July 18, 2012

Supervalu Shareholder Threatens Class Action

ST. LOUIS — A shareholder at the Supervalu annual meeting here Tuesday threatened to file a class-action lawsuit against the company for mismanagement.
The shareholder, who said he owned 45,000 shares, criticized Craig Herkert, chairman and chief executive officer, for taking a $950,000 bonus at the same time the company is eliminating the dividend and asked if he would agree to cut his salary to $1 per year for the next two years "to show us your commitment." When Herkert said he would not make that commitment, the shareholder said the company should expect the class-action suit.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/supervalu/supervalu-shareholder-threatens-class-action#ixzz20yDVR64q

Well this could prove interesting.......

July 17, 2012

Looking at the combined heat & drought and it's expected results to crops

I would suggest that everyone over the next few weeks stock up on canned goods & such, as I understand grocery prices are going to go up significantly.

July 15, 2012

A birthday club for children who don't get parties

Just thought some good news was in order.....

ROCKFORD, Ill. • Vicki Benson was shocked when she learned some children in Rockford have no birthday parties.
They have no cake, no cards, no gift, not even an acknowledgement that they're a year older.
To Benson, who grew up with a mom who made birthdays a daylong celebration, that situation had to be fixed. She had an idea — a birthday club for underprivileged kids — named after her mother, Rosemary Musick.
The plans for Rosie's Birthday Club grew in Benson's mind until one day three years ago, when a friend had heard enough. Barb Verni-Lau reached into her pocketbook, pulled out $25 and said, "Here. We're going to the Northwest Community Center and we're going to do it."
That was the first party thrown by Rosie's Birthday Club under the sponsorship of Benson and a group of volunteers. The monthly events are for kids at Northwest Community Center, Carlson and Second Congregational Boys and Girls clubs, Rock House Kids and Shelter Care Ministries. Last month, the club reached a milestone by celebrating birthday number 1,000.
Each month, a Rosie's Club volunteer shows up and gathers the kids who have birthdays that month. They decorate birthday hats and get ready for another Rosie's emissary who shows up with a big cake. Of course, there are presents, too, a gift for each child purchased from wish lists compiled by the children.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/illlinois/a-birthday-club-for-children-who-don-t-get-parties/article_11ed7b80-4111-5e3d-be0b-82837aada951.html#ixzz20iVrOYAi

July 12, 2012

Marsh Supermarkets Closing 3 Stores in Indianapolis

Marsh Supermarkets Inc. is closing three of its stores in Indiana after a “thorough review” of their market viability.

The Indianapolis-based chain is closing supermarkets at 880 S. U.S. 31 in Greenwood, 285 Morton Ave. in Martinsville and 831 E. 53rd St. in Anderson.

“This decision was made at a time when we have also committed to grow our company as referenced with our plans to build a new downtown Indianapolis location,” the company said in statement. “We hope that this will be the first of many new stores that we will be able to announce in the months and years ahead.”

Employees at the shuttered stores will be given the opportunity to apply for a transfer to another location or be granted a severance package.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/industry-intelligence/id35806/marsh-closing-3-stores/

July 12, 2012

Save Mart Settles With UFCW Locals 5, 8 and 648

Following almost a year of negotiations with UFCW Locals 5, 8, and 648, Save Mart Supermarkets announces has reached an agreement.

“We believe this agreement will allow us to be more competitive in the retail food market while providing enhanced job security and additional hours to our valued team of associates,” said Steve Junqueiro, president and COO of Save Mart. “We also believe with this agreement we can intensify our focus on the needs of our customers. Our goal is to provide a ‘best in class’ shopping experience while remaining vigilant in working toward managing costs and growing sales. We commend and appreciate our associates for delivering quality service throughout the negotiation process.”

The union presidents said in a joint statement that they “were able to reach an agreement that protects their security and dignity while addressing the competitive challenges of the employer.”

The presidents noted that the Unions succeeded in meeting their primary objectives, including maintaining affordable health care for members and retirees as well as securing more hours and full-time positions for members.

“This tentative agreement with Save Mart addresses the employer’s legitimate needs for temporary financial relief while preserving the core achievements of decades of Union Solidarity,” they added. “This agreement maintains the highest wages, the finest benefits and the most generous pension plans in the grocery industry.”

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/industry-intelligence/id35809/save-mart-settles-with-ufcw-locals-5-8-and-648/

July 12, 2012

Ameren UE is seeking a 14% rate increase

You can add your thoughts on the matter at http://psc.mo.gov/

The case number is ER-2012-0166

The 10 pages of public comments did not seem particularly positive as I skimmed through them.

July 10, 2012

Need some help with this Face Book RW Meme ala' Dr. Seuss

As much as I hate posting RW stuff, I could use a bit of help with this one posted on FB.

I do not like this Uncle Sam

I do not like his health care scam

I do not like these dirty crooks or how they lie & cook the books.

I do not like when Congress steals,

I do not like their secret deals.

I do not like ex-speaker Nan.

I do not like this “Yes, We Can!”

I do not like this spending spree---

I’m smart; I know that nothing’s free.

I do not like your smug replies,

when we complain about your lies.

I do not like this kind of hope.

I do not like it - - - nope, nope, nope!

Go Green - - recycle the White House!


Thus far I have been able to respond in rhyme with

1). You do not like "Yes we can" and yet the GOP has no plan.

2). Oh, but, the GOP had the White House, The Senate & The House not so long ago & it worked out so badly so. Two Wars, a giant tax cut that were unpaid, it was a plan so badly laid.....Wall Street regulation that was lax, it sure seemed no one was looking for the facts! A bubble economy imploded on a giant ponzi scheme, created much of today's trouble it would seem.

Thanks for any assistance.....

July 7, 2012

Social service agency hits grim numerical milestone

On the last Sunday in June, The Bridge – a social service agency operated out of Centenary United Methodist Church in downtown St. Louis – served its 750,000th meal.

Volunteers dished out just over 6,000 meals in 2006, the first year The Bridge was open. Last year, more than 171,000 people accepted a free hot meal.

St. Louis Public Radio’s Rachel Lippmann sat down with Kathleen Wilder, the pastor at Centenary and the executive director of The Bridge, to reflect on what it means that so many people are in need.

What was your initial reaction when you realized that in the 5-6 years you’ve been open, there were 750,000 meals that you’ve delivered to those in need?

Actually, I don’t know that I can say that we’ve served 750,000 meals without crying. It’s an amazing milestone, and it’s a very sad milestone. I keep telling our staff that I don’t want a sign outside that says a million served, but the important thing is that they are served. So it’s been an overwhelming experience seeing how many people come here on a regular basis for food.

http://www.news.stlpublicradio.org/post/social-service-agency-hits-grim-numerical-milestone

Truly sad that in this country of plenty, this is a so very necessary service.........

July 6, 2012

WA Grocer Pilots Mobile Checkout Solution

Following a successful pilot at an IGA supermarket in Snoqualmie, Wash., cloud-based mobile retail solutions company QThru has launched a new mobile platform for retailers that enables shoppers to scan items with a smartphone as they shop to speed up the checkout process.

“Given recent advancements in technology, consumers are realizing there is a better way to check out of a retail store without standing in a long line,” said Aaron Roberts, founder and CEO of QThru. “Current self-checkout stations only magnify the problem because they are slow and inefficient and create a bottleneck in the store. QThru provides a simple solution that saves time while also building customer loyalty.”

Hhere’s how the solution works: After installation, a retailer’s products and pricing are synchronized with the QThru cloud. Customers can then download the QThru smartphone app and start shopping. To complete the checkout process shoppers simply enter a previously stored passcode and scan a QR code at a checkout kiosk which completes the transaction from their phone. QThru uses a cloud-based, fully PCI-compliant, secure storage facility to protect payment and personal information. A receipt is generated from the kiosk, which is highlighted in a different color and is reviewed by a store employee at the door.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/technology/id35772/wa-grocer-pilots-mobile-checkout-solution/

The future appears to be getting closer and it includes fewer retail jobs........

July 5, 2012

Supervalu Cutting 39 Marketing Jobs Across Company

In its latest round of restructuring, Supervalu is eliminating 39 marketing positions across the company. Spokesman Mike Siemienas told Progressive Grocer that the move will aim to “improve core processes, eliminate redundancies, create efficiencies, and better integrate the entire marketing team.”

All marketing associates have been notified about the job reductions, which Siemienas said will take place “over the next several weeks,” based on position level. (meaning we want them all scared to death)

When asked by PG whether further job cuts or debt-lowering measures were in the offing, Siemienas said that the company was "continually assessing" it business and staffing structure.

The most recent job reduction comes on the heels of Supervalu's announcement last month that it would cut between 2,200 and 2,500 jobs at its Albertsons division in California and Nevada, which represent roughly 13 percent of the banner's store-level workforce in those states.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/industry-intelligence/id35770/supervalu-cutting-39-marketing-jobs-across-company/

(Bold & Italics are mine)