Food Lion Feeds’ annual Gala Apple Bag campaign provided the equivalent of more than 13.8 million meals to families experiencing food insecurity. This year’s total marks the campaign’s second-largest number of meals provided since it began in 2014. Customers supported the effort from Sept. 17-Oct. 7 by buying marked bags of Gala apples or making […]
Author Archives: Shelby Report Staff

The Shelby Report newsroom covers the grocery industry for retailers, wholesalers and suppliers. Staff reports include store openings, executive appointments, company announcements and industry event coverage. Since 1967, The Shelby Report has covered supermarkets, grocery chains and independent grocers through five regional editions.
September Online Grocery Sales Surge To New High
U.S. online grocery sales surged to a new high of $12.5 billion in September, marking a 31 percent increase over the previous year and the second consecutive month a record was set, according to the Brick Meets Click Grocery Shopper Survey, sponsored by Mercatus. Driven by a record-setting number of monthly active users (MAU), sustained […]
SpartanNash Donates $300K To Junior Achievement
SpartanNash, a member of the C&S Wholesale Grocer’s family of companies, and the SpartanNash Foundation recently donated $300,000 to Junior Achievement. The annual in-store fundraiser took place in August and September, supporting Junior Achievement’s efforts to expand educational curriculums, foster in-school programming and provide volunteer resources for children in elementary, middle and high school. “Our local […]
IGA Adds Bitcoin Access To Independent Grocery Stores
The Independent Grocers Alliance (IGA) has partnered with Bitcoin Depot to add its kiosks throughout independent grocery stores across the country, extending the company’s footprint and allowing more consumers the opportunity to buy Bitcoin in a familiar retail setting. “This partnership with IGA helps us increase our reach to provide easy and secure access to […]
Walmart, Sam’s Club Campaign Raises $360K For North Texas Food Bank
The community of North Texas helped raise more than $360,000 for families in need through the 12th annual Walmart and Sam’s Club “Fight Hunger. Spark Change.” campaign. Supported by shoppers, employees and partnerships with food and beverage brands, the campaign helped provide donations to North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) during a time when an estimated […]
Dan’s Foothill Celebrates Grand Reopening In Salt Lake City, UT
Dan’s Foothill in Salt Lake City, Utah, gathered employees, vendors and guests Oct. 8 in an upper parking lot overlooking the store to celebrate its grand reopening. Director of Construction and Maintenance Jan Whiteley, Regional Director Chris Otteson, VP of Retail Operations Greg Welling and Dan’s Foothill Store Director Janel Grangroth shared their appreciation for […]
Report: C-Store Customers Looking For Curated Products, Promotions
While fuel drives most consumers to convenience stores, 92 percent come inside to shop for food or beverages. And with 63 percent of these shoppers visiting at least weekly, c-stores have become a regular stop for more than gas. New findings from Acosta Group’s Convenience Store Shopper Study show that today’s c-store customers shop for convenience […]
‘Publix Will Take Care Of You’ – Opportunities Aplenty For Associates Of All Ages
At Publix Super Markets, ownership isn’t just a financial arrangement – it’s a mindset that leaders say has fueled the grocer’s success for 95 years. As the largest employee-owned company in the U.S., Publix has more than 260,000 associates across eight states. Each has the opportunity to become an owner through the company’s employee stock […]
Miami-Dade County Proclaims Sedano’s Supermarkets Day
Sedano’s Supermarkets shared that Miami-Dade County proclaimed Oct. 10 as “Sedano’s Supermarkets Day” in recognition of the company’s 60-plus-year legacy as a grocery destination and community partner, providing culturally-relevant products and services while fostering ties across South Florida’s diverse neighborhoods. The proclamation was held during a private ceremony at Sedano’s corporate headquarters in Hialeah, bringing […]
Walmart Celebrates Small Businesses During 12th Annual Open Call
Walmart recently held its 12th annual Open Call, welcoming more than 500 entrepreneurs from 47 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., who each came ready to pitch products made, grown or assembled in the United States. More than 100 businesses received Golden Tickets, which offer suppliers the opportunity to sell their products at Walmart and […]
Vallarta Supermarkets, Gonzalez Family Foundation Raise $535K For Charity
Vallarta Supermarkets and the Gonzalez Family Foundation held their Charity Golf Tournament Oct. 3, raising funds to support scholarships, financial assistance and community initiatives across the company’s network. The tournament united community leaders, business partners and supporters for a day centered on connection and giving back at the Brookside Golf Course & Country Club in […]
‘A Place For Everyone’ – Publix Offers Sense Of Family, Belonging, Career Paths
When Marcy Benton walked into Publix for what she thought would be a summer job while in graduate school, she didn’t expect to find a lifelong career. After all, it seemed as though her entire hometown of Lakeland, Florida, worked for the company, and she wanted to escape the familiar for a bigger city. “They […]
Fareway’s Kollasch Named Nebraska’s Best Bagger
Austin Kollasch of Fareway Store No. 215 in Omaha defended his top spot Oct. 7 at the annual Nebraska Best Bagger Contest hosted by the Nebraska Grocery Industry Association. The competition showcased five of the state’s finest grocery baggers in two preliminary heats followed by a final round. The event drew a crowd of nearly […]
Heritage Grocers Group Launches Pumpkins Campaign For Children’s Hospitals
Heritage Grocers Group has launched the “Pumpkins for a Purpose” campaign to raise funds for children and families receiving care at hospitals in the communities served by its banner stores. Running through Oct. 31, the initiative is designed at the “heart of everything we do is a deep commitment to our communities,” said Adam Salgado, […]
Food Lion Feeds Awards More Than $2.6M In Grants
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation has awarded more than $2.6 million in grants to 120 organizations as part of its Summers Without Hunger campaign, supporting community feeding partners working to prevent childhood hunger, address food insecurity and promote healthier lifestyles. Food Lion customers and participating vendors supported the annual Summers Without Hunger campaign, which provided […]
Save A Lot Names 2025 Hometown Heroes Program Winners
St. Louis-based Save A Lot has named the winners of its 2025 Hometown Heroes, a nomination-based recognition program that showcases people and organizations making a difference in their communities. Here are the latest honorees: Ben Hoopengardner, Hancock Fire Department in Hancock, Maryland; Debbie Cohill, Martha’s House in Hancock, Maryland; Debbie Salters, Thursday Church in Vincennes, […]
AWG Brands Unveils 35 Products To Boost Holiday Sales
Ahead of the holiday season, AWG Brands, the private brands program of Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. (AWG), has expanded its portfolio with 35 new products from Always Save, Best Choice and Superior Selections by Best Choice. The launch includes grocery and household items aimed at helping AWG member retailers increase sales and offer value to […]
FMI Study Highlights Grocery Stores’ Role In Convenient, Affordable Dining
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released “The Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025” report, revealing a significant shift in dining habits as consumers are increasingly choosing deli-prepared foods in place of restaurant meals, with this share more than doubling from 12 percent in 2017 to 28 percent in 2025. Many shoppers also are blending […]
The NGA Show Introduces Fresh Pitches Networking Experience
The NGA Show has introduced Fresh Pitches, a new one-to-one networking opportunity debuting at the 2026 event, Feb. 1-3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Designed to foster high-impact connections between sponsors and independent grocery retailers, Fresh Pitches will offer a fast-paced, curated speed networking experience. Fresh Pitches centers around short, high-impact conversations that […]
PFMA Highlights Legislation, Regulation Issues At Legislative Conference
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) hosted its 2025 Fall Legislative Conference on Oct. 7-8 at the Hershey Country Club, bringing together industry leaders, lawmakers and policy experts for two days of dialogue, legislative updates and connection. A highlight of the event was a keynote address from Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday, who reflected on […]
