Oser Communications Group

GOURMET NEWS NOVEMBER 2018 www.gourmetnews.com Retailer News RETAILER NEWS 9 BRIEFS GIANT Announces New Urban Concept: GIANT Heirloom Market GIANT Food Stores is introducing a new store concept, format and brand name for urban neighborhoods. The store, which will be located in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood in Philadelphia, will be named GIANT Heirloom Market™. The announcement was part of the com- pany's 95th anniversary celebration in Philadelphia's famed Dilworth Park. To mark the occasion, GIANT Food Stores President Nicholas Bertram was joined by Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, local elected officials, community partners and GIANT associates and presented a $1 mil- lion donation to Philabundance, the Delaware Valley's largest hunger relief or- ganization, on behalf of the company's as- sociates, vendor partners and customers. "As we celebrate our 95th anniversary, we can't help thinking about the next chapter in GIANT'S story," Bertram said. "Philadel- phia is a natural choice for us to debut our new GIANT Heirloom Market format, as we're able to draw upon our passion for food and our fondness for local purvey- ors, all while leveraging inno- vation to bring something special to our new Graduate Hospital neighbors." Though GIANT has had a presence in Philadelphia since 2011 with its Grant Av- enue store, the GIANT Heirloom Market store, located in the Graduate Hospital neighborhood of Philadelphia, will be the first store downtown for the company. The location, at 2303 Bainbridge Street, is the first of several stores planned for Philadel- phia. The company will create approxi- mately 60 new jobs when the first store opens later this year. "More and more companies are looking to do business in Philadelphia due to our abundant resources, welcoming spirit and diverse neighborhoods," said Mayor Ken- ney. "The city of Philadelphia is honored to have been selected by GIANT to debut its new store format, GIANT Heirloom Mar- ket. We are thankful for GIANT's signifi- cant investment in our region as they contribute hundreds of jobs to our econ- omy, and we look forward to giving them a true City of Brotherly Love welcome later this year." GIANT has long been a passionate sup- porter of Philabundance, and most recently partnered with the food bank to help fund their KidsBites' LunchBox program with a three-year Fighting Child Hunger grant. Philabundance used the grant to increase access to healthy food for children, provid- ing 1,400 nutritious lunch boxes per week over 11 weeks during the summer at eight sites in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Through its Bag Hunger and Meat the Needs programs, GIANT also partners with Philabundance to bring much-needed pro- tein to families throughout the area. "There's no better time than our 95th an- niversary to reflect on our company's suc- cess and express thanks to our associates, vendor partners, customers and communi- ties, all of whom have made it possible for us to be here today," added Bertram. "It's our privilege to present this donation to Philabundance for all they do to serve the Philadelphia region, and we look forward to reaching even deeper to help end hunger together." "We are truly grateful to GIANT, a part- ner of Philabundance for almost 20 years. Not only does it provide funding for food for children facing hunger and for our Phi- labundance Community Kitchen program, but it also provides truck-full upon truck- full of rescued protein to help feed those in need," said Glenn Bergman, Executive Di- rector, Philabundance. "We are thrilled about this generous $1 million gift, as well as for the company's new participation in our grocery program rescuing perfectly good quality food and providing it to those facing hunger in our communities." GIANT Heirloom Market Origins GIANT Heirloom Market will harken back to the original GIANT Market concept in its mission to bring innovation and moder- nity through a store experience that meets the unique needs of the neighborhoods it serves. GIANT Heirloom Market is the re- sult of over a year of intense neighborhood group listening sessions, market research and format exploration. "Our new GIANT Heirloom Market is as unique and special as the neighborhood it serves, the direct result of our close collab- oration with the local community it will soon be serving," said Bertram. "From fea- turing products made locally to being staffed by people who call the neighbor- hood home, GIANT Heirloom Market is a true reflection of the surrounding commu- nity, and we can't wait to see our shared vi- sion come to life in just a few short months." While listening locally, GIANT searched nationally and globally for solutions, even going to Amsterdam – a city known for its innovative, small gro- cery stores – to find a format that would satisfy the com- munity. Back home, GIANT scoured Philadelphia for local purveyors who could help them deliver on the promise of a "neighborhood grocery store built by its neighbors." Construction is now un- derway at the Bainbridge lo- cation. The new store will be about 9,500 square feet and offer an inspiring selection of high-quality, fresh, seasonal, and flavor-focused foods and everyday essentials. Featuring a Produce Chef who will prepare vegetables and fruit on demand, local artisanal breads and a vast array of plant-based foods, GIANT Heirloom Market will foster exploration and encour- age creativity in the kitchen through sam- pling and demonstration. GIANT Heirloom Market will have the in- spiring products that customers want with a welcoming, modern store environment and tech features that are all about ease. However, based on an endless aisles philos- ophy, if customers ever need something that is not carried in-store, associates will help guide them to in-store iPads to order online with Peapod Pickup or Delivery. "With GIANT Heirloom Market, we feel privileged to provide ingredients for recipes handed down from generation to genera- tion because we understand that the real specialness in a shared meal is the memo- ries created around it," said Bertram. "That's why we're honored that our Grad- uate Hospital neighbors helped us reimag- ine the look and design of the store." GN Seasons Kosher Supermarkets Files Chapter 11 Reorganization Petition Seasons Kosher Supermarkets has voluntarily filed a petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. In order to preserve and strengthen its ability to serve the local Seasons Family's needs, the company is focusing on emerging from the Chapter 11 filing with a stronger balance sheet and full restoration of operations. Through a commitment of up to $6 million in private funding, the markets expect to be able to fully stock the shelves, fulfill current vendor obligations and continue to operate normally during the restructuring period. Seasons anticipates a relatively short reorganization process. Kroger & Walgreens Join Together in Exploratory Pilot The Kroger Co. and Walgreens are collaborating on an exploratory pilot with a new format and concept that combines Kroger's role as America's grocer and food authority with Walgreens global expertise in pharmacy, health and beauty. Initially, Kroger and Walgreens will develop and test a one-stop shopping experience where customers can access products and services from both companies. Customers will be able to order Kroger grocery items online and pickup orders at the participating Walgreens locations. Kroger's popular Our Brands grocery items, including America's largest natural and organic brand, Simple Truth ® , will also be available in-store at participating Walgreens locations. The diversified shopping assortment will complement Walgreens products and services across health and wellness, pharmacy and beauty. The two retail leaders have selected 13 Walgreens stores in northern Kentucky, near Kroger's Cincinnati, Ohio, headquarters, to pilot the format. The companies will conduct this pilot over the next several months, listening closely to customer feedback. Introducing Natural Grocers Brand Products Natural Grocers, one of America's leading natural and organic retailers, launched its new line of premium quality private label products, including over 35 different new items across 10 categories. The launch continues Natural Grocers' commitment to its founding principles of Highest Quality Products at Always Affordable℠ Prices. Natural Grocers is extending the power and equity of the Natural Grocers brand into a differentiated line of premium products that can only be found at Natural Grocers stores. The new Natural Grocers Brand product lineup includes organic pasta sauce, organic olive oil, organic preserves, organic bread, organic apple cider vinegar, organic tortilla chips, organic taco shells, organic canned tomatoes, organic canned beans and organic canned vegetables, organic maple syrup, organic and fair-trade coffee and organic frozen fruits are expected to be introduced in November. Other exciting items such as organic and 100 percent grass-fed cheese, organic and free-trade chocolate, organic coconut milk, 100 percent grass-fed beef jerky and organic frozen vegetables are already in the pipeline and are expected to be in stores in 2019. Natural Grocers expects that the introduction will have a positive impact on the overall mix of organic products in the private label category.

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