Trading Partners

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) has appointed Rhett Asher its VP of industry relations. In his new role, Asher will take charge of improving the capabilities and services of industry relations at the Arlington, Va.-based trade organization, specifically the FMI/Grocery Manufacturers Association Trading Partner Alliance.

Retail same-store sales excluding Walmart sagged slightly to a 2.9 percent gain in July, hurt by a tough promotional environment and the diverging spending intentions of shoppers by income group.

As gluten-free foods continue to gain in consumer popularity and store-shelf prominence, manufacturers are offering a wider range of products to appeal to those suffering from celiac disease or gluten sensitivity, and their families, as well as to shoppers who wish simply to reduce or eliminate their gluten intake. Following are some recently introduced offerings:

Brookshire Grocery Co.-owned and Super 1 Foods & Discount Pharmacy stores is looking to make packing a healthy school lunch easy with its “Super Fun Lunch” box value meals that are prepared and sold in the deli and are based mainly on NuVal scores.

New data shows digital coupons grew 100 percent -- with savings totaling more than $1 billion -- during the year ending June 30.

The Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) has established a new awards program to honor retail organizations that consistently manage their supplier relationships at a superior level. Slated to be presented during the Washington-based trade organization’s Shopper Momentum Conference in Naples, Fla., this November, the GMA Retail Honors awards encompass three categories: Retailer of the Year, Most Collaborative Retailer and Most Innovative Retailer.

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has had no impact on the availability, quality or safety of seafood offerings at Giant Eagle stores, the Pittsburgh, Pa.-based grocer announced on its Web site.

A new report from the Hartman Group has found that since 2005, spending on wellness products has trended upward, with a larger proportion spent on wellness in fresh categories. The average household now spends $148.48 per month, or 19 percent of all monthly spending, on categories with a wellness halo.