Last week, Metro Inc. said improved sales of fresh food led to a 4.3 per cent increase in same-store sales during its third quarter. Overall sales for the Montreal-based grocery retailer climbed 6.1 per cent to around USD $2.9 billion during this time.

“Our constant striving to stay on top of consumers’ needs and our investments in our retail network allowed us to increase sales in a highly competitive market,” notes the company.

Additionally, its gross margin as a percent of sales increased to 19.8 per cent, up from 18.9 per cent in last year’s third quarter. This was primarily attributable to the acquisition of specialty bakery Première Moisson as well as higher sales of fresh products. Also, net earnings were USD $126.1 million, an improvement by 13.1 per cent in the quarter.

New research that reveals the extent and cost of iodine deficiency among pregnant women has been released out of the U.K. These findings underscore the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s (CRN’s) call to include this vital nutrient in prenatal vitamins.

Iodine deficiency is the number one cause of preventable brain damage and mental retardation in children. Even mild deficiency during pregnancy is associated with lower IQ, making this supplement imperative in achieving well-rounded prenatal health.

According to a study published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, pregnant women in the U.K. who take iodine supplements compared to those who do not can save the National Health Services about £200 in direct costs. Moreover, they can save the larger society £4,476 per child over their lifetime of earning and in public sector costs.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham suggest that the findings—which are based on clinical data from eight studies that compare the impact of iodine deficiency in pregnant women on their child’s IQ and income—are not restricted to the U.K. Their work shows that approximately 1.88 billion people live in 32 countries with iodine deficiency.

These findings also echo the CRN’s published guidelines that all manufacturers of prenatal supplements include at least 150 mcg of iodine in their daily products. Many CRN member companies already comply with this guidance, but approximately 50 per cent of prenatal vitamins still do not contain iodine.

Suzanne Norwitz, CEO and founder of Maya Chia Beauty, has built a skincare line and business that bridges the natural connection between commerce and philanthropy.

The all-natural, non-toxic beauty line is formulated with 100% natural, non-GMO Omega-3 Chia oil. The oil is extracted using the company’s unique supercritical extraction process, which ensures that the oil remains of the best, purest, most stable, effective, and potent quality.

Maya’s products are also free from harsh chemical sulfates, parabens, petrochemicals, phthalates, and colorants. Additionally, due to their chia-based formula, they are packed with the highest concentration of omega fatty acids of any plant source.

However, the brand isn’t just focused on the holistic health benefits of the superfood; Maya Chia gives 10 per cent of its net sales to the Guatemalan Maya people, where chia has been a staple food for thousands of years.

“Having a brand that is authentic is critical to just feeling good about yourself and the product that you’re putting out, and consumers feel the same way,” says Norwitz. “Our brand is based on giving back to the Mayas, as well as turning out the best possible product there is that we can get a hold of.”

Amin Maredia has been named the CEO of Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. Maredia, 43, previously acted as the organic grocery chain’s CFO.

With this change, Maredia has replaced former president and CEO Doug Sanders, who will now act as chairman of the board. Additionally, Jim Nielsen, Sprouts’ COO since 2011, will now also act as president, while Suzanne Livingston, vice-president of investor relations and treasury, will act as an interim CFO.

The grocery retailer announced these moves earlier this month. Diego Romero, a spokesman for Sprouts, notes that these changes had been in the works for a while. He also says that Sanders will continue to be involved with the company’s business and operations.

“During their respective tenures at Sprouts, both Amin and Jim have proven they are the right leaders to guide Sprouts,” adds chairman of the board Andrew Jhawar. “Doug’s appointment to the executive chairman role will [also] allow him to continue to provide strategic direction for the company.”

NBTY, Inc., a global leader in vitamins, nutritional supplements and sports nutrition, has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Dr. Organic, a leading naturally inspired skincare line in the UK. The deal is expected to close later this year.

Founded in 2008, Dr. Organic combines nature’s finest ingredients with the latest skincare science to ensure that each active component remains as pure, powerful and effective in the finished product as the day it was sourced. All of the brand’s products are free from parabens, sodium lauryl sulfate, perfumes, artificial fragrances, petrochemicals, genetically modified organisms, animal ingredients and animal testing.

The company’s product portfolio includes some of the best-selling and most sought-after personal care products, including Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo, Manuka Honey Body Butter, Coconut Oil Moisture Melt and Organic Snail Gel.

“We are extremely enthusiastic about the strategic acquisition of Dr. Organic. We have a tremendous opportunity to expand our health and wellness portfolio and to broaden the distribution of these highly regarded products,” says NBTY president and CEO Steve Cahillane. “We believe the acquisition will allow us to accelerate NBTY’s entry into the mass-market beauty and skincare category … an area which we believe can be an important growth engine for our business.”

To rise above the difficulties stemming from a recent period of weak dietary supplement sales, Vitamin Shoppe is setting its sights on functional foods and personal care products.

“As expected, Q2 sales continued to be impacted by ongoing industry softness,” said Vitamin Shoppe CEO Colin Watts in a call with analysts. “As a result, total comps were down 1.1 per cent in the quarter. The actions we undertook to improve overall profitability did not entirely mitigate the slower revenue trends.”

Vitamin Shoppe’s new plan to revamp its marketing strategy includes a stronger focus on its online marketing model and higher margin as well as to bring in more in-demand products like personal care and on-the-go foods.

According to Watts, “This past June, we commissioned a team of internal leaders here at the Vitamin Shoppe to collaborate with one of the most respected retail reinvention firms in the industry to begin what will be about a year-long project to research, test, design, and develop a bold new direction for the Vitamin Shoppe to return our business to strong future growth to truly get us back to where we once belonged.”

Vancouver-based supermarket chain Choices Market continues to grow within Canada with plans to open a new production and warehouse facility in Burnaby, B.C. and a new store in Abbotsford, B.C. bring its total store count to 10.

At the moment, the chain operates eight stores and stands apart from other mass grocers by focusing on natural and organic foods.

The new production facility, which encompasses a total of 20,000-sq.-ft. and is more than double the size of the company’s previous Richmond location, will help Choices focus more on its line of prepared foods and breads that will be shipped to stores on a regular basis.

Ishkander Ahmed, CEO of Choices, told Canadian Grocer, “This move will ultimately allow us an even greater variety of fresh products in all of our stores. It started off as a factory outlet, and then we thought we can’t just do a factory outlet if we want to call it a Choices, because people coming in are going to expect a bit more. So it’s become a mini retail Choices store that has the smatterings of all our departments including health care.”

The latest expansion move from Choices is expected to bring in more business from surrounding suburb and the large industrial parks in the area.

Choices was founded in December 1990 by brothers Wayne and Lloyd Lockhart. The store continues to compete with larger chains and to satisfy customers by providing rewards programs and an in-house nutritionist.

The Canadian government has set out to be the first country in North and South America to ban microbeads in beauty and skin care products.

Since last week, microbeads are now officially listed as a toxic substance and governed under greater regulation following the Canadian government’s move to publish an order as part of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.

Microbeads are most commonly found in facial and body scrubs as an exfoliant but mounting evidence has shown that this non-biodegradable material has been polluting bodies of water throughout North America.

Dr. K. Kellie Leitch, Canada’s Minister of Labour and Minister on the Status of Women said in an official statement, “Bannin microbeads from personal care products will help us to continue protecting the environment for present and future generations. We will continue to take action to keep Canada’s lakes and rovers clean, and put the priorities of Canadians first.”

The next step for he Canadian government is to ban microbeads by passing regulations that would forbid the manufacture, import and sales of any personal care product containing the plastic.

Following A&P’s announcement to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July, the grocery store operator is now expected to notify all of its employees of impending layoffs.

As a result of facing increasingly tough competition, A&P will be selling off its 297 stores and letting go of approximately 28,500 employees.

Last Monday, Judge Robert Drain who is presiding over the bankruptcy case, granted approval for A&P to auction off 118 store locations and to close the remaining 25 stores. The sale of the 118 stores could total $600 million and names like Acme Markets, Stop & Shop, and Key Foods are currently suspected to be “stalking horse” bidders for those locations.

According to a number of union sources, A&P will be issuing Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) to all of its employees, which will include all of the members in stores that are sold and in stores that scheduled to close or not yet sold.

The federal WARN act entails that employers must provide a 60-days notice in advance of facility closings and mass layoffs.

Canada’s largest retail pharmacy chain Shoppers Drug Mart has launched an online beauty section. Now, Canadians have 24-hour access to a wide selection of beauty brands by easily navigating through the retailer’s new beautyBOUTIQUE.ca.

In a press release from Shoppers Drug Mart President Mike Motz, he explained that, “In addition to having access to a large assortment of beauty products online, customers can earn Optimum points with every purchase. We wanted to ensure that our customer would get the same great experience in-store and online — anytime, anywhere, through any channel.”

Visitors to the site can find the product they are interested in by searching through the site’s easy-to-use categories that include brands, fragrances, makeup, skincare and nails. Purchases over $75 include free shipping while delivery times will average between two to six days.

The new online shopping site is a reflection Shoppers Drug Mart’s effort to compete with other specialized beauty and personal care retailers. The brands featured on the new site are highlighted in a visual and educational way while users have quick access to their beauty shopping needs through their phone or tablet.

To promote the new venture through social media, the retailer has also released the hashtag #BRINGBEAUTYHOME.

“The vision of beautyBOUTIQUE.ca was to create a unique online retail experience, all while keeping three things in mind – accessibility and reach, convenience through digital and brand assortment,” says Cathy Masson, vice president Category Management, Shoppers Drug Mart. “We wanted to ensure that our customer would get the same great experience in-store and online – anytime, anywhere, through any channel.”