG2+86$ and blends are the ideal way to make a extra calories. Seaweed lovers can now enjoy the benefit of organic with the GimMe Roasted Seaweed Sheets )D[ www.birosaw.com meal zesty — and perhaps even strength - that are available in both sea salt and sesame flavour. Contact your local Tree of Life Canada representative for more information. 5% en one’s immune system to boot. ●

52 WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM WWW. WESTERNGROCER .COM 53 in the bag General Mills is Nourishing Lives and Growing Your Basket Rings in the in Exciting New Ways Launching some tasty new options to excite your cereal aisle? Be sure to try the new Edge cereal, which has the highest protein versus leading cereals. Built with the stacked nutrition of 11g of protein, high in vitamin B6, and very high in fibre, it’s a flake cereal that will fly off your shelves, and grow your What’s new & improved in the grocery aisle basket rings. bag Also new to the cereal aisle is Nature Valley Protein, offering the highest protein in granola, with two flavours: Oats & Honey, and Cranberry Almond. The product is available in a stand-up pouch, with pre - mium ingredients, high-end granola, and compelling benefits. Glacier Ridge — Spread the Love for Cheese

Glacier Ridge’s gourmet cheese spreads are now available in Canada, distributed exclusively Hardbite Chips Introduces New Exotic Line of Chips through Tree of Life Canada. These spreads are made with the finest all natural Wisconsin With increased consumer demand for unique snack food options, Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd. has intro - cheeses. They’re easy, versatile and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Glacier Ridge cheeses are available duced Hardbite Parsnip Chips, subtlety sweet and crunchy snacks ideal for a sophisticated snacking experience. in three varieties, including Cheddar & Bacon, Jalapeno & Cheddar and Smoked Gouda flavour. These remarkably tasty chips are made from fresh parsnips, which are sliced thin and hand-crafted in small Contact your local Tree of Life Canada representative for more information. batches to achieve the perfect crunch. “We think the parsnip has a bad rap. As children many of us were force fed this vegetable as part of the fam - ily dinner,” said Kirk Homenick, president of Naturally Homegrown Foods. “We’ve produced a light, sweet snack Olives as Fresh as From the Tree that is so completely different and simply irresistible. We like to say that these are ‘not your mamma’s parsnips’.” Hardbite Parsnip Chips are available in a 150 g / 5.2 oz. package and has a suggested retail price of $4.69. New from Switzerland — Dumet represents the benchmark in the world of table olives. Premi - Naturally Homegrown Foods Ltd. is a Maple Ridge, B.C.-based premium snack food company. It produces a line um quality olives from the Mediterranean have always been an inherent part of the Dumet phi - of hand-cooked chips under the Hardbite brand name. losophy. The unique, modern packaging stands out from the masses of conventional green and black olives in every way. The top quality olives are packed in pouches that can be stored unre - frigerated for up to 12 months. The packages are easy and quick to open with re-sealable zipper pouches and contain the best varieties from traditional olive regions around the Mediterranean. Silk’n Soft Bamboo Facial Tissue Contact your local Tree of Life Canada representative for more information. Bamboo facial tissue is now available in Canada. Silk’n Soft from True Earth Paper Corp. is 100% tree free and joins the product line of Silk’n Soft Bamboo Bathroom Tissue and their new Bamboo Dragon Towels. No other brand in the category has a more positive impact on the environment than First All-Nautural Oral Insect Repellent Becomes an Ally Silk’n Soft and Dragon Towels. For more information: www.trueearthpaper.com for Outdoor Enthusiasts Mozi-Q is the first-ever, all-natural oral insect repellent with Health Canada approval, and approved for sale in the U.S. Creator Erin Bosch owns and runs Xerion Homoeopathie, a successful homeopathic clinic RealCup Revolutionizes Single-Serve Beverages with Launch and dispensary. Bosch has been using the Mozi-Q formula for years to keep the bugs away from her clients. She decided the product could be marketed, and Mozi-Q was born. of EcoCup Recyclable Capsule For more information: www.mozi-q.com RealCup, an independent single-serve beverage brand launched by Mother Parkers Tea & Coffee, is changing the single-serve hot beverage industry with the launch of EcoCup, a new recyclable capsule that’s compatible with all K-cup brewers. EcoCup capsules are initially available for premium loose-leaf tea brands, including Hig - A New Range of Unique Canadian Seasonings gins & Burke on-sale now and Numi coming in the summer. EcoCup capsules with single-serve coffee brands, including Marley Coffee, will be available in 2015. “While other companies are aiming to offer recyclable capsules by 2020, our EcoCup from Savoury Favourites capsule launch for loose-leaf tea is the first step in making this a present-day reality. In just months we’ll reach our next milestone of bringing EcoCup™ to single-serve coffee,” says Bill VandenBygaart, vice-president business development. “This is the type of game- Maple Pepper from Savoury Favourites is made with 100 per cent pure maple syrup changing innovation that results from open competition and consumers are the ones who benefit. There are billions of capsules granules and only the finest quality black pepper. thrown into landfill each year. We will change that.” The product improves almost any food where pepper would normally be used for sea - For more information on the selection of teas initially available for EcoCup capsules through Higgins & Burke, visit www.higgins- soning, either directly in cooking or as a table accompaniment. It is available in four burke.com/loose-leaf flavours: Original, Garlic, Chipotle and Mild Curry. Gluten free and GMO free, Maple Pepper tastes great on all savoury food. Advertisers Index

Orion Choco Pie AFPA ...... 6 Elias Honey ...... 44 MNP ...... 40 Bakery on Main ...... 30 Etalex Inc ...... 35 Moccia & Urbani ...... 11 Orion Choco Pie is a soft fluffy biscuit with marshmallow filling, covered in chocolate. With only 120 calo - BC Food Processors Assoc...... 43 General Mills Cda ...... 28 Orkin ...... 34 ries, Orion Choco Pie is a great treat for the whole family. Individual packages make it perfect for on-the- Biro Manufacturing Company ...... 52 Gorp Clean Energy Bar ...... 31 Precision Water Systems ...... 7 go and in lunch boxes for kids. Bosa Foods ...... 51 Halo Metrics Inc ...... 46 Provincial Refrigeration ...... 48 For further information, please contact: [email protected] CafÈ Classics ...... 42 Iceberg Cold Storage Ltd...... 36 SIAL Canada ...... 12 Canda Six Fortune Enterprise Co. Ltd ..10 ID Foods Corporation ...... 14 SIAL Paris ...... OBC Carlton Cards Ltd ...... 22 Investment Agriculture Fdn of BC ...... 44 Sofina Foods ...... IFC New Spice Grinders from Bosa Foods Chep Canada ...... 32 Kaizen Automotive Group ...... 35 TB Concept Inc ...... 49 Cold Star Freight Systems Inc...... 36 Kruger Products ...... 20 TLM Developments ...... 38 Anna’s Country Kitchen spice grinders come in over a dozen varieties , local - ly packed with the highest quality spices from around the world. Beautifully KSL Food Inc ...... 8 LB Emporium ...... 52 Town of Tisdale ...... 11 packaged, these spice grinders are sure to stand out on your shelf! Distrib-u-tec Software ...... 43 Loacker USA ...... 19 Trans-Herbe Inc...... 15 Contact Bosa Foods at www.bosafoods.com Doi Chaang Coffee Co...... 11 Lowe Mechanical Services ...... 49 Tree of Life Canada ...... 16, 24

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