Author Archives: Seth Mendelson

About Seth Mendelson

Seth Mendel­son is the pub­lisher and edi­to­r­ial direc­tor of Mac­fad­den Com­mu­ni­ca­tions, over­see­ing mul­ti­ple titles across many key cat­e­gories. Seth has been a jour­nal­ist since grad­u­at­ing from Syra­cuse Uni­ver­sity in 1980. He was a sports­writer and newswriter for Gan­nett News­pa­pers, before becom­ing an edi­tor at Mass Mar­ket Retail­ers, Non­foods Mer­chan­dis­ing and Super­mar­ket Busi­ness. Also, Seth was pre­vi­ously edi­tor in chief of Retail Mer­chan­diser. He has been quoted in a num­ber of pub­li­ca­tions, includ­ing The Wall Street Jour­nal, The New York Times and many regional newspapers.

Nonfoods Talk: Playing catch-up

Posted on May 1, 2012 by .

Wellness has been on consumers’ minds for nearly a generation. A new conference next year is geared to helping retailers gain more insight into … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 05 Article Archives, Columns, Nonfoods for Profit

Feel-good stories

Posted on Apr 2, 2012 by .

Officials at housewares and pet product companies say their categories are looking up despite a weak economy and high gas prices. Talk about optimism. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 04 Article Archives, Columns

Checking gas prices

Posted on Apr 2, 2012 by .

Though hard to fathom, higher oil prices may present a growth opportunity for grocers. For what it is worth, here is my read on … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 04 Article Archives, Columns

Nonfoods Talk: The man cave

Posted on Mar 1, 2012 by .

Enticing adult men into your grooming section is only half the battle. Retailers need to target teenagers as well if they want to maximize … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 03 Article Archives, Columns, Nonfoods for Profit

From the Publisher: Racking up miles

Posted on Feb 1, 2012 by .

Save Mart executives travel to each store and headquarters unit during the holidays, which says a great deal about their commitment to employees and … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 02 Article Archives, Columns

Nonfoods Talk: Getting no respect

Posted on Feb 1, 2012 by .

It is time for the media to understand that supermarkets offer the same services as drugstores when it comes to health and beauty care. … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 02 Article Archives, Columns, Nonfoods for Profit

Nonfoods Talk: Back from the crypt

Posted on Jan 4, 2012 by .

Seeking to build sales and profits, grocery retailers may want to start expanding some long-dormant categories. It may be time for grocery retailers to … Continue reading →

Posted in 2012 01 Article Archives, Columns, Nonfoods for Profit

Nonfoods Talk: A pet story

Posted on Nov 1, 2011 by .

The pet category offers retailers the potential for huge sales and profits, but they have to be willing to get into the game. The … Continue reading →

Posted in 2011 11 Article Archives, Columns, Nonfoods for Profit

Checking out

Posted on Aug 1, 2011 by .

I am never quite sure whether I like using self-checkouts or not. On one hand, it always seems cool to scan my own merchandise. … Continue reading →

A ray of sunshine

Posted on Jul 1, 2011 by .

I can’t tell you how many arguments I have had with people over the proper use of sunscreen products. Typically these little tiffs take … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

Team effort

Posted on Mar 28, 2011 by .

Chris Coborn could not have been more appreciative. The CEO of Coborn’s, a St. Cloud, Minn.-based grocery retailer, had just received the 2011 Grocery … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs

Bright spot

Posted on Feb 1, 2011 by .

For the stodgy old oral care category, things are really not too bad. That is especially true if your name is Procter & Gamble, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

Selling Coffins

Posted on Dec 16, 2009 by .

You know that Costco sells coffins…Yes, coffins. Sounds a bit odd but that is the way the chain has made its mark in retail. … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs

The great race

Posted on Dec 1, 2009 by .

What is going to be the iPod of the book industry? We should have the answer over the next few months and certainly within … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

The End of the Recession

Posted on Nov 4, 2009 by .

What does the tail end of a recession look like?   The grocery industry is about to find out and there are a few … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs

A toy story

Posted on Nov 2, 2009 by .

How bad is this lingering recession? So bad that Wal-Mart and Target are locked in a bitter battle for consumers’ hearts, minds and, most … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

Getting in the game

Posted on Oct 1, 2009 by .

Many years ago I had the privilege of working as a press spokesman for a politician running for office in New York state. One … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

Golden opportunity

Posted on Oct 1, 2009 by .

Where do consumers want to purchase their pet food products and pet supply products? More importantly, what factors are driving shoppers to buy pet … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

Going to the Show

Posted on Sep 22, 2009 by .

Are you going to FMI FutureConnect? Probably not, I bet. But you should be. The show, held from Oct. 12-14 in Dallas, promises to … Continue reading →

Posted in Blogs

Shoppers never forget

Posted on May 1, 2009 by .

Sometimes retailers need to remember that it is often the products on the shelves that end up making the biggest difference in the consumer’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit

Nonfoods news

Posted on Dec 1, 2008 by .

Soft skinCanus Goat Milk is introducing four body butters that combine moisturizing properties of fresh goat’s milk with the natural richness of soybean oils, … Continue reading →

Posted in Nonfoods for Profit