On my recent visit to one of ALDI’s newest locations in Geneva, Ill. (a western suburb of Chicago) for the cover of the next issue of Retail Confectioner, I was reminded of the shopping trips I took as a kid with my mother to our local ALDI in Muscatine, Iowa. (ALDI actually got its U.S. start in Iowa, just 45 minutes’ drive from Muscatine in Iowa City). Although my recollection of the store is foggy, two memories still come to mind: “renting” our carts … and the tasty sugar wafers my mom bought there.

 

Today, ALDI shoppers still rent their carts. And you can still buy those chocolate-, vanilla- and strawberry-flavored wafers I remember so fondly. But a lot has changed about the Batavia, Ill.-based discount retailer. As mentioned in my upcoming article, ALDI’s newest locations boast wider aisles, brighter lighting, better signage and one more aisle than its older stores, which it has started updating, as well. And although the footprint remains smaller than modern supermarkets and club stores (the Geneva store is 17,000 sq. ft), ALDI is chock-full of product.

 

There are a lot more ALDIs out there now, too – 1,000 here and an additional 3,000 in some 17 countries. While some retailers are suffering in this economy, ALDI is thriving, opening new locations all over the United States (from Texas to Massachusetts) and drawing in new customers with its low prices and private label brands, which are numerous.

 

As manufacturers and retailers are aware, private label is growing by leaps and bounds, even in the candy and snack categories. According to Chicago-based market research firm Information Resources, Inc., for the latest 52 weeks ending July 12, 2009, private-label cookie sales totaled $571.4 million, up 15.1% over last year. In addition, private-label sugarless gum sales totaled $1.5 million, up 36.9% over the previous year. Meanwhile, private-label hard candy sales totaled $16.9 million, up 13.7% over 2008. And sales of private-label chocolate candy box/bag/bar over 3.5 oz. totaled $4.9 million, up 12.4% over the year before.

 

As a consumer, I long ago embraced private-label products, initially to save money. I stuck with certain private-label brands once I realized that the quality was there, too. I found the same to be true of ALDI and its audience, of which I now count myself a member.

 

After wrapping up my interview with Geneva store manager Steve Cooley, I decided to relive my youth by doing a little shopping of my own. So I went out front and popped 25 cents into a cart (to be refunded to me later) and hit each aisle, starting with the first, which houses all of ALDI’s candy and snack products. There, I picked up samples of its private-label Choceur and Moser-Roth chocolate lines, which are strategically priced below its name brand competitors, but boast premium-style packaging for an upscale look. I also got a box of ALDI’s Fit & Active brand 100-calorie-pack cookies and a carton of its Baker’s Treat brand Swiss Cake Rolls (which I look forward to comparing to my favorite Little Debbies).

 

At the checkout, overwhelmed by the variety of candy and snack products on display, I grabbed several items, including ALDI’s Mystik brand sugarless gum and Simm’s brand meat snack sticks in Bacon & Cheddar, Hot and Original varieties.

 

Then I saw the Kit-Kats, SNICKERS and M&M’S, and I was reminded that some brand names simply cannot be beat. Luckily, at ALDI, you don’t have to choose between normally higher-priced mainstream products and lower-priced private label offerings. Both are affordable … and tasty. Just like the sugar wafers my mother used to buy.

 

Editor’s Note: Check out the August issue of Retail Confectioner for the full story on ALDI.

Researchers at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania have discovered that many grain-based snacks and cereals contain a good dose of polyphenols, a plant-based antioxidant, reports the HealthDay News.

 
In presenting research yesterday at the American Chemical Society’s annual meeting in Washington, D.C., Joe Vinson, a professor of chemistry at the University of Scranton, pointed out that “whole-grain products have comparable antioxidants per gram to fruits and vegetables. This is the first study to examine total phenol antioxidants in breakfast cereals and snacks, whereas previous studies have measured free antioxidants in the products."

 

Ongoing research suggests that antioxidants have anti-inflammatory properties and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and other illnesses. Among snacks, Vinson found that popcorn had the most polyphenols (2.6%), followed by whole-grain crackers (0.45%).

 

"We always think of fruits and vegetables as the primary sources of polyphenols," he said. "But many people, especially students, don't eat enough of them. Here we have a product that is very familiar in the diet and that people like to eat. We can push kids to eat more whole grains."

 

For more information, visit www.acs.org.

Sun to power 20% of Mars’ New Jersey headquarters, plant Mars Snackfood US and PSEG Solar Source LLC recently broke ground on a solar garden at Mars’ corporate headquarters and manufacturing site in Hackettstown, N.J. It will have more than 28,000 solar panels, making it the state’s largest solar garden in a food manufacturing facility. It also will provide two megawatts of solar electric power during peak hours, which is equivalent to approximately 20% of the plant’s peak consumption. In addition, the solar garden will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1,000 metric tons, equivalent to removing 190 vehicles from the road each year.

“At Mars Snackfood US, we are committed to making sustainability a central component of our business and the Hackettstown solar garden is just one of the many environmental initiatives we have underway,” said Nick Hastilow, vice president of commercial, Mars Snackfood US. “This project will greatly benefit the environment and our business and we expect it will also reduce energy costs.”

 

Mars Snackfood US and PSEG Solar Source have created a long-term partnership to ensure the success and longevity of the Hackettstown solar garden. PSEG Solar Source will own the system located on Mars’ property. Mars has contracted for the entire output of the system. Engineering, procurement and construction services will be provided by juwi solar Inc., a solar energy company based in Colorado. Construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2009. For more information, visit Sun to power 20% of Mars’ New Jersey headquarters, plant Mars Snackfood US and PSEG Solar Source LLC recently broke ground on a solar garden at Mars’ corporate headquarters and manufacturing site in Hackettstown, N.J. It will have more than 28,000 solar panels, making it the state’s largest solar garden in a food manufacturing facility. It also will provide two megawatts of solar electric power during peak hours, which is equivalent to approximately 20% of the plant’s peak consumption. In addition, the solar garden will reduce CO2 emissions by more than 1,000 metric tons, equivalent to removing 190 vehicles from the road each year.

 

“At Mars Snackfood US, we are committed to making sustainability a central component of our business and the Hackettstown solar garden is just one of the many environmental initiatives we have underway,” said Nick Hastilow, vice president of commercial, Mars Snackfood US. “This project will greatly benefit the environment and our business and we expect it will also reduce energy costs.”

 

Mars Snackfood US and PSEG Solar Source have created a long-term partnership to ensure the success and longevity of the Hackettstown solar garden. PSEG Solar Source will own the system located on Mars’ property. Mars has contracted for the entire output of the system. Engineering, procurement and construction services will be provided by juwi solar Inc., a solar energy company based in Colorado. Construction is scheduled to be completed in October 2009.

 

For more information, visit www.mars.com.

Consumers rank almonds as the most essential nut and the top nut consumers choose most to eat on an ongoing basis, an independent survey sponsored by the Almond Board of California (ABC) revealed. Simultaneously, almond shipments set new records yet again in June, with new monthly highs recorded for both domestic and export shipment.

 
To help meet this increased demand and interest in almonds, ABC launched a new Web site this month: www.almondboard.com. The site showcases the commodity board's informative tools and resources for consumers, health professionals and food professionals.

 

"We are eager to roll out our new Web site and provide almond lovers around the world a reliable and trusted resource," says Shirley Horn, ABC’s chief marketing officer.

 

Food professionals will find technical almond information and resources specific for chefs and food manufacturers. With almonds' irresistible consumer appeal, the site offers innovative uses for incorporating almonds into the most popular food categories, including chocolate, bakery, French pastry, snacking, cereal, and ice cream, along with menu trends and usage examples. The "Almonds Add” section includes research on consumer attitudes, awareness and usage of almonds to highlight the consumer demand for almonds as part of menu items and packaged goods.

 

For more information, visit www.almondboard.com.

To better satisfy America’s increased demand for unique chocolate confections, Oakdale, Calif.-based Sconza Candy has introduced Sunlights, a line of roasted sunflower seed confections made with cocoa and delicate sugar shells in dazzling colors. Available in more than l5 dedicated colors and seasonal color mixes, the tiny confections come bulk-packed in 10-lb. cases.
 

“Sunlights offer a visual excitement as well as a unique tasting experience ” says Greg Cater, v.p. of sales and marketing. “The tiny confections are perfect for impulse candy purchases.”

 

In addition to the dedicated color selection, Sconza also features a color combination mix for Christmas, spring and fall as well as an assorted mix for everyday appeal. Custom color combinations also are available with minimum purchases.

 

For purists, Sconza Candy also offers premium, ultra dark chocolate sunflower seeds. The company will debut retail packs within two to three weeks. The 7-oz. bags will have a S.R.P. ranging from $4.99 to $5.99.

 

For more information, visit www.sconzacandy.com.