▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ ▲ INSIDE ▲ TAKING THIS ISSUE STOCK by Jeff Metzger Food Trade Jim Donald: We Hardly Knew Ye That Jim Donald will be stepping down as CEO of Albertsons on April Allegiance/PSK Revive 25, seven months after he accepted the position and 13 months after Pathmark Banner With he rejoined the large Boise, ID-based retailer after 27 years, shouldn’t be New Brooklyn, NY Unit surprising. 30 After all, the catalyst for Donald to come back to Albertsons in March 2018 was Bob Miller, then chief executive of the supermarket chain and one of the greatest leaders in the supermarket business of the past 50 years. In the nearly 30 years that I’ve known Jim, he has often mentioned that he’s learned more from Miller (now chairman emeritus) about the grocery business than anybody else. Jim considers him a mentor. So, as Albertsons began the process of attempting to complete a Price Rite Marketplace A PUBLICATION OF BEST-MET PUBLISHING, INC. merger with Rite Aid, Miller called on his old protégé to help run Albert- Revamps Five Discount Supermarkets In CT NVOL. 75 NO. 4 ewsSPECIALTY FOODS ISSUE APRIL 2019 See TAKING STOCK on page 6 32 Donald To Become Co-Chairman Of Large Chain Acme Bullish On ‘19 Initiatives; Sankaran Is Albertsons New CEO It’s been a busy month at Alb- mately 250 suppliers, brokers and weeks. Those stores that will be ertsons, which announced that distributors, was president Jim upgraded are located in: Newark, Jim Donald will be leaving his Perkins. The veteran Albertsons DE; Smyrna, DE; Ogletown, DE; post as president and chief execu- executive, who began with the re- Pike Creek, DE; Mount Freedom, tive April 25 to become co-chair- tailer in 1982 and also serves as a NJ; Woodbury, NJ; Freehold, NJ; man of the company. He will be corporate executive VP, said that and Westmont, NJ. REDNER’S OPENED ITS FIRST FRESH MARKET AT ITS BERKSHIRE Boulevard store in Wyomissing, PA on April 11. The 54,000 square foot replaced by Vivek Sankaran, for- he was optimistic about his com- Perkins listed 12 other Acme unit now features enhanced produce, meats, bakery and prepared foods mer CEO PepsiCo Foods North pany’s 2019 initiatives. units that will be enhanced later as well as a beer & wine bar. At the preview party were Redner’s (l-r) America, who has been appointed The always candid and direct this year including stores in: Up- Gary M. Redner, Alexis Foreman, Ryan Redner, Elaine and Dick Redner to fill those roles. leader said that Acme was be- per Darby, PA; Clifton Heights, and store manager Bill Eschbach. Locally, Acme Markets, one ginning to rebound after a chal- PA; Glenolden, PA: Philadelphia, of Albertsons’ 14 operating di- lenging fourth quarter created by (Woodhaven), PA; West Goshen, April 5 Is Big Day As 5 Martin’s, 1 Giant Debut visions, held its annual vendor lack of weather events (there were PA; Thorndale, PA; Boothwyn, meeting at the SugarHouse Ca- eight snow/ice storms in 2017), PA; Media, PA; Phoenixville, PA; Giant/Martin’s Opens Record Six sino in Philadelphia. Heading ongoing market overstoring and Levittown, PA; Horsham, PA; and the group of executives who ad- the fact that the Eagles did not Rye Brook, NY. With the excep- New Supermarkets On Same Day dressed the group of approxi- play in this year’s Super Bowl tion of the latter store, all other In a first for the company, Gi- earlier this year, are branded Mar- (they won the big prize last year; announced remodels will include ant/Martin’s celebrated the grand tin’s Food Markets and are located Acme is the exclusive supermar- the addition of beer and wine de- openings of six stores in four in Smithsburg, MD; Greencastle, ket retailer for the Eagles). partments. Moreover, 10 other states on April 5. PA; Berryville, VA; Hedgesville, Helping fuel Perkins’ excite- units with yet-to-be announced Five of the stores, which are WV; and Martinsburg, WV. In ment is that Acme has 31 stores former Shop ‘n Save locations addition, Giant/Martin’s refur- See ACME/ALBERTSONS slated for remodeling this year the Carlisle, PA based division See GIANT/MARTIN’S on page 44 including eight in the next six of Ahold Delhaize USA acquired on page 2 Bake Locall, Wante Everywher Available For Your Stores Now! Contact 866.498.2253 Giant/Martin’s Opens Six New Stores In PA, WV, VA, MD On April 5 From page 1 entering new markets where nect with our brand whenever gin extensive remodels before it makes sense and expand- and however they want.” opening on April 5. bished and upgraded a former ing our offerings for our cur- The deal for Giant/Martin’s The retailer has recent- Redner’s store in Warrington, rent customers,” said Nick to acquire the former Shop ly made a series of strategic PA that closed in March 2018. Bertram, president of Giant/ ‘n Save locations was first an- investments to its store fleet The 56,000 square foot store, Martin’s. Along with the re- nounced in November 2018 Pennsylvania, including the which operate under the Gi- cent introduction of our Giant and was part of Supervalu/ first Giant Heirloom Mar- Who ant banner, serves as a re- Heirloom Market in Phila- UNFI’s plan to shed all of its kets in Philadelphia, where placement for a smaller store delphia and our Giant Direct corporately-owned supermar- three additional locations are previously located in nearby e-commerce hub in Lancaster, kets nationally. The deal was planned to open this year, as Jamison, PA. knows? our team has demonstrated a approved by the FTC in early well as new stores opening “These multiple store open- relentless focus on innovation 2019 and the five stores closed this year in East Stroudsburg ings align with our aggressive that allows customers to con- temporarily March 27 to be- and Walnutport communities. long-term growth strategy - Is your next event listed in the Mid-Atlantic food market’s number one calendar of events? Let us know, we’ll let our readers know. We’ll publish your special event listing in the Trade Calendar of Events. Contact Terri Maloney, Editor 410-730-5013 or [email protected] 2 | FOOD TRADE NEWS April 2019 www.best-met.com ✹ Cinco de Mayo is the 4th biggest selling holiday of the year for Tortillas and Salsa!* ✹ TORTIYAHS! are growing: +92% vs. YAGO!* ✹ In market FSI on ‘YAHS April 28th! ✹ New hutch available for incremental sales support! K FO LOO R C ! OM AY * Total US – 52 wk IRI 3/24/19 ING IN M Utz® Quality Foods, LLC Follow us online! 900 High Street, Hanover, PA 17331 1-800-FOR-SNAX www.utzsnacks.com @UtzSnacks @UtzSnacks www.best-met.com April 2019 FOOD TRADE NEWS | 3 spirit. For every Sunday home kets presented a $102,500 dona- disruption despite the growth in thought process is that they need game, customers who wear their tion to the American Heart Asso- the food industry. He questioned to have products at different price Phillies gear while doing their gro- ciation (AHA) in support of their what sets specialty foods apart, points so every person can afford cery shopping will receive a 5 per- in-store “Life is Why We Give” with the expected answer being to come to Eataly, hence stocking cent discount on qualifying pur- program, which raised funds in innovation, style, better ingredi- pasta at $2 per bag and $5 per bag. chases that total $20 or more, and the fight against heart disease ents and most importantly a per- Eataly has more than 30 locations officially licensed MLB Phillies and stroke. This donation was son behind the brand. He asked worldwide. If you haven’t visited merchandise will be available at all generated through customer con- that entrepreneurs refrain from one, do yourself a favor and treat Giant Food Stores in our region. tributions during a two-week, in- using the word, “artisanal” as big yourself to this unique experience. Later this month, Giant’s bakery store fundraising program during brands like McDonalds are now After a break where vendors with specialists will go head-to-head American Heart Month in Feb- using them. After all the stats and Italian products served up some to see who can decorate the best ruary. Weis stores raised nearly categories were reviewed, the key tasty snacks, Kevin Ryan of the Phanatic birthday cake (a very im- $92,000, and a corporate contri- takeaways were that specialty food International Corporate Chefs As- Soup to Nutz portant birthday in Philly) and for bution rounded up the donation is present in every channel, grow- sociation shared his thoughts on By Maria Maggio the first time, Giant’s social media to $102,500. “We are extremely ing by 6 percent annually; with emerging trends in specialty food fans will choose the winner. Giant grateful to our customers for their the food service sector growing retail. He reported growth in Ital- is also returning as the sponsor of generosity in support of our inau- fastest, and online growth still un- ian cuisine in restaurants especial- Spring brings us flowers, warm- the Phanatic MVP Club. Young gural “Life is Why We Give” in- der 10 percent. Dino Borri, VP of ly in the demand for charcuterie er weather, rain and my personal people ages 14 and under are in- store campaign in support of the global partnerships at Eataly, had and regional Italian selections like favorite, baseball.