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SAFEWAY'S PREMIUM FROZEN ENTREES DEBUT

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Safeway here has rolled out advertising and in-store merchandising to promote a line of frozen entrees introduced under its upscale Select label.The new offering consists of 10 premium entrees plus an array of hors d'oeuvres, according to Debra Lambert, Safeway's corporate public affairs director. Packages bear the Safeway Select Premium Quality trademark and a banner that says

Russell Redman

January 29, 1996

1 Min Read

RUSSELL REDMAN

OAKLAND, Calif. -- Safeway here has rolled out advertising and in-store merchandising to promote a line of frozen entrees introduced under its upscale Select label.

The new offering consists of 10 premium entrees plus an array of hors d'oeuvres, according to Debra Lambert, Safeway's corporate public affairs director. Packages bear the Safeway Select Premium Quality trademark and a banner that says "Gourmet Club."

Entrees include two varieties of pork ribs, two types of beef patties, a macaroni-and-cheese dish, lasagna, stuffed baked potatoes and two kinds of pot pie (chicken and sirloin), Lambert said. Hors d'oeuvres include miniature quiches and seafood-type snacks, among others.

"In terms of promotional support, we've done shelf tags, displays and product sampling as well as print advertising," Lambert said.

For example, one ad read, "Put a Five-Star Restaurant In Your Freezer. Introducing Safeway Select Gourmet Club." The beef patties were listed at $4.99 for a 2.66-pound package, the lasagna at $7.99 for a 5-pound package, the potatoes at $3.99 for a 1.25-pound box and the ribs at $6.99 for a 2-pound box.

The spot also said, "Made with only the finest ingredients, like gourmet spices, seasoned beef, fresh vegetables; nothing but the best. The quality and savings you expect from Safeway Select. Ready to serve and enjoy in minutes."

As with its other premium-label groceries, Safeway is not playing off brand-names in merchandising Select frozen entrees. "We don't compare them to national brands. They stand alone," Lambert said.

About the Author

Russell Redman

Senior Editor
Supermarket News

Russell Redman has served as senior editor at Supermarket News since April 2018, his second tour with the publication. In his current role, he handles daily news coverage for the SN website and contributes news and features for the print magazine, as well as participates in special projects, podcasts and webinars and attends industry events. Russ joined SN from Racher Press Inc.’s Chain Drug Review and Mass Market Retailers magazines, where he served as desk/online editor for more than nine years, covering the food/drug/mass retail sector. 

Russell Redman’s more than 30 years of experience in journalism span a range of editorial manager, editor, reporter/writer and digital roles at a variety of publications and websites covering a breadth of industries, including retailing, pharmacy/health care, IT, digital home, financial technology, financial services, real estate/commercial property, pro audio/video and film. He started his career in 1989 as a local news reporter and editor, covering community news and politics in Long Island, N.Y. His background also includes an earlier stint at Supermarket News as center store editor and then financial editor in the mid-1990s. Russ holds a B.A. in journalism (minor in political science) from Hofstra University, where he also earned a certificate in digital/social media marketing in November 2016.

Russell Redman’s experience:

Supermarket News - Informa
Senior Editor 
April 2018 - present

Chain Drug Review/Mass Market Retailers - Racher Press
Desk/Online Editor 
Sept. 2008 - March 2018

CRN magazine - CMP Media
Managing Editor
May 2000 - June 2007

Bank Systems & Technology - Miller Freeman
Executive Editor/Managing Editor
Dec. 1996 - May 2000

Supermarket News - Fairchild Publications
Financial Editor/Associate Editor
April 1995 - Dec. 1996 

Shopping Centers Today Magazine - ICSC 
Desk Editor/Assistant Editor
Dec. 1992 - April 1995

Testa Communications
Assistant Editor/Contributing Editor (Music & Sound Retailer, Post, Producer, Sound & Communications and DJ Times magazines)
Jan. 1991 - Dec. 1992 

American Banker/Bond Buyer
Copy Editor
Oct. 1990 - Jan. 1991 

This Week newspaper - Chanry Communications
Reporter/Editor
May 1989 - July 1990

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