As popular as e-commerce has become, about 80 percent of retail transactions still take place in the real world, at the store. “Every retailer, including some of the largest on the planet, see more foot traffic than they do digital traffic by a very large factor,” noted Hans Fischmann, VP and GM of the nCountR […]
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 inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Feature, National
Ibotta Digital Promo Network Powers Loyalty Programs
Denver-based Ibotta powers cash-back rewards for companies including Albertsons, Dollar General, H-E-B, Instacart, Kroger, Schnuck Markets, Sprouts, Walmart and many others. Shoppers download the app and can get rewards by scanning a receipt or linking their store loyalty account to the app to earn points. To date, 50 million people have downloaded the app and […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Fareway, Feature, Midwest
Fareway Stores’ Headquarters Moves To Johnston, IA
Fareway Stores has completed the move to its new corporate headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, a suburb west of Des Moines that’s about a 30-minute drive from the grocer’s former base in Boone, north of the city. However, the Boone complex continues to be home to more than 100 staff members on the wholesale/warehouse side of […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Market Profile, West
Wildfires, Inflation Among Challenges For Wyoming’s Retailers, Residents
Natural disasters are sometimes more difficult to navigate through in areas that are less densely populated. Wildfires have burned more than 810,000 acres in Wyoming thus far this year, and “towns are under duress,” according to Grier Bailey, executive director of the Colorado Wyoming Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, which also represents grocers. “Unlike […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Retailer of the Year, Wakefern
Stigers Using All Career Experiences To Lead Wakefern Food Corp.
Mike Stigers is in his second year of serving as president of Wakefern Food Corp., a role he feels he was preparing for throughout his five-decade career in the grocery industry. Stigers started out as a part-time courtesy clerk at Safeway in California in 1974. Over the years, in subsequent roles in retail and wholesale, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Retailer of the Year, Wakefern
Wakefern – Powering Success Of Membership For Nearly Eight Decades
Wakefern President Mike Stigers took to the stage Oct. 17 at the Hilton in Parsippany, New Jersey, for Wakefern Food Corp.’s Annual Meeting. In the ballroom audience and tuning in virtually were thousands of retail and corporate team members who came together to hear important business updates from leadership and plans for the next year. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Benedict Family Has Served Wyoming’s Bridger Valley For 80-plus Years
In the exhibit hall at an NGA Show in Las Vegas a few years ago, Jim Benedict saw a Southern Pride smoker and decided on the spot to buy one for his family’s store in Mountain View, Wyoming. Others were intrigued by it; he was not only intrigued by it but moved decisively to make […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Executive News, West
Superior Grocers CEO Wardwell Hailed For Exceptional Leadership, Dedication
There are words that come up frequently when people talk about Richard Wardwell, president and CEO of Superior Grocers. Driven. Intense. Hands-on. Aware. Friendly. Funny. Tireless. Good-hearted. Humble. Competitive. He doesn’t sleep much and works six 15ish-hour days a week, which would make most people unable to be any of those things. When he’s not […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, Northeast
Murphy’s Fresh Markets Serving Its Communities Inside, Outside Stores
Murphy’s Fresh Markets operates three stores in southern New Jersey. The stores are nestled in their respective neighborhoods, with strong relationships with customers and a reputation for charitable giving. But the grocer knows that to continue to be successful, the stores have to provide the goods, literally, as well. “My family’s grown roots here and […]
Posted inMarketing News, Amazon Fresh, Feature, Southeast, Whole Foods
Diversification Helps Acosta Group Connect Shoppers With Brands
The core purpose of Acosta Group is to “help connect shoppers with brands that they love, anywhere that they want to buy them, in this omnichannel environment,” said Darian Pickett, chief global client officer for the company, during an interview at the NACS Show in October with The Shelby Report’s Jan Meade. Understanding today’s shoppers […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Northeast, Whole Foods
NJFC CEO: New Jersey’s Grocery Landscape Experiencing Selective Growth
Linda Doherty, president and CEO of the New Jersey Food Council, took time out of her busy schedule in October to provide an update to The Griffin Report on the state’s grocery industry. Below are her responses. How is the economy in your state? What kind of population and unemployment trends are you seeing? Our […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Oklahoma’s Super C Mart Committed To Communities, Growth
Super C Mart is a progressive independent grocer. Though its eight stores operate in predominantly rural areas of southern Oklahoma, it has an app with digital coupons, sells sushi in one of its stores and its top two leaders are women. Nikki Carver succeeded her father as president and CEO in 2020, and COO Angela […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Albertsons, Southwest
‘Regressive’ Grocery Tax Removal Hailed As Largest Tax Cut In OK History
On Aug. 29, the 4.5 percent Oklahoma state sales tax on groceries was eliminated. The bill was passed in February during the state legislative session. It is the largest tax cut in state history, according to an Aug. 26 press release from the office of Senate Pro Tem Greg Treat, R-Oklahoma City, which said the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, West
UFIA Inducts Peterson’s Market Owner Into Hall Of Fame
The Utah Food Industry Association, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, hosted its 2024 Annual Conference and Celebration Aug. 6 at the Davis County Conference Center. At the celebration, the association inducted Monte Peterson, owner of Peterson’s Market, into its Hall of Fame. Peterson learned his work ethic and the basics of the grocery business […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, The Kroger Co., West
Tech Jobs, Recreation Drawing Folks To Utah’s Wasatch Front
Dave Davis, president and CEO of the Utah Food Industry Association, said it’s good to live in Utah. There are several reasons for that. “Fiscally, we’re in a good place,” Davis said. “I think that both our legislative branch and our executive branch do a good job of managing the economy here in the state.” […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Giving Back Runs Deep With Kent’s Market In Utah
For Kent’s Market, being able to give back to its communities adds meaning to everything the business does. “We stock the shelves and sell groceries just to support giving back to the community,” said Kati Calhoun, VP of marketing for the grocer, which operates four stores in Utah – in Brigham City, Plain City, Roy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Feature, West
Goodwin & Sons Market Reopens In Crestline, CA
Goodwin & Sons Market in Crestline, California, is back to serving customers after record snowfalls in the San Bernardino Mountains crushed the roof of the store in the wee hours of March 1, 2023. Eventually, the entire store collapsed, leading to the opportunity for a redesign. “We built, we believe, one of the most beautiful […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Southeast, The Kroger Co., Whole Foods
Attracting Workers Remains Challenge For Grocers Across Kentucky
Labor continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing the commonwealth’s grocers, according to Tod Griffin, executive director of the Kentucky Grocers & Convenience Store Association. “The one constant theme is they cannot find enough workers, especially in those skilled areas such as meat cutters and drivers to transport goods,” Griffin said. “They have […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, Feature, National
Aldi Wine Specialist: ‘We Know That We Can Deliver High Quality For Less’
Aldi is the fastest growing retailer of wine and beer. That’s according to Arlin Zajmi, director of national buying and certified wine specialist for Aldi, who flew to Atlanta from company headquarters in Batavia, Illinois, to participate in a store tour for journalists at the grocer’s store in Buckhead in mid-July. “The alcohol category has […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, Feature, National, The Kroger Co.
IFPA Officials Preview Fresh Produce & Floral Show
“Make the most of these three days in October.” That’s the advice of Cathy Burns, CEO of the International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA), referring to the 2024 Global Fresh Produce & Floral Show, coming up Oct. 17-19 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta. “We’re really excited to be in Georgia this year after […]