The Commonwealth Court has upheld Philadelphia’s tax on soda in a 5-2 decision. This victory for Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney comes on the heels of a similar decision announced in December by a Court of Common Pleas judge. “Two courts have now considered the arguments of the beverage industry, and both are certain that the Philadelphia beverage […]
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.
Nestlé May Sell Its U.S. Confectionery Business
Nestlé is exploring strategic options for its U.S. confectionery business, including a potential sale. The review covers the U.S. market only and is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Nestlé’s U.S. confectionery business had sales of more than $900 million in 2016. It primarily includes chocolate brands like Butterfinger, BabyRuth, 100Grand, SkinnyCow, Raisinets, Chunky, OhHenry! and SnoCaps, […]
Harris Teeter And Lowes Foods Opening New North Carolina Stores
Two North Carolina-based grocers will open new stores in the state this month. Harris Teeter, a Kroger banner, will host a grand opening at its new unit in Charlotte’s Sedgefield Shopping Center on Tuesday, June 20, and Lowes Foods will open its new Kernersville store on Wednesday, June 21. Harris Teeter The 53,000-s.f. store, located in […]
Renfro Foods Rolls Out Craft Beer Salsa
Renfro Foods, makers salsas and other specialty food products, is rolling out Mrs. Renfro’s Craft Beer Salsa—its 20th salsa. It will be showcased at the upcoming Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, June 25-27, at the Jacob Javits Center. By teaming up with fellow Fort Worth, Texas, family business, Rahr & Sons Brewing Co., the […]
Big Lots’ ‘Store Of The Future’ To Open In Former Giant Eagle In Columbus
Big Lots is planning a store that will mark the retailer’s first “store of the future” at the site of a former Giant Eagle grocery store in Columbus, Ohio, at 1451 W. Fifth Avenue. Among the categories the store will emphasize are grocery-type items like food, household cleaners and pet products. Columbus Business First reports […]
Kroger’s First Quarter ID Sales Down
The Kroger Co. on Thursday reported net earnings of $303 million, or $0.32 per diluted share, and identical supermarket sales growth, without fuel, of -0.2 percent in the first quarter of 2017. The company’s record 52 consecutive quarters of positive identical supermarket sales, excluding fuel, ended in the fourth quarter of 2016, which ended Jan. 28. […]
Cub Remodels Three Stores
Twin Cities grocer Cub recently remodeled three stores in the northwest suburbs of Minneapolis. Cub stores in Champlin, Brooklyn Park North and Brooklyn Park South introduced updated signage and design, expanded produce departments with an enhanced organic selection and more signature grab-and-go options, among other features. “As our customers’ needs change, we continue to evolve with […]
NECSEMA In Search Of New Executive Director
Joanne Mendes, executive director of the New England Convenience Store & Energy Marketers Association (NECSEMA), has notified the organization’s board of directors that she plans to retire this fall. Mendes has served as the leader of the group since spring 2016. Mendes helped lead the association during its formation after the Independent Oil Marketers of New England […]
Tyson Foods Employee Among Those Shot At Congressional Baseball Event
A Tyson Foods employee is among those who were shot Wednesday morning in Alexandria, Virginia, during a practice for the GOP congressional baseball team. Matt Mika, director-government relations for Tyson’s Washington, D.C., office, has worked for the Springdale, Arkansas-based company for more than six years. “He was taken to a local hospital and is currently […]
H-E-B Is Tops For Most Trusted Companies
H-E-B and Mercedes-Benz have tied for the tops spots in the 2017 Temkin Trust Ratings, which benchmark the level of trust that consumers have with 329 companies across 20 industries. The study from Temkin Group is based on feedback from 10,000 U.S. consumers. H-E-B and Mercedes-Benz are followed closely on the list by USAA (for […]
Witynski Promoted To President Of Dollar Tree Banner
Discount variety store chain Dollar Tree Inc. has promoted Michael A. Witynski to president and COO of its Dollar Tree banner. Witynski, 54, will be responsible for merchandising and marketing as well as store operations for more than 6,200 Dollar Tree bannered stores in the U.S. A company veteran, Witynski has served as COO since […]
Sealed Air/Cryovac Packaging ‘Sets The Food Apart’
“We provide packaging that sets the food apart and makes it easier for someone to make a quick decision so they can get on about their busy day.” That’s how Lucian Gray, director of North American business development for Sealed Air/Cryovac’s Food Care/Foodservice Division, describes the food packages his company offers for food retailers. Sealed […]
IHA Executive Dies After Fall At Yellowstone National Park
Jeff Murphy, VP, international, at the International Housewares Association (IHA), died Wednesday, June 7, during a hiking trip to Yellowstone National Park. The 53-year-old’s death was the result of a fall near Turkey Pen Peak in Mammoth Hot Springs, Wyoming, according to National Park Service officials. He went missing on Wednesday and a search began […]
Sovos Brands Acquiring Rao’s Specialty Foods
Sovos Brands, a new California food and beverage company, plans to buy Rao’s Specialty Foods, producer of pasta sauce brand Rao’s Homemade. Rao’s Specialty Foods will mark the second acquisition in less than six months for Sovos. In January, the company purchased Michael Angelo’s Gourmet Foods, a producer of frozen Italian entrées. “Rao’s Specialty Foods is […]
Stop & Shop To Begin Same-Day Delivery In Boston With Instacart
The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. and on-demand grocery delivery service Instacart plan to bring same-day delivery to Stop & Shop customers in the city of Boston. A start date for the service was not announced. Stop & Shop customers can use instacart.com or the Instacart app to fill their virtual carts with Stop & […]
QuickChek To Raise Money For Local Veterans
QuickChek Corp. will raise funds to help support post-9/11 service members and their families through an in-store donation program. Store customers are invited to purchase paper dog tags for $1 at any of the company’s 149 convenience store locations in the New York-New Jersey metropolitan area through July 15. Proceeds will benefit Hope For The Warriors, […]
Aldi Ups Expansion Goal, Plans To Operate 2,500 U.S. Stores By 2022
As fellow European grocer Lidl prepares to make its U.S. debut this week, Aldi on Monday announced plans to build on its growth strategy and $1.6 billion program to remodel 1,300 stores by 2020. The additional plans call for a $3.4 billion capital investment to expand to 2,500 stores nationwide by the end of 2022. […]
Misfits Help Hy-Vee Save 1M Pounds Of Produce From Landfills
Hy-Vee says it has rescued more than 1 million pounds of produce from landfills, a milestone reached just four months after it began offering an “ugly” produce program. Hy-Vee began offering the Misfits program in nearly all of its grocery stores in January. Ugly produce is cosmetically challenged fruits and vegetables that traditionally would go unsold due to the […]
Natural Grocers Opening Fifth Iowa Store June 21
Natural Grocers will open its fifth store in Iowa on June 21. The 15,000 s.f. store is located in Iowa City at 1404 South Gilbert Street. The first 100 people to shop at the new Iowa City store will receive a free Natural Grocers “goody bag.” Other opening day offerings include vendor demonstrations, an ice cream social […]
John Soules Debuts New Varieties Of Fully-Cooked Products
John Soules Foods has expanded its fully-cooked lines with several new items. Added to the company’s mainstay retail items, like its best-selling beef and chicken fajitas, are Oven Roasted Chicken, Sriracha Chicken and Korean-Style Barbecue Beef varieties. Tyler, Texas-based John Soules also debuted breaded poultry items at the International Dairy Deli Bake, held June 4-6 in […]
