Store brands continued to strengthen their position in the marketplace during the first half of 2026, outperforming national brands in unit sales, according to the Private Label Manufacturers Association (PLMA). Over the six months ending June 14, store brand unit sales increased 0.2 percent while national brand unit sales declined 0.5 percent – a spread […]
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.
Winn-Dixie Returns To Daytona As NASCAR Race Title Sponsor
The Winn-Dixie Company and Coca-Cola Beverages Florida have begun a new partnership to bring the Winn-Dixie 250 Powered by Coca-Cola race to Daytona International Speedway on Aug. 28. The 2026 event marks the first time since 2008 that the Winn-Dixie name has appeared as the entitlement partner of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race […]
Fancy Food Show Takeaways: Specialty Brands Navigate AI-Curious Market
by Diana Leza Sheehan, founder of PDG Insights At the Specialty Food Association’s Summer Fancy Food Show, held June 28-30 at the Javits Center in New York City, a few themes were clear throughout the educational sessions and across the exhibit hall. Specialty food and beverage brands are operating in a market defined by contradiction: […]
Busch’s Fresh Food Market Celebrates ‘Cherryfest’ Season
Busch’s Fresh Food Market is celebrating Michigan’s cherry season with Cherryfest, running July 13-Aug. 9. Premium sweet cherries from Third Coast Fruit Co. in Traverse City will be available at all 16 stores operated by the family-owned supermarket chain, alongside more than 20 cherry-inspired products including pies, sauces, brats, bread, coffee, wine and candles. “Michigan’s […]
From Crab Cracker To VP: Aaron Stone Charts Mollie Stone’s Next Chapter
For Aaron Stone, working at the family’s grocery business was never really a question; it always felt like the natural path.
Dollar General Offers 70+ Back-to-School Items At $1 Or Less
As families and educators prepare for the new academic year, Dollar General has priced more than 70 back-to-school items at $1 or less. “The back-to-school season can put pressure on household and classroom budgets, especially when everything is needed at once,” said Steve O’Brien, VP, division merchandise manager. “Our focus is on offering the essentials customers […]
KeHE Holiday Show Draws 5K Attendees In Chicago, Awards 16 Suppliers
KeHE Distributors wrapped its 2026 KeHE Holiday Show in Chicago and virtually in the KeHE CONNECT platform, drawing more than 5,000 in-person attendees across two days of buying, education and connection in preparation for the holiday season. In her President’s Address, Deb Conklin, KeHE president and CEO, outlined the shifting economic landscape that distributors, retailers […]
The Giant Co. Begins Major Remodels At 3 Stores In PA, VA
The Giant Co. has begun renovations at two Martin’s stores in Winchester, Virginia, and one Giant store in Montgomeryville, Pennsylvania. All three will remain open during renovations, which are expected to be completed by year’s end. The Martin’s stores in Winchester are located at 1950 S. Pleasant Valley Road and 200 Rivendell Court. The former […]
PFMA Opens Registration For 2026 Fall Legislative Conference
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has opened registration for its 2026 PFMA Fall Legislative Conference, scheduled for Oct. 13-14 at Hershey Country Club in Hershey, Pennsylvania. The annual conference brings Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry together for two days focused on government relations, advocacy, industry issues and member connections. “PFMA’s Fall Legislative Conference gives our […]
Hy-Vee Launches GLP-1 Wellness Program
Hy-Vee has introduced a new GLP-1 wellness program designed to help people maximize the benefits of their GLP-1 treatment through better nutrition choices and targeted side effect management. The six-week, self-guided online program is scheduled to begin in mid-July and is open to anyone ages 18 and older. Free sign-up is available to the first […]
Walmart, Sam’s Club Roll Back Prices On Thousands Of Summer Items
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has lowered prices on thousands of items through Walmart’s Rollbacks and Sam’s Club offers. “Customers count on Walmart to deliver the value they need every day, and summer is no exception,” said Julie Barber, EVP and chief merchant of Walmart U.S. “This summer, we’re making even more investments in price, with thousands […]
Wakefern Commits $500M To Local Produce Sourcing Over Next 5 Years
Wakefern Food Corp. has made a $500 million commitment to sourcing fresh produce from farmers and growers across the Northeast over the next five years. The announcement was made in advance of its annual Local Produce Supplier Summit, set for July 15 at the New Jersey Convention and Expo Center. The summit brings together growers, […]
ROFDA Launches Aggregated Data Cloud For Independent Grocers
It will provide participating members and CPG partners with a more collective view of performance across the network.
FMI Report: Food Industry Investing In Tech To Enhance In-Store Experience
Despite macroeconomic challenges, the food industry is leading in new technology implementation, offering more consumer-friendly in-store experiences and providing more options to help Americans reach their health goals, according to The Food Retailing Industry Speaks 2026 report released by FMI – The Food Industry Association. “Consumers are increasingly sensitive to both the cost of food […]
New Uncle Giuseppe’s Store Nears Opening In Greenvale, NY
Uncle Giuseppe’s Marketplace is prepping a new store scheduled to open Aug. 14 at 130 Wheatley Plaza in Greenvale, New York. The company also plans to hire about 250 employees for the store as part of its broader plan to hire about 1,000 people over the next 12 months as it continues to grow in […]
Mollie Stone’s Second-Gen COO Enjoys Dynamic Business, Finding Ways To ‘Get Better Every Day’
The Shelby Report of the West EVP Bob Reeves sat down with Mollie Stone’s Markets COO Elliott Stone, older son of founder/owner/CEO Mike Stone, at an Italian restaurant in Sausalito – which has a Mollie Stone’s – for a meal and a talk about the company. Stone’s grocery roots run deep, and not just through […]
Incremental Growth Starts With Ground Pork
By Kiersten Hafer, VP of Business Intelligence and Innovation, National Pork Board The way consumers shop, order and eat continues to morph. They’re looking for high-protein, flexible and adventurous meals that deliver on taste, value and versatility all at once. That shift creates a major opportunity for retailers, and pork is uniquely positioned to deliver. […]
How The Food Industry Is Mobilizing Earthquake Aid In Venezuela
When a series of earthquakes struck Venezuela in late June, the devastation was immediate and staggering. Grocery retailers and food companies across the U.S. — from Florida to California and beyond — have mobilized to help. What emerged was a coordinated response across the food industry that transformed store aisles into donation centers, checkout counters […]
Sprouts Bringing Klatch Coffee To 11 Additional SoCal Stores
The expansion builds on the initial collaboration that began in 2024, which currently includes 14 cafes in stores across Southern California.
Five Food Trends Shaping The Grocery Market In 2026
From the products shoppers are adding to their carts to the new items appearing on store shelves, food trends continue to influence the grocery business. While every market is different, several trends are gaining momentum across the industry and creating opportunities for retailers. Industry research and shopper data, shared by Associated Food Stores, point to […]
