Nine former Whole Foods store managers filed a class-action lawsuit in D.C. Superior Court, which claims they were wrongfully terminated and defamed after they blew the whistle on “a nation-wide, corporate practice throughout Whole Foods stores that deprived employees of earned bonuses under the Whole Foods ‘Gainsharing’ program.”

Each plaintiff, whose tenures range from nine to 25 years with the company, is seeking $25 million in damages.

Whole Foods has not responded to any requests for comment.

According to the lawsuit, the Gainsharing program is designed to distribute the surplus of any departments coming in under budget among the employees. The program was undermined by a corporate practice of shifting labour costs, where an over-performing department had to shift their incentive to an under-performing department to cover costs—therefore losing their bonus.

According to the lawsuit, during the Whole Foods investigation that followed an employee’s complaint of the practice, the plaintiffs refused to adopt talking points that the practice of shifting labour costs was isolated to a few stores, and were subsequently fired.

Loblaw Companies Limited has announced plans to reduce its carbon footprint 20 per cent by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030. Currently, the company ranks among Canada’s top energy users, due to its extensive retail network and trucking fleet.

Now, Loblaw will enact an action plan focused on energy-efficient stores and distribution centres, fuel-efficient transportation, and managing refrigerants and organic waste diversion.

“At Loblaw, we recognize the growing environmental, social and business impact of greenhouse gas emissions,” says Galen G. Weston, executive chairman and president of Loblaw. “As one of Canada’s largest energy users, we are committed to being part of the solution. We will deliver carbon-reduction in line with our nation’s targets and demonstrate, along with other forward-looking Canadian companies, that these goals can be achieved without sacrificing economic growth.”

Since 2011, Loblaw has initiated a variety of carbon reduction measures. These include centralized energy management, lighting conversions, methods to control refrigerant leaks, equipment upgrades, and improvements to truck aerodynamics and fuel use.

The company plans to achieve the full 30 per cent reduction through the installation of new refrigeration systems that use carbon dioxide as a refrigerant, the calibration and optimization of energy management systems, and the reduction of waste to landfill.

By 2030, Loblaw plans to have reduced its electricity consumption by 35 per cent, transportation by 25 per cent, and refrigerants by 50 per cent. Additionally, it will improve waste diversion to 80 per cent in stores and 95 per cent in distribution centres.

In a time where environmental care is at the forefront of everyone’s consciousness, retailers must take action to reduce their carbon footprint. Consider revamping your business’s environmental initiatives to help make a difference.

In tandem with record levels of consumer demand for probiotics in 2016, Ganeden has announced year-end numbers confirming its leadership in the healthy bacteria industry. The functional ingredient supplier affirms its success with record numbers of launches, continued innovation in clinical studies, an expanded patent portfolio, additional certifications and international growth. A review of the probiotic company’s recent accomplishments shows success in multiple categories:

1. Product Launches & Partnerships

Currently, Ganeden’s flagship probiotic ingredient, GanedenBC30®, can be found in more than 550 probiotic food, beverage and companion animal product SKUs worldwide — making it one of the top probiotic ingredient options globally. The company kicked of 2016 with partners launching more than 60 new SKUs at Natural Products’ Expo West, and that growth continued through the following months with an additional 75+ SKUs launched at the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) expo. As of December, there has been more than 200 new probiotic launches in 2016, which also include personal care products launched with Bonicel, Ganeden’s probiotic-derived skincare ingredient shown to reduce six signs of aging.

2. Clinical Studies, Patents & Certifications

The benefits and efficacy of Ganeden’s probiotic ingredients, including GanedenBC30 and Bonicel, are backed by 24 published and peer-reviewed studies. Ganeden’s most recent studies confirm the positive effects GanedenBC30 has on the utilization of both animal and plant-based proteins. Additional studies are currently underway. Ganeden’s ingredients are also supported by over 130 issued patents and numerous certifications. Most recently, GanedenBC30 became Non-GMO Project verified, leading the way for ingredient suppliers to receive this notable designation.

3. International Growth

GanedenBC30 is approved for use in 58 countries worldwide, and has already been shipped to more than 36 of these countries. This year, the probiotic company expanded its sales and marketing teams by adding 6 professionals in 4 different countries.

4. Sales Overview

With worldwide brand recognition and a larger international presence, Ganeden’s 2016 sales numbers boasted over a 56% increase compared to 2015 — making it the company’s most successful year to date. “We have always felt confident in our science-backed ingredients and strategic business approach, but it is extremely rewarding to see it reflected in the numbers and overall growth,” said Mike Bush, president of Ganeden. “As a company, we are extremely passionate about the probiotic space and appreciate to the opportunity to serve as innovative leaders and educators for the industry.”

About Ganeden

Ganeden is at the forefront of probiotic research and product development with an extensive library of published studies and more than 130 patents for probiotic technologies in the food, beverage, animal health, sports nutrition and personal care ingredients markets. Ganeden is best known for GanedenBC30® (Bacillus coagulans GBI-30, 6086), its patented, FDA GRAS, non-GMO, highly stable probiotic ingredient. Ganeden’s newest ingredient, Bonicel, is the first science-backed, probiotic-derived, personal care ingredient shown to dramatically reduce signs of aging. For more information about Ganeden and licensing opportunities, visit GanedenProbiotics.com.

LifeAid, known for its foregoing of traditional retail channels, will now work with select natural and conventional grocers.

Originally, co-founders Orion Melehan and Aaron Hinde decided to sell their goods in gyms, at golf courses and online. However, the company has now confirmed that it will sell four of its products at Whole Foods, Sprouts, Wegman’s, and Safeway.

In addition to this, LifeAid is also set to become the Official Recovery Beverage of the 2017 and 2018 Crossfit Games, according to BevNet. Co-founder Hinde told BevNet that this partnership has allowed the company to expand internationally, with its goods now selling in 22 countries.

As of now, 70 per cent of the brand’s sales are online. Melehan told BevNet that the company is currently selling 10 million cans a year, with growth forecasted to double annually over three years.

The company’s product selection is comprised of six different lines: FitAid, FocusAid, LifeAid, PartyAid, TravelAid, and GolferAid. FitAid and GolferAid focus on the athletic market; FocusAid is aimed at students and office workers; LifeAid is marketed as a daily supplement drink; PartyAid is meant for crowds at concerts or sports events; and TravelAid helps to soothe nervous flyers and boost the immune system. For more information, visit LifeAid’s website at lifeaidbevco.com.

According to Acosta’s latest “The Why? Behind the Buy” report, retailers that are able to provide robust digital offerings are the most likely to win over Millennial shoppers.

This is especially prevalent in the grocery business, says Acosta’s Senior VP, Colin Stewart. He notes that the typical grocery store has been set up in the same way since the 1960s.

“As I’ve talked to retailers recently, they’re all trying to figure out, how do I get shoppers into the store? How do I get them to buy more once they’re there? How do I get them to be loyal to me the retailer and come back?” He says. “I think a lot them are recognizing that the experience has a lot of do with that.”

Stewart notes that Millennial shoppers are a very “experiential” group, something that retailers must cater to if they wish to attract younger shoppers. According to Stewart, integrating digital into the store will greatly aid in this.

“When you look at the numbers, obviously Millennials outrank any other generation on just about anything to do with digital and shopping, whether that’s looking up prices, looking up product ingredients, [or] looking up reviews on products,” adds Stewart. “But I think it’s really almost just an expectation of Millennials that there’s going to be some sort of way that they can use that device in their hand.”

When it comes to online grocery capabilities, 64 per cent of Millennials said they shop online at least once a month. Additionally, they are more likely to try meal kit delivery services, with around sixty per cent of Millennials having tried these options.

Moreover, offering interactive in-store initiatives may also be the way into the Millennial mind. Acosta’s data shows that forty-five percent of these shoppers want to take cooking classes.

With all of this in mind, consider making your storefront more interactive for your younger customers. By creating an “experiential” and digital shopping service, you’ll be able to attract Millennials—and keep them coming back for more.

With this year’s developments in the natural health products industry, Prime Nutrisource, a Scarborough-based business, is keeping local parliament close. Last Friday, the pharmaceutical company invited Shaun Chen to visit its manufacturing facility.

The MP was treated to a tour of the company’s space, where he learned about the manufacturing process—as well as about the neutraceuticals industry, itself.

“With everything going on in the industry right now, especially with Health Canada’s concerns about regulating our products, it is extremely important that we keep parliament involved,” says Ken Dixon, general manager. “MPs must stay involved with our industry—by getting them talking about natural products, we are benefitting everyone.”

So, consider getting into contact with your local MP. By getting a conversation started about the industry, you may be able to influence real change.

Last week, Kroger announced that it would offer voluntary retirement buyouts to 2,000 of its non-store employees. This decision comes in support of the company’s “Customer 1st” strategy, which will help to reduce costs in areas not affecting the customer experience.

“Kroger would not be the successful company it is today without the incredible efforts of all of our associates. We believe a generous voluntary retirement offering is in line with our company values and recognizes the long careers many of our associates have had with Kroger,” says CEO Rodney McMullen. “Kroger is committed to our operating model of lowering costs to invest in the areas that matter most to our customers.”

Due to the program’s voluntary nature, savings and cost will depend on the number of associates who accept the offer. This initiative will be available until early March.

Any expenses related to the offer will be reflected in the company’s first quarter results for 2017. The announcement comes on the heels of weakening sales Kroger, which recently posted its lowest quarterly sales gain in 13 years.

Sobeys has reported a “very disappointing” fiscal second quarter, according to parent company Empire Cos. The company is still struggling with the aftereffects of its Safeway Canada acquisition, and has seen a drop in profits due to sales declines and costs associated with structural changes.

“These challenges simply reinforce the need for a renewed focus on our business transformation efforts, as well as a significant expansion and acceleration of efforts to reduce costs and complexity throughout our organization,” says François Vimard, Empire’s interim president and CEO.

The grocer notes that it has asked outside consultants to help sort out changes that must be made to the business. All recommendations will be discussed before Sobeys reports its fourth quarter results.

Sobeys has been experiencing these challenges since its $5.8 billion acquisition of Safeway Canada in 2013. After closing, Sobeys was left with hundreds of stores in Western Canada. However, integration issues led to supply challenges, while downturn in the oil and gas markets in the regions led to decreased profits.

Second quarter sales decreased by 2.1 per cent and identical store sales fell by 2.6 per cent, primarily due to struggles in Western Canada. Comps excluding Western Canada were down by 1.2 per cent. Adjusted net earnings for the period crashed by 70.3 per cent to $32.9 million on $5.9 billion in sales.