It has been a significant year for the $70.7 billion Texas grocery industry. At the onset of 2024, grocers in many parts of the state were attempting to rebound from national issues such as labor, supply chain and e-commerce challenges. As the year draws near to a close, it appears their efforts are paying off. […]
Author Archives: Carol Radice
Senior Content Creator
Carol joins The Shelby Report with more than 25 years writing for B2B magazines that cover the drugstore and supermarket industries. A Rutgers graduate, she earned her B.A. degree in journalism and mass communications more years ago than she cares to admit. She is thrilled to be working with such an accomplished team and to share her knowledge of the industry with Shelby’s readers.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Midwest
Chicago Market Taking Shape In Historic Train Station
Next year, the Windy City will be getting a new grocery store with the opening of Chicago Market in the Gerber building on Broadway, a landmark location that served as a train station for a century. Dan Arnett, general manager, recently spoke with The Shelby Report of the Midwest about the store and how a […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, National
Thanksgiving Celebration And Laws Of The Harvest
Thanksgiving, as we know it today, is rooted in a harvest feast celebrated by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag in 1621. This marked a moment of giving thanks for a successful harvest after a tough year. The Pilgrims, who had settled at Plymouth Rock, were ill-prepared for the harsh New England winter. They suffered from […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Albertsons, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Midwest, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Independent Grocers Making Name For Themselves In Illinois
While established chains such as Albertsons, Kroger and Jewel-Osco continue to hold significant market share in Illinois, independent grocers are a growing segment. Armed with a passion for food, commitment to community and knack for innovation, they are reimagining the shopping experience and carving out a niche that is reshaping the way people shop. Among […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Southeast, Whole Foods
North Carolina’s Business-Friendly Environment, Efforts Draw National Accolades
For the fifth year in a row, CNBC has named North Carolina one of the top three states in which to do business. Gov. Roy Cooper attributed the ranking to the continued investment the state is making in its skilled workforce and thriving economy. He added that major investments by companies across all sectors are […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Retailers Find Influx Of Carolinas Newcomers With No Pre-Existing Loyalty ‘Fair Game’
The Shelby Report recently checked in with Lindsey Kueffner, executive director of the Carolinas Food Industry Council, to learn about the key issues poised to impact the region in the coming months. The populations of North Carolina and South Carolina continue to grow. With that, so does the number of grocery stores. Most food retailers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Northeast
Karns Foods Was ‘Doing Local’ Long Before It Became Trendy
The Karns family has been operating retail stores in central Pennsylvania since 1959. Andrea Karns surmises that it is unlikely her grandfather knew when he opened his butcher shop all those years ago that his reputation for offering top cuts of meat would be one of the many reasons customers continue to shop at Karns […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Northeast
Authenticity, Discovery Foundations Of Friends’ Marketplace In MA
Reflecting on the past eight years of running Friends’ Marketplace in Massachusetts and the decision to buy the two stores from his father, Brian Junkins and wife Monila have encountered challenges along the way but are proud of what they have created. Among the changes the pair have made since taking over include expanding the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Keyed By Geography, Pennsylvania Grocers Embracing Competition, Opportunity
The Griffin Report recently chatted with Alex Baloga, president and CEO of the Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association, about how grocers in the Keystone State are faring, the factors influencing them and the future outlook. What issues are impacting grocers in Pennsylvania this year? Economic factors, chiefly inflation, supply chain disruptions and adapting to changing consumer […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, Midwest
Red Bridge Farm Fresh Market To Serve South Kansas City, MO
Residents of South Kansas City, Missouri, are finally getting their wish. After a nearly two-year wait, a new grocery store is preparing to open at 11212 Holmes Road in the Red Bridge shopping center. Red Bridge Farm Fresh Market is taking over the space that formerly housed Sun Fresh, which closed in early 2023 after […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southwest
At Marczyk Fine Foods, It’s ‘Not Everything, Just Everything You Need’
Sometimes the best way to understand a particular retailer is to ask the people who work there. Employees at Marczyk Fine Foods in downtown Denver had the following to say about where they work: “This is a cool, hip, local, open-minded, supportive place that values work life balance and offers amazing benefits.” The Shelby Report […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Shopping Experience, Quality Products Helping Missouri Independents Compete
The Shelby Report of the Midwest recently visited with Dan Shaul, executive director of the Missouri Grocers Association, to catch up on the grocery industry in the Show Me State. What are some of the top issues impacting grocers in Missouri this year? “Like other states around the country, Missouri is experiencing many of the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Amazon Fresh, Market Profile, Southwest, Whole Foods
Smaller Independent Grocers Tapping Into Colorado’s Growing Sector
National chains such as King Soopers and Safeway may dominate market share in Colorado, but independent grocers continue to demonstrate why they are the choice for many consumers. In addition to resilience and innovation, independents have gained a loyal following through their product offerings, customer service and strong commitment to community. Not surprisingly, Colorado’s independent […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Association News, The Kroger Co., West
Retail Theft Reform Solutions Emerging In California
With less than a month to go, officials at the California Grocers Association have been busy preparing for their annual CGA Strategic Conference. The focus of the Palm Springs event, which runs from Sept. 29-Oct. 1, is emerging technologies. From informative educational sessions to retailer/supplier meetings, the three-day conference will give attendees the opportunity to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Northeast
Retail Grocery Industry Across New York Undergoing Recalibration
It has taken a while, but the grocery industry in New York is beginning to return to normal levels. While this is positive news, grocers in the state still face some formidable challenges. Mike Durant, president and CEO of the Food Industry Alliance of New York, pointed out that grocers in the state are experiencing similar […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Southeast
Louisiana Grocers Grapple With Rising Costs, Challenges From New Players
Experts tracking the supermarket industry agree that the past year has been a challenging one for Louisiana grocers. The rising cost of food and other essentials is squeezing their profit margins and consumers’ budgets. Responding to this, Louisiana grocery stores are working hard to absorb some of these cost increases to keep prices affordable. “Many […]
Posted inWakefern, Market Profile, Northeast
The Fresh Grocer Making New York Debut With Long Island Store
New York has received its first The Fresh Grocer, which opened Aug. 23 in the Long Island town of Oakdale. For residents of the tight-knit coastal community, especially during the summer influx that swells the population by 20 percent, The Fresh Grocer is a welcome sight. The new addition to the Lighthouse Commons shopping center […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
Home Of Cash Saver, Castle Retail Group Aims To Be Memphis’ Low-Price Leader
Castle Retail Group operates five grocery stores, all within the city limits of Memphis. Three of the locations operate under the Cash Saver banner. Ranging in size from 30,000 to 69,000 square feet, they operate as a cost plus-10-percent deep-discount price format. CRG also owns two smaller footprint neighborhood stores. High Point Grocery, which opened in […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
TGCSA’s Ikard Recaps State Legislative Session, Leading With Swipe Fees Fight
The Shelby Report of the Southeast recently visited with Rob Ikard, president and CEO of the Tennessee Grocers & Convenience Store Association (TGCSA), to learn more about the legislation and public policy updates impacting retailers in the Volunteer State. Calling the 2024 legislative session “quite busy,” Ikard said TGCSA spent many long hours advancing the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Rouses Market, Southeast
Focus On Local, First-To-Market Approach Sets Rouses Apart Along Gulf Coast
Louisiana-based Rouses Markets is one of the fastest-growing family-owned companies in the country. It also is one of the top privately held companies and largest employers along the Gulf Coast. Founded in 1960 by Anthony J. Rouse Sr., the company has expanded from its humble roots as a single store operator in Houma, Louisiana, to […]