Retail & FoodService

The Kroger Co. announced that Michael L. Ellis will be named President and Chief Operating Officer, effective January 1, 2014, completing the succession plan announced in September. The company expects its Board of Directors to elect Mr. Ellis President and COO at the next board meeting in December. …

Ready-to-cook dinner kits are the latest concept in online grocery delivery. Blue Apron, and fellow startups HelloFresh and Plated, are targeting busy consumers who want to cook at home but dont have time to hit the grocery store every week. The companies are new all three have launched within the last year but are growing quickly and have plans to reach more customers in more states soon. …

Safeway Inc.  announced that Canada's Competition Bureau has entered into a consent agreement with Sobeys Inc. allowing the parties to proceed with their transaction whereby Sobeys will acquire the net assets of Canada Safeway.  The parties now expect to close the transaction in early November 2013. …

Researchers at one city hospital are looking to prove that lower prices are needed at grocery stores in order to fight the obesity epidemic. YNN’s Erin Billups filed the following report. …

US Foods announced it has agreed to acquire the assets of Quandt’s Foodservice Distributors. Quandt’s is an independent foodservice distributor that services most of Eastern New York and portions of Western New England. …