Sainsbury’s Drops Prince Charles’ Produce. British Chains Show Only Token ‘Localism’
Sainsbury’s, the number 3 British supermarket chain, apparently decided it best to take its Public Relations pain all in one swoop as it dropped two suppliers, both on one day, both without notice. A supermarket chain dropping suppliers isn’t normally a big deal, but when both are organic, and one is Prince Charles, heir to […]
Pundit’s Mailbag — China, COOL And International Opportunities
We’ve lately paid much attention to China with our pieces, China Plays Down Food Safety Problems and Chinese Garlic and Food Safety, both dealing with the implications of food safety problems in China. Our piece, Chinese Apples Pose Threat To U.S. Apple Industry, dealt with the broader issue of whether the popular image of an […]
Supervalu’s Values
We congratulated Supervalu for coming up on the first anniversary of a successful acquisition of most of Albertsons. Now Supervalu has posted a presentation given at its annual meeting of shareholders. A dozen highlights: Merchandising is seen as Supervalu’s “secret weapon” Remodeling as a highly productive use of capital Execution at Store level is crucial […]
Brand-Crazy Chinese
Yesterday we ran a piece pointing out that Zespri was among the most counterfeited brands in China. Sunkist is another one. Look at this photo: Note that the Chinese counterfeiter misspelled Valencia. The problem is, of course, that counterfeiting fruit is easy and cheap. The photo above came from a blog named Sinosplice, which has […]
As Immigration Bill Comes To A Vote,
Questions Surface On Farm Wages
The comprehensive immigration bill is still alive as the Senate voted to resume debate on the matter: The vote suggested that key senators and White House officials had succeeded — at least for now — in bargaining with skeptical lawmakers for a second chance to pass the bill. Several senators who have been promised votes […]
Pundit’s Mail Bag —
Food Safety Double Standard
Our piece, Food Safety And ‘Locally Grown’, brought an avalanche of response, including this letter from a well-known grower-shipper: part of what you say is true. The only problem we have is that small growers now are having financial problems. They have a limited time to get their crops to market. They do not have […]
Zespri Among Most Counterfeited
Brands In China
We’ve had problems in the U.S. with companies mislabeling Washington apples and Idaho potatoes, trying to get the benefit of premium name on cheaper produce. In China, the Hermès of produce seems to be the kiwifruit, specifically Zespri kiwifruit. It is like Hermès and Gucci and other famous names because it is so often counterfeited: […]
Kingsburg Introduces Kosher Stone Fruit
n an industry of commodities — and commodity like returns — the quest for differentiation is crucial and ongoing. Now, for the first time, a major national shipper of tree fruit has decided to offer a certified kosher line: Certified Kosher Stone Fruits Now Available — A Welcome Addition To Summer Kosher Meals To meet […]
Chinese Apples Pose Threat
To US Apple Industry
Our pieces, China Plays Down Food Safety Problems and Chinese Garlic and Food Safety, both dealt with the implications of food safety problems in China. The Associated Press did a piece entitled, US Apple Growers Brace For China Rivals, pointing out that, even with its food safety troubles, China is a large potential threat to […]
Compromise Immigration Bill
Gets Another Chance
The compromise immigration bill, including the AgJOBS element, is getting another chance in the Senate. Even if it passes the Senate, it has an uncertain future in the House of Representatives, with House republicans warning the President not to push too hard. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has notably not committed to the bill […]
