Gourmet News
United Supermarkets Offers Rewards! Members More Savings
With its Fresher for Longer loyalty campaign, United Supermarkets is saving its guests money, keeping food fresh and reducing food waste. The division of Albertsons Companies, Inc., operators of stores under the banners of United Supermarkets, Albertsons, Market Street and Amigos, is offering its Rewards! members the opportunity to earn extra benefits with every shopping visit.
In addition to earning points redeemable for free groceries and discounts on food and fuel, guests are earning digital stamps redeemable for MasterChef Food Storage products through a partnership with tcc Global, a leading loyalty program solution provider.
From now through Jan. 16, Rewards! members earn one MasterChef digital stamp for every qualifying $10 spent. The digital stamps are redeemable through Jan. 30 for free MasterChef branded food storage containers ranging in price from $7.99 to $18.99. Seven different size containers are offered and guests are encouraged to collect the full range.
“The United Family of Stores is known for its outstanding fresh offering and overall value to our guests. Providing MasterChef Food Storage containers absolutely free as a reward for shopping supports our core value proposition in both of those areas,” said Tony Crumpton Chief Merchandising/Marketing Officer, The United Family. “Guests appreciate that we are providing a high-quality reward that helps them save money while reducing food waste.”
The Fresher for Longer campaign includes a digital mobile game that shoppers can play each and every day. Accessible through the United Family of Stores apps and websites, guests can win instant prizes of free supplier-funded products, bonus digital stamps and MasterChef Food Storage containers.
Each game play also earns guests an entry to a sweepstakes with the grand prize winner winning a three-course dinner for six prepared and hosted by MasterChef contestant and chef Bri Baker. The cost of the dinner is fully covered including the food, venue and travel costs for the winner and their guests.
“The Fresher for Longer campaign is brilliant positioning by United. In an inflationary environment with rising interest rates, consumers are looking for ways to save money and stretch their food dollars. Linking these needs to the environmental concern of reducing food waste shows that United really understands and appreciates its loyal guests,” said Dan Dmochowski, President of North America for tcc Global.
In its 107th year of operation, United Supermarkets, LLC – d.b.a. The United Family® – is a Texas-based grocery chain with stores in 54 communities in Texas and New Mexico. A self-distributing company with headquarters and distribution centers in Lubbock, The United Family currently operates 98 stores under five unique banners: United Supermarkets, Market Street, Amigos, Albertsons Market, and United Express, along with ancillary operations R.C. Taylor Distributing, USM Manufacturing, United Food and Beverage Services and Llano Logistics. The company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Albertsons Companies, Inc.
tcc Global is a multinational marketing company specializing in creating loyalty platforms and campaigns that change the way shoppers think, act and feel. In a fast-paced retail environment which continues to be disrupted by increasing consumer choice, technology and innovation, customer loyalty remains a significant driver as the link between emotional resonance and transactional reward.
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Sprinkles Promotes Murakami to Chief Operating Officer
Sprinkles Bakeries and Picnik Restaurants has promoted Justin Murakami to chief operating officer, recognizing his exemplary contributions and leadership in steering operational growth and innovation. His promotion signals a pivotal phase in executing Sprinkles’ growth strategies domestically and internationally.
Dan Mesches, president and CEO, lauded Justin’s appointment, affirming, “Justin’s strategic foresight and operational expertise have been instrumental in our company’s success, especially in expanding Sprinkles’ global footprint and Picnik’s domestic expansion. We’re confident that under Justin’s leadership, we’ll continue to exceed expectations, scale efficiently and solidify our position as industry leaders.”
Since joining Sprinkles in 2017, Justin swiftly became an integral part of the company’s evolution. His instrumental role in developing and implementing foundational systems and processes laid the groundwork in expanding the brand’s physical footprint with both company-owned and franchised locations, domestically and internationally.
Notably, under his stewardship, Justin took the brand’s iconic cupcake ATMs beyond their brick and mortar locales and launched the non-traditional Cupcake ATM business. With over 50 ATMs and counting, Sprinkles ATMs can be found in airports, malls and lifestyle centers across the country. Justin was also instrumental in the successful launch of Sprinkles’ National Shipping Program, creating another channel for significant growth.
With an impressive career spanning 25 years in the hospitality sector, Justin has navigated through the ranks starting as a host, then becoming a GM at the Cheesecake Factory to an Area Director overseeing multiple brands with Lettuce Entertain You and Hopdoddy Burger Bar. His vast experience has honed his abilities and insights, propelling him to craft and fortify infrastructures conducive to sustained business growth.
As COO, Murakami will lead operations, training, supply chain, culinary, franchise operations and new bakery and restaurant openings. His responsibilities include partnering with cross-functional departments, identifying opportunities and gaps, formulating and implementing robust processes and systems to ensure scalability and ease for the team.
Murakami expressed his enthusiasm about the promotion, stating, “Assuming the role of chief operating officer at Sprinkles and Picnik is a tremendous honor. I am devoted to leveraging our team’s strengths, harnessing operational excellence, and charting a growth trajectory that maintains our commitment to exceptional guest experiences. I am excited about the opportunity to not only drive innovation and sustainable expansion for our business, but to continue nurturing and developing the people I work with every day.”
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Walmart Commits $2M to Support Direct Relief in Gaza, Israel
Walmart, Inc. and the Walmart Foundation have continued to look for ways to support people impacted by the devastating violence in Israel and Gaza that has unfolded over the past month following the terrorist attacks by Hamas. With the pause in fighting, the Walmart Foundation is committing $1 million to support Direct Relief, a nonprofit organization that will help provide emergency medical aid to civilians in Gaza as conditions permit.
This donation builds on the Walmart Foundation’s $1 million investment made earlier in Magen David Adom’s emergency services work in Israel.
“Our hearts remain with our associates, customers and members who have been personally impacted, as well as all those suffering as a result of this situation,” the company said in a statement. “Collectively, let’s focus on demonstrating compassion and kindness to one another. At Walmart and Sam’s Club we are working to ensure everyone feels they belong.”
Walmart Inc. is a people-led, tech-powered omnichannel retailer helping people save money and live better – anytime and anywhere – in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 240 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 19 countries. With fiscal year 2023 revenue of $611 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide.
Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. Additional information about Walmart can be found by visiting corporate.walmart.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/walmart, on X (formerly known as Twitter) at twitter.com/walmart, and on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/walmart/.
Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By focusing where the business has unique strengths, Walmart.org works to tackle key social and environmental issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 19 countries, employs more than 2 million associates and does business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people.
Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, advance equity, address hunger, build inclusive economic opportunity for people in supply chains, protect and restore nature, reduce waste and emissions and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit www.walmart.org or connect on X (formerly known as Twitter) @Walmartorg.
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