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Loblaw Companies Limited moves forward with plans to electrify fleet with the introduction of Freightliner eCascadia

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The company took an important step on its journey to move its corporately-owned trucking fleet to electric vehicles, with the introduction of Daimler Trucks North America’s (DTNA) battery-electric Freightliner eCascadia to routes in British Columbia. The company first trialed the eCascadia in early 2020 as part of Freightliner’s Customer Experience (CX) fleet. Loblaw has placed an initial order for five vehicles to be delivered in 2022/2023.

Loblaw will continue to utilize the CX fleet eCascadia for the next three months in and around the South Surrey, B.C. area. Typical routes the eCascadia runs include distances between 160km to 250km, primarily hauling grocery and other retail products from the company’s distribution center to stores. Data generated from the daily operations will help inform the continual development of electric vehicles.

“With approximately 10,000 deliveries to and from our stores each week, we understand the impact our fleet has on the environment. We know that through our own actions, we can play a critical role in helping Canada reach its carbon reduction targets,” said Brian Springer, Vice President, Transport Operations, Loblaw Companies Limited. “Over the past few years, we have worked closely with our partners to reach our goal of fully electrifying our corporate fleet by 2030. Our partnership with the Daimler Trucks North America’s eMobility group is an important piece in that overall commitment.”

In January of 2020, Loblaw participated in a demonstration of the eCascadia, loaded to 80,000 pounds of gross weight. Overall impressions were positive, and leadership saw the immediate potential for electric vehicle usage in operations. One in five Loblaw trips run about 150 km from a distribution center, which easily fits within the production eCascadia’s planned 400 km range capability.

“As always, collaboration with our customers is critical to understanding how commercial battery electric trucks will be part of a long-term solution in CO2-neutral transportation,” said David Carson, senior vice president of sales & marketing at Daimler Trucks North America. “We are excited for Loblaw’s trial and for feedback that aids in the purposeful innovation of our electric vehicles.”

World Gym Commemorates 45th Anniversary With A Global Exercise Event On July 31

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The iconic gym brand is commemorating its 45th Anniversary with a Global Group Exercise event called, “Gorilla Week Goes Global” on Saturday, July 31st. World Gym locations across six continents will be entertaining their Group Exercise special event to mark the anniversary. Gyms will be posting photos and videos on their social media channels with #GorillaWeekGoesGlobal. To see members participating globally, fans can follow this hashtag. Australia will kick off the event and it will end on the West Coast of the United States.

“World Gym has always fostered a special sense of camaraderie and togetherness in the gym,” said CEO Lewis Stanton. “This special event is a way for our members in over 220 gyms on six continents to share in that camaraderie on a truly global scale.”

In July and August, Gorilla Week Goes Global, a check-in challenge for members, caps off the first annual Gorilla Games. During Gorilla Week, all World Gym’s exercise classes are amped up to Beast Mode. That cycling class pushes members harder, that dance class pumps it a little extra and those HIIT classes burn just a few more calories. Participating gyms will provide prizes for winners.

Kroger Announces Leadership Changes

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Steve McKinney, SVP, announces retirement; Valerie Jabbar, GVP, is named as successor.

After more than 40 years of distinguished service, effective August 7, Steve McKinney, senior vice president of retail divisions,  will be succeeded by Valerie Jabbar, currently, group vice president of center store merchandising.

Steve McKinney, Senior Vice President, Announces Retirement McKinney launched his career with Kroger in 1981 as a clerk for Florida Choice Supermarkets, a former Kroger banner. While there, he proceeded to store manager, buyer and field rep before moving to Fry’s Food Stores, he held several leadership posts before becoming vice president of operations in 1998.

McKinney also worked as vice president of operations for the Southwest division and vice president of operations for the Ralphs division. He was named president of the Fry’s division in 2013 before assuming his current role as senior vice president of retail divisions in 2018. (zolpidem)

“Steve is an accomplished leader who has inspired generations of associates to achieving excellence while mentoring many into leadership positions. As a leader who worked in numerous positions and took on new responsibilities, he also committed to the mentoring and development of any associate interested and willing to grow with the company,” says Rodney McMullen, Kroger’s chairman and CEO. “We thank Steve for his dedication throughout the years and wish him all the best in retirement.”

Valerie Jabbar, Group Vice President of Center Store Merchandising, Named Senior Vice President Jabbar, currently group vice president of center store merchandising, will succeed McKinney, upon his retirement.

Jabbar joined the company at Fry’s as a store clerk in 1987. She held several leadership roles at Fry’s before moving to the Mid-Atlantic division in 2012 to serve as vice president of merchandising. In 2013, she was named vice president of merchandising for the Ralphs division and was then promoted to president of that division in July 2016. She was promoted to group vice president of merchandising in 2018 before being named to her current role as group vice president of center store merchandising in 2019.

In this new role, Jabbar will oversee several retail divisions across the company.

“Valerie is a dedicated leader who provides strong results through her passion for people – both associates and customers. Her proven success of building highly motivated teams and executing with excellence will foster energy and commitment to continue delivering a full, fresh and friendly experience for every customer in the divisions she will lead,” says Mary Ellen Adcock, Kroger’s senior vice president of operations. “Valerie’s 34 years of experience with the company bring a deep understanding of the business and will provide yet another valuable perspective among our senior leadership team.” 

Jabbar is a board member for the Network of Executive Women. She was twice recognized by Progressive Grocer as a Top Women in Grocery recipient, first in 2012 as a Rising Star and most recently, in 2021, as a Senior-level Executive. In 2018, she was named West Woman of the Year by the Shelby Report, received the California Conference for Equality and Justice Humanitarian Award, and was designated as the USC Marshall School of Business Food Industry Executive Program Executive in Residence. 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) related developments update

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Demanding, but worth every effort.
Be prepared for the upcoming digital challenges, I have summarized a list of SEO practices to look out for.
The billboard chart of the most relevant SEO Trends:
Artificial Intelligence Will Decide The Rankings
• RankBrain, Google’s AI algorithm, is an important factor to rank in SERPs. There is no specific information on how RankBrain functions.  It helps Google interpret queries by finding pages that are relevant but may not have the exact keywords used in the queries. One of the best ways to optimize your SEO for RankBrain is by organizing the content on your page.
• BERT was rolled out in Google’s search system in October 2019 for English-language queries. BERT algorithm will help Google better understand the intent behind users’ search queries. It aims to provide relevant results by understanding natural language. BERT will impact 10% of searches, so there are chances it will also affect your brand’s visibility. Again, great content will be rewarded!
• Discover, Google’s AI-driven tool identifies user behavioural patterns & gradually learns these habits. The information collected is used to find the most accurate content that the users will be interested in. Wondering what you can do? Nothing! If Google indexes your page, your content is included.
The Shift To Mobile-First Indexing
• Almost 70% of the sites shown in Google’s search results have shifted to mobile-first indexing. Since September 2020, Google has officially switched to mobile-first indexing. To ensure your page is mobile-friendly, use the Mobile-Friendly Test Tool offered by Google.
Content Strategy Tips.
• Wish to create quality content for your business? Follow the EAT principle (expertise,
authoritativeness, and trustworthiness) while you craft your content strategy. It helps to build a positive online presence and ensures that the user is protected from fraud & low-quality content.
• To rank higher in Google & to keep your users engaged, we recommend focusing on quality long-form content (3000+ words). Steps to create engaging long-form content include breaking the content into sections, adding headings and sub-headings, researching the topic in-depth, creating a content outline, etc.
Local SEO Gains Importance
• Local SEO is evolving rapidly due to the rise of zero-click searches. Zero-click searches are results that are shown at the top of Google’s first page so that the user doesn’t have to open a link. Wish to get started with local SEO? Create a GMB (Google My Business) page!
• A Featured Snippet aims to answer a search query & is located at or near the top of a Google SERP. It is a great way to reach the first page of search results. Having a presence inside the PAA (People Also Ask) box is also an effective way to rank on the first page of the search results.
Focus On User Search Intent
• Semantic Search is gradually gaining importance because Google now analyzes the query
context and tries to understand a user’s search intent to provide more relevant information. Wish to deal with Semantic Search? Create content that answers a question that your potential customers would pose.
• Google urges proper labelling & optimization of images. It is the right time to optimize or recheck the images on your website. We recommend using good quality & relevant images. Also, customize the file name & label the photos properly so that the displayed images are in line with the content on the page.
Other Ways To Optimize Keywords
• Voice Search Technology is popular enough to consider it an important ranking factor. Using the keywords that consumers use regularly for voice search can be useful to drive traffic to your site.
• YouTube has millions of users. You must create video content to reach out to your potential customers. To get started, type your video’s topic and study the results that appear. This will give you a list of keywords and tell you precisely what people on YouTube are looking for.
Be Data-Driven
• Data science helps you to understand buyers and create targeted messages. Analytics can help you verify which URLs are getting crawled, check page loading time, indexing, response errors, and more. Staying updated with the data and analytics related to your business gives you an edge over your competitors.
The right SEO tools can guide you to prepare a smart SEO strategy & help you stay on top of the rankings.
If you are on the lookout for SEO on your own website or your clients, we can be the right fit. Just connect with us and our experts will assist you further.

GreenSpace Resumes Sales to Canada’s Second Largest Retailer

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In late 2020, due to working capital challenges at the time, the Company voluntarily withdrew its products from this strategic retail customer.  Recent improvements in both working capital and inventory levels have enabled the Company to once again properly service this important customer, resuming distribution of key product ranges across Canada.

“We welcome the resumption of our business with this important Canadian retailer,” says Shawn Warren, President and CEO of GreenSpace Brands Inc.  “We are excited to drive merchandising excellence and ensure our high-quality organic and plant-based products are more widely-available for their shoppers and our consumers to enjoy.  We look forward to collaborating and driving growth programs across their retail store formats and their fast-growing online store, which currently reach over 2.4 million Canadian shoppers daily.”

Natural Grocers Introduces GardenBox, Its First Organic Hydroponic Farm To Supply Hyperlocal, Fresh Produce To Its Communities

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Rooted in Fresh™ initiative to provide year-round organic greens grown on site.

Natural GrocersTM, America’s Organic Headquarters®, is bringing local hydroponic, organic produce grown just steps away from its customers with the launch of its new hydroponic GardenBoxTM. The pilot program, which takes place at its Green Mountain store in Lakewood, CO, grows an array of organic leafy greens that travel just 82 steps from hydroponic garden to customer. GardenBox delivers a trifecta of value to customers: living produce with roots intact for a longer shelf life and better flavor, certified organic by Where Food Comes From Organic (WFCFO), and the Clean Hydroponic Produce seal—at Natural Grocers’ Always AffordableSM prices.

A variety of GardenBox lettuces such as Hampton, Brentwood, Alkindus, Tropicana, Muir, Marciano, and Truchas will be sold at the Green Mountain (Lakewood, CO) store beginning July 7, 2021. All GardenBox greens will be priced at $1.99 per head.

ENTER THE BACKYARD FARM
On the outside, the GardenBox looks like a regular shipping container—it’s inside the GardenBox where the seed-to-salad magic happens. The indoor garden climate is carefully controlled with innovative technology designed to regulate the amount of water, light, and nutrients needed to optimize the growth and nutritional value of the greens.

ENHANCED SUSTAINABILITY
Natural Grocers has adopted hydroponic farming practices that prioritize the sustainability and quality of GardenBox greens. Certified Organic seeds are germinated in organic-friendly peat and coconut husk, where roots develop before being transferred to the vertical, space-saving system. The GardenBox hydroponic process uses significantly less water than outdoor agricultural methods. Nutrient-rich water trickles across the roots throughout the growing process and can be adjusted as needed. Living produce is harvested daily, walked from the garden to the produce aisle. 

ROOTED IN FRESH, ADVENTUROUS IN FLAVOR
Offering Natural Grocers customers varieties of leafy greens not typically found in other grocery stores is another advantage GardenBox delivers. GardenBox’s Rooted in Fresh quality means the roots remain intact so that they stay fresh and crisp longer and some produce may get even sweeter when roots are kept in water after harvesting.

TWO SEALS ARE BETTER THAN ONE
Consistent with the company’s founding principles, Natural Grocers seeks to ensure the highest level of transparency and quality with two GardenBox certifications: Where Food Comes From Organic (WFCFO) and Clean Hydroponic Produce established by the Alliance for Sustainable Hydroponics. Together, these two certifications honor the company’s commitment to sell only Certified Organic produce and to ensure customers know how their food is grown. Natural Grocers will be participating in scientific research studies on nutrient density and energy use as part of the Clean Hydroponic Produce Standards certification.

“Natural Grocers has been committed to selling fresh, 100% organic produce from day one as a way for us to support our communities and our planet,” said Co-President Kemper Isely. “This next step—of sustainably growing organic and clean hydroponic produce ourselves, on site, and harvested fresh for our store every morning—truly speaks to that commitment and to who we are as a company. We can’t wait for our hometown community to taste produce that was grown literally right outside our store.”

Visit Natural Grocers’ Green Mountain store located at 12612 W Alameda Pkwy, Lakewood, CO to experience the GardenBox greens. To learn more about GardenBox’s planting, growing and harvesting process visit Natural Grocers’ GardenBox page.

GET TO KNOW GARDENBOX

  • CERTIFIED ORGANIC: Only USDA Certified Organic seeds are planted in organic-friendly peat and coconut husk, which do not contain any synthetic fertilizers or synthetic pesticide residues and are naturally non-GMO to support the health of the planet. All varieties grown in the GardenBox are certified organic by Where Food Comes From Organic.
  • EFFICIENCY: Up to 4,000 heads of leafy greens can be grown every month—in only 320 square feet.
  • SUSTAINABILITY: GardenBox’s hydroponic process uses significantly less water than outdoor agricultural methods.
  • NUTRIENT DENSITY: Throughout the growing process, nutrient-rich water trickles across the roots to deliver organic-friendly, essential plant nutrients for growth, and a rich mix of trace elements such as magnesium, cobalt, and molybdenum and many chelated micronutrients, such as copper, manganese, zinc, and iron.
  • QUALITY CONTROL: Nutrients are adjusted continually to maximize the nutrient density of GardenBox’s leafy greens.
  • INNOVATION: Full-spectrum LED lights mimic optimum sunlight exposure to grow greens all year long.
  • HYPERLOCAL: Transportation distance is measured in steps, not miles—82 steps to be exact.

Pipeline Foods Voluntarily Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

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The company announced that it and certain subsidiaries and affiliates (collectively, the “Company” or “Pipeline Foods”) have filed voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the “Bankruptcy Court”).

Details on the Company’s Chapter 11 process and go-forward strategy are as follows:

Continued Operations: The Company will be filing customary motions with the Bankruptcy Court that will authorize, upon Bankruptcy Court approval, the Company’s ability to operate within a cash collateral budget, including, among other things, the payment of employee wages and benefits without interruption and the use of cash collateral. These motions are typical in the Chapter 11 process and the Company anticipates that they will be approved shortly after the commencement of its Chapter 11 case.

Evaluation of Strategic Alternatives to Maximize Value: The Company will continue its pre-filing efforts to evaluate any and all strategic alternatives, including a sale of all or substantially all of the assets of its businesses in an effort to maximize value and recovery for all creditors. In parallel with this process, the Company expects to request authority to sell its grain inventory outside of the ordinary course at market prices in an effort to facilitate the Company’s use of cash collateral.

First Hearing: The first hearing has been scheduled for July 14th, 2021.

Anthony Sepich, Chief Executive Officer of Pipeline Foods, LLC, said, “[t]he impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic coupled with the Company’s secured debt obligations have caused significant financial distress on our business. As a result, we believe that a bankruptcy filing and a potential sale of the business, portions of the business, and certain of its assets is the best path forward to unlock value for the benefit of all creditors. I would like to thank all of our employees, growers, customers, and business partners for their dedication and continued support through these unprecedented times.”

Pipeline Foods is represented by Saul Ewing Arnstein & Lehr, LLP with Michael Gesas as lead counsel.   Pipeline Foods, LLC’s Financial Advisor is SierraConstellation Partners.  The Chief Restructuring Officer for Pipeline is Winston Mar of SierraConstellation Partners.  The Claims Agent for Pipeline Foods is Stretto.

Greenspace Announces Upcoming Departure of GO VEGGIE Brand President

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The company announces that the Brand President for GO VEGGIE, C. Scott Riddle, left the business effective July 16, 2021 to pursue other opportunities. Consistent with the principles outlined in the Company’s Project FIT announcement on May 12, 2021, the GO VEGGIE business team will report directly into Shawn Warren, President and CEO of GreenSpace Brands Inc as of July 16, 2021.

“We wish to thank Scott for his years of service to the GO VEGGIE business and his efforts to ensure a smooth transition for the business and team. We wish him well in his future endeavours,” says Shawn Warren, President and CEO of GreenSpace Brands Inc.

(Ativan)

GNC upgrades PlantFuel® to Platinum Partnership – PlantFuel line of plant-based supplements

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PlantFuel Life Inc. has announced that it has upgraded its partnership with leading retail GNC to the Platinum level. Additionally, GNC has increased its initial purchase order for PlantFuel products to $3.9 million.

PlantFuel is an all-new, premium plant-based nutritional supplement brand developed in conjunction with GNC to deliver the absolute best-possible products available, successfully bridging the gap between healthy, plant-based nutrition and peak performance – and that does so with compostable, eco-conscious and responsibly sourced packaging.

GNC reserves its Platinum partnership for Tier 1 brands with revenues over $20 million. The Platinum level will give PlantFuel premium in-store exposure including a Point of Purchase (POP) display and full front window display at every GNC at the time of launch, which is anticipated to be mid-August, 2021. Following the launch period, GNC will give PlantFuel a dedicated wall within its stores for premium exposure.

Also as part of GNC’s Platinum partnership, PlantFuel will be included in GNC’s exclusive, limited marketing campaign which includes targeted emails, retargeted advertising and social media. The brand will also be added to GNC’s Customer Loyalty programs. In addition, 100,000 PlantFuel samples will be sent to GNC’s Pro Box customers.

“We are thrilled to be upgraded to GNC’s Platinum partnership. The package will generate higher visibility and generate even more excitement for the PlantFuel brand, which is making important new contributions to the sports nutrition category,” says PlantFuel founder Brad Pyatt.

The PlantFuel premium product line to be featured by GNC will be: 

  • All-in-One Nutrition features 20g of complete plant-based protein plus 29 fruits and vegetables, as well as clinically studied Wellmune® beta-glucan for immune system health to provide you with complete nutrition on the go. The initial flavor offerings include Chocolate and Vanilla.
  • Performance Protein delivers 20g of complete, plant-fueled protein with added vegan-fermented BCAAs as InstAminos® and PeakO2® performance mushrooms. The initial flavour offerings include Chocolate and Vanilla.
  • All-in-One Pre-Workout uniquely features patented 3DPump -Breakthrough™ with vegan-fermented citrulline, glycerol and Amla fruit extract to support exercise performance, recovery and nitric oxide; along with 250mg of Purcaf® Organic Caffeine plus 85mg of Dynamine® to increase perceived energy and alertness. The initial flavor offerings include Fruit Punch, Watermelon and Blue Raspberry.
  • All-in-One Recovery provides vegan fermented BCAAs as InstAminos® with essential amino acids as vegan Amino9® plus vegan-fermented Creatine and BetaPrime® to reduce soreness and recovery time, and optimize muscle protein synthesis. The initial flavour offerings include Blood Orange and Berry Breeze.
  • Daily Immunity + Hydration features clinically proven ingredients Wellmune® to strengthen the immune system, and Aquamin™ calcified sea algae to provide superior hydration benefits. PlantFuel® Daily Immunity + Hydration is the proven choice to fuel your daily active lifestyle. The initial flavour offerings include Citrus Burst, Tropical Punch and Raspberry Lemonade.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (“CSE”) has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Debate is hotting up in the fledgling period pants industry as leading brands call for regulation to protect consumers from unsubstantiated performance claims

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Leading absorbent textile technology company Confitex is adding its voice to calls for consumer protection in the emerging market for period-proof underwear.
Since 2015, when Confitex made international headlines with the world’s first fashionable range of absorbent underwear, the category has exploded, with dozens of brands and manufacturers popping up around the world. The absorbent apparel sector is now at a tipping point, with high-profile brands such as Adidas, Bonds and Victoria’s Secret recognizing its potential and entering the market.

About the period pants market

Period panties are fabric underwear with a built-in absorbent gusset, worn either as a backup to a tampon or menstrual cup or alone as a non-invasive, eco-friendly method of managing menstruation. It’s estimated that the category is already preventing hundreds of thousands of plastic-laden single-use pads, liners and tampons from reaching landfills each year.

But in an unregulated sector characterized by inflated and unsubstantiated claims about absorbency and leak resistance, consumers are not surprisingly confused and often disappointed when the ‘leakproof’ underwear they’ve bought doesn’t live up to its promises.
CEO Christine Arden says Confitex is committed to building consumer confidence in menstrual underwear and providing transparency and guidance. “We believe in the environmental benefits of period pants and we want the sector to succeed – but we’re concerned that the failure of some brands to deliver on their promises will dent the credibility of the entire category,” she says. “It’s literally the wild west, in that anyone can claim anything.

“A number of industry players have suggested the sector requires regulation for the protection of consumers. In particular, we back the call for companies to seek third-party verification for their marketing claims – and publish the results openly so consumers can make an informed choice.”

The proof is in the padding

When Confitex launched its second-generation range, which includes washable incontinence underwear from the Confitex for Men label, and women’s period panties, bladder leak underwear and reusable nursing pads under the Just’nCase brand, the company invested in independently validating the performance of its patented textile technology.

Following extensive laboratory testing, global safety science leader UL granted Confitex for Men trunks and Just’nCase high-cut, lace and full briefs coveted UL Verification Marks authenticating the company’s claims in these areas:

• Leakproof
• Total absorbency
• Absorbency speed
• Air permeable
• Odour resistance
• No PFOA/PFOS detected
• Maintains absorption, odour resistance, leakproof and air permeability performance after 52 washes
These verifications are publicly available on verify.UL.com.

Confitex took a further step in assuring customer satisfaction by choosing to claim a level of absorbency below that allowed by the verified results. “For example, our Extra Absorbency women’s briefs have been lab-verified to absorb the equivalent of 15 regular tampons but because we want to over-deliver to our customers in real-life situations, we only advertise their absorbency as 10 regular tampons,” says Arden.

Superior performance without PU plastics

Confitex also commissioned independent testing to ascertain the true performance of other popular absorbent apparel brands. Conducted between January and April 2020, this testing conclusively demonstrated that Confitex’s textile technology offered the best combination of absorbency and leakproof performance of any product on the market.

This market superiority was reinforced when Confitex’s textile technology was named 2021 Product of the Year in the international Plus X Awards, the world’s largest award program for innovation in technology, sports and lifestyle (previous winners include Apple, adidas, Mercedes-Benz, Nike, Nespresso and Nikon). Confitex also received six out of seven possible seals for Innovation, High Quality, Ease of Use, Functionality, Ergonomics and Ecology in the health and personal care category.

Unlike most other brands, Confitex’s leakproof absorbent textile is made without a layer of PU plastic, which not only makes it more eco-friendly but also means it can be moulded, shaped, stitched, heat-sealed and tumble dried without affecting its leakproof performance.

Setting the standards for absorbent apparel

UL’s vice president and general manager for retail and consumer products, Doug Lockard, supports the call for transparency of product claims. “In any new sector, third-party verification of product claims is important for consumers, giving assurance that the products will perform as promised. Customers rely on packaging, labelling and marketing claims as part of their decision-making process. To create brand trust, it is key that products are tested to verify a manufacturer’s marketing claims.”

Lockard encourages other period pants brands to utilize UL’s testing and verification services designed exclusively for the absorbent apparel industry. “We recommend that products in this sector be lab-tested by a reputable standards company with the results published openly for full transparency.”