Jeff Westrem has retired as human resources director at Hugo’s Family Marketplace after a 50-year career with the Grand Forks, North Dakota-based grocer. Hugo’s said Westrem is known for his approachable personality and willingness to help others. He started with Hugo’s in 1976 as a teenager doing grocery carryout. After earning a business administration degree […]
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.
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Hy-Vee, Independent Store News, Midwest, News
Hy-Vee Adds 30-Minute Pickup, Delivery Chainwide
Hy-Vee has begun offering online orders in as fast as 30 minutes at all of its stores, giving shoppers a faster option for both in-store pickup and delivery. Customers select “Get it faster” during online checkout to use the 30-minute option. Delivery fee is $14.95; for a 30-minute pickup order, the fee is $9.95. For […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Breaks Ground For New Store In Oneonta, AL
The Abingdon, Virginia-based grocer’s expansion in Alabama continues, with this new location expected to open next spring.
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, National, News, Store News
FMI Reveals 2026 Store Manager Award Winners
Four category winners – and the People’s Pick recipient from among them – were revealed during a live-streamed ceremony July 23.
Posted inGrocery Research, Center Store, Featured News, Marketing News, National, News
Acosta Tracker: Stock-Up Trip Costs $366, Up 27% From 2020
A typical grocery stock-up trip now costs more than $366, roughly 27 percent above a comparable 2020 basket, according to the inaugural Acosta Group Affordability Tracker released July 23. The Jacksonville, Florida-based firm measures affordability by comparing the cost of an 84-item basket of commonly purchased grocery and household essentials against median hourly earnings in […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Associated Wholesale Grocers, Grocery Research, Midwest, News
AWG, Illinois Grad Students Finish 5th Year Of Private Brand Research
Students in the University of Illinois’ Master of Science in Business Analytics program studied new item adoption and pricing dynamics.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, Marketing News, News, Online Grocery Technology, Southwest
Arkansas Grocer Adds Personalized Weekly Ads On Existing Platform
Little Rock-based Edwards Food Giant is able to add the personalization without a separate integration or an additional vendor.
Posted inExecutive News, Corporate Store News, News, West
McCollam To Retire As President, CFO Of Albertsons Companies
Albertsons Companies has announced that Sharon McCollam, president and CFO, plans to retire. The retirement was announced July 23, the same day the company reported its first quarter results as well as plans to consolidate its divisions into regions and centralize its center store buying process. McCollam, who joined Albertsons five years ago, will remain […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Foundation Creates New Award To Honor Industry Mentors
The new honor was created for independent grocery leaders who develop and promote the next generation of leaders.
Posted inNews, Finance News, Northeast, Snacks Brands, Suppliers
Utz To Go Private In $2.9B Deal With Germany’s Intersnack
Utz Brands will be taken private in a deal valuing the salty snack maker at approximately $2.9 billion, with Germany’s Intersnack Group acquiring all outstanding Class A common stock for $14.25 per share in cash. The price represents a premium of roughly 91 percent over the July 20 closing price. When the transaction closes, expected […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Independent Store News, News, Southeast
Joseph’s Classic Market Debuts Loyalty Program Built On Catapult
Joseph’s Classic Market, a family-owned gourmet grocer in South Florida, has launched the Joseph’s Loyalty Program, a customer rewards initiative designed to deepen relationships with shoppers while preserving its hospitality-first experience. Powered by ECRS’ Catapult unified transaction platform, Joseph’s program was implemented in all four of its stores, giving shoppers a way to earn rewards […]
Posted inNational, Association News, Feature, Finance News, Marketing News, News, West
Brand Builders, Investors Agree On What Separates Winning CPG Brands
Two panels, two very different rooms, but one message. At the CPG Convergence Conference, hosted June 25 by the Navigator Lighthouse Foundation and Mission Matters at Verizon’s 5G Labs in Playa Vista, California, a panel of brand strategists and a panel of investors took the stage hours apart. They never coordinated, but they arrived at […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, Center Store, Featured News, National, News, West
Albertsons ID Sales Down in Q1, Restructuring Operations
The changes are designed to speed decision-making, strengthen accountability and improve the customer experience, the Boise-based grocer said.
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Continues North Texas Growth With Murphy Store
H-E-B has opened its first store in Murphy, Texas, its 14th in the DFW Metroplex, where the San Antonio grocer keeps growing.
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, Independent Store News, Midwest, Schnucks
Schnucks, VitalityIP To Launch Personalized AI Shopping Assistant
By end of summer, Schnucks shoppers will be able to access an AI-powered shopping assistant that will offer personalized nutrition guidance, meal ideas and product recommendations.
Posted inMarketing News, International Foods, News, Northgate Market, West
Northgate González Market Wraps World Cup ‘Familia Futbol’ Campaign
Northgate González Market concluded its months-long Familia Futbol World Cup campaign, celebrating Southern California Latino families through food, culture and soccer.
Posted inExecutive News, Bakery News, Midwest, Snacks Brands
Legacy Bakehouse Names New CEO
The growing baker has named a new chief executive following capacity expansion and two bakery acquisitions since 2023.
Posted inNews, Corporate Store News, Natural Grocers, Southwest
Natural Grocers Marks 71st Anniversary With $71K Product Donation
Natural Grocers by Vitamin Cottage has donated $71,000 in products to Food Bank of the Rockies, kicking off the retailer’s 71st anniversary celebration set for Aug. 13-15. The Lakewood, Colorado-based grocer made the donation in collaboration with Pop Your Vitamins, a Colorado-based functional vitamin soda brand carried at select Natural Grocers locations. The contribution includes […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, National, News
Sprouts’ New Phoenix Flagship, 3 Others To Open By End Of July
Sprouts Farmers Market will open three stores on Friday, July 24 – a flagship location in Phoenix, a store in Buckeye, Arizona, and its newest Delaware store in Bear – followed by a fourth opening July 31 in Weatherford, Texas. Each store will hold a ribbon-cutting at 6:45 a.m. and open to the public at […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, Northeast
EBT Chip Cards, Other PFMA Priorities Get PA State Funding
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association said several of its legislative priorities were included in the 2026-27 Pennsylvania state budget, which was passed on Sunday, July 19. The budget authorizes the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services to transition electronic benefit transfer cards from magnetic stripe to encrypted chip technology by the start of 2028. The change […]