Lund Food Holdings Inc. (LFHI), parent company to 22 Lunds and Byerly’s stores in the Minneapolis/St. Paul area, has promoted two key executives, a company news release says. Phil Lombardo (left) has been promoted to the new position of chief marketing and merchandising officer. Jim Geisler (right) has been promoted to the new position of […]
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.
Stack Wines Now Available At Meijer Stores
Stack Wines announces its newest retailer: Meijer, the Michigan-based “one-stop shopping” grocery store and supercenter. Stack Wines products will now be sold in all 144 Meijer locations throughout Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. Stack Wines is the sleek and practical “four pack” of stemless wine glasses that vertically stack to form the equivalent of one […]
Schnucks Contains Source Of Credit Card Breach
Schnucks has “found and contained” the issue behind reports of unauthorized access to payment card information at its stores and has taken comprehensive measures designed to block any further access, the company says in a March 30 news release. The computer forensic firm Schnucks hired found evidence of computer code that would capture the magnetic […]
Retailer Need Drives NGA’s Leaps In Technology
More than 2,700 retailers, wholesalers and suppliers recently joined us for the 2013 NGA Show in Las Vegas. As I said in my February column, our goal was to offer new and innovative resources to the industry, particularly in the area of technology. The show opened with a conversation I had with Joe Sheridan, president […]
Straniero: WMU Food Marketing Conference Specializes In Opportunities For Students
The 2013 Food Marketing Conference, hosted by Western Michigan University (WMU), took place March 25-26 at the Radisson Plaza Hotel in Kalamazoo, Mich. The conference included executives from companies like Kroger, Meijer and Sam’s Club. In an interview, Phil Straniero, executive in residence in food and CPG marketing at Western Michigan University, said this year’s […]
Lincoln And Omaha Bustle With Retail Construction Activity
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor The proliferation of Walmart Neighborhood Market stores in and around Omaha has begun. On March 1, Walmart opened the first two of the grocery-centered Neighborhood Market stores, one at 13015 Birch Dr. in Omaha and the other at 2109 Towne Center Dr. in Bellevue near Offutt Air Force Base. Over the […]
Door To Door Organics Now Delivers Fresh Meals In Kansas City
Door to Door Organics, a leading e-grocer with delivery into nine states, has added fresh prepared meals to the selection of food it delivers to customers’ doorsteps. Fresh prepared meal delivery launched on March 15 in Kansas City, according to a news release. The other Door to Door Organics locations, based in Colorado, Illinois, Michigan […]
Simply Eight Expands Distribution To Michigan Kroger And Meijer stores
Now available in select Meijer and Kroger stores in Michigan Simply Eight’s recent expansion marks a new milestone for the Kalamazoo-based company, as its products are now available in two of Michigan’s top retailers. Simply Eight chewy granola bars are now available in the breakfast/granola bar aisle of select Meijer stores in western Michigan and […]
Carfagna’s To Expand Columbus Manufacturing Operations
Open house to be held March 20 Columbus, Ohio-based Carfagna’s Italian Foods, a food company that has been family owned for more than eight decades, will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony and private reception at its new manufacturing facility March 20. The 11,000-s.f. facility, located at 3518 Johnny Appleseed Court on the north side of […]
MAGA: Hispanic Mothers Share Their Grocery Preferences
Hispanic mothers put convenience at the top of the list when it comes to grocery shopping. That is what five moms—Tricia, Naomi, Wendy, Grace and Connie—think about first when deciding where to shop. Carlos Viramontes moderated a panel consisting of these five Hispanic moms on March 6 at the Mexican American Grocers Association (MAGA) Too […]
Dippin’ Dots Invests $3.1M In The Ice Cream Of The Future
by Heather Blount/staff writer Dippin’ Dots LLC, the maker of novelty ice cream and frozen treats, announced plans for a $3.1 million modernization and renovation at its Paducah, Ky., manufacturing facility in mid-January. Company executives told The Shelby Report that this investment opens many new doors for Dippin’ Dots, including new products and new distribution. […]
The Question: Which Retailers Aren’t Opening In North Texas?
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor From Amazon to Trader Joe’s to WinCo Foods, along with home state natives Brookshire Grocery Co., H-E-B, United Supermarkets and Whole Foods Market, a bevy of retailers have got it bad for north Texas. They are opening stores, sure, but also distribution centers, one to make good on a promise and […]
MAGA President Pays Tribute To Founder: ‘The Dream Will Never Die’
“We have more political influence as an organization than many of the other trade associations across the country,” said Steve Soto, president and CEO of the Mexican American Grocers Association (MAGA). “That’s not bragging. It’s a fact.” Soto was welcoming attendees to the 2013 National Hispanic Conference at the Palm Springs Hilton Resort in Palm […]
Michigan Food Industry Honors Night Is March 14
Food industry retailers, wholesalers and manufacturers will be honored at the 85th annual trade dinner of the Michigan Food and Beverage Association (MFBA) and the Detroit Association of Grocery Manufacturers’ Representatives (DAGMR) on Thursday, March 14, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Hotel. Registration and networking begins at 5:30 p.m., followed by cocktail hour at 6 […]
Once Again…A Proud History Shared
There are very few times in life when you have the opportunity and privilege of being part of, and announcing, the merger of two enduring, respected publications who share a history like The Griffin Report and The Shelby Report. We are extremely pleased to share with you this great news here. As of March 1, […]
Alabama 2013: Changes To State’s SNAP, Disaster Response And Healthcare
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer Alabama has more to celebrate than the Crimson Tide’s recent BCS National Championship. While the tough times are certainly not over for the state or the country, forecasts indicate that the Alabama economy will continue to experience modest improvement in 2013. The state’s unemployment rate of 7.5 is below the 7.8 […]
Outlook Bright For Delaware, But State Still Faces Budget Challenges
by Kristen Cloud/staff writer The economic recovery in Delaware will move from lagging the national economy to leading it over the course of this upcoming year. That’s according to a first quarter 2013 Delaware Market Outlook from The PNC Financial Services Group. “In the near term, the state’s exposure to Europe and the lack of […]
Consumer Being Hoodwinked By Credit Card Surcharge Bill
by Linda Doherty/NJFC President The New Jersey Legislature has fast tracked legislation that would prevent retailers from charging credit card transaction fees to consumers and yet credit card companies and big banks can continue the predatory practice of charging retailers exorbitant credit card fees. A few things are curious about this rush to legislate. Not […]
AWG Partners With Retail Sense On Go-To-Market Strategies For Members
Marketing software company Retail Sense has inked a multi-year contract with Associated Wholesale Grocers (AWG), a retailer-owned cooperative serving more than 2,500 retail stores, to implement its IntelliSense marketing resource management solution. “AWG is focused on supporting our retail members with their strategic position in the marketplace,” says Steve Arnold, SVP of merchandising and marketing […]
In The Raw Sweeteners Sales Hit New Record In 2012
In The Raw all-natural sweeteners had a record year in 2012, passing the $50 million mark in retail sales for the first time, reports Cumberland Packing Corp. It saw a 20 percent increase in overall sales vs. 2011, according to a news release. The brand’s products include Sugar In The Raw, Stevia In The Raw, […]
