The expansion scales its sugar panning capacity, accelerating production of flavored nut products such as Praline Pecans and Coconut Cashews.
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.
Aldi Announces ‘Blind Box’ Grocery Giveaway
A new themed surprise box drops each day from June 22-25 Aldi is bringing the blind box trend to the grocery aisle. The grocer is launching the “Aldi Blind Box,” a limited-time giveaway that lets shoppers claim a free box of surprise products. The promotion draws on the unboxing trends that have taken off across […]
Hispanic Supermarket In ATL Winning World Cup Summer
A visit to Talpa Supermercados in metro Atlanta shows how experiential retail, fresh departments and cultural connection can turn a soccer summer into sustained traffic. The 2026 FIFA World Cup runs from June 11-July 19, co-hosted for the first time by the United States, Mexico and Canada, with Atlanta among the 11 U.S. host cities. […]
Save-A-Lot Hometown Heroes Program Awards Gift Cards To Six Nonprofits
Save A Lot has named the first round of winners in its Hometown Heroes program, a nomination‑based initiative recognizing people and organizations making an impact in their communities. Each winner received a $500 Save A Lot gift card. “At Save A Lot, we believe in shining a light on the people who strengthen our communities […]
Food Lion Launches MVP Savings Spectacular
Food Lion has announced the launch of the MVP Savings Spectacular, a three-week savings event running June 10-30 that gives MVP loyalty members access to weekly deals on grocery essentials for summer entertaining and everyday shopping. The event features weekly deals in categories families shop most, including pantry staples, party snacks, beverages, fresh produce and […]
Gelson’s Markets Taps Toyo As President, CEO
Gelson’s Markets has appointed Koichi Toyo as president and CEO, following the departure of Ryan Adams, who had held the role since April 2024. Toyo brings more than two decades of retail leadership experience to Gelson’s, having been with parent company Pan Pacific International Holdings (PPIH) since 2003. He also serves as president of Marukai […]
Eighth‑Generation Farmer Elected Chairman Of Potatoes USA
Dave Masser was appointed for his decades of agricultural expertise, strategic vision and commitment to enhancing category performance.
Survey: 85% Say Whole-Food Protein Is Healthier Than Processed Alternatives
A new national survey of 2,000 U.S. adults commissioned by Pre Brands finds that consumers strongly prefer real, whole‑food protein sources over processed alternatives. Eighty‑five percent of respondents say whole‑food protein is healthier than protein from processed products, 79 percent find it more satisfying and 74 percent say it is more filling. Nearly two‑thirds (65 […]
Family Fare, VG’s, Martin’s Lower Prices On Thousands Of Items
Family Fare, VG’s Grocery and Martin’s Super Markets are reducing prices on grocery items throughout their stores heading into the summer grilling season, according to the three banners, all members of the C&S Wholesale Grocers family of companies. At Family Fare and VG’s, the “New Lower Prices” – most of which are 6-15 percent lower […]
Dollar General Marks America’s 250th With Red Cross Donation
Dollar General has announced a $250,000 donation to the American Red Cross Disaster Responder Program to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary. The contribution, which also marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Dollar General and the ARC, will help extend and strengthen the organization’s disaster preparedness, response and recovery efforts nationwide. “We are proud to […]
Grocery Outlet Selects Afresh For Full-Store Ordering
Grocery Outlet, an extreme-value grocer, has selected Afresh for store ordering across every department – center store, general merchandise, meat and produce – at its more than 500 stores run by independent operators. The partnership will provide each operator with intelligent ordering that balances shrink, out-of-stocks, labor and margin while maintaining the operator autonomy that […]
Sedano’s Launches ‘Where Superstitions Are Born’ Fútbol Campaign In Miami
As Miami prepares to host multiple international soccer matches this summer, Sedano’s Supermarkets is launching a new campaign, “Where Superstitions Are Born,” spotlighting the traditions, foods and rituals that bring fans together. The campaign is built on the premise that soccer fans are known for their superstitions, showcasing with humor how match-day rituals – from […]
Big Y Opens First Of 2 New Massachusetts Stores In Pembroke
Big Y is now open at 24 Mattakeesett St. in Pembroke, Massachusetts, the first of two new locations slated to debut in the company’s home state this year. “As Big Y continues to grow, each new store is an opportunity to bring our purpose to life in a meaningful way,” said Michael D’Amour, president and […]
Ottimate Launches First MCP Integration Among AP Platforms
Ottimate, an artificial intelligence-powered accounts payable automation platform serving invoice-heavy industries including grocery and foodservice, has announced the first Model Context Protocol integration in the market, enabling finance leaders to bring AP data directly into large language models for financial insights. The announcement is part of Ottimate’s 2026 summer release, which also includes enhancements to […]
NGA Criticizes Preliminary Approval Of $38B Swipe Fee Settlement
The National Grocers Association expressed disappointment after a federal judge granted preliminary approval to a revised $38 billion settlement between Visa, Mastercard and U.S. merchants over credit card interchange fees, calling on Congress to pass legislation the association says would deliver more meaningful reform. U.S. District Judge Brian Cogan in Brooklyn, New York, ruled June […]
Publix Opens New Store At Northchase Center In Bradenton, FL
Publix Super Markets opened a new 55,701-square-foot store store June 11 in Bradenton, Florida, marking the grocer’s 13th location in the area. Anchoring the Northchase Center at 16642 State Road 64 East, the location features the Lakeland-based grocer’s redesigned store format, which includes wider aisles, additional self-checkout lanes and expanded deli, bakery, meat and seafood […]
Sprouts To Add Local Coffee Cafés Inside 10 FL Stores
Sprouts Farmers Market will open 10 Buddy Brew Coffee cafes inside select stores in Tampa Bay and Southwest Florida this summer, the companies announced June 10. The cafés will launch in Sprouts stores in Hillsborough, Pasco, Pinellas and Sarasota counties and more than doubling the Tampa-based coffee roaster’s total cafe footprint. Enhancing the in-store experience […]
Missouri Extends Healthy SNAP Timeline; MRGA Applauds Decision
Missouri grocers and retailers will have more time to prepare for the state’s Healthy SNAP initiative. The Missouri Department of Social Services announced an updated implementation timeline for the program, establishing a new launch date of Feb. 15, 2027, according to the department. The extension is intended to give DSS time to continue collaborating with […]
Upshop Unveils AI Innovations At Altitude 2026 Conference
Upshop, an Austin, Texas-based provider of artificial intelligence-powered retail operations software, announced several innovations at its Altitude 2026 conference in Denver. The company said the new solutions are designed to help retailers of all sizes streamline operations, predict customer needs with greater precision, act faster in-store and turn better decisions into stronger financial results. According […]
Schnucks’ ‘Fresh Guarantee’ Features Full Refunds, Exchanges
Schnuck Markets Inc. has announced “Fresh Guarantee,” a promise to customers that purchases from the grocer’s fresh departments are guaranteed fresh. If customers are not satisfied with the freshness of a perishable item bought from the floral, produce, bakery, deli, meat, seafood or dairy departments, Schnucks will exchange it or issue a full refund with […]
