The National Grocers Association (NGA) on Jan. 11 announced the promotions of four of its staff members. NGA, an Arlington, Virginia-based national trade association representing the independent supermarket industry, promoted Greg Ferrara to SVP-government relations and public affairs; Matthew Ott to COO; Maggie Lyons to senior director of government relations; and Laura Strange to senior […]
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 in, Center Store, Frozen Food, Southwest
Blue Bell: No Listeria Discovered In Plants
To proactively communicate with customers about its efforts to keep its production facilities free of potential sources of contamination, Blue Bell sent out a press release Jan. 7 to outline what it is doing. Unfortunately, some of the company’s statements were misinterpreted by a large enough number of media outlets that Blue Bell was prompted […]
Posted in, Beverage News, C-Store News, Southwest
7-Eleven Offers Own-Brand Single-Serve Coffee Pods
More than 50 years after 7-Eleven pioneered on-the-go-coffee in the U.S., the Dallas, Texas-based retailer has launched 7-Eleven-branded coffee for single-serve brewing systems. Sold exclusively at participating 7-Eleven stores, the single-serve brew cups are available in two package sizes—an eight-pack for $3.99 and a two-pack for 99 cents. The larger packs are available in three […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, West
NorCal Chains Reach Tentative Agreements With Union
UFCW 8-Golden State has reached tentative contract agreements with both Safeway and Vons in California markets, the union announced Sept. 23. The tentative agreements were signed with Safeway stores in Northern and Central California and Vons in Fresno. The four-year agreement with Safeway “protects and enhances” the wages, benefits and workplace standards for about 9,000 […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest, Suppliers
Mars Chocolate Investing $100M More In Topeka
Mars Chocolate North America will invest an additional $100 million at its Topeka, Kansas, manufacturing plant that opened just over a year ago. Mars will build a new 90,000-s.f. facility, creating 70 permanent full-time jobs. The company says the new investment in Topeka underscores its commitment to manufacturing its products in the U.S. More than […]
Posted in, National, Suppliers
Advantage, Smollan Form Groundbreaking Global Partnership
Irvine, California-based Advantage Sales & Marketing LLC and Smollan Group announced on June 12 their strategic international partnership to become the first and only global provider of outsourced sales and marketing solutions for consumer goods companies and retailers. Advantage’s more than 40,000 associates in North America provide consumer goods suppliers and retailers with headquarter sales, […]
Posted in, Center Store, Midwest
New Joint Venture Launches New Choice In Canning Jars
Empire Canning Jars, a new joint venture led by Alliance Foods Inc., is being described as “the first new and independent line of true ‘Mason’ jars to reach the retail market in more than 25 years.” Featuring thicker glass than other canning jars in the lip, shoulder, wall and base areas—as well as 100 percent […]
Posted in, West
Triple Crown-Winning Jockey A Longtime City Of Hope Supporter
On June 6, jockey Victor Espinoza and American Pharoah captured the first Triple Crown in American horse racing since 1978, coming out ahead in the Belmont Stakes after having won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes. Also a winner that day was City of Hope, a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes […]
Posted in, Center Store, Southeast
Venezuelan Cornmeal Brand Comes To The U.S.
P.A.N., the top pre-cooked cornmeal brand in Venezuela and the leading cornmeal product in Latin America, launched its U.S. marketing efforts June 9 to inspire American foodies to try the brand and make it a pantry staple. P.A.N., short for Productos Alimenticios Nacionales (National Food Products), was launched in Venezuela in 1960 by Empresas Polar. […]
Posted in, Center Store, West
Save Mart, Lucky Stores Again Collecting Peanut Butter
Save Mart and Lucky Supermarkets supermarkets have kicked off the “Peanut Butter with a Purpose” partnership with food banks throughout California and Northern Nevada to collect donations of peanut butter and raise awareness of the struggle many families have feeding their children during the summer months. Last year, food banks throughout the region received more […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, National
Walmart CEO Tells Associates: ‘You Are Our Heroes’
On June 5 during the company’s annual shareholders meeting, Wal-Mart Stores Inc. President and CEO Doug McMillon challenged the company’s more than 2 million associates to win the future of retail “one customer at a time.” He then shared his strategy to attain that goal: “We’ll save customers money on their everyday needs with an […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Store News, West
N.Y.-Based Getty Realty Acquires 77 Fuel/C-Stores In West
Getty Realty Corp. in Jericho, New York, has acquired 77 convenience store and retail motor fuel stations located in several high-growth regions in the western U.S. for approximately $214 million. The acquired properties operate under well-known brands such as 76, Conoco, Circle K, 7-Eleven and My Goods Market and are located in Northern California, Southern […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Independent Store News, West
Associated Food Stores Donates Kits For Homeless Youth
Associated Food Stores (AFS) staff members recently donated time and effort to put together care packages for Utah’s homeless teens. AFS, the locally owned grocery supplier in Salt Lake City, donated 750 personal care kits to the Volunteers of America (VOA) Homeless Youth Resource Center on Wednesday, May 20. The kits contain basic hygiene items […]
Posted in, Executive News, Store News, West
Michael Teel Becomes Majority Owner Of Raley’s
A May 18 statement from Jim and Joyce Raley Teel revealed that the couple will transfer majority ownership of Raley’s Family of Fine Stores to their son, Michael Teel, who is president and CEO. Michael is the third generation owner of the family business. His four sisters will hold minority ownership of the West Sacramento, […]
Posted in, Store News, West
Memorial Service For Save Mart’s Piccinini Is April 11
A memorial service for Mr. Robert “Bob” Piccinini, owner of the Save Mart chain of stores in Northern California, will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 11, at CrossPoint Community Church, 1301 12th Street, Modesto. Mr. Piccinini died March 24 at his home in Modesto. He was 73. The Modesto Bee reported that Mr. Piccinini’s health […]
Posted in, C-Store News, Southeast
Sheetz’s 500th Store Opening Feb. 24 In North Carolina
Sheetz will celebrate the opening of its 500th store Feb. 24 with free coffee at all its stores. At the 500th location, at 1810 Liberty Drive in Thomasville, North Carolina, a grand opening event will take place from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 24. “Sheetz is experiencing exponential growth, and this marks a significant milestone, not […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Believe In Heroes Campaign Raises $21M+ For Wounded Warrior Project
Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta Sales & Marketing has reported that the 2014 “Believe in Heroes” campaign raised $5,765,292 in support of Wounded Warrior Project (WWP). This donation brings the cause marketing campaign’s total contributions to more than $21 million since Acosta founded the program five years ago. WWP is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to […]
Posted in, Corporate Store News, Executive News, Southeast
Bi-Lo Hires International Exec As President/CEO
At the end of the day Thursday, Jan. 22, Bi-Lo Holdings announced its choice for its new president and CEO. Ian McLeod, whose 30-year career in the food industry includes overseeing more than 2,000 Coles stores in Australia, will become president and CEO of Jacksonville, Florida-based Bi-Lo Holdings on March 2, the same day current president and […]
Posted in, National, Produce News
Fresh Summit Contest Spotlights Healthy Eating For Kids
Students from the Walker Junior High School in La Palma, California, will put 10 produce-centric recipes to the test at the 4th annual PMA Fresh Summit Sensory Experience Contest this coming Friday, Oct. 17. The contest, sponsored by Bolthouse Farms and supported by Disney Consumer Products, features the top 10 recipes submitted by exhibitors. They […]
Posted in, Independent Store News, Industry News, Online Grocery Technology, West
Mi Pueblos In NorCal Offering All Western Union Services
Mi Pueblo Food Centers has partnered with Western Union to offer shoppers access to Western Union Money Transfer®, money order and bill payment. The services are available at Mi Pueblo stores in the Bay Area, Monterey Peninsula and Central Valley of California. The collaboration is part of Western Union’s efforts to strengthen its independent retail […]