Foodservice News In Brief… The Northeast chapters of Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI) and Manufacturers Agents for Foodservice Industry (MAFSI) recently celebrated their 43rd annual golf outing and reception by raising money for the Boston Rescue Mission. The charitable event, held at Andover Country Club in Andover, Massachusetts, welcomed 134 participants and raised $16,550 for […]
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.
Barons Market Adds Olive Oil And Vinegar Bars To All Stores
San Diego-based natural grocer Barons Market has installed olive oil and vinegar tasting stations in all six of its locations. Ten olive oils and 14 vinegars fill silver vats at each store’s tasting station, where shoppers will find bread for dipping. Unique flavors include citrus habanero olive oil and honey ginger white balsamic vinegar, with […]
Five Companies Honored For Innovation At United Fresh 2016
Five Produce Innovation Award winners were recognized June 22 at United Fresh 2016, which was co-located with the Food Marketing Institute’s FMI Connect in Chicago. This year’s honorees were selected by show attendees from a total of 49 contestants in five categories: Best New Food Safety Solution; Best New Fruit Product; Best New Packaging; Best […]
Harps Details Plans For Acquired Walmarts, Holds Job Fairs
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores has released more details on changes the employee-owned chain will make to nine Walmart Express properties it acquired in June, including opening dates, which stores will close and when job fairs will be held to staff others. Three of the acquired stores are located in Missouri, in Anderson, Seligman and […]
7-Eleven Names Winner Of Second Operation: Take Command Franchise Contest
7-Eleven Inc. has named U.S. Marine Corps veteran Jean Cetoute of Richlands, North Carolina, as the 2016 winner of a 7-Eleven convenience store in its second “Operation: Take Command” franchise competition. As the winner, Cetoute will receive a waiver of the franchise fee, valued at up to $190,000, to franchise any 7-Eleven store available in […]
General Mills Names Company Veteran Harmening President And COO
General Mills has appointed Jeffrey L. Harmening president and COO, effective July 1. Harmening will be responsible for all company operations, including U.S. retail, international, the convenience store and foodservice segments, sales and channel development, as well as global supply chain, and innovation, technology and quality functions. Harmening will continue to report to chairman and […]
FMI’s Sarasin On FMI Connect: ‘We’re Committed To Boldness And Agility’
Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin offered the following statement today on the trajectory of FMI Connect, which was held this week in Chicago: “The competitive landscape of food retail is undergoing an unprecedented time of change, which substantiates the need for a venue that allows the entire industry to do […]
Ralphs President To Retire After 44 Years Of Service
The Kroger Co. has reported that Donna Giordano, Ralphs division president, will retire effective July 23, after 44 years of service. Valerie Jabbar, current VP of merchandising for Ralphs, has been promoted to succeed her. “Donna’s distinguished leadership has helped Ralphs continue to grow, serve more customers in the highly-competitive Southern California market, and help […]
United Fresh Names McEntire VP, Food Safety And Technology
United Fresh Produce Association has named Jennifer McEntire, Ph.D., as its new VP, food safety and technology. She succeeds Dr. David Gombas, who retired from the association June 1 after 11 years leading its food safety program. “I’m absolutely thrilled that Dr. McEntire is joining our team to begin a new era in food safety […]
Super King Markets Opens 7th Store In Santa Ana, California
Super King Markets is opening its seventh location in July in Santa Ana, California. The Los Angeles-based specialty chain is known for its selection of fresh produce, meat, seafood and deli products, as well as grocery products from all over the world, along with Heathy Directions, a line that includes organic, natural and gluten- and […]
Hannaford Opens New Concept Store In Bedford, New Hampshire
Hannaford Supermarkets unveiled its largest new concept supermarket in New Hampshire with a grand opening celebration June 18 in Bedford, New Hampshire. Eric Blom, Hannaford spokesperson said the 68,000-s.f. Bedford Hannaford Supermarket & Pharmacy represents a new design concept for the grocer, providing additional conveniences and products while maintaining the everyday low prices available at […]
NACS Toolkit Helps C-Stores Grow Better-For-You Sales
The National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) has published a new online toolkit for retailers that shares eight low-cost and proven examples of how convenience store operators can successfully grow their healthy offer and increase sales of better-for-you items. Through the NACS refresh initiative, the new online “Ideas That Work To Grow Better For You […]
CVS Pharmacy Expands Healthy Food Initiative
CVS Pharmacy plans to expand its assortment of healthier foods and beverages to more than 2,900 stores nationwide. Throughout the year, 100 stores each week are being enhanced with a selection of national and niche better-for-you brands that make healthier eating on the go more convenient and affordable. “Since becoming the first and only national […]
Development Plans Continue On New Brooklyn Wegmans, And More…
Grocery News In Brief… Building plans continue for New York City’s first Wegmans Food Market, set to open at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in 2017. Wegmans will initially hire 450 people, including 150 people in full-time positions. It is projected that the number of full-time positions may grow to as many as 250, with as […]
FMI Report: Fresh Produce Growth Driven By Mega Trends
Fresh produce is in demand. At $61 billion in annual sales, fresh produce is big, growing (+4 percent) and lucrative, with a grocery basket with fresh produce averaging nearly $30 more than one without. The consumer trends in Food Marketing Institute’s (FMI) second annual Power of Produce report substantiate the growth opportunities for fresh produce […]
FMI’s New Power Of Fresh Prepared/Deli Study To Be Released This Fall
As the number of meals prepared away from home grows and consumers seek new methods of convenience, the supermarket industry will continue to identify improved ways to track consumer dynamics, convenience and household trends that have had a profound impact on meal preparation and shopping behaviors regarding fresh prepared foods. The Food Marketing Institute (FMI) […]
FMI’s Sarasin: It’s Time To Expand Our Shopper Vocabulary
“It’s a brave new world of grocery shoppers with nearly everyone getting in on the act of shopping for food,” said Food Marketing Institute (FMI) President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin. Sarasin shared insights on the impact the shifting shopper paradigm is having on the purchasing behavior of more than half of U.S. shoppers on […]
Aldi Launches New Free-From Meat Line
Aldi is expanding on its healthier initiatives by introducing a new “free-from” meat line. The launch comes on the heels of the Aldi Healthier Checklanes rollout and the decision to remove added MSG, partially hydrogenated oils and certified synthetic coloring from all Aldi-exclusive food products. “We believe every shopper should have access to food they feel […]
Kroger Introduces Online Grocery Shopping In North Texas And Louisiana
The Kroger Dallas Division is introducing ClickList, an online grocery ordering service, at select stores in North Texas, including Burleson (1631 SW Wilshire Boulevard), Fort Worth (3300 Texas Sage Trail), Prosper (1250 North Preston Road) and Wylie (2608 West FM 544). As an introductory offer, Kroger will waive the $4.95 service charge for a customer’s […]
Teasdale Foods Acquires Mesa Foods
Teasdale Foods has acquired Louisville, Kentucky-based Mesa Foods. Teasdale, which is majority owned by private equity firm Snow Phipps Group, is a national provider of private label and branded Hispanic foods to the retail, foodservice and wholesale channels. Founded in 1984, Mesa is a producer of private label tortillas, flat breads, taco shells, taco kits […]
