2011 HBW Marketing Conference — click here to see upcoming key dates and deadlines
GMDC
Sept. 9 to 12, 2011
Location: JW Marriott Desert Ridge, PhoenixMore

Improve your GMDC Conference experience with our NEW CCC meeting templates
GMDC
As you prepare for the upcoming HBW Marketing Conference, GMDC has created two templates for suppliers that will help you facilitate a more productive appointment. Two webinars have been scheduled: Monday, Aug. 15, at 1 p.m. (MDT) and again on Thursday, Aug. 25, at 12 noon (MDT). Email jwesson@gmdc.org and a copy of the conference call details will be forwarded to you. Click here to download templates, located under General Info.More

The Showcase/Showcase Plus provide terrific sales potential at the upcoming HBW Marketing Conference
GMDC
Do you want to increase your visibility to every attending wholesaler/retailer and increase your potential for additional on-site appointments and post-conference sales follow-up?More

The new HBW mobile app rolls out this month — don't miss the opportunity to display your logo!
GMDC
GMDC launched a new mobile app at the GM Marketing Conference and received rave reviews! GMDC will roll out this beneficial smartphone application to HBW conference attendees four weeks prior to the conference, for all conference attendees and it is FREE to download. Users will receive alerts/announcements, schedules, attendee rosters and much more. Take this opportunity to display your company logo and be seen by all users when you provide a sponsorship!More

SAV Transportation Group offers cross-border crossings
GMDC
Are you looking for a program that is fully equipped to help you gain a "foothold" in the United States and develop an efficient and effective supply chain serving the lower 48 states?More

Recall InfoLink — don't wait for an emergency
GMDC
GMDC has partnered with a state-of-the-art company, Recall InfoLink, to offer a considerable discount that will allow you to strengthen your recall preparedness! Be sure to schedule an appointment with them at the upcoming HBW Marketing Conference.More

CodeBaby characters incorporate innovative technology
GMDC
GMDC has collaborated with technology partner CodeBaby to offer significant pricing discounts for GMDC members. Enhance your website and engage your own online character in business-to-business and business-to-consumer capabilities!More

Health and beauty buyers search for deals —
and require extra pampering
ClickZ
Health and beauty shopping activity online was in full swing this spring. Marketers looking for ways to increase visits and purchase rates for their e-store may want to listen to the ever growing and savvy health and beauty shopper.More

SymphonyIRI group delivers next-generation shopper insights for world's largest retailer
SymphonyIRI Group
SymphonyIRI Group recently announced a new relationship supporting Walmart's customer-centric initiatives whereby the two companies are introducing a next-generation, Web-based shopper insights and collaborative planning platform, Customer Advantage™.More

H. D. Smith reorganizes national operations
Drug Store News
Pharmaceutical wholesaler H. D. Smith announced that amid the retirement of one of its executives, the company has reorganized its national operations to meet the regional needs of its customers.More

Ralphs appoints Donna Giordano as president
Drug Store News
Kroger recently promoted Donna Giordano to the role of president of the Ralphs division. Giordano, 57, has been president of the company's Quality Food Centers division, based in Seattle, since 2002. She succeeds Mike Donnelly, who was recently promoted to SVP merchandising for Kroger.More

UNFI inks 3-year deal with Safeway
Supermarket News
United Natural Foods Inc. recently said that it has signed a three-year supply agreement with Safeway, Pleasanton, Calif. Analysts had previously said such a deal was being negotiated as UNFI, the primary supplier to Whole Foods Market and other natural and organic retailers, has been seeking to expand its distribution into more traditional supermarket chains.More

Butler gains all Mr. Clean cleaning-tools licenses from P&G
Home Furnishings News
Procter & Gamble, parent company of the Mr. Clean Brand, will consolidate its Mr. Clean household cleaning-accessories program with Butler Home Products. The move adds Mr. Clean Household Cleaning Gloves and Reusable Wipes to Butler's existing license with Mr. Clean.More

Consumer confidence up in July
Home Furnishings News
The consumer confidence index made a slight rebound from a decline last month to a 1.9 point pickup in July, finishing at 59.5. A somewhat rosier outlook for the economy over the next six months bolstered the monthly indicator, which is compiled by The Conference Board. The expectations index, the component index that looks down the road, gained 3.8 points to 75.4.More

Retailers can enlighten consumers on bulb brouhaha
Supermarket News
The modest light bulb has become a kind of lightning rod for anti-environmental sentiment in the House of Representatives. Over the past month, House Republicans have taken aim at the energy-efficiency standards for light bulbs that were adopted on a bipartisan basis in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 and signed by President Bush.More

Williamsburg, Va., aligns with Avanti on bath, kitchen, table linens
Home Furnishings News
Williamsburg has formed a licensing partnership with Avanti Linens for collections of bath, kitchen and table linens. The products will be unveiled at the Avanti showroom in New York City during the New York Home Fashions Market in September.More

Energizer Personal Care creates sun care division
Drug Store News
In an effort to have an even greater impact on the sun care category, Energizer Personal Care has announced the establishment of its sun care division, which brings together sunscreen brands Banana Boat and Hawaiian Tropic, as well as its private-label brand, Alpha To Omega.More

Perrigo to market store-brand smoking-cessation gum
Drug Store News
Perrigo recently announced that it has received approval from the Food and Drug Administration to market a cinnamon-flavored, over-the-counter coated nicotine polacrilex gum USP in 2-mg and 4-mg strengths.More

Allegro unveils new Modella 2011 fall/winter collection
Drug Store News
Allegro, a division of Conair, has unveiled the new Modella 2011 fall/winter collection, which combines fashion and function with a variety of cosmetic and travel accessories in trendy colors and designs, ranging from pink florals and vibrant plaid to wild cheetah prints.More

House committee approves job protection bill
NACS Online
The House Committee on Education and the Workforce approved the Protecting Jobs From Government Interference Act (H.R. 2587) recently, which would prohibit the National Labor Relations Board from ordering any employer to relocate, shut down or transfer a business under any circumstance.More

What's the latest word on sunscreens?
Happi
Join us Aug. 11, 2011 for a one-hour, free webinar on the new labeling and testing requirements for sunscreens. The webinar will feature insights from Reynold Tan of the Food & Drug Administration as well as commentary from industry expert and Happi columnist Nadim Shaath, president of Alpha Research & Development.More

Nash Finch: 'Favorable' reaction to new banner
Supermarket News
Nash Finch said recently that the community is "reacting favorably" to a new discount banner that opened in Farmingont, Minn., recently called Savers Choice. The store, a former Econofoods location, emphasizes Nash Finch's Our Family private-label brand and also features a Red Hot Savers Spot section with in-and-out discounts on merchandise, such as patio furniture and barbecue grills.More

Meijer announces new store concept in Chicago market
PR Newswire
Less than two years after launching its first new format store in the Chicago market, Meijer is delivering another new concept to its Chicago-area customers as it prepares to open Meijer Marketplace, a more localized grocery store in Melrose Park.More

Southern Family debuts discount banner
Supermarket News
Southern Family Markets recently said it plans to open a new price-impact banner this week in Decatur, Ala., called Food World Discount Foods. The store, set to open Wednesday, will focus on extreme value, bonus packs and large-pack offerings, according to SFM, which operates the Bruno's, Food World and Southern Family Markets banners in the Southeast and is affiliated with C&S Wholesale Grocers, Keene, N.H.More

Looking ahead, Supervalu emphasizes 'hyper-local retailing'
Drug Store News
In an effort to increase the stickiness of Supervalu shoppers, Supervalu president and CEO Craig Herkert spoke of the company's "hyper-local retailing" concept during a conference call with analysts.More