FOOD LION BEGINS PRICE PROGRAM
SALISBURY, N.C. — Food Lion last week said it had begun lowering thousands of prices on items its customers buy most. Combined with promotions through Food Lion's MVP card, the new program can provide savings of 25% to 30% on the total grocery bill, company officials said. The new prices, in categories including milk, bread, produce, meat, juice, cereal, canned goods, detergent, paper products and pet food, will be marked with special tags in stores and at foodlion.com. “Our actions today demonstrate our commitment to continuing to distinguish Food Lion as a low-price leader in the markets we serve,” James Egan, senior vice president of Food Lion, said in a statement.
WEIS REVAMPS ONLINE OFFERING
SUNBURY, Pa. — Weis Markets has launched a redesigned website, offering shoppers the ability to place orders for gift cards, party platters and prescription refills as well as make shopping lists and obtain online coupons and specials through use of Weis' Preferred Shoppers Club card. “We want weismarkets.com to be an evolving and useful part of the Weis Markets' shopping experience,” David Hepfinger, Weis' president and chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We've made weismarkets.com more user-friendly and it offers shoppers more personalized options, which are tailored to their individual preferences and needs.” The site also offers a new Healthy Living section where customers can submit questions to Weis Markets' registered dietitians and find healthy recipes.
RALEY'S HIRES NEW AD AGENCY
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Raley's Supermarkets here said Wednesday it has hired Hoffman/Lewis, an advertising agency based in San Francisco, to handle its creative and media advertising business. The agency's responsibilities will include television, radio, print and interactive campaigns, with its first efforts scheduled to debut in the spring, Raley's said. “We chose Hoffman/Lewis because they presented us with a strategy that we feel will create a foundation for the long-term growth of our business,” said Michelle Cervantez, chief marketing officer, “plus, it has a compelling record of success with retailers and outstanding creative capabilities.” Raley's operates 134 stores in Northern California and Northern Nevada, with sales estimated at $3.4 billion.
BROOKSHIRE TAPS LOOMIS FOR ADS
TYLER, Texas — Brookshire Grocery Co. here last week said it would expand its marketing efforts behind a new partnership with the Loomis Agency, a Dallas-based marketing and branding firm. Loomis will help Brookshire maintain a competitive and creative edge to its current and new marketing and advertising strategies, the company said.
STOP & SHOP DEBUTS SITE FOR MOMS
QUINCY, Mass. — Stop & Shop last week said it has launched a new consumer website aimed at mothers, called smallvictories.com. The new site “celebrates the little wins that make a difference in moms' everyday lives,” the Ahold-owned retailer, based here, said in a prepared release. Content includes recipes, money-saving advice and “survival tips from fellow moms.” The site also provides opportunities for mothers to exchange meal suggestions, tips for making life easier, solutions to make families healthier and happier, and humor. Later this month, smallvictories.com will begin offering exclusive savings opportunities Stop & Shop said. The site is an extension of the Stop & Shop customer publication Small Victories, which launched last summer.
