Convenience Store News In Brief… Visitors to the VERC Enterprises store in Plymouth, Massachusetts, had the chance recently to say hello to a special guest—U.S. Congressman Bill Keating. Keating visited as part of the NACS “In Store” event sponsored by the National Association of Convenience Stores. Keating met with VERC Enterprises President and CEO Leo […]
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.
Ruby Tuesday To Close 95 Underperforming Restaurants, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… Ruby Tuesday plans to close approximately 95 underperforming restaurants by September. As of May 31, 2016, full- and part-time employees impacted by closures will be offered positions in nearby restaurants where possible. Ruby Tuesday’s system includes 724 restaurants, of which 646 were company-operated… The Massachusetts Restaurant Association Education Summit will be […]
Feeding America Receives $100,000 Donation At Supervalu’s National Expo
Representatives for Feeding America were on hand Aug. 10 at Supervalu’s 2016 National Expo to accept a $100,000 donation in support of the organization’s mission to end hunger. The donation was made possible through the collective efforts of Supervalu and the independent grocery retailers and consumer packaged goods companies attending and exhibiting at this year’s […]
Louisiana Leaders: Industry Can Help Those In Path Of Historic Floods
As is the norm when it comes to natural disasters, grocers and others in the industry are wondering what they can do to help those impacted by the historic flooding in Louisiana. “Over the last 10 days, heavy rains have been falling in South Louisiana but, over the last three to four days, extraordinary amounts […]
Grocery Outlet Execs Share ‘Secret Sauce’ Ingredients
Grocery Outlet opened a new location in Costa Mesa in December, adding to its 250-plus store count and venturing for the first time into Southern California. Executives from the company offered a peek behind the curtain into the operations of the chain during a recent Food Industries Sales Managers’ Club (FISMC) event honoring Grocery Outlet. The […]
Winners Of H-E-B’s Quest For Texas Best Contest Revealed
Creators of unique products from the Lone Star State are relishing the sweet taste of success as winners of H-E-B’s Primo Picks Quest for Texas Best contest. Due to the competition and unique flavors of Texas, a panel of expert judges narrowed a field of 25 finalists to an unprecedented five winners on Thursday at […]
Bulk Nation President: How We Capture Millennial Shoppers
by Clay Donato/Bulk Nation Special to The Shelby Report The only thing constant in the grocery industry is change; opportunities and challenges will always be fast-moving targets. Capturing and keeping the Millennial market is important now and will continue to be into the future. So our industry should respond. In fact, an operator who is […]
Supervalu Recognizes Top Independent Grocery Retailer Marketing Campaigns
Supervalu on Thursday revealed the winners of its annual Master Marketer competition, which recognizes best-in-class marketing efforts by independent grocery retailers served by the company’s wholesale distribution business. A total of 35 awards were presented at a ceremony during Supervalu’s annual expo in St. Paul, Minnesota. Judging is based on the creativity, clarity and effectiveness […]
Treeless Paper Products From Earth Friendly Available Now
Earth Friendly Products, the maker of ECOS™ environmentally friendly cleaning products, has broadened its assortment to now include ECOS Treeless Paper Products—made with renewable bamboo and sugarcane. By going all the way back to the raw material level, the product development team at Earth Friendly Products says it realized that the most renewable solution was […]
Foodservice Component Shines At New Harmons Store In Lehi, Utah
Harmons has opened its Traverse Mountain store in Lehi, Utah, and the grocer has made foodservice a standout component at the location, which is nestled against the Wasatch Mountains at 1750 Traverse Parkway. The store is the anchor for the new Terrace at Traverse Mountain retail center and marks Harmons’ 17th unit. “The Terrace at […]
Price Rite Partners With Ibotta For Shopper App, Cash Back On Purchases
Price Rite Supermarkets, Keasbey, New Jersey, has partnered with Ibotta, a free mobile shopping app that offers users cash back on everyday purchases. Customers can earn cash rewards, bonuses and store extras as they shop. With Ibotta, Price Rite shoppers have an added means of saving money, without clipping coupons, according to the companies. Shoppers […]
Report: Restaurants Are Hungry For Tech Without The Headache
The National Restaurant Association (NRA) set out to explore the landscape of current technology adoption in restaurants, plans for future adoption and restaurant operators’ thoughts and opinions on restaurant technology in its just-released Mapping the Restaurant Technology Landscape report. “Restaurant operators and consumers generally agree on the benefits of technology use in restaurants, but they’re also in […]
NACS: Consumer Optimism Slumps Even As Gas Prices Fall
Despite declining prices at the pump and a prevailing expectation that lower prices will continue, a majority of U.S. fuel consumers remain pessimistic about the overall state of the American economy, according to the latest national consumer survey released by the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS). Only 44 percent of Americans say they are […]
Big Y Produce Manager Wins National Award, And More…
Grocery News In Brief… The United Fresh Produce Association has chosen Big Y World Class Market Produce & Floral Sales Manager Jennifer Ratkiewicz as one of 25 winners in its 2016 Retail Produce Manager Awards Program. Ratkiewicz has been with Big Y for 23 years. She started her career as a front-end service clerk and […]
Pennsylvania Board Accepting Wine-Expanded Permits, And More…
Convenience Store News In Brief… The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) is accepting requests for various new licenses and permits authorized under a new law. Requests for wine-expanded permits, conversions of eating place licenses into restaurant licenses, casino liquor licenses and direct wine shipper licenses may now be submitted through PLCB+, a new online licensing […]
Group Praises Action On Blanket Music Licensing, And More…
Foodservice News In Brief… The National Restaurant Association (NRA) praised the Department of Justice’s decision to uphold protections against anti-competitive music licensing practices: “We are also pleased that the Department of Justice has reaffirmed the concept of 100 percent or blanket licensing. Our members have been and continue to be sold blanket licenses, allowing them […]
New Line Of Baby Products Hitting Aldi Shelves
Aldi is rolling out Little Journey, the grocer’s first full line of baby products that will hit store shelves nationwide next week. The new line features baby changing and feeding essentials, including organic puree pouches in a dozen varieties at prices that Aldi says will save parents up to 50 percent on their grocery bills. […]
Boulder Organic Foods Adds Three New ‘Garden-Fresh’ Soups To Lineup
Boulder Organic Foods says it is meeting the growing consumer demand for wholesome, hearty garden-fresh soups with the addition of three varieties to its certified organic, gluten-free and non-GMO lineup. The new fresh-refrigerated soups (MSRP $4.99 per 16-oz. tub) are debuting now in grocery deli cases at select stores nationwide. • Bacon Potato Corn Chowder features hand-cut […]
Harris Teeter Hiring More Than 3K For Expanded Departments, New Stores
Kroger-owned Harris Teeter is seeking nearly 3,000 qualified applicants to fill new positions throughout the company’s store locations. Available positions range from part-time cashiers and department clerks to full-time department heads and assistant store managers. “We’re looking for qualified candidates who desire a growing, service-oriented working environment,” said Danna Robinson, communication manager for Matthews, North […]
2016 Independent Grocers Financial Survey: Same-Store Sales Increase 2.1 Percent
FMS and the National Grocers Association (NGA) have released the results of the 2016 Independent Grocers Financial Survey, covering fiscal year 2015. This joint study polled independent supermarket operators in 38 states and four Canadian provinces on their financial performance and business strategies, and provides an in-depth look at the economic, political and competitive landscape […]
