by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Today, Paula Janssen is the majority owner of Janssen’s Market in Wilmington, Delaware, a gourmet grocery store of about 100 employees. Janssen’s grandfather founded the store in 1952, and her parents recently stepped away from the business to enjoy their retirement, still maintaining partial ownership. However, the way things […]
Author Archives: Mary Margaret Stewart
Mary Margaret is a former Staff Writer at The Shelby Report.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Organic Natural, Shelby Originals
Market Profile: Good Earth Market Finds Success With Organic, Natural Offerings
by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Good Earth Market, built from the ground up 16 years ago in Ocean View, Delaware, is a woman-owned business. It started solely as a grocery store, and about nine years ago, owner Susan Ryan had a tenant come in and start a restaurant. After leasing that portion for a […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Latest News, International Foods, Southwest, Vista Markets
Market Profile: Seven-Store Vista Markets Chain Has Expanded Along With El Paso
‘We cater to the community here by being diverse’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Mike Piña founded Vista Markets in the late 1980s as a bakery. Over the years, it has transitioned into a full-sized supermarket. Today, the company operates seven grocery stores in El Paso, Texas, with plans for an eighth at the beginning […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Kellogg Company, Future Food-Tech To Launch Start-Up Innovation Challenge
Kellogg Company has released more details about a collaboration with Future Food-Tech to launch an Innovation Challenge, giving new talent in the industry a chance to shine. Wellness is a major area of focus for Kellogg, and through this challenge the company is seeking pitches on unique plant-based ideas that support digestive wellness. D’Anne Hayman, VP of […]
Posted inGiant Food, Corporate Store News, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Giant Food Celebrates 85 Years, Longtime Commitment To Communities
Landover, Maryland-based Giant Food is celebrating 85 years in business this year. Commemorating the retailer’s deep ties to the local community, Giant associates are volunteering on Friday, Feb. 5, to support local partner nonprofits Maryland Food Bank, Food Bank of Delaware and Martha’s Table, helping pack food for people who are struggling with hunger. “Reflecting on […]
Posted inShelby Originals, COVID News, Home Page Latest News, Southeast
Market Profile: Alabama Grocers Association Adjusted And Aided Awareness
Like the supermarket industry, group ‘continues to reinvent itself’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer During the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alabama Grocers Association sent more than 100 emails and made 80 Facebook/Twitter posts related to COVID-19, said President Ellie Taylor. The association even created a new media campaign called Shop […]
Posted inShelby Originals, COVID News, Southeast
Market Profile: Gateway Foods Feels Shoppers’ Frustration, But ‘It’s Going To Get Better’
‘Strange cloud hanging over the grocery business’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Gateway Foods was founded in 1978 in Double Springs, Alabama. Some seven years later, Harold Garrett, current president and general manager, joined the company. “I grew up in Double Springs and actually worked for the competition. I started in the grocery business in […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Produce News, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: Fresh Value Focused On Product Selection, ‘Great Customer Service’
Company has stores throughout state; the ninth opened on Feb. 1 by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Gerry D’Alessandro officially started working for his family’s grocery business at age 14. At the time, his father and uncle – Jerry and Frank D’Alessandro – owned a single store called Fourth Avenue Supermarket in Bessemer, Alabama. When he […]
Posted inPiggly Wiggly, Independent Store News, Shelby Originals, Southeast
Market Profile: Piggly Wiggly Alabama Investing Resources In Technology
by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer For Piggly Wiggly Alabama Distributing Co., David Bullard said the most challenging part of 2020 was finding a balance between supply chain demands and providing for its retailers. And as the entire industry witnessed when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, balance was hard to come by. “With the tremendously increased […]
Posted inROFDA Reports, Home Page Slider, National, Shelby Originals
Labor, Product Shortages And Uncertainty Among Top Concerns for ROFDA
Members also assess e-commerce, other trends likely to stick around by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer With 2021 in full swing, ROFDA Chairman David Bullard said the association’s membership has expressed three major concerns. “One is the labor problem. Finding enough quality workers with a good work ethic gets harder and harder to do. Labor challenges […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Originals
Independents Nationwide Eye Another Strong Year In 2021
IGA offers initiatives, help to keep pace with the trends by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Phil Blackburn owns four IGA grocery stores in eastern Washington, two of which are general market and the others Hispanic-oriented. In 2021, he expects another good year for independent grocers. “We’re still holding with a lot larger basket size, so […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Home Page Slider, National, Shelby Originals
NGA To Independent Supermarkets: Tell Your Story, Emphasize Local
Consumers likely will keep associating them with safety by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Greg Ferrara sees 2021 as “the year of opportunity for independents.” Because while 2020 brought disruption to businesses across the nation in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic, grocery came out stronger on the other side. “Our industry overall responded incredibly well, […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, National
Column: Taking A Peek Past Pandemic – Predictions For 2021, Beyond
by John Ross, president and CEO of IGA Your inboxes likely are filled with looks back at 2020 and reflections on all the craziness that ensued. Instead, I want to look forward to 2021 and the years ahead in our industry. Using insights from our stores in China, which has been dealing with the coronavirus […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Special Section, West
The Superior Foundation Focuses On Art Education For Children
Also supports various causes in community, offers scholarship opportunities to employees Interviews with members of the company’s leadership team were conducted by Shelby Publishing EVP Bob Reeves and compiled by Shelby’s Mary Margaret Stewart. Something near and dear to the hearts of Mimi and Marie Song is the Superior Foundation, which was founded 20 years ago as the […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, West
After Four Decades, Superior Shines As Example Of The American Dream
Immigrant-led company ‘ready to go forward faster’ Interviews with members of the company’s leadership team were conducted by Shelby Publishing EVP Bob Reeves and compiled by Shelby’s Mary Margaret Stewart. With 47 stores and plans for many more, Superior Grocers is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2021. And what’s kept the company successful is its core values – integrity, […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, West
Superior Grocers’ Management Amazed By Leader’s Work Attitude, Energy
Admire humble approach, persistence and emphasis on teamwork throughout business Mimi Song, a Korean immigrant, founded Hispanic specialty grocery store Superior Grocers with her sister, Marie, in the early 1980s. Strong-willed and determined to achieve the American Dream, Song found great success. This year, the company is celebrating 40 years in the business – with no plans to slow […]
Posted inFood Industry Hall of Fame, Home Page Slider, Shelby Originals, West
Mimi Song Has Fashioned Successful Career In Grocery Industry
Superior’s CEO immigrated from South Korea with early designs on a different path Mimi Song, founder and CEO of Superior Grocers, has been selected for the Food Industry Hall of Fame. In recent interviews with Bob Reeves, EVP of Shelby Publishing, which were compiled by Shelby’s Mary Margaret Stewart, Song recalled her rise to CEO of a successful grocery chain. Mimi […]
Posted inShelby Content, Home Page Latest News, National, Shelby Originals
New Awards Program To Honor Diversity, Equity And Inclusion
Shelby seeks nominations for leading DEI companies Nominations are now open for Shelby Publishing’s new Diversity, Equity and Inclusion awards program, which will launch in 2021 to recognize the most iconic companies working to advance and uphold diversity, equity and inclusion in the U.S. grocery industry. Shelby will recognize and celebrate companies across all sectors […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Market Profile: Tweedie Family Transitioned From Trucking Into Groceries
Runs IGA stores in Mars Hill, Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Josh Tweedie worked through high school and college at one of the grocery stores he currently owns and operates in Maine. He then spent most of his early professional career with his father’s trucking business. “I worked in the […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
Acosta Exec: Shopping Experience ‘Redefined With Lasting Impact’
Seamless integration of in-store and online likely by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer As part of January’s technology and e-commerce feature, The Shelby Report interviewed Shauna Bowen with the Jacksonville, Florida-based Acosta for insight into the ever-growing importance of e-commerce and technology in the grocery industry. What is your title with Acosta? Briefly describe your history and […]