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Assi Natural Market looks to bridge Asian-American gap | Weis boosts loyalty program with digital coupons | Wal-Mart shoppers buy online but pay by credit card in store

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March 6, 2013

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Retail Beat

Assi Natural Market looks to bridge Asian-American gap
Assi Natural Market in Irvine, Calif., aspires to be the Whole Foods Market of ethnic grocers, Manager Thomas Yoon says. The 35,000-square-foot store sells high-end meat; organic, locally sourced produce, eggs and tofu; and boutique wine and spirits. Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (3/5)

Weis boosts loyalty program with digital coupons
Weis Markets customers, using any Internet-enabled device, can add digital coupons to their Preferred Shoppers Club Card for automatic redemption at checkout. "In recent years, we've worked steadily to increase the value of our Weis Preferred Shoppers Club Card through gas rewards," Marketing Vice President Brian Holt said. "Our e-coupon program is the logical next step for a program that has helped us consistently add value to the Weis Markets shopping experience." Progressive Grocer (3/5)

Trend-Spotter

Wal-Mart shoppers buy online but pay by credit card in store
Many Wal-Mart Stores shoppers who purchase online and opt to pay with cash at a store actually end up using a credit card, Wal-Mart U.S. CEO Bill Simon says. This shows many consumers are still reluctant to use a credit card online, he says. Supermarket News (free registration) (3/5)

Value focus will continue, report says
Though the economy is improving, shoppers are staying focused on value in 2013, according to a SymphonyIRI Group report, "2012 CPG Year in Review: Finding the New Normal." Among trends discussed, consumers are shopping at fewer channels and are relying more on information and deals found online. Progressive Grocer (3/5)

Private Brands

Retailers boost private-label baby items with websites
A&P and Kroger each has created a website for parents, showcasing private-label baby products. Both sites include downloadable coupons and information for new parents. Supermarket News (free registration) (3/5)

Survey: Private brands slip in Czechoslovakia
Shoppers in Czechoslovakia are losing interest in private-label products, with 15% purchasing them regularly, according to an Incoma GfK survey. One reason is a narrowing gap between prices of private-label and branded products. Prague Daily Monitor/Czech News Agency (3/5)

Health, Nutrition & Pharmacy

Free allergy screening is on tap at Sam's Club
Sam's Club stores with a pharmacy has scheduled a free health and allergy screening Saturday. "It can be difficult to tell the difference between allergies and a persistent head cold since symptoms, such as congestion and irritated eyes, are often similar," said Jill Turner-Mitchael, senior vice president for health and wellness. Retailing Today (3/5)

Experts urge early allergen introduction
The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology is urging parents to introduce potential allergens, including eggs and peanut butter, to children when they are as young as 4 months old. "There's been more studies that find that if you introduce them early, it may actually prevent food allergy," said David Fleischer, co-author of the article in The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. The Wall Street Journal (3/4)

Government Affairs

Survey shows support for wellness measures
Researchers at the Harvard University School of Public Health asked Americans what government can do to fight obesity and found that people favor measures including requiring restaurants to post calorie count, making produce more affordable and adding physical activity to the school day. They do not like action perceived as punitive, such as an insurance surcharge for obese people or a ban on certain food and drinks. National Public Radio/The Salt blog (3/5)