Industry Veteran Rugg to help launch new product lines. VP Racing Fuels Inc., has appointed James Rugg as business development manager-automotive, consumer products to support its growing line of consumer products. “We’re pleased to bring on someone of James’ caliber and experience,” said Dennis Stanko, VP’s director-consumer product sales. “He has a broad and diverse…
Finiti Branding Group Hires New Senior VP of Sales
Ron Vogler joins Finiti, bringing 27 years of sales and marketing executive-level expertise. Ronald Vogler has joined The Finiti Branding Group LLC as senior vice president of sales, based in Mobile, Ala. “The hiring of Ron is foundational,” said Finiti President Russell Stone. “He’ll be a pillar to FIN setting the service and sales standard…
Deloitte Survey Shows Shoppers Expecting Discounts
Savvy consumers research brands and prices before heading into stores. Excitement over unexpected in-store deals has diminished as discounted prices become an anticipated part of the consumer products shopping experience, according to the Deloitte/Harrison Group annual American Pantry Survey. For nearly one-third (30%) of consumers, at least seven of 10 items in their shopping cart…
Foodservice Trends for Hispanic Consumers
Stripes is among the growing number of convenience store chains providing an authentic Hispanic cuisine to attract this growing demographic. By Pat Pape, Contributing Editor. Early each morning the parking lots of Stripes Convenience Stores fill up with the trucks and cars of customers wanting to purchase a hearty meal of breakfast tacos, carne guisada…
SymphonyIRI Reveals Top New Products
At the NACS State of the Industry Summit in Chicago this week, Matt McCourt, director of Convenience / Spirits for SymphonyIRI Group, spoke on the new products in the c-store channel drawing the most excitement from consumers. Topping the list by Symphony IRI of the top new items in total U.S. c-stores for the 13…
Coke To Aquire North American Operations Of Its Biggest Bottler
Coca-Cola Co. today announced it plans to buy the North American operations of its largest bottler, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc., in a strategic reversal that would close a competitive gap after PepsiCo. reached a similar deal, Reuters reported. “Coke couldn’t sit back while Pepsi delivered $600 million (or more) in synergies for reinvestment and then transformed…
Zippo Acquires Ronson Corp. Assets
Bradford, Pa-based Zippo Manufacturing Company has completed the purchase of substantially all of the assets of Ronson Consumer Products Corporation of Woodbridge, N.J., and Ronson Corporation of Canada Ltd.; and certain related assets of Ronson Corporation. Zippo is one of the world’s most widely recognized brands, best known for its iconic refillable windproof lighter. The…
Health Trend Here to Stay
Consumers in the U.S. might be trimming the fat from their budgets and diets, but contrary to predictions, they continue to demonstrate a healthy appetite for foods featuring health and wellness claims. From alpha (antioxidants) to omega (omega-3-fatty-acids), foods touting the kind of heart healthy, joint buffering, free radical extinguishing properties that appeal to aging…