New service called Cater debuted before holidays by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer In 2012, Nick Nickitas founded Rosie, an e-commerce solution for independent retailers and wholesalers. His goal was to “level the playing field,” giving local businesses the tools to compete with national chains and online marketplaces. “We’ve seen the music industry get completely reshaped as […]
Author Archives: Mary Margaret Stewart
Mary Margaret is a former Staff Writer at The Shelby Report.
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Online Grocery Technology, Southeast
ECRS’ Unified Experience Keeps It Ahead Of Changing Landscape
Company’s software is based on best practices, not customization by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Peter Catoe founded ECRS in 1989. Thirty-something years later, he remains the president. While a lot has changed with technology in the grocery business during that time, his strategy has remained the same. “We consider ourselves a transaction company, and we […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, National
Freshop Committed To ‘Learning, Living And Breathing Grocery’
Focus includes self-checkout, touchless store environments by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Freshop is an e-commerce solution for grocery and retail. And as one might expect, CEO Brian Moyer said the platform has grown an incredible amount in 2020, acquiring thousands of new stores. But why Freshop? According to Moyer, retail partners say the company “really knows […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Midwest, Snacks Brands
Market Profile: KLN Family Brands Exemplifies Adage ‘Treat People Like Family’
Candy, snacks company has roots in pet food by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Perham, Minnesota-based KLN Family Brands, the parent company of Kenny’s Candy & Confections, produces various kinds of licorice and popcorn snacks, both branded and private label. These include Wiley Wallaby licorice and Sweet Chaos popcorn brands, which can be found nationwide in […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Independent Store News, Midwest
Market Profile: Longtime Minnesota Grocers Enter 2021 On High Note
Mackenthun’s Fine Foods, Coborn’s show staying power by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Mackenthun’s Fine Foods was founded in Waconia, Minnesota, in 1917. Today, co-owners Jaime Mackenthun and Jessa Theis, brother and sister, are fifth-generation grocers of the family’s three stores in Waconia, Lonsdale and Montgomery. “It’s pretty exciting for our family to have been in business […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Retailer of the Year
At Weis Markets, ‘We’re Really In The People Business’
Customer service unlike any other; opportunity abounds for ‘everybody at every level’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Weis Markets’ go-to-market strategy permeates the whole company. “If you treat your associates well, they in turn will take care of your customers,” explained Amy Zimmerman, store manager. Zimmerman began her Weis career as a part-time cashier, working […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Amazon Fresh, COVID News, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Retailer of the Year, Whole Foods
COVID-19 Pandemic Can’t Alter Weis’ Overall Approach
CEO proud of safety, swift response and that stores ‘still all about serving the public’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Asked to reflect on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on the U.S. grocery industry, Weis Markets COO Kurt Schertle deferred to the company’s CEO and president, Jonathan Weis. “Candidly, I think my boss […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Retailer of the Year
Weis Markets – A ‘Deliberate Company That Is Very Nimble’
Execs also cite family atmosphere, support for grocer’s bright future by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer In this special section, The Griffin Report of the Northeast honors Weis Markets as its 2020 Northeast Retailer of the Year. The Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based company has nearly 200 stores in seven states. We begin by hearing from some of Weis’ key […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Northeast, Retailer of the Year
Community Involvement Key To The Culture At Weis
Makes good business sense to take care of those who ‘take care of us’ by Mary Margaret Stewart, staff writer Since 1912, Weis Markets has been a substantial giver at many different levels – hospitals, soup kitchens, religious institutions, veterans’ agencies, schools and universities. That generosity extends throughout the company itself, via a scholarship fund for […]
Posted inCenter Store, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, Southwest, The Kroger Co.
Pioneer Expands Comfort Meal Solutions With Sauce and Seasoning Mix
San Antonio, Texas-based Pioneer, a subsidiary of C.H. Guenther & Son, is expanding the distribution of the brand’s quick, easy-to-make meal solutions and enhancements. Joining the brand’s baking and gravy mix products, Pioneer’s Comfort Meal Solutions are a line of seasonings and meal sauces for favorites like, Chicken Pot Pie and Bayou Jambalaya. “In a year of uncertainty, […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Albertsons, Home Page Slider, Southwest
Mooala Launches Industry’s First Keto-Friendly ‘Milk’
Dallas, Texas-based Mooala, leading maker of premium, organic, dairy-free beverages, has introduced Keto Mylk, the first dairy or dairy-alternative milk specifically designed for the keto consumer. The company, best known for its plant-based Bananamilk, is expanding its organic beverage portfolio to include the new, keto-certified and carb-conscious option, which features less than 1g of net carbs, 0g […]
Posted inExecutive News, Home Page Latest News, Southwest, The Kroger Co.
Lawson Retiring After Decorated Career With AWG
Stinebaugh named new division manager in Oklahoma City After more than 25 years with Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers, Linda Lawson has announced her retirement effective this month. In a statement, the company described Lawson as a valued team member, leader and mentor to many throughout her time with AWG, adding that “her leadership will be […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Home Page Slider, West
There’s Still Time To Support Team Shelby USA In Hike The Halo 2020
Fundraiser for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation runs through Dec. 20 Cynthia Weifenbach, a Southern California-based writer and frequent contributor to The Shelby Report, is participating in the virtual Hike the Halo 2020 campaign, a benefit for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation that runs through Dec. 20. Sue Klug has organized Team Shelby USA, which is participating in […]
Posted inBeverage News, Health & Wellness, Home Page Slider, West
Sprouts Partners With L.A. Libations To Pilot New Beverages In 2021
Phoenix, Arizona-based Sprouts Farmers Market has partnered with L.A. Libations to launch emerging brands at 50 selected stores in California, as part of L.A. Libations’ SoCal Incubation Program (SIP). The assortment will add to Sprouts’ offering of healthier products to meet the growing demands of the consumer, including plant-based, keto-friendly and paleo. “In January, we’re accelerating […]
Posted inShelby Originals, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Profile: Meet Phyllis Johnson With Catalina USA
The Shelby Report and The Grocery Group together present this series, People to Watch, to focus on current and future leadership in the grocery industry. In this installment, Grocery Group Founder and CEO Cindy Sorensen interviews Phyllis Johnson, senior director of business development (own brands) with Catalina USA. Tell me a little bit about yourself. […]
Posted inProduce News, Amazon Fresh, Home Page Slider, Southwest, Whole Foods
Winter Sweetz To Host ‘Sweeter in Texas’ Sweepstakes Through Jan. 15
Mission, Texas-based Winter Sweetz, a grapefruit brand owned by Lone Star Citrus, is launching “Sweeter in Texas,” a sweepstakes to celebrate Texas’ red grapefruit season during the holidays and through the New Year. “This season’s harvest is one of our very best yet, and we are thrilled to share our excitement to ignite demand this year by way […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Home Page Slider, Northeast
Crispy Green Reminds Consumers To Try Its Fruit Snacks
Fairfield, New Jersey-based Crispy Green is reminding shoppers to try Crispy Fruit, a freeze-dried fruit snack for healthy snacking in the new year. After indulging on holiday goodies, according to Crispy Green, consumers will be searching for healthy, but tasty snacks to help them get back on track as the New Year begins. Crispy Fruit […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, Southeast
Wakefern Food Corp. Expands Data Partnership With Catalina
Shopper intelligence leader Catalina has released that Wakefern Food Corp., the nation’s largest retailer-owned grocery cooperative, is expanding its use of Catalina’s ecosystem of data-driven solutions. This will include its Anonymized Transaction Database, to help consumer packaged goods brands more quickly and deeply understand shopper behavior, while expanding digital engagement with shoppers in Wakefern’s retail […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, COVID News, Home Page Slider, National
Data Shows 35% Of Consumers Prefer Contactless In-Store Payments
New data from ACI Worldwide and PYMNTS.com shows 35 percent of consumers would be willing to leave their preferred grocers for others that allow them to pay in-store in a contactless manner. The survey of more than 2,000 adult U.S. consumers, which addressed grocery shopping habits since the pandemic, also showed that contactless credit cards (43 […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Home Page Slider, West
Farmstead Reaches Key Online Grocery Profitability Milestone
Farmstead, the first online grocer to deliver fresh groceries for free, announced that it is now contribution-margin positive in its San Francisco hub, meaning the service is profitable on a per-order basis. The company says it achieved this milestone without markups, service fees or delivery fees – in the most competitive and highest-cost market in […]