Gelson’s Markets is embracing a data-driven transformation in store operations by partnering with Upshop. By adopting the tech firm’s total store platform, Gelson’s aims to infuse intelligence into its forecasting, total store ordering, production planning and real-time inventory processes, ensuring every location is tuned into local demand dynamics. The initiative means shoppers will find what […]
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.
KeHE Opens Distribution Center In Elkton, FL
KeHE Distributors has opened a new distribution center in Elkton, Florida. Although it is 3,850 steps from the previous location, the new building provides a 61 percent increase in space. It features 29,887 square feet of office space for employees and six temp zones, including 390,000 square feet of dry warehouse, 105,000 square feet of […]
Food 4 Less Leader Doyel Plans To Keep Building On Banner’s Strong Foundation
Kendra Doyel may have one of the most well-rounded careers among today’s supermarket industry leaders. Named president of Kroger’s Food 4 Less/Foods Co division in April, Doyel started as a pharmacist in the company’s Fry’s division in 1998 and wound through several departments and responsibilities on her way to leading 101 Food 4 Less and […]
Vincent Named Kroger’s Secretary, General Counsel
George Vincent will join The Kroger Co. as its secretary and general counsel, effective Aug. 4. Vincent has been appointed to the role, following the retirement of EVP, General Counsel and Secretary Christine Wheatley on Sept. 1. A partner at Dinsmore & Shohl, Vincent previously served as the firm’s managing partner from 2007-22, where he […]
Superior Grocers Debuts Second Las Vegas Store
Superior Grocers opened its second Las Vegas store July 23 at 390 S Decatur Blvd. Among other products, customers can find a $1.99 street hot dog plus Jarritos soda combo, premium cuts of SR Superior Ranch Meat, agua frescas, boba tea, fresh tamales and treats from an in-store dulceria. Customers can visit SuperiorGrocers.com or download […]
The Kroger Co. Holds Grand Reopening At Dallas Store
The Kroger Dallas Division celebrated the grand reopening of its Lake Highlands store July 23 at 10677 E. Northwest Highway in Dallas. The festivities included a welcome by John Votava, Kroger Dallas Division director of corporate affairs, followed by remarks from Kroger Texas President Rudy DiPietro and store leader Josh Owens. To mark the occasion, […]
ECRS Adds Text-Em-All Capabilities To CATAPULT Software
At Ignite 2025, ECRS announced that it had begun a strategic partnership with Text-Em-All, a provider of mass messaging solutions. The collaboration designates Text-Em-All as the preferred SMS marketing provider integrated with the CATAPULT software suite, enabling independent retailers to engage customers more effectively and drive growth. With the integration, CATAPULT users can send SMS messages directly to their shoppers without time-consuming manual workarounds. Whether promoting a weekend […]
NJFC Applauds Legislation To Combat Litter Through Reusable Bag Program
In what will be another tool to fight litter in the Garden State, Gov. Phil Murphy has signed legislation for a permanent annual appropriation of $500,000 to the Clean Communities Program Fund for the New Jersey Food Council’s reusable bag program. The NJFC, NJCCC and Clean Communities Coordinators hailed the signing of the bill and […]
Heritage Grocers Group CEO Steps Down, Leadership Transitions In Progress
Heritage Grocers Group (HGG) has shared multiple leadership transitions within the company, as Suzy Monford steps down from her role as chairwoman and CEO to pursue other opportunities. She had joined the company in November 2024. HGG has named industry veteran David Hirz chairman of the board and is instituting an Office of the CEO […]
Grocery Stores Offer Assist As Tailgating Season Approaches
Sept. 6 marks the 10th annual celebration of National Tailgating Day. The day of celebration was created by Luke Lorick, president of Tailgating Challenge, a tailgating-focused social media brand. Lorick’s enthusiasm for tailgating turned into a brand with a mission: test out the coolest tailgating gear and give fans a chance to win. Over the […]
Brookshire Brothers To Implement Cognira’s PromoAI Platform
Brookshire Brothers, a Texas-based employee-owned grocery retailer, has partnered with Cognira to implement PromoAI, an advanced platform for promotion planning, optimization and analysis. The grocer selected Cognira for its AI-driven forecasting, workflow automation and deep promotional performance analytics, all of which will help deliver more relevant offers, improve collaboration and enhance promotional ROI. “After extensive […]
Wakefern Food Corp. Announces 2026 Local Wellness Supplier Summit
Wakefern Food Corp. is accepting applications for the 2026 Local Wellness Supplier Summit this fall. The event will explore new health-focused foods, beverages and products for potential placement in the grocer’s supermarket banners. Suppliers should be headquartered in states where those banners operate, including Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and […]
Food Town To Debut New Location In Sante Fe, TX
The store Food Town will open July 29 at 12460 Highway 6 in Santa Fe, Texas, will be its 28th across greater Houston. It will feature fresh produce, quality meats cut in-store and everyday essentials. An on-site service center will allow customers to pay bills, buy Texas Lottery tickets, wire money and handle other […]
Hannaford Supermarkets Introduces ‘All For Good’ Brand Campaign
Hannaford Supermarkets has launched a new brand campaign, “All for Good,” to demonstrate how the grocery and pharmacy retailer creates “more good” for its customers and communities across New England and New York. “We hear it all the time – our customers really care that Hannaford shares their values,” said Sarah Guzman, VP of marketing. […]
SQFI Appoints Updegraff As Financial Planning, Analysis Director
The Safe Quality Food Institute (SQFI), a division of FMI – The Food Industry Association, has appointed Brian Updegraff as director of financial planning and analysis. In this role, Updegraff will lead the SQFI team in developing and executing financial strategies while collaborating on revenue initiatives to support the global food safety and certification program. “Brian comes […]
The Coca-Cola Co. Highlights Growth, Future Plans In Annual Report
Atlanta-based The Coca-Cola Co. released its second quarter results July 22, highlighting its growth in the past quarter as well as plans for a new beverage option featuring U.S. cane sugar. “Amid a shifting external landscape in the second quarter, the ability of our system to stay both focused and flexible enabled us to stay […]
Giant Eagle, Sparkling Ice Support Military Vets, Their Service Dogs
Giant Eagle Inc. and Talking Rain Beverage Co., the makers of Sparkling Ice, are partnering to spread awareness about the value of service dogs for military veterans with PTSD and other hidden wounds. “At Giant Eagle, we continually look for ways to support the communities we serve, and we know that for some U.S. veterans […]
King’s Hawaiian Plans $54M Expansion In Oakwood, GA
Family-owned, Hawaii-inspired food company King’s Hawaiian said it will invest about $54 million to expand its facility in Oakwood, Georgia, creating more than 135 jobs. The expansion will add a new production line at the 150,000-square-foot plant in the Oakwood South Industrial Park. Start-up of the new line is expected in the second quarter of […]
Heritage Grocers Group, NationsBenefit Partner To Boost Health
Heritage Grocers Group has begun a retail technology integration through which health plan members can use their NationsBenefits Mastercard Prepaid Cards at the grocer’s banners to buy fresh produce, pantry staples and over-the-counter wellness essentials. By embedding its Basket Adjudication Service technology platform into checkout systems, NationsBenefits is providing members the freedom to use their […]
Termination Of Tomato Trade Deal Stirs Supply Concerns
The U.S. government’s decision to terminate the Tomato Suspension Agreement (TSA) threatens to upend the fresh tomato supply chain, severely reduce availability and put food safety at risk for American consumers, according to San Antonio-based NatureSweet. Nearly 70 percent of the fresh tomatoes consumed in the U.S. are imported from Mexico, particularly during the winter […]
