Latest news with #Hannaford
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
With Market Basket CEO's ouster, could a boycott shape up in Maine?
Jun. 5—As Market Basket's longtime CEO faces suspension over disputes with the company's board, some customers and employees are watching for a possible repeat of the stoppages, boycotts and threats of price increases that brought the company to its knees a decade ago. But it's not clear that such a clash could materialize in Maine this time around. Arthur T. Demoulas was suspended with pay late last month for allegedly attempting to wield unilateral power in choosing his children as his successors and possibly coordinating a work stoppage among employees, the Boston Globe reported. His son and daughter, and a handful of allies on the board, were also suspended. If that feels familiar, it is. Sort of. The board — then led by Demoulas' cousin, Arthur S. Demoulas — fired the chief executive in the summer of 2014. But employees and shoppers rallied around the boss, whom they saw as a champion of low prices and fair working conditions, leaving shelves and checkout lines empty for more than a month. Bolstered by public support, Demoulas was reinstated as CEO weeks after his initial termination. The previous blowup came less than one year after Market Basket opened its first Maine location in Biddeford. The store saw about a 90% drop in business during the strikes, as workers and managers encouraged their new customers to shop elsewhere, even as management threatened to replace those who refused to return to work. But about a dozen staffers at the Biddeford and Westbrook stores said on Tuesday that they had not spoken about the turmoil at the top with their co-workers. And while some expressed support for Demoulas and recalled his previous termination, others said they had not heard about his more recent suspension before being asked about it by a reporter. Most customers said they were similarly unaware of the leadership drama or were unsure what to make of it. A FROM-AWAY FIGHT When she moved to Maine in 2020, Chris Fontein swore allegiance to Hannaford, her new local grocery chain, and left the Market Basket drama behind. "I love Market Basket, but we're Mainers now," she said, loading a cart's worth of groceries into her car at the Biddeford location. She noted that Hannaford, based in Scarborough, serves customers throughout the state and participates in Maine's bottle redemption program. Fontein, who lived in Massachusetts at the time, avoided shopping at Market Basket "when there was the battle going on," but she argued that Mainers have bigger, more direct issues to focus on than a corporate power struggle two states away. "Of all the battles you can pick, this is not one of them," Fontein said. A few parking spots away, Maine native Mark Lindquist said he had not heard about the latest clash, though recalled the walkouts a decade ago. The 66-year-old lives in Sullivan, near Bar Harbor, but he occasionally loads up on Market Basket groceries when visiting southern Maine. Lindquist said the grocer's low prices attract him, as they do many Mainers, but he was not sure the company had developed deep enough roots to inspire the kind of loyalty shoppers demonstrated a decade ago in Massachusetts. "I think that if they opened one or two more stores in the state of Maine, they would take the lion's share of the retail business," he said. "But they just don't have enough outlets." Market Basket currently operates three stores in Maine, with other locations in Westbrook and Topsham, and plans to open a fourth at Scarborough Downs. The company did not return phone calls or written requests for an interview submitted through email and its online contact form. NEW CIRCUMSTANCES Beyond the grocer's from-away status in Maine, a repeat of 2014 is unlikely for several reasons, said Grant Welker, a reporter at the Boston Business Journal and author of "We Are Market Basket: The Story of the Unlikely Grassroots Movement That Saved a Beloved Business." A decade ago, with Arthur T. squaring off against his cousin Arthur S., the sides were clearly drawn, Welker said. But the latest clash lacks a clear foil for Arthur T. Demoulas, he said. "That boogeyman, if that's the right way to put it, is not there in that same way," he said. "The other thing is that the economy is shakier. So if you're an employee, and you're walking off the job, maybe you're not so sure now that you're going to get another job as you would have back in 2014." The latest clash, which hinges on the board's claims that Demoulas had failed to coordinate with the other leaders, has also yet to include any clear threats of raising prices that could rouse customers, Welker said. Plus, inflation and overall price hikes may leave shoppers less willing to skip out on deals "out of principle," he said. "They may decide that they literally can't afford to take that stance," Welker said. Westbrook resident Rose Dang was on the fence about whether Mainers would feel compelled to boycott if tensions reached such a point. Dang, 33, said the grocer offers lower prices and seems to carry a more diverse selection than some competitors, which customers like herself appreciate. But she was not sure whether people would be moved to defend the current business model or simply accept changes as unavoidable. "If prices have to go up, they go up," she said outside the Westbrook location. "I mean, they've already started (to rise)." David Sullivan, who grew up on the South Shore of Massachusetts and moved to Maine about 25 years ago, said his neighbors in Falmouth quickly took to Market Basket when it opened at Rock Row in 2020. "Market Basket became sort of a very quick fan favorite here," Sullivan said. "In terms of loyalty in the same way, I don't know." Copy the Story Link
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Hampshire lawmakers move to make ivermectin an over-the-counter medication
Ivermectin gained notoriety during the pandemic when people began using it as a treatment for COVID-19. Research was conducted on whether the drug could be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment. However, that research was never able to prove ivermectin was effective at treating the virus. (Getty Images) State lawmakers are pushing to allow ivermectin — an antiparasitic drug that became notorious during the COVID-19 pandemic — to be purchased without a prescription in New Hampshire. And they're doing it by tacking on a provision to a Medicaid cost-efficiency program. Senate Bill 119 was introduced in the New Hampshire Senate earlier this year with the goal of making the state Medicaid program more cost-efficient. The bill seeks to allow Medicaid to purchase name-brand drugs when they are cheaper than generics. Medicaid has long been prevented from buying name brands because historically they are more expensive. However, recent market developments have made some name-brand drugs cheaper than their generic counterparts, so lawmakers have worked to alter that rule this year. This has been a priority in Republican Gov. Kelly Ayotte's budget agenda amid a difficult fiscal environment this year. 'My wife loves to shop at Hannaford, and nine times out of 10, if there's a Hannaford brand, I pick the Hannaford brand up,' Sen. James Gray, a Rochester Republican and the bill's sponsor, said during a hearing on the bill last month. 'But you know what? Sometimes that national brand has a coupon. Sometimes that national brand has a discount. Sometimes it's just on sale. And that's exactly what this bill does. It says, 'Hey, you don't have to buy generic if the national brand is cheaper.'' The Senate approved SB 119 through a voice vote in March. However, when it got to House lawmakers, Rep. Yury Polozov, a Hooksett Republican, proposed an amendment that added a provision allowing ivermectin to be purchased at New Hampshire pharmacies without a prescription from a doctor. The House passed the amended version of SB 119 on Thursday, sending the bill back to the Senate for another vote. House Democrats criticized the change. 'It is very bad legislative policy to attach unlike things together in the hopes of forcing somebody else to do something that they would not otherwise do,' Rep. Lucy Weber, a Walpole Democrat, said on the House floor Thursday. 'Anything that is good legislative policy stands on its own and should not be attached to anything else.' Ivermectin was discovered in Japan in the 1970s and subsequently used to develop a veterinary drug to treat parasitic infections in horses, cattle, dogs, and other animals, according to the American Chemical Society. Years later, researchers from Merck Pharmaceuticals and the Kitasato Institute began experimenting on uses of the drug for humans. They were able to use the drug to treat river blindness and saw so much success they won a 2015 Nobel Prize. The medicine is now used to treat several kinds of worm and lice infections in humans. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration cautions that high doses of ivermectin can cause seizures, coma, or even death. The Mayo Clinic also warns that the drug could interact poorly with other medications and that it hasn't been tested for safety and efficacy among small children, geriatric patients, and breastfeeding babies. Ivermectin gained notoriety during the pandemic when people began using it as a treatment for COVID-19. Research was conducted on whether the drug could be repurposed for COVID-19 treatment. However, that research was never able to prove ivermectin was effective at treating the virus. Still, online misinformation and faulty studies drove people to seek the drug anyway. In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported a sharp increase in the number of people calling into poison control centers due to ivermectin overdoses. It also said it received reports of people who, unable to get a prescription for the drug, had resorted to buying and taking formulations made for animals from veterinary suppliers unsafe for humans. Some online posts have claimed ivermectin could be used to treat cancer, a claim that is unsubstantiated, though there's early-stage research investigating its use for cancer treatment in combination with other drugs. A few other states have turned ivermectin into an over-the-counter medication. Legislatures in Arkansas, Idaho, and Tennessee have done so already. North Carolina, Louisiana, and several other states are considering following suit. This state-by-state approval marks a departure from the typical process for approving an over-the counter medicine. Typically, federal health authorities with the FDA have weighed scientific evidence and determined whether a drug can be sold safely over-the-counter. In these states, lawmakers have superseded that process and made the determination themselves. This isn't the first effort to make ivermectin over-the-counter in New Hampshire. In 2022, the Legislature passed similar legislation, but then-Gov. Chris Sununu, a Republican, vetoed it, arguing that, 'Patients should always consult their doctor before taking medications so that they are fully aware of treatment options and potential unintended consequences of taking a medication that may limit other treatment options in the future.' Introducing the amendment, Rep. Kelley Potenza, a Rochester Republican and one of its supporters, said the proposal 'lies at the intersection of public health, personal freedom, and frankly common sense.' Potenza claimed the drug 'carries a much lower risk than over-the-counter pain relievers like Tylenol.' She also called claims that ivermectin is dangerous and ineffective in treating COVID-19 'propaganda' and 'lies.' Potenza said when she had COVID-19 during the pandemic, she got a prescription from a doctor in Arizona for ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine. She attributes her recovery to it. She said the government's actions during the pandemic is what inspired her to run for office. The Mayo Clinic says that claims about ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, or chloroquine being effective at treating COVID-19 are false. The CDC and FDA both say current research has been unable to demonstrate that ivermectin is effective at treating COVID-19.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
$1 million Powerball winning ticket sold in Rochester at Hannaford
ROCHESTER — A winning $1 million Powerball ticket was sold at Hannaford supermarket at the Lilac Mall, according to New Hampshire Lottery. Maura McCann, spokesperson for the NH Lottery, said no has come forward yet to claim the prize. The ticket was purchased May 21. The winning numbers were 9, 29, 31, 34, and 43 and the Powerball number was 2. "The person got all five of the numbers, but not the Powerball, she said. "This is the second-tier prize." After federal taxes, the winner who claims the prize will receive a payout of $760,000 from the New Hampshire Lottery. "They may not even know yet," said McCann, of the winner. "It could be they bought the ticket as part of their weekly grocery shopping, and they have not checked the numbers from last night yet." More local news: Dover man created fictitious stalker to harass women he was dating. Now he faces prison. McCann said million-dollar tickets were also purchased in Kansas and Texas. The winner in Rochester is the first $1 million winning Powerball ticket sold in New Hampshire since Nashua Convenience sold one for the same prize on Christmas Day 2023. For selling the winning ticket, Hannaford will receive 1% of the prize, which is $10,000. McCann said the money goes to the corporate office, which will decide how to allocate the funds. A call to Hannaford's corporate office was not immediately returned. NH Lottery reports its profits are earmarked for state education funding, and as of May this year, contributions exceeded $3 billion. It stated for every dollar spent on lottery games, 29 cents is returned for public education. Powerball drawings are held every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. This article originally appeared on Fosters Daily Democrat: $1 million Powerball winning ticket sold in Rochester at Hannaford
Cision Canada
07-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Markel launches Clinical Trials products to support clinical trials research, globally
LONDON, May 7, 2025 /CNW/ -- Markel Insurance, the insurance operations within Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), today announced the launch of its Clinical Trials insurance product – underscoring its commitment to providing best-in-class solutions to support clinical trials research and product development on an international scale. The new clinical trials offering provides comprehensive cover to sponsors, researchers and participants throughout all phases of clinical research and is tailored to meet the regulatory requirements of more than 100 territories, ensuring smooth and compliant trial operations, worldwide. As part of its service offering, Markel can offer same-day turnaround for quotations, as well as the issuance of certificates and policy documents through its automated document production platform, so that clinical trial sponsors and researchers can get the required insurance in place to begin clinical trials in a timely manner and meet regulatory deadlines. Markel utilises its Lloyd's licenses and extensive global network to provide these solutions to ensure a compliant solution where required. "Clinical trials insurance is a regulatory requirement in many countries and it's often the last hurdle to get approval to begin clinical research," says Robert Hannaford, Senior Underwriter – Life Science, Markel. "Delays to this process can result in sizeable costs, reputational damage and suspend vital research from going ahead for sponsors and researchers. "At Markel, we understand the time-sensitive nature of these requests and have developed a compliant solution – backed by our expert underwriting and award-winning claims service, making sure clients are fully protected to carry out the clinical research of products worldwide." Hannaford continues: "We do not want insurance to be a delaying factor to allowing important clinical research to begin, which is why we've produced a customer-centric product that streamlines all parts of the insurance value chain to prioritise service. "We look forward to supporting innovation in the life science industry by continuing to deliver effective risk transfer solutions for future lifesaving treatments through open communication, dialogue and transparency with our brokers, insureds and trading partners." About Markel Insurance We are Markel Insurance, a leading global specialty insurer with a truly people-first approach. As the insurance operations within the Markel Group Inc. (NYSE: MKL), we leverage a broad array of capabilities and expertise to create intelligent solutions for the most complex specialty insurance needs. However, it is our people – and the deep, valued relationships they develop with colleagues, brokers and clients – that differentiates us worldwide.
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hannaford began review of dairy sourcing days before human rights complaint
Apr. 18—Hannaford Supermarkets is reviewing its dairy supply chain for possible worker and human rights violations following years of criticism by activists who say the company's milk is partially sourced from farms with substandard working conditions. The review, part of a multiyear plan the grocer's parent unveiled in 2020, began the first week of April, said George Parmenter, a former Hannaford employee who is currently consulting for the company. A third-party auditor, Enact, is overseeing the investigation, he said. The idea of the report "is to get a credible assessment from a third party that doesn't have any stake," Parmenter said. "The straight scoop on what are the conditions on the ground?" He estimated that the final report would be available in the late summer at the earliest. Hannaford's review began just days before a farm worker advocacy group filed a human rights complaint against its parent company, Ahold Delhaize, on April 7. Organizers with Migrant Justice, a Vermont-based farmers' rights group, attended the parent company's annual shareholder meeting in the Netherlands, where they announced that Migrant Justice had filed a complaint with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, or OECD, a Paris-based intergovernmental group founded in 1961. The multigovernmental organization analyzes government, trade and business policies and offers standards designed to "level the playing field" among nations, according to its website. Both the Netherlands and United States are member nations. Though the OECD does not have enforcement authority, it can open an investigation, issue recommendations and act as a mediator between Ahold Delhaize and Migrant Justice, said Will Lambek, a staff member with Migrant Justice. He cautioned that an OECD investigation would likely take months to complete. "This will be a long process. But our hope is that this complaint won't be necessary, and that Ahold will avoid the expense and the reputational risk of an international human rights complaint by sitting down with workers in good faith," Lambek said during a phone call from the Netherlands, where Lambek said he and other advocates attended Ahold Delhaize's annual shareholder meeting. Lambek said Hannaford's assessment "is a very positive step," but he said workers would not be satisfied with any review unless it leads to a meaningful change in Hannaford's practices and on-farm conditions. View this document on Scribd Hannaford credited Migrant Justice with raising the issue of workers' rights. "Frankly, in retrospect, we appreciate the fact that Migrant Justice raised this issue for us, and that it became an opportunity to shine a light on the industry and our supply chain, so that we can learn what may or may not be happening," spokesperson Ericka Dodge said in an interview. Even so, Hannaford representatives repeatedly emphasized the company's commitment to human rights in an interview, and they also stressed that the Scarborough-based chain is several layers removed from the farms that produce its milk and has little to no direct contact with individual farms. Hannaford operates more than 180 stores and employs more than 30,000 associates, according to Ahold Delhaize. "It's like we're caught in the middle without any real, credible knowledge of what's happening in our supply chain. And that's what the human rights impact assessment is meant to address. So for us, we think it's a watershed event," Parmenter said. Parmenter said it was too early into the process to say what, if any, enforcement mechanisms Hannaford could use to address bad actors. He said the review depends on mutual trust between Hannaford, its suppliers and its upstream farms, and that discussion of corrective actions could undermine the process. "What we can commit to unequivocally is whatever that report says, there will be an action plan in place to address those things," Parmenter said. YEARS IN THE MAKING For years, Migrant Justice has charged that farms across New England, including some in Hannaford's supply chain, violate workers' rights. The complaint before OECD alleges inadequate living conditions and privacy among workers, forced labor, discrimination, and unsafe working conditions. The group has called upon Hannaford and dairy consumers to join its Milk with Dignity program, opting into a third-party code of conduct that requires farm owners to properly record and pay overtime, provide healthy and safe conditions, and to offer time away, among other commitments. Though the group lists more than 50 member farms, that's a fraction of the total number of dairy farms in New England, Parmenter said. Hannaford's milk is processed by HP Hood, which sources from several farm co-ops, which themselves deal directly with hundreds of farmers, he said. New England is home to roughly 800 dairy farms, according to industry group New England Dairy. Both Hannaford's impact assessment and the OECD's investigation into Migrant Justice's complaint will take months to complete before any findings or recommendations can be reported. "Meanwhile, Hannaford continues to work with its suppliers to assess farms within its supply chain and to ensure continued compliance with Ahold Delhaize's Standards of Engagement," Dodge, the Hannaford spokesperson, said in a written statement. Those standards include requiring suppliers to "ensure that all workers are treated fairly, with respect and dignity," that workers log no more than 48 regular hours each week and that they are paid at least minimum wage and given overtime differentials when appropriate, among others. The latest draft, implemented in January 2024, allows Ahold Delhaize to sever any relationships until violations are resolved — but suppliers themselves are charged with investigating and correcting any issues, and it is their responsibility to inform Ahold Delhaize of any potential issues. Additionally, if Ahold Delhaize receives any complaints about a supplier directly, those issues "will be communicated to the supplier to be addressed and remediated." Lambek argued that Ahold Delhaize's policy relies too heavily on individual farm owners — who may themselves be the subject of complaints — to hear, report and address grievances. "Simply put, standards without enforcement are meaningless," Lambek said. Copy the Story Link
