Frozen Foods

With shrink once again ranking as the chief concern cited by supermarket seafood executive participants of our recently released 2009 Seafood Operations Review, the Juneau-based Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI) is once again angling to make it easier for retailers to tackle the issue.

A Kroger supermarket in Peoria, Ill. is lighting the way to big savings, thanks to the completion of a pilot high-efficiency lighting project with Ameren Illinois Utilities that sharply cuts energy consumption in the frozen food reach-in cases and refrigerated dairy and beverage cases.

The retailer's February 2009 sales trended positive as well, with a continuing assist from many grocery categories, although gasoline-affected comps were virtually flat.

Consumers tired of throwing out unused fresh herbs now have an alternative.

A portion of sales from select frozen food items will be donated to local food banks.

The discounter's merchandising plans will reflect its "growing commitment to food" amid major investments in its perishable food distribution capabilities.

Dan Glei has been with the Ahold USA division since 2006.

New concept store features open food market interior and expanded offerings.