Kevin Konkel, who was appointed to the newly created role of chief operations officer at Raley’s this past March, kicked off a trio of executives from the West Sacramento-based grocery who addressed the audience at the Western Association of Food Chains annual convention in May. Konkel was followed by Deirdre Zimmermann, SVP of marketing, and […]
Author Archives: Lorrie Griffith
Lorrie began covering the supermarket and foodservice industries at Shelby Publishing in 1988, an English major fresh out of the University of Georgia. She started as an editorial assistant and proofreader—and, in spite of herself, she still proofreads everything, everywhere. Over more than three decades with Shelby, she held a variety of editorial roles. After a detour into business development, she rejoined Shelby in June 2024. “It’s good to be back covering the greatest industry in the world,” she says.
Posted inShelby Content, Albertsons, Home Page Latest News, Market Profile, West
WinCo, Heeb’s Among Those Building In Montana
by Lorrie Griffith/editor–West The Montana grocery landscape features a mix of chains like Walmart, Costco, Smith’s, Albertsons, Safeway and Lucky Markets as well as some strong local independents. Shoppers in the Billings area may get a new grocery option, as it was reported in February that WinCo Foods is planning to build a new grocery […]
Posted inGrocery News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, Perishables, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Bergmann Leaves Supervalu West To Join Harvest/Sherwood
Leon Bergmann, who has served as president of West Region Wholesale for Supervalu since August 2017, has resigned to become CEO of Harvest Food Distributors/Sherwood Food Distributors, The Shelby Report has learned. Bergmann had joined Unified Grocers, which was bought by Supervalu in summer 2017, in December 2012 as SVP of sales. In addition to […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Latest News, Shelby Content, Shelby Originals, Shelby Signature Content, Store News, West, Whole Foods
Washington Market Profile: Challenges, But Growth, Too
by Lorrie Griffith/editor-West One of the dichotomies in a state like Washington is that while there are major metropolitan areas like Seattle, there also are extremely rural areas. But, of course, both are subject to the same state laws, like the $12 an hour minimum wage that went into effect this year that will go […]
Posted inBakery News, Grocery News, Home Page Latest News, National, Specialty, Suppliers
Chatard: Take Advantage Of Trends Without Changing Your Product
Editor’s note: This is a guest post by Laure Chatard, director of sales and marketing-North America at Donsuemor, an Alameda, California-based bakery that makes madeleines and other French-inspired desserts like french almond cakes, biscotti and, the latest, sablés. In this industry, every new year brings new flavors and trends. I can only imagine what’s to come, […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Store News, West
Stater Bros. Honors Two Men Who Have 50 Or More Years’ Service
Stater Bros. Markets recently recognized “family” members who reached milestone years of service in their careers, including 55-year and 50-year team members. Through the “Family” Service Awards Program established in 1987, Stater Bros. team members reaching five, 10 and 15 years of service are recognized with a gold pin that signifies their years with the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Equipment & Technology, Grocery Store Equipment, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, Southeast
Independent Grocer In Athens, Georgia, Testing Shelf-Scanning Robot
by Lorrie Griffith/editor–Southeast A robot comes out of the backroom each morning at 1 a.m. at the Bell’s Food Store at 995 Hawthorne Avenue in Athens, Georgia. It heads to the first aisle on its route and begins its mission. During this test phase at Bell’s, the three cameras on one side of the robot […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Home Page Latest News, Southwest
WAFC Invites Texas Retailers To Its San Antonio Convention In May
by Lorrie Griffith/editor–West The Western Association of Food Chains (WAFC) is taking its 97th annual convention eastward. The gathering will take place May 5-9 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country in San Antonio, Texas. The WAFC already may be familiar to Texas grocers; the association’s Community College Retail Management Certificate Program “has expanded to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Home Page Latest News, Merchandising News, Southeast, Suppliers
Foodland, Western Market Win ‘Buy Alabama’s Best’ Display Contest
The Alabama Grocers Association (AGA), the Alabama Department of Agriculture & Industries and the Alabama Food Manufacturers and Producers Association recently gathered for the 2018 Buy Alabama’s Best Retail Campaign Awards luncheon at The Club in Birmingham. “Buy Alabama’s Best” displays feature participating Alabama food products to help consumers identify which products are headquartered, produced […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, Industry News, National
IGA Names Its International Retailers Of The Year, Presents New Awards
It’s a big year for Baker’s IGA. The Ohio grocer, owned by Gary and Terrie Baker, celebrates 100 years in business and was just named the IGA USA International Retailer of the Year. This award and others were presented at a brunch on Feb. 11 as part of the IGA Global Rally in Las Vegas, […]
Posted inGrocery News, Beverage News, Center Store, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, National, Produce News, Suppliers
Chacko To Succeed Papadellis As President Of Ocean Spray Cranberries
Randy Papadellis, president and CEO of Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc., announced Feb. 15 that he plans to leave the cooperative on July 1, 2018, capping an 18-year career. Effective immediately, Bobby Chacko, who has been serving as SVP and chief growth officer since 2017, has been promoted to president and COO. Papadellis, whose career in the food […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Food Service News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Midwest, Perishables, Store News
Kroger’s Culinary Innovation Center Now Open In Downtown Cincy
The Kroger Co. has opened its new test kitchen and training facility in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio, called the Culinary Innovation Center. Among the benefits of the new center for Kroger is the ability to grow its Prep+Pared Meal Kits this year, in both flavors and footprint. Daniel Hammer, Kroger’s VP of culinary development and new […]
Posted in, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Store News, West
Gelson’s Unveiling Three Remodeled Stores Next Week
Gelson’s will celebrate the grand reopenings of its Del Mar, La Costa/Carlsbad and Rancho Mirage, California, stores during the week of Feb. 19-25. Each remodeled store offers new amenities and will celebrate with samples, giveaways and special deals, including a 30 percent off six or more beer, wine or spirits sale, the Encino-based grocer said. […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Industry News, Store News, West, Women In The News
Morris To Succeed Denningham As COO Of Albertsons Cos.
Albertsons Cos. said Jan. 16 that President and COO Wayne Denningham plans to retire near the end of the company’s fiscal year, which typically falls in late February. Denningham’s career at Albertsons has spanned 40 years, having started working as a clerk as a teenager. Susan Morris will become EVP and COO, overseeing supply chain, manufacturing […]
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Women In The News
Company Veteran Wescoe Named President Of Whole Foods’ Northeast Region
Whole Foods Market announced Jan. 8 that it has appointed 24-year company veteran Nicole Wescoe as president of its Northeast region, overseeing 41 stores in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Her territory includes the East Coast’s first Whole Foods Market 365 store, opening in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood in January, and a new Whole […]
Posted inGrocery News, Amazon Fresh, Center Store, Health & Wellness, Home Page Latest News, National, Snacks Brands, Suppliers, Whole Foods
Hydrox Cookies Become ‘Amazon Choice’ Product In Two Days
According to a Dec. 19 news release from Hydrox manufacturer Leaf Brands, it started selling its non-GMO sandwich cookies on Amazon in early December, and it already has become the No. 1 new sandwich cookie on the site. It also has been designated as an “Amazon Choice” product, which means Amazon recommends Hydrox as a […]
Posted in, Beverage News, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Suppliers, West
Delicato Family Vineyards Founding Family Member Dies At 84
Vincent “Vince” Indelicato, a founding family member of Delicato Family Vineyards in Napa, California, died Dec. 17 in Modesto. He was 84. Mr. Indelicato was born at San Joaquin County Hospital on Sept. 2, 1933, to Gaspare and Caterina Indelicato. He spent his childhood working in the Manteca cellars and vineyards of Delicato Family Vineyards, […]
Posted in, Grocery Store Equipment, Grocery Store Layout, Home Page Latest News, Online Grocery Technology, Store News, Sustainability News, West
Stater Bros.’ New Norco Store Offers More Services, Fresh New Look
Stater Bros. Markets held the grand opening of its new 45,712-s.f. store in the Norco Village Shopping Center in Norco, California, on Nov. 15, and The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves, VP-West, was there. The new store at 2430 River Road—in a newly constructed shopping center where it was the second retailer to open after a […]
Posted inAssociation News, Amazon Fresh, Equipment & Technology, Home Page Latest News, National, Suppliers, Whole Foods
GMA Panelists Examine ‘The Future Retail Reality’
Louise Keely, global head of retail for Nielsen, Jay Nikolich, divisional VP of e-commerce at Pharmavite LLC and Jonathan Scherr, head of strategic partnerships at CircleUp, came together to discuss “The Future Retail Reality” at the Grocery Manufacturers Association Leadership Forum at The Greenbrier in West Virginia in September. Pharmavite offers vitamins, minerals and herbal […]
Posted in, Amazon Fresh, Executive News, Home Page Latest News, Independent Store News, National, Whole Foods
New IGA President/CEO Sees Three Trends Driving Retail’s Future
On John Ross’ first day as president and CEO of IGA USA in Chicago on Oct. 17, he and his predecessor Mark Batenic took time to field some questions from Shelby Report Editor-in-Chief Lorrie Griffith. Ross already had met with members of the 38-person team at IGA headquarters before the 9 a.m. Central interview. Asked […]