First of all —— What is a pluot? A pluot is a hybrid cross between a plum and an apricot. It is 75% plum and 25% apricot. It looks like a plum on the outside.   A pluot tastes like a sweet, rich plum with a hint of apricot flavor. It hardly has a bitter […]

Allegiance Retail Services has promoted veteran grocery executive Samer Rahman to president and chief operating officer, placing him in charge of daily operations and strategic growth across the cooperative’s network of independent supermarkets.   Rahman, who most recently served as executive vice president and chief merchandising officer, assumed the new role immediately. He will oversee […]

Every time we turn around, the business has changed. The time to change is when you don’t have to. The most common reaction to change is resistance. It seems that whenever a newly created merchandising idea is recommended at a meeting, there’s always a handful of individuals who simply will not want to accept the […]

Kapi Kapi Growers has named produce industry veteran Mike Naftel director of business development as the company looks to expand its banana, pineapple and plantain programs across North America.   Based in the South, Naftel will lead business development initiatives, strengthen relationships with existing customers and identify new opportunities across the retail, wholesale and foodservice […]

Major chains now command outsized buying power, the product of years of mergers and consolidation. Slotting fees remain a built-in cost of entry, cutting margins before a single case ships. Retailers expect continuous allowance programs, advertising support, off-shelf promotions, and case-movement guarantees, and “Pay to Stay” fees have become standard, with annual charges tied directly […]