Founded in 1931, Merchants Distributors is a privately-owned wholesale grocery store distributor headquartered in Hickory, North Carolina. It supplies more than 600 retail food stores with food and non-food items in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama, West Virginia, Ohio, Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Kentucky. MDI also exports to some 20 countries. It […]
Author Archives: Eddy McIlvain
Posted inGelson's, Anniversary Issues, West, Woman Executive of the Year
Gelson’s Celebrates 70th Anniversary, Nelson Is Woman Executive Of Year
The Shelby Report of the West is helping Gelson’s Markets celebrate its 70th anniversary in October. The Southern California-based chain features 27 stores throughout the region. In addition, Hee-Sook Nelson, the company’s VP of team development and public affairs, is honored as The Shelby Report of the West‘s Executive Woman of the Year. Click below […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Anniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, West
Wholesale Cooperative URM Celebrates 100th Anniversary
Spokane, Washington-based URM, one of the largest privately owned companies in the Pacific Northwest, is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The wholesale cooperative now has more than 120 member-owners, representing hundreds of grocery stores. In the special 100th anniversary section below, The Shelby Report explores URM‘s relationships with its member-owners and its rich tradition, history and […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Home Page Latest News, Northeast, Shelby Originals
Stop & Shop Named 2021 Northeast Retailer Of The Year
Quincy, Massachusetts-based Stop & Shop is The Griffin Report of the Northeast‘s 2021 Retailer of the Year. An Ahold Delhaize USA company, it employs 58,000 associates and operates more than 400 stores in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York and New Jersey. Click below to read the special section sharing the story of the 107-year-old […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Anniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, West
Super A Foods Celebrates 50th Anniversary, Founder Amen’s Legacy
A year after the death of its beloved founder, Lou Amen, Commerce, Calilfornia-based Super A Foods is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Click below on The Shelby Report of the West‘s special section which commemorates the life and times of Amen, as well as the thriving supermarket chain he built that is run today by several of his […]
Posted inCoborn's, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Retailer of the Year, Shelby Originals
Coborn’s Is The Shelby Report Of The Midwest 2021 Retailer Of The Year
For 100 years, members of the Coborn family have been going way beyond just meeting the needs of communities’ needs for groceries. Along the way, it has defied the odds and is now five generations strong. In 1921, Chester A. Coborn opened his first store in Sauk Rapids, Minnesota. Today, the company has more than […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Albertsons Cos. Southern Division Is 2021 Southwest Retailer Of Year
The Southern Division of Albertsons Cos. has been named The Shelby Report of the Southwest‘s 2021 Retailer of the Year. The division boasts 148 stores, three banners – Albertsons, Randalls and Tom Thumb – and 16,500 associates. Click below to view the special section celebrating the people and stores of Albertsons Cos.‘ Southern Division.
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southwest
Affiliated Foods Celebrates Culture Of Cooperation On 75th Anniversary
Amarillo, Texas-based wholesaler Affiliated Foods Inc. has thrived by fostering a culture of cooperation. The customer-centric company treats its retailer partners like family and those store operators and owners, in return, are immensely loyal. Click below for a special section commemorating AFI‘s 75th anniversary.
Posted inAnniversary Issues, Home Page Latest News, West
Smart & Final Celebrates 150 Years And Counting
The way CEO Dave Hirz sees it, there are no other grocery stores that have Smart & Final’s business model. “It’s completely unique in our industry,” he said. “What makes our model so successful is that Smart & Final is the only place where household customers can come in and find everything on their shopping […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Latest News, Northeast, Women of Influence
The Griffin Report Honors 2021 Women Of Influence
The Griffin Report of the Northeast presents its 16th annual tribute to top female professionals in the food industry. Click below to view the special section.
Posted inWoman Executive of the Year, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Originals, Southeast
‘Ali’ Rouse Royster Is 2021 Southeast Woman Executive Of The Year
Allison “Ali” Rouse Royster, a third-generation owner of Rouses Markets, is The Shelby Report of the Southeast‘s Woman Executive of the Year for 2021. The Shelby team recently visited the company’s corporate office in Thibodaux, Louisiana, to present her with the honor and learn more about her personal and professional journey. Click on the special […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Latest News, Midwest, Southeast
Companies Recognized For Steps Toward Diversity, Equity And Inclusion
In March print editions and online, Shelby Publishing unveils the recipients of its inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards. The first-of-its-kind program recognizes retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers/vendors and solutions providers that are working to advance and uphold diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. grocery industry. In both their workplaces and the community at large, […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Albertsons, Home Page Latest News, West
Companies Hailed For Steps Toward Diversity, Equity And Inclusion
In the March print editions and online, Shelby Publishing unveils the recipients of its inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards. The first-of-its-kind program recognizes retailers, wholesalers, distributors, suppliers/vendors and solutions providers that are working to advance and uphold diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. grocery industry. In both their workplaces and the community at […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Southwest
Brookshire Grocery Named 2020 Southwest Retailer Of The Year
The Shelby Report of the Southwest has selected Tyler, Texas-based Brookshire Grocery Co. as its 2020 Southwest Retailer of the Year. Founded in 1928, the company operates 183 stores and employs nearly 16,000 people in Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas. Brad Brookshire, chairman and CEO of Brookshire Grocery Co., has been selected for the Food Industry […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Anniversary Issues, West
CEO Song Honored As Superior Grocers Celebrates 40th Anniversary
Inseparable – Mimi Song and Superior Grocers Superior Grocers is one of the largest independently owned chains of grocery stores in Southern California. From its first store in 1981 in Covina, the company has grown to 47 locations. Superior takes pride in having prospered in neighborhoods where others failed because of its commitment to – […]
Posted inRetailer of the Year, Northeast
The Griffin Report Names Weis Markets Retailer Of The Year
In this special section, The Griffin Report of the Northeast honors Weis Markets as its 2020 Northeast Retailer of the Year. The Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based company has nearly 200 stores in seven states. Click below to read what key executives have to say about Weis’ culture, community involvement, associates and response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Southwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Grocers Supply Co. Named 2020 Southwest Wholesaler Of The Year
The Shelby Report has named Grocers Supply Co. its 2020 Southwest Wholesaler of the Year. The Texas-based wholesaler serves independent retailers, but the most important part of this 90-year-old family business is the people who work there, the company says. Message from the president In 2020, grocery retailers and in particular independent grocery retailers were truly […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Anniversary Issues, Retailer of the Year, Southeast
Publix Named Southeast Retailer Of The Year, Celebrates 90th Anniversary
This year marks Publix’s 90th anniversary. In addition, the company has been named The Shelby Report‘s 2020 Southeast Retailer of the Year. Catch up with Publix in the following four stories. Continued Growth Can’t Change Mission Of ‘One Publix, One Purpose’ Pandemic Effects Likely To Reverberate Throughout Grocery Industry For Years Farmers And Family Program […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor of the Year, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Wakefern Named 2020 Northeast Wholesaler Of Year
Wakefern Food Corp., the largest retailer-owned cooperative in the United States, is The Griffin Report of the Northeast‘s 2020 Wholesaler of the Year. In a special section, Wakefern shared highlights of the past year. The company detailed its response to the COVID-19 pandemic as well as the path forward and praised its associates for their […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Association News, Home Page Slider, West
Jan Gee Looking Forward To Upcoming Retirement; Successor Ready For New Role
Jan Gee, the Washington Food Industry Association’s long-serving executive and lobbyist, said she is looking forward to her retirement, especially being able to spend more time with her family. Gee has served as president and CEO of the WFIA since 2006. Her successor, Tammie Hetrick, has been working with Gee during a transition phase and […]