Learn More About IGA Coca-Cola Institute Training with The Independent View

September 05, 2007


	IGA Coca-Cola Institute Perspective Learn More About IGA Coca-Cola Institute Training with The Independent View A message from... Paulo Goelzer President, IGA Coca-Cola Institute
	Each day the IGA Coca-Cola Institute's team members strive to achieve a direct and powerful mission: To accelerate the learning of our store associates and improve their skills and performance. In doing so we have developed a program that allows for the blending of classroom and leading-edge, on-the-job Web-based training. Together we work diligently to develop exciting training programs for both new and seasoned personnel, and I am extremely pleased that The Independent View will now give us another outlet for communicating that information to you. In the weeks ahead I'll be using the IGA Coca-Cola Institute Perspective to tell you about our new program developments, training success stories, and details about our seasonal group classes. Today, I want to remind you that the fall session of the Supermarket Management Class will take place October 8th - 14th at The Coca-Cola Company's headquarters in Atlanta, GA. This six-day session will feature more than 20 speakers addressing training topics ranging from category management to technology. Early-bird registration for fall class ends September 7th and participation is limited so we ask that you sign-up now. Click here to view details; or feel free to call Classroom Training Coordinator Darina Lichner for more information at 773/695-2625. I look forward to updating you on the latest happenings at the Institute. Thanks, Paulo Goelzer, Ph.D.



	Retail News Hampton Partners and Inland Real Estate Group formed Hampton Retail Colorado to buy 17 former Albertsons grocery stores in Colorado, reported Rocky Mountain News. Full Story Citrus-flavored sodas often have a higher caffeine content than the most popular colas, according to a study by two researchers at Auburn University. Additionally, caffeine content can vary widely from brand to brand, and even within a brand, reported The Associated Press. The researchers - along with consumer advocates - say labels on packaging should give the caffeine content to help buyers make informed choices. Full Story The California Milk Advisory Board is introducing the Real California Milk seal, which certifies that dairy products bearing the seal are made exclusively with California milk. The seal will begin appearing on packaging for California dairy products sold across the country in October. Full Story Americans' annual consumption of tilapia has increased from a quarter-pound per person in 2003 to a full pound in 2006. The National Marine Fisheries Service now ranks it as the fifth-most-consumed seafood in the nation, reported The Mercury News. Full Story (Free Registration Required) Manufacturer News Kraft Foods Inc. launched several new initiatives for its Tassimo hot beverage system, including a new alliance with Starbucks Coffee Company to add select varieties of Starbucks coffee to the Tassimo beverage lineup in the U.S. and Canada. Full Story Coca-Cola launched a newly designed 20-oz. PET contour bottle nationwide for all of its Coca-Cola brands, with a new easy-to-hold and easy-to-open design. Full Story California-based cheese manufacturers claim they are losing millions of dollars as a result of the complex formula, established by the state, used to determine the price they pay for milk. The current formula has raised the cost of making cheese to where it is hard to recoup the added expense, reported The Los Angeles Times. Full Story (Free Registration Required) TreeHouse Foods Inc., which revenue mainly come from manufacturing and distributing pickles under several brand names, is expanding further into the market with its recent acquisition of E.D. Smith. The acquisition will create opportunities for the company; E.D. Smith is a producer of private label salad dressings in the U.S. as well as a private label manufacturer of dry grocery goods in Canada. As a result of the acquisition, the company's revenue from pickles will decline from 50% to 25% of its total, reported Blogging Stocks. Full Story, TFI Release Pepperidge Farm introduced three new Whole Grain White bread varieties - Whole Grain White Very Thin, Whole Grain White Sandwich and Whole Grain White Light Style. Full Story Producer of high-antioxidant juices Frutzzo introduced Yumberry juice in three flavors: Pomegranate, Blueberry and Cherry. Full Story Naked Juice rolled out Naked Juice Probiotic, a 100% juice smoothie in Tropical Mango. Full Story Washington News Consumers, not just factory workers, may be in danger from fumes caused by buttery flavoring in microwave popcorn, according to a warning letter to federal regulators from Dr. Cecile Rose a pulmonary specialist at Denver's National Jewish Medical and Research Center. A consumer may have developed lung disease from the fumes of microwaving popcorn several times a day for years, noted Dr. Rose. FDA is evaluating Dr. Rose's letter and is "carefully considering the safety and regulatory issues it raises," reported The Associated Press. Full Story FDA issued a "Dear Manufacturer Letter Regarding Sugar Free Claims" voicing concern about the number of products that contain claims regarding the absence of sugar, such as, "sugar free," but that fail to bear the required disclaimer statement when these foods are not "low" or "reduced in" calories or fail to bear the required disclaimer statement in the location or with the conspicuousness required by regulation. FDA will take appropriate action against products that bear a claim about the absence of sugar, but that fail to meet each of the requirements of the regulation that defines "sugar free." Full Story A class action suit filed on behalf of purchasers of Jones Soda Company common stock during the period between Mar. 9, 2007 and Aug. 2, 2007, charges Jones Soda and certain of its officers and directors with violations of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Full Story A federal judge issued an order temporarily blocking the government from implementing a new Department of Homeland Security rule that would use social security records as a tool for immigration enforcement. The judge's order also stops the Social Security Administration from beginning to send notices to approximately 140,000 employers across the country notifying them of the new rule, which would impact approximately eight million workers. Full Story The American Trucking Associations filed a petition with the federal government asking officials to issue a new version of two-year-old regulations on truckers' hours to replace regulations struck down by a court in late July. The trucking group argued that since the court's late July ruling was focused on procedural issues rather than safety concerns, the Transportation Department should keep similar regulations in place, reported BusinessWeek Online. Full Story Global News Unilever plans to sell its French cheese-maker Boursin in an effort to raise cash to finance other activities, according to a delegate from the Force Ouvriere union. The company also plans to cut 20,000 of the group's 180,000 plus worldwide workforce, reported CNN Money. Full Story The Indian government plans to allocate at least 15 billion rupees to set up 30 food parks in an effort to address concerns about the processing and supply chain in the food retail industry, reported Forbes. The parks will be established through a public-private partnership and will be fully integrated, noted Thomson Financial News. Full Story Australia-based Coles Group Ltd. recommended that investors accept a A$18.3 billion cash and stock bid offer from Wesfarmers Ltd. The takeover was in danger of failing after Wesfarmers' stock declined by as much as 19%, decreasing the offer by A$2.4 billion, reported Bloomberg.com. Full Story South Korea found banned bones in the latest shipment of American beef and will revoke import approval for the U.S. facility, a plant owned by JBS Swift & Co., that processed it, reported The Associated Press. Full Story
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