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News
Housewares Show Exhibitors Featured on “The Big Pitch”
Several exhibitors from the 2015 International Home + Housewares Show were featured on “The Big Pitch,” a new TV program from Kevin Harrington of “Shark Tank” fame. Harrington and his crew filmed product pitches from 25 exhibitors during the Home + Housewares Show in March in Chicago and then selected 11 that were the best-of-the-best, according to “Big Pitch” producers. The program airs on the Fox Business Network. “Because the International Home + Housewares Show is not open to the public, programs such as ‘The Big Pitch’ provide consumers with a glimpse of the new products they will be seeing ... |
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KeHE Expands Partnership With Albertsons
KeHE Distributors of Naperville, Ill., has been selected by Albertsons Companies Inc. as the primary distribution partner for natural and organic, specialty and fresh products to its nationwide network of more than 2,200 grocery stores in 33 states and the District of Columbia. The award significantly expands KeHE’s existing business with the company, particularly in the western United States. Mike Leone, KeHE’s chief commercial officer, said, “Our account team has delivered superior operational results and helped Albertsons Companies grow its business. This decision is an affirmation of that.” With KeHE’s new distribution center in northern California and planned upgrades this ... |
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H-E-B Grocery Announces 25 Finalists in Quest for Texas Best Contest
H-E-B’s Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best contest has made one thing very clear: Texans are creative. This year’s variety and flavorful entries ignited the judges’ taste buds as they whittled more than 400 submissions from across the Lone Star State to 25 exceptional finalists. Quest for Texas Best contest submissions came from 74 Texas towns, yielding a delicious mix of sauces, salsas, spices, sweets and spreads along with meats and mixes. In two qualifying rounds, submissions were judged based on taste and flavor, customer appeal, value, uniqueness, market potential, and differentiation from products already available at most H-E-B stores. ... |
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Oscar Mayer Brand Unveils Adventurous Addition to Wienermobile Fleet
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile vehicle fleet has been an important part of Americana since 1936, bringing smiles and Wiener Whistles to people everywhere – but not hot dogs. That all changed last week, as the Oscar Mayer brand unveiled the Wiener Rover, an all-terrain hot dog on heavy-duty wheels that will deliver hot dogs to fans across the country. Just in time for National Hot Dog Day, the Wiener Rover is a smaller, remote-controlled and battery-powered version of the iconic vehicle. Not only is the Wiener Rover able to go off-roading over grass, dirt and rocks, but it also delivers ... |
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Operation Homefront Partners With Boston Area Dollar Tree Stores for Back-To-School BrigadeTM to Benefit Military Children
Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree Inc. have joined forces again this year to gather school supplies for military children across the country. The supplies can be purchased starting today by customers at Dollar Tree locations in the Boston area as well as the more-than-5,000 Dollar Tree and Deals stores nationwide, and placed in collection boxes in each store. The Back-to-School BrigadeTM program is a nationwide campaign by Operation Homefront and Dollar Tree. This is the seventh year that Dollar Tree has partnered with Operation Homefront for the program. Last year, Dollar Tree patrons donated more than $5 million of supplies. ... |
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Las Vegas Market Plans Education For Gourmet Retailers
An impressive lineup of gourmet industry leaders will share retail success stories, in-depth shopper insights, trends and analysis at the Summer 2015 Las Vegas Market as part of a new Gourmet Insights Networking Summit scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 4. The half-day educational program complements the launch of the new C11 permanent showroom floor for gourmet housewares, tabletop, gift and specialty food at the forthcoming Market, running Aug. 2-6, 2015. “Las Vegas Market will extend its new gourmet offerings for independent housewares retailers beyond exhibits to also include education and networking opportunities,” said Dorothy Belshaw, president of Gift & Home Décor, ... |
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Hall China Back in Business After Fire
On July 20, at approximately 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, a fire began in the mid-section of Hall China’s East Liverpool plant in one of the three ware dryers used for reducing moisture content. The afternoon maintenance man who was on duty at the time, Brian Cronin, immediately notified the East Liverpool Fire Department as he circled the interior of the company’s plant, first ensuring that all employees were accounted for and evacuated, prior to leaving the building himself. The fire department quickly put out the blaze, but the affected dryer was destroyed. When asked why he decided to stay, Cronin said, ... |
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Retailers Hit the Classroom for Gourmet Catalog Summer Event
More than 150 top retailers and vendors in the gourmet kitchenware industry gathered for class in Atlanta at the 6th Annual Gourmet Catalog Retail Summer School during the International Gift & Home Furnishings Show. Gourmet Catalog (GC) members received exclusive and interactive classes covering new products and product demonstrations as well as in-depth product training. This event provided a personal learning experience for retailers, allowing them to interact with top principals as well as participate in an open and candid forum with vendors. This year’s new class format included one-and-a-half days of educational and hands-on 25-minute class rotations. Classes began July ... |
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Spanish Market Planned for Chicago Neighborhood
Husband and wife duo Manuel Moreno and Mara Baer plan to open The Spanish Square later this summer in Lakeview, Ill. Modeled after the Plaza del Cabildo, a marketplace located near their home in Sanlúcar de Barrameda in the Cádiz province of Andalucía in southern Spain, The Spanish Square is designed to give its guests a taste of the atmosphere in an authentic Spanish plaza. The couple are passionate about Spanish food and culture, and wanted to create a space to share their love of the Spanish lifestyle with all of Chicago. “In the Spanish Square,” said Baer, “you will be ... |
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Viking Culinary Sales Director Ledbetter Passes Away
Jason Ledbetter, director of sales for Clipper Corp.’s licensed Viking Culinary brand, passed away July 12 from a heart attack at age 48. Ledbetter, a 12-year housewares industry veteran, specialized in representing quality brands to the gourmet housewares industry. Before joining Clipper, Ledbetter served in a sales leadership capacity with housewares brands Epicurean, Shun and Swiss Diamond. Ledbetter began his housewares career in 2003 as a divisional sales manager for Lodge Manufacturing, based in his home state of Tennessee. He was extremely proud of his Southern heritage. His sales philosophy was based on developing close personal relationships with his customers. ... |
