Political & Social Justice Activists Join to Fight for Living Wages & Benefits for Retail Workers

Washington, D.C. – A coalition of political and social justice activists from around the country have united to launch the National Retail Justice Alliance to highlight the social and economic plight of retail workers across the country. The new alliance was formed following the first-ever strikes by Walmart workers across the country last year, and is dedicated to raising the living and working standards of retail workers in the United States.

The retail sector is the largest industry by employment in the United States, and is projected to add almost 1.8 million jobs between 2010 and 2020—more than any other industry except construction. Although the retail sector is one of the fastest growing sectors in the country, many retail workers are struggling to survive in low-wage jobs with inconsistent hours and few benefits.

“The retail sector is an important employer of minorities and women, and too many of these workers are living below the poverty line,” said Bill Fletcher, chair of the National Retail Justice Alliance and director of field service and education at the American Federation of Government Employees. “It’s clear that leaders in the retail industry need to step up to the plate and ensure that all retail jobs have decent wages and benefits that can support a family, and Walmart—the world’s largest retailer—is a good place to start. Unfortunately, the retail giant’s drive to put profits ahead of its workers has influenced other retailers to do the same, and that’s why this alliance was formed.”

In addition to Fletcher, the National Retail Justice Alliance Steering Committee includes Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Jim Hightower, and representatives from the Economic Policy Institute, Color of Change, Jobs with Justice, Demos and other progressive leaders and organizations.

http://retailjusticealliance.org/2013/02/04/political-and-social-justice-activists-unite-to-fight-for-living-wages-and-decent-benefits-for-retail-workers/

American Patriot Beer is no brew for Unions

John Beal’s All-American Beer Company’s American Patriot Beer may sound like a good idea. A cold brew made in America.

But Beal, the rat roofer turned beer baron, is no friend of unions.

“I think for any union household that’s into drinking beer in St. Louis, there’s only one and that’s AB/InBev,” said Jeff Aboussie, executive secretary-treasurer of the St. Louis Building and Construction Trades Council. “AB has contributed hundreds of thousands of manhours of union construction to the St. Louis area for decades. I’m sure Patriot Beer is going to have a hard row to hoe to come into this market.”

Beal, who does business as John Beal Incorporated, John Beal Construction, Inc., John Beal Door Company, LLC and John Beal Roofing, does residential and commercial roofing, siding, windows, gutters, masonry, kitchens, bathrooms, basements, additions and decking and none of it is done union.

http://labortribune.com/american-patriot-beer-is-no-brew-for-unions/

Retailers Cater to Twinkie Lovers

PLEASANTON, Calif. — Now that Twinkies are no longer in production, retailers are launching their own versions of the popular snack cake.

Safeway here has created a Hostess Twinkies-like packaged snack under its Snack Artist private label.

“It looks like a Twinkie. It tastes like a Twinkie. But this is no dream,” Safeway wrote on its Facebook page. “Snack Artist’s delicious snack cakes are real.”

Along with the Twinkie imitation, the Snack Artist line also includes “Chocolate Cupcakes,” which look similar to Hostess Cupcakes in that they have the iconic white icing curl down the middle.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/private-label/retailers-cater-twinkie-lovers#ixzz2JvKg3gvd

Fire Hits Historic Cleveland Market

CLEVELAND — A fire has shut down a historic community market here and destroyed the shops of several of the vendors located inside.

The West Side Market, Cleveland’s oldest publicly owned market, had celebrated its centennial anniversary in November. The fire appears to have started by accident, according to published reports.

Some of the produce vendors who operate outside the market’s main building were able to reopen on Friday, two days after the conflagration left the area covered in ashes and soot. Some vendors with shops inside the main building were quoted as saying they hoped to reopen “within a few weeks.”

The centerpiece of the market is a yellow brick building with a 137-foot clock tower. The building opened in 1912 and was most recently renovated in 2004.


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/fire-hits-historic-cleveland-market#ixzz2JvJxdFjg

Whole Foods Eyes E-commerce: Analyst

AUSTIN, Texas — Whole Foods Market here could be eying an e-commerce launch, according to an analyst report on Friday.

Kate Wendt, a San Francisco-based analyst with Wells Fargo Securities, said in the report that the natural and organic specialist had filed several trademarks in January “that point to a potential move toward mobile, e-commerce, store pickup and delivery.”

She said she believes Whole Foods could launch the service in nonfood areas such as vitamins/supplements and natural HBC, before expanding into grocery product.

“Would Whole Foods be successful in the e-commerce or grocery delivery landscape? We think the answer is yes,” Wendt said in the report, citing the following reasons:


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/whole-foods-eyes-e-commerce-analyst#ixzz2JvJSULR8

Storm-Damaged ShopRite in Hoboken to Reopen Feb. 9

HOBOKEN, N.J. — A ShopRite store here that closed last fall as a result of damages from Hurricane Sandy will reopen Feb. 9, officials of Wakefern Food Corp. said Friday.

The store, owned and operated by Inserra Supermarkets, underwent an extensive renovation including new flooring, fixtures and lighting utilizing energy-efficient technologies to help reduce waste and protect the environment, including glass, LED and T-8 lighting, environmentally friendly refrigerant systems and a storewide energy reduction system. Officials said they expect energy usage is expected to be reduced by as much as 50% as a result of the new technologies.

“My family and I are extremely excited to reopen our doors to serve our Hoboken neighbors once more,” Larry Inserra, president of Inserra Supermarkets, said in a statement. “We have enjoyed being a part of this tight-knit community for more than 10 years; we are happy to be home again and look forward to helping in the rebuilding of this resilient city.”


Read More: http://supermarketnews.com/retail-amp-financial/storm-damaged-shoprite-reopen-feb-9#ixzz2JvInGqri

It's National Homemade Soup Day

It's National Carrot Cake Day

and you thought all the hype of the day was about some football game.....

Cincinnati Kroger Stores Ending Double Coupons

The Kroger Co. stores in Greater Cincinnati and Dayton will lower prices on about 3,500 items starting next week, and will also discontinue doubling coupons.

“Kroger is making a multimillion dollar investment into lowering prices,” said Scot Hendricks, VP of merchandising for the Cincinnati/Dayton division, who made the announcement at the Kroger Newport Marketplace Friday morning. Hendricks did not say how much Kroger is investing in the project, but he said the company will more than triple the spending used on doubling coupons.

The new everyday lower prices and new shelf tags will roll out Monday, Feb. 4. In 30 days, Kroger will discontinue its practice of automatically doubling coupons up to 50 cents, but will continue to accept manufacturer, digital and targeted mailer coupons.

A few examples of the new lower prices include: the cost of a three-pound bag of onions will drop $1, a 24-pack of Kroger bottled water will drop 71 cents, and Rubbermaid containers will drop $1.40. The majority of the lower prices will be found in the grocery, produce, organics, natural foods and general merchandise departments. In addition, Kroger will continue to offer its popular special weekly deals, such as 10 for $10 and buy five save $5 mega events.

http://www.progressivegrocer.com/top-stories/headlines/industry-intelligence/id37254/cincinnati-kroger-stores-ending-double-coupons/

Exposed: How Whole Foods and the Biggest Organic Foods Distributor Are Screwing Workers

United Natural Foods Incorporated, the largest wholesale distributor of organic and “natural” foods in the U.S., is currently under investigation for 45 violations of federal labor law.

“The union is like having herpes. It doesn't kill you, but it's unpleasant and inconvenient, and it stops a lot of people from becoming your lover." -- John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market (WFM) CEO John Mackey has done a brilliant job of creating the illusion that his empire is all about abundance, bounty and the good life. But there’s nothing bountiful or good about the way the second-largest non-unionized food retailer exploits workers.

United Natural Foods Incorporated (UNFI), the largest multi-billion dollar wholesale distributor of organic and “natural” foods in the U.S., is currently under investigation for 45 violations of federal labor law, including physically threatening immigrant workers in California who were trying to form a union.

http://www.alternet.org/food/exposed-how-whole-foods-and-biggest-organic-foods-distributor-are-screwing-workers