Top 10: Publix, Wegmans in Va., new convenience products, digital marketing and savory jams - SmartBrief

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Top 10: Publix, Wegmans in Va., new convenience products, digital marketing and savory jams

This week's top news ran the gamut, covering food retail, new CPG products, digital marketing and trends in jams.

3 min read

Food

Publix Super Markets

( Phillip Pessar/Flickr)

This week’s top news ran the gamut, covering food retail, new CPG products, digital marketing and trends in jams. The most-widely read story of the week was news that Richmond, Va., may be the first market where regional grocery chains Wegmans Food Markets and Publix Super Markets will compete. However, the story indicated that their connections go way back — the founders were close friends. “In many ways, it’s kind of sad that we will compete,” said Wegmans CEO Danny Wegman, whose dad Robert started the company.

New convenience-oriented product announcements followed closely behind with General Mills adding Totino’s Stuffed Nachos and Pizza Sticks to its line of meal snacks with both products intended to capture the attention of consumers who eat on-the-go. “The latest product innovations from Totino’s are part of an effort to give younger consumers the bold and diverse flavors they are asking for that fit within their busy lifestyles,” said Marketing Manager Caio Correa. The other new product announcement that caught the eyes of readers was Velveeta’s individually-wrapped mini cheese blocks, made to meet consumer demand for on-the-go and portion-controlled products. The new items come in five-packs of 4-ounce blocks and are available at groceries across the country.

General Mills’s entirely digital marketing strategy for Tiny Toast in order to appeal to millennials made the fourth most-read story this week. The company is making original content for YouTube, Snapchat and Instagram but not for television. “In all of the TV watched by young adults, only 25% is watched on an actual TV,” said Alan Cunningham, senior marketing manager of cereal innovation at General Mills.

Tying for fifth was news on Target refocusing its food strategy as well as the rise of savory jams.

For the rest of the top 10 most-read stories this week, see below.

  1. Wegmans, Publix to compete head-on in Va.
  2. Totino’s captures millennials’ desire for portable foods with new items
  3. Velveeta debuts mini cheese blocks
  4. General Mills streamlines Tiny Toast marketing to digital-only campaign
  5. CEO: Target refocuses its strategies in the food aisles
  6. Popularity of savory jams is spreading
  7. Hy-Vee puts Minneapolis-area project on hold
  8. Buffalo Wild Wings to explore new markets
  9. Farm-to-table fast-casual ‘Wichcraft sports a new look
  10. Pickling programs let eateries keep up with trends, cut food waste

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