Andrew “Andy” Carloss opened Midtown Market in Paducah, Kentucky, because the idea just wouldn’t leave him alone. Carloss was born and raised in Paducah and earned his business management degree from the University of Kentucky. He took a tech job in Boston after graduation, where he was able to bunk with his sister. While there, […]
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 inFeature, Aldi, Corporate Store News, Southeast
‘Aldi Math’ Keeps Retailer Focused On Saving Customers Money
Aldi hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of its store in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta on July 17 to communicate how it can save area shoppers money – it estimates up to 40 percent – on groceries. The tour was hosted by Shaun O’Keefe, regional VP based out of the Aldi’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center. “What […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Laurel Grocery Co., Market Profile, Southeast, The Kroger Co., Wholesaler/Distributor News
Laurel Grocery Co. Keying On Retail Promotions To Boost Sales For Grocers
Laurel Grocery Co. is continually developing new merchandising and marketing programs for its retail customers as part of its commitment to always “think retail.” Based in London, Kentucky, Laurel Grocery Co. is a full-service wholesaler of groceries, meat, produce and general merchandise in addition to offering accounting and advertising services. It serves more than 200 […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Harps Food Stores, Southwest
Association Executive Director Says Arkansas Economy Moving In Positive Direction
Sales tax collections and metro population totals both have been up in Arkansas over the past year, according to Steve Goode, executive director of the Arkansas Grocers & Retail Merchants Association in Little Rock. “The overall economy is doing slightly better than a year ago,” he said. Sales tax collections are up by 1.8 percent […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Midwest
Store Count Growing – But More Needed – In Financially Strong Iowa
At its March meeting, Iowa’s Revenue Estimating Conference projected a 2.2 percent decrease in revenue in fiscal 2024 versus fiscal 2023. But the panel also forecasted increased revenue in FY 2025 and 2026, at 0.7 percent and 1 percent respectively, noted Michelle Hurd, president of the Iowa Grocery Industry Association (IGIA). “Despite the slight revenue […]
Posted inFeature, Aldi, Southeast
Aldi Finds Aisle Offers BTS Items For Kids, Teens
A store tour for journalists at an Aldi store in the Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta finished up on the Aldi Finds aisle. For the uninitiated, the aisle is a mix of Aldi-exclusive brands as well as some national and licensed brands. It’s mostly general merchandise, but there also are some food items classified as “Finds.” […]
Posted inFeature, Aldi, Corporate Store News, Private Label Brands
Aldi’s Supplier Ties Fuel Product Development Efforts
One of the keys to Aldi being able to keep prices low, quality high and on-trend products rolling in is its strong relationships with suppliers. Those relationships came up frequently during a recent store tour conducted by Shaun O’Keefe, regional VP at the company’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center. The tour, conducted for journalists at the […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Independent Store News, Southwest
Edwards Food Giant’s Remodel Offers ‘Neighborhood Feel’ In N. Little Rock
The new Edwards Food Giant that opened in Lakewood Village in North Little Rock in early April was described by one observer as “Publix come to Arkansas, to be honest with you.” That’s high praise, as Publix is widely known for its clean, well-stocked, well-run grocery stores. Edwards Food Giant took the place of the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Hy-Vee, Market Profile, Midwest
Hy-Vee Continues To Grow Business Units Across Operating Area
Home state grocer Hy-Vee has been making news with its proposed growth into the southern U.S. But it’s also growing in the Midwest. The West Des Moines-based company, which has 550 “business units” – primarily retail stores – in its operating area, recently grew to nine states with the biggest acquisition in company history. Its […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Dollar General, Feature, Food Lion, National
Self-Checkouts A ‘Double-Edged Sword’ For Grocery Customers, Retailers
Self-checkouts in grocery stores present both benefits and challenges for the retailers that utilize them. In the benefits column, they allow customers buying just a handful of items to not get in a line behind someone doing two weeks’ worth of shopping. They also lessen the labor and eventually payroll burden for retailers, many of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, Feature, Southeast
Aldi Gaining Steam Across Southeast
Shaun O’Keefe, Aldi regional VP based out of the company’s Jefferson, Georgia, distribution center, conducted a tour for journalists in mid-July at the company’s store on Peachtree Road in Atlanta’s Buckhead area. Aldi currently operates 81 stores in Georgia, with 50-55 of them in the Atlanta area, depending on your definition of what the Atlanta […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Feature, National
Toshiba Executive: AI Powering Improvements For Self-Checkouts
Self-checkout systems have revolutionized the grocery shopping experience, offering numerous advantages for both customers and retailers. By empowering shoppers to scan and bag their own items, these systems reduce wait times, allowing customers to move through the checkout process with greater speed and convenience. This increased efficiency not only benefits customers but also frees up […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
With New Site In Bozeman, Town & Country Foods Continues Expansion In Montana
In an industry often marked by consolidation and competition from national chains, Town & Country Foods, a Montana-based independent grocery store chain, stands out as a beacon of growth. The company has defied industry trends, expanding its footprint across the state while many competitors struggle. Founded in 1966 by Andy Perlinski in Livingston, Montana, Town […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Aldi, Corporate Store News, Home Page Latest News, Southeast, The Kroger Co.
Aldi To Begin Winn-Dixie, Harveys Assimilation Process
North Florida’s biggest retail grocery news over the past year arguably came out of Jacksonville. Following a deal announced in August 2023 and completed in early March this year, Southeastern Grocers’ Winn-Dixie brand, along with sister banner Harveys Supermarkets, now are owned by Aldi, the value-focused retailer headquartered in Batavia, Illinois. Aldi said the deal […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Market Profile, West
Jack’s Country Store Honored By WFIA For Community Service
Jack’s Country Store’s roots in Ocean Park, Washington, date back to 1885, when the area was still known as the Washington Territory. Founded by John Morehead, Jack’s is believed to be the oldest continuing retail business in the state. Over the years, leadership and location changed (the store burned down in 1937 and was relocated, […]
Posted inProduce News, Deli News, Southwest
Expert Explains Charting Path To FSMA 204 Compliance
Andy Kennedy’s session at IDDBA 2024 was designed to help his audience better understand the steps along the journey to FSMA 204 compliance. Kennedy has worked in traceability for the past 17 years, currently with New Era Partners and before that the FDA as well as technology and standards development companies. The compliance date for […]
Posted inDairy News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Produce News, Recommended Reading
Recommended: Maynard, Mass., May Get Its First Co-Op Grocery Store
MAYNARD, MA — There’s a grocery store revolution coming to the MetroWest area. This spring, Assabet Village Co-op Market is closing in on a plan to open the first cooperative grocery store in the area. It’s the culmination of a long process that began in 2013 when the co-op was founded. Although coronavirus is complicating […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Amazon Fresh, Association News, Center Store, COVID News, Home Page Slider, National, Nonfood Items, Suppliers, Supply Chain News, Whole Foods
CBA Report Reveals A Nation Changed By Coronavirus
Eighty-four percent of Americans have seen shortages of high-demand products during the coronavirus, up from only 37 percent at the beginning of March, according the latest findings from the Consumer Brands Association (CBA) in Arlington, Virginia. Since March 4, CBA has conducted a weekly poll of American adults’ attitudes toward the coronavirus. Now in its fourth […]
Posted inHome Page Latest News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Executive News, National
Albertsons Expands Role Of Dorcheus, Taps Curry To Lead SoCal
Albertsons Cos. announced March 9 that Shane Dorcheus, EVP of operations and president of the Southern California and Southwest divisions, now fills an expanded role for the company. In addition to his EVP of operations role, he will lead the Portland, Seattle/Haggen, NorCal, SoCal, Intermountain and Denver divisions, as well as lead Southwest as its […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Beverage News, Corporate Store News, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Nonfood Items, Recommended Reading, Southwest
Recommended: Las Cruces, NM, Area Grocery Stores Seeing Product Shortages
LAS CRUCES – In the checkout aisle at the Walmart Supercenter on Walton Boulevard Thursday morning, a man was purchasing a three-pack of Lysol disinfecting wipes. Another shopper — a middle-aged woman – approached him and asked where he’d found it. “In automotive,” he replied with a smile. And off she and her shopping companions […]