This year's Maryland Food Industry Hall of Fame class will be a very special one as, for the first time ever, the inductees will be all women who have contributed significantly to the grocery business.

Supervalu announced that Robert Bly has been named president of its Shoppers Food & Pharmacy retail operation based in Bowie, MD.

Al Dobbin, former Giant/Landover EVP/COO, has passed away.

Former Kmart VP Robert Bly has been named president of Supervalu's Shoppers division.

First of all, we wish new Supervalu chief executive Wayne Sales the best of luck. He’ll certainly need it after inheriting a damaged company whose ongoing problems are complex, multi-faceted and will be difficult to repair, especially with less money to invest and a lack of confidence from Wall Street.…

I recently read that July 2012 was the hottest on record and that by the year 2080 the average daily temperature for July will be 110 degrees. I am sure I won’t be around to see them, but there certainly was a preview with many days over 100 last month.…

New Supervalu chief executive Wayne Sales has many daunting challenges ahead of him. The former CEO of Canadian Tire Corp., who has also served on Supervalu’s board since 2006 (and as non-executive chairman since 2010), will attempt to fix (or sell) a company whose performance at its approximately 1,100 supermarkets…

Bruno Garisto, 45, Weis Markets’ vice president of center store merchandising and sales, passed away unexpectedly on August 10.

Usually this column is written in Columbia, MD at home or at the editorial offices of Best-Met Publishing. However, for the first time since Food World was acquired by Best-Met Publishing--1978--it is being written on Cape Cod in Orleans, MA as Kathy and I are on an extended vacation with…

For those Taking Stock readers who believe I have for the past few years harbored a strong personal dislike for deposed Supervalu CEO Craig Herkert, you would be inaccurate. On the other hand, for those of you who believe my criticism has been directed at Herkert’s utterly dismal performance, you…

Ahold USA announced that that Erik Keptner has been promoted to the newly created position of executive vice president of marketing. The move comes after Ahold USA EVP-marketing and merchandising Jeff Martin resigned unexpectedly in June. After Martin’s exit, Ahold USA said it would split the former Martin EVP role…

Supervalu finally fired president and chief executive officer Craig Herkert on July 30, naming its non-executive chairman of the board Wayne C. Sales as president and CEO.

Supervalu announced July 30 that Wayne C. Sales has been named president and chief executive officer, replacing Craig R. Herkert. Sales will continue to serve as chairman of the board. Director Philip L. Francis has been elected lead director.  “In my new role, I will work closely with our leadership…

Maria Maggio's musings on the news of the industry.

Jeff's Metzger's analysis of the news that Supervalu has suspended its dividend and will see an asset review.

The three retailers that officially acquired 19 Genuardi’s stores over the past six weeks will have reopened all those units by the end of this month. And Safeway, parent company of Genuardi’s, is getting ready to exit the Delaware Valley market probably in the next few months when its remaining…

The end is near for Supervalu as we now know it following a dismal first quarter (ended June 16) in which the company once again saw key metrics plummet. Quarterly profit plunged 45 percent as the Eden Prairie, MN based retailer/wholesaler earned $41 million, down sharply from the $74 million…

Dick Bestany's reporting on the goings-on on the Food World marketing area.

Jeff Metzger's analysis of Ahold USA's recently completed annual vendor meeting, and other news from the past few weeks in the supermarket industry.

Kenneth Herman, who founded Jumbo Foods, which later became Shoppers, has died at age 92.

Weis Markets announced the promotion of Kurt Schertle to executive vice president on July 2. “Kurt has played a key role in our company’s sales building initiatives and growth program,” said David J. Hepfinger, Weis Markets’ president and CEO. “As we plan for a future of continued growth and increased…

Shoppers Food & Pharmacy and UFCW Locals 400 and 27 have agreed to a new two-year labor contract.

Maria Maggio's musings on the industry.

Jeff Metzger's input on the surprising news that Jeff Martin has resigned as Ahold USA EVP-merchandising and marketing.

Dick Bestany's musings on the Mid-Atlantic food industry.

Jeff Metzger breaks down the results of the Food World 2012 Market Study.

The Food World and Food Trade News 2012 Market Study issues measure market share of food and drug retailers throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.

In a very surprising move, Jeff Martin resigned his position as executive VP-merchandising and marketing for AholdUSA, effective June 8.

Jeff Metzger's analysis of the latest news in the Northeast food industry

Maria Maggio's musings on the goings-on in the food industry.

Weis Markets posted another strong sales and earnings quarter while also telling shareholders that the next 12 months should continue the forward momentum that the chain has enjoyed since 2009.

Ahold USA earlier this month announced two changes to its executive leadership. Mark McGowan has been named EVP-Supply Chain for Ahold USA and Joe Kelley will become president of Stop & Shop New England.

Dick Bestany's musings on the food industry in the Mid-Atlantic.

Jeff Metzger's analysis of the recent news of alleged bribery by Wal-Mart executives in Mexico.

Wal-Mart’s ambitious project of building six new stores in the District of Columbia over the next three years will not happen as planned.

Maria Maggio's musings on the current events in the food industry.

Jeff Metzger's analysis of Supervalu's most recent financial report and Craig Herkert's earnings call performance.

Industry veterans James S. Herr of Herr Foods and Lee Javitch of Giant/Carlisle both passed away this month.

Long-time Wawa CEO Howard Stoeckel will retire at the end of the year. Chris Gheysens, 15-year company vet, will take the post in January.

Keith Wyche has been named Supervalu president as Dan Sanders moves to SVU's SoCal Albertsons division.