Women Grocers of America (WGA) is accepting nominations for the 2015 Woman of the Year Award. Nominees should be: • A leader with passion for the independent grocery industry; • A visionary and strategic thinker, a standout representative of her company or organization; and • A female professional with a minimum of 10 years of […]
Author Archives: Kristen Cloud
Kristen was Editor at The Shelby Report.
Posted in, Independent Store News, Southeast
Rouses, Associated Grocers Dispute Goes To Trial
Two Louisiana grocery giants bitterly ended a decades-old alliance in 2008 and have spent the six years since in a series of civil-suit filings at a Thibodaux courthouse. The Advocate reports that, on Monday, Thibodaux-based grocery chain Rouses Enterprises and Baton Rouge-based wholesale grocery supplier Associated Grocers-Baton Rouge turned that paper-and-ink war into a jury […]
Posted in, Center Store, Marketing News, National, Organic Natural
House Foods Intros ‘Biggest Loser’-Branded Packaging For Tofu Shirataki Noodles
House Foods, a premium tofu purveyor since 1983, has unveiled a new look for its category-leading Tofu Shirataki noodles. The noodles now feature branding from NBC’s “The Biggest Loser” to encourage consumers to eat consciously and get in shape like the contestants on the show. “The Biggest Loser has been integral in showing Americans how to […]
Posted inSoutheast, Independent Store News, Suppliers
Wade Payne Of Mitchell Grocery Is Ala.’s Retailer Of Year, Others Recognized At Luncheon
The Alabama Grocers Association held its annual Food Industry Finest Luncheon this week, honoring its retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer and broker of the year award winners. More than 150 people attended the event at The Club in Birmingham to discuss the work of the Alabama Grocers Association in 2014 and those in the food, beverage and grocery […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Bi-Lo Identifies Stores It Plans To Close
Bi-Lo Holdings, which plans to close 23 stores in six states, has identified the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie locations that will shutter by Nov. 19. Bi-Lo spokesman Brian Wright told the Jacksonville Daily Record by email this week that the company notified employees and local community leaders of the store closings Oct. 3. The stores are […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Market Profile, West
’14 Wyo. Profile: For Independent Operators Jim & Carmen Diehl, Biz And Community Go Hand In Hand
Jim and Carmen Diehl are true independent supermarket operators, running three stores in the northeast corner of Wyoming and helping to keep their small towns viable. Jim and Carmen each have been in the industry for more than 30 years and own Diehl’s Supermarket in Moorcroft, Joe’s Food Center in Upton and Paradise Foods in […]
Posted in, Industry News, National
Holiday Shopping Spend Forecasted To Be Down As Shoppers Remain Cautious
The 2014 holiday shopping season will be characterized by cautious spending, while economic realities bifurcate the American holiday shopper. These are two of the 10 big trends that are expected to drive the 2014 holiday shopping season, according to a new report from PwC US and Strategy&, titled “2014 Holiday Outlook: Top trends, consumer behaviors […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
United Fresh Launches Floral Membership Category
The United Fresh board of directors voted at its meeting last month to create a new floral membership category in 2015 to enhance services to members throughout the floral supply chain. In addition, United Fresh will appoint a new Floral Advisory Board of suppliers and retailers to lead the effort. “Our new partnership with the […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Harris Teeter Debuting Old Town Alexandria Store Later This Month
Harris Teeter will open its newest Virginia store at 735 St. Asaph Street in Alexandria on Wednesday, Oct. 22. The Old Town store will be the 45th store in the state and the second in Alexandria for the North Carolina-based grocer, which is owned by The Kroger Co. The Old Town Harris Teeter will be […]
Posted in, C-Store News, National, Suppliers
NACS ‘Future Of Fuels Showcase’: Clean Diesel Powers The Future
Advanced clean diesel passenger vehicles will be highlighted at this week’s “Future of Fuels Showcase” at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) annual show in Las Vegas, which kicked off Tuesday and runs through Friday. The Diesel Technology Forum is representing the diesel industry at the “Future of Fuels Showcase.” The forum exhibit also […]
Posted in, Southeast, Store News
Bi-Lo To Shutter 23 Stores By Nov. 19
Bi-Lo Holdings, the Jacksonville, Florida-based owner of the Bi-Lo and Winn-Dixie supermarket chains, says it is closing 23 stores in six states. Bi-Lo spokesman Brian Wright told the Jacksonville Daily Record by email today that the company notified employees and local community leaders of the store closings Friday, with the stores expected to close by […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
United Fresh Promotes Staff Members To Grow New Foundation
The United Fresh Produce Association has promoted several staff members in order to create what it calls strong team alignment to enhance service to members. Victoria Backer is promoted to EVP of the association, with a mandate to lead the association in all aspects of organizational development, management and operations. Backer will have several key […]
Posted in, Grocery News, National, Store News
Aldi’s Exclusive ‘LiveGfree’ Product Line Becomes Permanent Addition In Stores
Aldi has added its exclusive gluten-free brand “LiveGfree” as a permanent lineup in its stores. The line features 17 items—from bread, pasta and pretzels to cookies, brownie mix and granola. Illinois-based Aldi says that adding LiveGfree products to its exclusive offerings was a direct response to the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from its shopper base. […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
Kroger Ratifies Agreements With UFCW Local 75 For Toledo Area Associates
The Kroger Co. Columbus Division associates working at Kroger stores in the Toledo area have ratified new labor agreements with UFCW Local 75. “We are pleased to reach agreements that are good for our associates. These agreements provide wage increases, affordable healthcare and investment in our associates’ pension fund to support their retirement,” said Bruce […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Merchandising News, Midwest, National
Martha Stewart To Keynote PLMA Trade Show Next Month
The Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA) has revealed its slate of speakers and seminars for its 2014 “Store Brands Reality Trade Show,” to be held Nov. 16-18 in Chicago. Headlining the program will be a keynote speech by Martha Stewart, founder of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, Emmy Award-winning television show host, entrepreneur, best-selling author and […]
Posted in, Midwest, Store News
‘Minnesota’s Own’ Campaign Joins Industry To Help Hungry Families Statewide
The Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA) is encouraging consumers statewide to help fight hunger by shopping at participating retailers during the October “Minnesota’s Own” campaign. All food and monetary contributions collected in store will go to local food banks and shelves to benefit hungry Minnesota families. “Minnesota’s Own” is a three-way partnership of grocers, vendors and […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Marketing News, Southeast
J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida Named 2014 Craft Beer Distributor Of The Year
The National Beer Wholesalers Association (NBWA) and the Brewers Association (BA) have recognized J.J. Taylor Distributing Florida Inc. of Tampa, Florida, as the 2014 Craft Beer Distributor of the Year. The award, now in its eighth year, recognizes the beer distribution company that does the most to market, promote and sell craft beer. NBWA and BA presented […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Southwest, Store News
United Family Supports Breast Cancer Awareness With ‘Pink Tuesdays’
The United Family of stores continues its Pink Tuesdays promotion this year, a fundraising effort to help support breast cancer research and awareness. On Tuesdays during October, United will donate $1 for every guest wearing pink who makes a purchase of $10 or more, up to a maximum of $10,000. In addition, guests can purchase […]
Posted in, Grocery News, Industry News, National
Study Reveals Consumers Actually Enjoy Grocery Shopping
While American consumers have traditionally viewed grocery shopping as a mundane chore, new research from Acosta Sales & Marketing, a leading full-service sales and marketing agency in the consumer packaged goods industry, reveals most shoppers now like to grocery shop. According to Acosta’s latest “The Why? Behind the Buy” report released last week, 54 percent […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Suppliers, West
Sprouts COO, Olsen’s IGA To Be Honored At Arizona Food Marketing Alliance Banquet
The Arizona Food Marketing Alliance (AFMA) will host its annual Excellence in Leadership Awards Banquet on Oct. 17 at the Phoenix Downtown Sheraton. AFMA has been hosting this event since 1965. This year’s ceremony will honor Jim Nielsen, COO of Sprouts Farmers Market, as the Retailer of the Year; Paul Ratner, off-premise general sales manager […]