KeHE Distributors, a distributor of natural and organic, specialty and fresh products, has partnered with AppCard, a personalized marketing, shopper analytics and digital coupons platform for retailers and brands. The collaboration benefits suppliers by offering tools to launch and manage digital coupon campaigns, ultimately driving sales and trial. It also unlocks opportunities for CPG brands, […]
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.
Walmart Debuts Case-Ready Beef Facility In Olathe, KS
Walmart’s first owned and operated case-ready beef facility has opened in Olathe, Kansas, packaging and distributing Angus cuts sourced from Sustainable Beef LLC to stores across the Midwest. “The opening of our new facility in Olathe, Kansas, is centered on delivering more of what our customers want – affordable food and quality they can trust,” […]
Favorable Job Market Intensifying Employer Competition For Talent In WA
Anneliese Vance-Sherman, chief labor economist with the Washington Employment Security Department, recently spoke with The Shelby Report about the workforce challenges retailers are facing in the state. How would you summarize the retail workforce situation in Washington state? The overall job market, while showing a slight slowdown after recovering from COVID-19 pandemic job losses, […]
Publix Wins 9 Blue Ribbons At Pie Championships
Publix Super Markets is celebrating its freshly-made in-store pies, which won nine blue ribbons at the recent 2025 American Pie Council Pie Championships in Orlando, Florida. The grocer’s bakery competed in the commercial division in the mini, small and large categories. The mini pie winner was the key lime pie, while the large pie winners […]
Study: Consumers Purchase Private Label Products Without Knowing
First Insight has released findings from its latest study, “The Quiet Takeover of Private Label,” revealing that the traditional distinctions between private and national brands have become so subtle that most consumers can’t tell the difference. Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of consumers surveyed believed they could recognize a private label when making a purchase, yet […]
Krasdale Foods Shares Leadership Appointments, Expanded Roles
Krasdale Foods has shared a series of leadership appointments and role expansions across its sales, retail technology, customer experience and business insights divisions. “These changes reflect the exceptional talent within our organization and underscore our ongoing commitment to developing leaders who deliver results, foster a strong culture and support long-term growth,” said Cynthia Ramos, chief […]
FMI, NGA Support EBT Act To Prohibit SNAP Processing Fees
The grocery industry, primarily the National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Association, is again sharing its support for the Ensuring Fee-Free Benefit Transactions (EBT) Act. Bipartisan legislation led by Congresswoman Shontel Brown (D-OH) and Congressman Tony Wied (R-WI), the act would prohibit processing fees on Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) electronic […]
Walmart Introduces AI-Powered Tools To Help Employees
Walmart is planning to equip store employees with a new suite of AI tools to eliminate friction, simplify actions and make work more efficient, intuitive and rewarding. “AI is a key enabler in improving how we work, and we believe its full potential is unlocked only when paired with the strengths of our people,” said […]
Publix Adds Another Store To Growing FL Footprint
Publix has added another Florida store following the grand opening June 26 of a 48,387-square-foot location in Pompano Beach. Located in the Shopper’s Haven shopping center, it features departments for grocery, dairy, frozen food, seafood, meat and fresh produce, as well as a full-service bakery, deli and pharmacy. “We are excited to welcome customers to […]
Heritage Grocers Group Appoints Espinoza Chief Administrative Officer
Heritage Grocers Group has appointed Leticia G. Espinoza chief administrative officer, reporting to Suzy Monford, chairman and CEO. Espinoza, who previously served as chief legal and human resources officer, will oversee real estate, loss prevention, corporate affairs, communications, risk management and legal and human resources across all Heritage banner companies. “Leticia’s appointment is a reflection […]
ASMI Helps Build Trust, Loyalty In Alaska’s Sustainably Caught Seafood
The Shelby Report recently caught up with Amy Dukes, head of retail marketing for the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute, to discuss Alaska’s seafood and how grocers can build sales in the category. What key trends should grocers be aware of with Alaska seafood? According to Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute’s Retail Consumer Research Report, 80 […]
Grocery Outlet Begins Annual Independence From Hunger Campaign
Grocery Outlet Holding Corp. is holding the 15th “Independence from Hunger” food drive through July 31, collecting in-store and online donations, as well as pre-made bags of nonperishable foods, at its 540 locations nationwide. Donations benefit local food agencies chosen by the company’s independent operators. “We look forward to continuing Grocery Outlet’s storied tradition of […]
Food Lion Feeds Awards More Than $1.1 Million In Hunger-Relief Grants
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation awarded more than $1.1 million in hunger-relief grants to 264 organizations during the spring/summer grant cycle. The grants support the efforts of community feeding partners to provide food and nutritional education. Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has distributed nearly $23 million across Food Lion’s 10-state operating area. “Nourishing […]
BJ’s Wholesale Club Donates $1.25M To Help Reduce Hunger
BJ’s Wholesale Club is donating $1.25 million to help reduce hunger, starting with grants in the company’s home state of Massachusetts. From new trucks and refrigeration units to renovations, the funds will help food banks and pantries increase their capacity to meet growing demand. The grants, given by BJ’s Charitable Foundation, will be used across […]
Study Explores How Consumers Navigate Economic Uncertainty, Tariff Concerns
The new “State of the Shopper” survey from Acosta Group offers a nuanced view of today’s consumers, revealing how they’re navigating economic uncertainty and tariff concerns with resilience and adaptability. Key trends are highlighted for brands and retailers based on insights from the study, conducted with Acosta Group’s proprietary U.S. shopper community. “The latest findings underscore […]
Divert Expands Organics Recycling Program To All Fred Meyer Stores
Divert Inc. and Fred Meyer Stores, a subsidiary of The Kroger Co., have expanded their organics recycling program to support all 105 of the grocer’s locations in Oregon and Washington. “Fred Meyer and Kroger have been valued customers of Divert for many years, and we are proud to expand our collaboration to further advance the […]
Wilson Tapped As CFO For Ahold Delhaize USA
Jason Wilson, a retail and finance executive and longtime leader at Ahold Delhaize USA companies, has been named CFO. Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of global food retailer Ahold Delhaize, is part of the U.S. family of brands, which also includes five omnichannel grocery brands – Food Lion, The Giant Co., Giant Food, Hannaford and […]
El Rancho Supermercado Carnitas Celebrate Mexican Heritage, Value
With pork prices currently 50 percent lower than beef, El Rancho Supermercado announced its cocineros have started preparing carnitas from scratch daily in every store. The carnitas, meaning “little meats,” were developed through the culinary expertise of parent company Heritage Grocers Group’s Hispanic merchants to deliver value meals featuring everyday favorites. The carnitas are made […]
Meijer Earns Its Highest ‘Great Place To Work’ Score Yet
Meijer has been named a Great Place to Work for the seventh consecutive year, achieving its highest survey score yet. The company particularly excelled in three areas – investing in communities, providing an environment where employees can be themselves and ensuring they feel valued and cared for by their leaders. The Great Place to Work […]
Weis Markets Opens Store In Lake Linganore, MD
Weis Markets celebrated the grand opening of a new 65,000-square-foot store June 19 in Lake Linganore, Maryland. Located at 10122 Old National Pike in Ijamsville, it is the first new Weis Markets store since 2022. The location, which is the 50th in Maryland and seventh in Frederick County, employs more than 150 full- and part-time […]
