While Australian Food News yesterday reported the strong performance of Coles fresh produce division, the quarterly figures reported by parent company Wesfarmers show that Coles Express non-fuel sales declined by 1.4 percent for the quarter compared with Woolworths positive 4.9 percent increase from the previous year. Meanwhile Coles’ fuel sales for the second quarter ended December 31, 2011, were $2.1 billion, an increase of 16.3 percent on the previous corresponding period. Coles’ Ian Mcleod... ...Read more »

A chocolate brownie mix sold in Woolworths and Safeway supermarkets has been recalled over fears that it may contain undeclared milk. The Macro Gluten Free Choc Brownie Mix (400g) product, made by Yaffa’s Kitchen Pty Ltd, may pose a health risk to consumers who are allergic or intolerant to milk. In a statement released this week, Woolworths said, “Consumers who have a milk allergy or intolerance should not consume this product. Consumers who are not allergic to milk may safely consume this... ...Read more »

US grocery operator Safeway Inc has launched a range of 100% natural foods called Open Nature.The retailer announced on Wednesday (26 January) that the line comprises more than 100 products, launching with a range of with meat products, including fresh beef, pork, chicken, chicken sausages, bacon and beef hot dogs. It plans to extend the portfolio to bread, yoghurt, ice cream, salad dressing and frozen foods. Safeway said the range is made only from ingredients from natural sources and that meat... ...Read more »

The CEO of Safeway, one of America’s largest supermarket chains, has recommended all supermarket operators focus on ‘everyday low prices’ rather than promotions in order to lure the budget consumer. During last week’s quarterly conference call with investors, Chairman, President and CEO of the retailer, Steve Burd, suggested that loyalty amongst the budget consumer could no longer be driven by heavy promotions as they were channel surfing more often and showed a greater preparedness... ...Read more »

Decisions by manufacturers to shrink product sizes in order to prevent price hikes have disappointed consumers, who instead seek larger package sizes with lower cost per serving. In more positive news for many manufacturers, though, the recent surge in private label sales in America has, contrary to popular belief, not been driven by national brand abandonment, according to The Nielsen Company. Private label Supermarkets across the western world are embracing private labels, with reports that consumers... ...Read more »

Woolworths has today announced that rumours of a change to their logo and a banishing of the Safeway name are accurate, but the “Fresh Food People” slogan is set to remain a key focus of their promotions. Twenty one years after the introduction of “The Fresh Food People”, the company will introduce a new logo which resembles a peeling apple in the shape of a W. The new branding was created by Hans Hulsbosch of the Hulsbosch Agency who recently updated the iconic Qantas kangaroo. It... ...Read more »

Woolworths has decided to banish the Safeway brand name 23 years after purchasing Safeway supermarkets in Australia, according to a report in Melbourne newspaper The Age. US retailer Safeway entered the Australian market 45 years ago and their store numbers swelled to over 100 before Woolworths acquired Safeway Australia in 1985. Woolworths decided to re-name the NSW and Queensland stores but stuck with ‘Safeway’* throughout Victoria. Since then Safeway and Woolworths have essentially... ...Read more »

The battle between national brands and private labels is heating up in America with supermarket chain Publix launching a promotional campaign pitting their home brands against national brands in a ploy designed to highlight the quality of their private labels. Safeway, meanwhile, has sought to take private label products to the next level by selling their own brands to competitors. Publix, the largest employee-owned supermarket chain in the US, will offer customers a free private label product when... ...Read more »