Trading Partners

The Promotion Marketing Association (PMA) will unveil the results of its 2nd Annual Shopper Marketing Study May 6 at its Shopper Marketing Summit, which will be held at the Fairmont Hotel in Dallas.

Fewer new products are showing up on supermarket shelves this year as companies cope with the changing economy. New data from the Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD) shows total food and drink product launches have been cut in half since last year (a 51 percent decline from the first quarter of 2008 to the first quarter of 2009).

Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. expanded its business with minority- and women-owned companies by over 25 percent in 2008, according to figured released by the company and verified by third-party enterprise supplier management company CVM Solutions.

In an effort to eliminate paper use and demonstrate its commitment to the environment, Yoke’s Fresh Markets has reduced the volume of printed materials for its Monthly Savings Guides -- by over 100 tons.

Whole Foods Market has launched a comprehensive energy commitment that more than triples the number of its stores with solar panels, extending the grocer’s commitment to offset 100 percent of its use of non-renewable electricity with wind energy, and investing in energy reduction opportunities while retrofitting existing stores with energy-efficient lighting, equipment and mechanical components.

Private label share in the United States has risen dramatically across retail channels and product categories during the past two years as consumers continue to struggle with high food prices and other economic pressures, and this trend will continue through 2009 and beyond, according to a study from Chicago-based Information Resources, Inc.

Shoppers found Wegmans and Trader Joe’s supermarkets among the most satisfying chains to shop at, according to Consumer Reports’ latest survey of the best national and regional grocery chains.

The recession and related consumer financial concerns are driving dramatic change in shopping and eating behavior, Retail Forward reports.