Retail Beat

• Shopko merchandising chief adds president to title
  Jill Soltau, who joined Shopko in 2007 and was most recently chief merchandising officer and executive vice president, has been promoted to president of the mass-merchandise chain. She will continue to head merchandising. Soltau's retail experience includes stints at Kohl's and Sears. Drug Store News (1/18)     

• H-E-B taps Houston football star as spokesman
  J.J. Watt, defensive lineman for the Houston Texans, has been hired as H.E. Butt Grocery's spokesman. "Over the last two years, J.J. has demonstrated that he shares H-E-B's commitment to the Houston community while embracing the 'Spirit of Giving' philosophy H-E-B is known for in giving back to those in need," Houston division President Scott McClelland said. Supermarket News (free registration) (1/18)     

Trend-Spotter

• FMI's Morganthall wins GMA collaboration award
  GMA has honored Fred Morganthall, chairman of FMI and president and chief operating officer of Harris Teeter, with the Industry Collaboration Leadership Award. "Collaboration is a requirement," Morganthall said of FMI and GMA. "We can't find solutions to problems ranging from government to food safety without working together." Supermarket News (free registration) (1/20)     

• Coffee and beer combine in JavaHead Stout
  Tröegs Brewing in Hershey, Pa., has developed JavaHead Stout, made with coffee beans from Kenya. "It was taking my favorite beverage in the morning and my favorite beverage at night, and blending them," said John Trogner, who runs the brewery with brother Chris. The Wall Street Journal (1/18)     

• GMA honors Danny Wegman and Tim Smucker
  Danny Wegman and Tim Smucker have received GMA's highest honor, the Hall of Achievement Award. The Wegmans Food Markets CEO and J.M. Smucker chairman "are more than pillars of the industry," GMA President and CEO Pam Bailey said. "They are family men from two of the most admired family companies, who are as well known for their philanthropy as for their leadership." Supermarket News (free registration) (1/20)     

Fresh Ideas

• Rice is so much more than white
  Rice is available in many colors, textures and flavors, each suitable for a different dish. Short-grain white Japanese rice is used for sushi; Bhutanese red rice is ideal for a salad; and Thai black glutinous rice brings its sticky texture to pudding, bread and porridge. The Wall Street Journal (1/18)     

Health, Nutrition & Pharmacy

• Walgreen debuts Televisa health and wellness products
  Walgreen is adding health and wellness items by Televisa Consumer Products to increase engagement with Hispanic customers. Televisa Consumer Products, a joint venture between Grupo Televisa and Genomma Lab Internacional, has developed products for hair care, skin care, pain, sleep, and cough and cold. Drug Store News (1/18)     

• High-protein launches gain muscle
  The U.S. is the strongest market for high-protein products, accounting for 19% of launches worldwide, according to Mintel. "Americans are looking for protein to aid in satiety, weight management and to boost muscle recovery and build muscle after a workout, making protein appeal to a broad audience in a great number of usage occasions," said Nirvana Chapman, an analyst for global food-science trends. Progressive Grocer (1/18)     

Supplier News

• Declining soda sales might be "new norm"
  Sales of carbonated soft drinks have declined for eight consecutive years, and companies are no longer able to increase prices to counter lower volume. "The question from here is if that is the new norm," Sanford C. Bernstein beverage analyst Steve Powers said. The Wall Street Journal (1/18)     

• Disney characters star in Jelly Belly launch
  Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Goofy and Minnie Mouse are featured on packs of Disney-themed jelly beans by Jelly Belly Candy. Each 2.8-ounce package contains a different assortment of flavors. CandyAndSnackToday.com (1/21), Drug Store News (1/18)     

Hot Topics

Top five news stories selected by FMI dailyLead® readers in the past week.

• Grocers make list of 100 top places to work (Progressive Grocer)

• Sweetbay plans to shutter 33 Fla. stores (The Tampa Tribune (Fla.))

• Whole Foods' Mackey shares vision in "Conscious Capitalism" (Bloomberg Businessweek)

• Delhaize America trims executive staff by 25% (Progressive Grocer)

• Single-serve water bottles are banned in Concord, Mass. (SmartPlanet.com)

• Results based on number of times each story was clicked by readers.

FMI Spotlight

• Missing Midwinter?
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• Follow @FMI_ORG on Twitter for more Midwinter highlights
  Use hashtag #mw2013 for updates, photos and more.     

Daily Quote

It is so difficult not to become vain about one's own good luck." --Simone de Beauvoir, French writer and philosopher