PLAYA VISTA, Calif. — Allen McKnight Pierce, Jr., co-founder of the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and a driving force behind the CPG Convergence Conference, died June 18, one week before the June 25 event. He never saw it come to life, but it did, filling the room with the founders, retailers and investors he had worked […]
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.
Europastry Acquires Highland Baking Co., Expanding U.S. Foodservice Footprint
Europastry has reached an agreement to acquire Highland Baking Co., a family-owned U.S. producer of premium breads for the foodservice channel. Highland Baking Co. will continue to operate under its current brand and management team. The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2026, subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory approvals. […]
Meijer Donates $280K To Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup
Meijer has announced a $280,000 contribution to the Council of the Great Lakes Region Foundation to continue supporting the Great Lakes Plastic Cleanup initiative in 2026. The investment builds on Meijer’s ongoing commitment to protect the Great Lakes and the communities that depend on them by helping bring innovative cleanup technologies to the Great Lakes […]
Giant Eagle, Sparkling Ice Sponsor Service Dog For Veteran
Giant Eagle and Sparkling Ice are partnering to sponsor the training of a service dog for a U.S. military veteran through K9s For Warriors.
What Grocers Should Be Focusing On Post-IDDBA
The trends from IDDBA 2026 point to several opportunities for independent grocers from expanded offerings to permissible indulgence.
Weis Markets Unveils New Store In Millsboro, DE
Weis Markets opened a new store June 26 at 30250 Commerce Drive in Millsboro, Delaware – the second location in the city and the fifth store in the state. “We are extremely pleased to open in Southern Delaware, which is a dynamic, fast‑growing region,” said Jonathan Weis, chairman, president and CEO of Weis Markets. “This […]
MOM’s Organic Market Selects RELEX To Unify Pricing, Promotions
The retailer chose the technology for its ability to unify pricing, promotional planning, vendor deal management and shelf space optimization in a single platform.
Carlino Joins Affiliated Foods Inc. As COO
Affiliated Foods Inc. has named Nick Carlino as its new chief operating officer, bringing more than two decades of wholesale and retail grocery experience to the Amarillo, Texas-based wholesale grocery cooperative. Carlino joins Affiliated Foods from Merchants Distributors LLC in Hickory, North Carolina, where he spent more than 12 years in progressive leadership roles, most […]
The Hershey Co. Names Hoytink As President, U.S.
The Hershey Company has named Heather Hoytink as president, U.S., effective July 8. Hoytink brings more than 20 years of sales, operations and commercial leadership experience to the role, most recently serving as SVP and chief commercial officer, U.S. Away From Home Beverages at PepsiCo. “We’re thrilled to welcome Heather to Hershey,” said Kirk Tanner, […]
Whole Foods Market To Open First Store In Salem, NH
Whole Foods Market will open a new 34,900‑square‑foot store July 22 in Salem, New Hampshire, marking the retailer’s first location in the city and its fifth in New Hampshire. The Salem location features more than 800 local items from New England, sourced with the help of John Lawson, forager for local and emerging brands at […]
Coca‑Cola N.A. President To Step Down; CFO To Lead On Interim Basis
The Coca‑Cola Co. announced that Jennifer Mann will step down from her role as EVP and president of the North America Operating Unit, effective Aug. 1. John Murphy, president and CFO, will assume responsibility for the North America Operating Unit on an interim basis. Mann will stay with the company through April as senior advisor […]
The United Family Debuts New Supermarket In Andrews, TX
The United Family opened its first United Supermarkets location June 26 in Andrews, Texas, following a ribbon‑cutting ceremony and store tours for media and community members on June 25. The almost 50,000‑square‑foot store brings the company’s modern supermarket format to the Andrews community for the first time. “We are excited and proud to open this […]
AFFI Adds Blake As SVP Of Communications
The American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) has named Carol Blake as SVP of communications, effective June 15. In this role, Blake will lead AFFI’s integrated communications strategy, including public affairs, media relations, stakeholder engagement, member communications, and brand positioning. Blake brings more than 30 years of public affairs experience to the position. She previously served […]
Ibotta Report: Don’t Wait Until August For Back-To-School Launch
If a retailer’s back-to-school offers launch in August, it may be too late. By then, shoppers have already set their budgets, built lists and decided which brands they are willing to consider. The season may look most active in late summer, but the window to influence what makes it into the basket opens earlier. New […]
Kroger Rewards Program Adds Points Redemption For Grocery Savings
The updates are designed to make loyalty more accessible for the more than 11 million customers the company serves daily.
ARS, Batista Family Open Compare & Save Supermarket In North Philadelphia
Community leaders, elected officials, local residents and members of the Batista family and Allegiance Retail Services (ARS) gathered recently to celebrate the grand opening of a new Compare & Save Supermarket at 5201 Rising Sun Ave. in North Philadelphia. The 15,000‑square‑foot supermarket, featuring a 12,000‑square‑foot sales floor, marks the Batista family’s third supermarket opening in […]
NGA Adds 2 VPs To Government, Finance Leadership Teams
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has appointed Macy Lemon as VP of state government affairs and Mark McLaughlin as VP of finance and administration. Macy Lemon Lemon will lead NGA’s state government affairs strategy, working with state legislatures, governors’ offices, coalitions and state partners to advance policies that support independent supermarkets and the communities they […]
Grocers, Brands Roll Out Patriotic Products, Promotions For Fourth Of July
As the nation prepares to mark its 250th anniversary, grocers and brands are rolling out patriotic products, promotions and packaging.
FMI Announces 5 Staff Promotions Across Key Business Areas
The promotions reflect FMI’s continued investment in the expertise and leadership needed to support its members and deliver greater value to the food industry.
Ahold Delhaize USA Receives Loyalty360 Awards For Customer Experience
Ahold Delhaize USA and its brands – Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Co., Hannaford and Stop & Shop – have earned multiple 2026 Loyalty360 Best in Class Awards, recognizing their approach to personalization and customer loyalty. The awards reflect progress in delivering more relevant, value-driven experiences for the 26 million weekly customers the brands […]
