And Here We Are In 2010!
It’s hard to believe that ICDS is going into its 9th year! ICDS now represents manufacturers in many categories from Grocery, Perishable, Produce, Seafood, Meat, GM/HBC, Specialty, Gourmet, Natural and Dairy and Deli. Wow!
It’s a special kind of team that can keep a strong focus in understanding and implementing both Safeway’s objectives and the Manufacturer’s objectives. I am proud to say that ICDS has been that special team! It’s no secret that 2009 was a tough year for retailers, manufacture and brokers due to the down turn in the economy.
With sku rationalization, Optura and the continued expansion of Control Label, Manufacturer’s and Brokers will need to continue to challenge each other to find opportunities that Safeway will embrace. At ICDS with the right marketing programs and knowing Safeway’s Strategy/Vision we see great opportunities for growth in 2010!
I am happy to announce that ICDS was able to add more expertise to the team with the additions of Tony Tuoto and Stu Tyler. I also want to congratulate Geoff Haskins for his promotion to "Team Leader" at ICDS.
During these difficult economic times, I believe it is more important than ever to renew our pledge to not only meet, but exceed your expectations. Co-Sales is committed to maintaining the standards that you have come to expect from our management and our ICDS Team.
I hope you will feel free to call me with any questions or concerns. Again, ICDS takes pride in our representation of your product line and looks forward to our continued partnership.
Sincerely,
James A. French
ICDS Managing Partner
ICDS News:
Stu Tyler joins ICDS Team!
We are proud to announce that Stu Tyler has joined the ICDS Team. Stu comes with 24 years experience in the brokerage industry from CrossMark/Bradshaw as an Account Executive and a Western Regional Business Manager. He has great experience in many facets to include GM/HBC along with Perishable and Grocery.
Stu will be a great fit for the ICDS Team.
Welcome Stu!
You can contact Stu at (925)327-7311 Ext-6158 or email him at styler@icd-services.com
Safeway News:
Resets Scheduled for Wave 6, Wave 7 and Wave 8.
| Wave 6 (June 7 - July 9) |
| Candy (Checkstand) |
| Dairy Milk |
| Condiment Combo/Condiments Natural |
| Dairy Dough / Pudding |
| Pasta Dry / Pasta Sauce |
| First Aid |
| Wave 7 (July 12 - Aug 13) |
| Breakfast Cereal RTE |
| Coffee Bulk |
| Frozen Snack |
| Meat Franks Only |
| Wave 8 (Aug 16 - Sept 17) |
| Candy In-line (with or without Mod) |
| Soup Can Condensed / Soup Can RTE |
| Hot Cereal |
| Frozen Entrée / Prepared |
| Baking Dessert / Cake Mix |
| HHLD Cleaning / HHLD Bath Cleaners |
Other Safeway News:
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From Tony Tuoto, ICDS Account Exec for Just Born:
- Flash! Sales for the new Big Bag Candy Section are on fire with Hot Tamales 4.5lb Bags. You can also satisfy your fruit flavored candy urges with Mike & Ike Original 4.5lb. The new section is currently being set at more than 1,100 stores nationwide.
- The baby chicks will be chirping and the bunnies will be hopping at Safeway this Easter. With 3 additional Peeps items, Safeway has more than doubled their business over the prior year!
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Safeway Workers Reject Deal.
- Supermarket workers in Colorado turned down a contract offer from Safeway, but accepted a virtually identical deal from King Soopers. At this point, it is unclear what their next step will be. Some bargaining units also voted to authorize a strike, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7. (Supermarket News 12/18/09).
Personnel Changes at Safeway:
- The promotion of Dian Emerson to the position of Vice President Human Resources Diversity and Inclusion.
- The promotion of Joe Valente to the position of Director - Store Reporting and Inventories
- Michelle Castinado has accepted the position of Category Director in Meals & Ingredients. She will be responsible for the Canned Fruit/Vegetables/Meat and Spreads categories.
- Araceli Mata has moved from Category Manager - Corporate Family Care to work on a new project in Marketing Systems and Processes Department.
- Tammie Salkeld has been promoted to Category Analyst for the Soup/Pasta desk. Tammie has both Pricing and Consumer Demand experience that she will be able to apply in her new role on the team. She will be supporting Michele Rocha with New/Disc items, Promotional Analysis and E-deals processing while she learns the categories.
2010 Events:
- 2/3 - Rojon Hasker, Dinner, Castlewood Country Club
- 2/25 - COH Taste of Hope, Castlewood Country Club
- 3/12 thru 3/16 - Natural Products EXPO - Anaheim
- 3/14 thru 3/16 - Boston Seafood Show
- 4/17 thru 4/21 - WAFC - Marriott Desert Ridge Resort - Phoenix
Food Industry News:
Tree of Life Sold.
Tree of Life will sell its natural and specialty food distribution businesses in North America, including Tree of Life U.S. and Tree of Life Canada, to Kehe Food Distributors, Inc. The Deal is expected to close early next year. Progressive Grocer 12/23/09
Food for Thought:
"There is no such thing as failure. There are only results". Tony Robbins
