Pennant Foods, Itasca, Ill., recently announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase a portion of the General Mills Bakeries and Foodservice frozen bread dough business. Pennant is a member of the Fresh Start Bakeries Family of Companies, which operates more than 25 bakeries in nine countries.

The sale includes four manufacturing facilities located in Bakersfield, Calif.; Hazleton, Pa.; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; and Vinita, Okla.

“The addition of these capabilities will greatly enhance Pennant's ability to serve the growing needs of our key customers, as well as open new markets to the company,” said Jim Clough, president, Pennant Foods, in a company released statement.

“Our objective is to build on and broaden the products and services we provide to our customers in the global bakery products market,” continued Craig Olson, president and C.E.O. of Fresh Start Bakeries. “Pennant has been a strong and reliable performer for Fresh Start, and I am confident that the synergies of this acquisition will both solidify and grow the value we provide to our customers.”

Pennant Foods provides bakery products and ingredients for the retail and foodservice baking industry under the Pennant®, La Francaise® and Sweet Bites™ brands.

Merchandising Made Easy - 5 Tips from Pillsbury Bakery Institute\

Lynn Schurman, president, Retail Bakers of America, believes that bakeries today can make a big difference in their retail space with a modest budget.

"It's increasingly important for retail bakeries to stay competitive in today's marketplace," said Schurman. "Retail bakeries may be surprised to learn they can easily update their retail space with a minimal investment to create an impactful change that customers will notice."

Here are five merchandising tips from The Pillsbury Bakery Institute that retail bakeries can implement on a modest budget.

  1. Make your products jump off the shelf. Clearly mark products in display cases with professional-looking signage.
  2. Think of your bakery as an edible gift shop. Keep grab-and-go items by the counter for convenience, impulse purchases and easy gift ideas.
  3. Keep bakery cases looking full. Rotate fresh products to the front of the case throughout the day.
  4. Remind customers of your signature items. Communicate this through brochures, flyers, samples and promotions.
  5. Keep your store-front clean and inviting. A fresh coat of paint goes a long way in creating that welcoming environment.