The Stop & Shop Supermarket Co. raised $1.8 million for local hunger relief organizations throughout the Northeast by the end of 2012 through its 23rd annual Food for Friends program, according to a news release. Stop & Shop customers, associates and partners supported the program and 100 percent of the funds raised will go directly […]
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.
Sheetz Lauds Governor For Modernizing Pennsylvania Liquor Laws
Sheetz Convenience Restaurants support Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett’s efforts to modernize the state’s liquor laws, stating in a news release that until now there has not been a state leader willing to push for change since Prohibition. The chain of more than 437 stores continues to endorse the idea of reforming the way alcohol is […]
Minnesota 2013: Democrat Control Of House, Senate Could Impact Grocers
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Grocers are “subtle partners within their community,” says Jamie Pfuhl, president of the Minnesota Grocers Association (MGA). The words “Consumers, Careers & Communities” are prominently displayed on the MGA website, and though she knows they hate to do it, Pfuhl wishes grocers would do a bit better job touting what they […]
Hy-Vee Begins Construction Of Second Ankeny Store
Hy-Vee has started construction on a new supermarket in the Prairie Trail planned community in Ankeny, Iowa. The 92,000-s.f. store, to be located at the northwest corner of Southwest Oralabor Road and Southwest State Street, will be Hy-Vee’s second supermarket in Ankeny. Andy McCann, SVP of store development for Hy-Vee, says in a news release […]
Status Quo The Result Of Election 2012
If you live in one of the 2012 battleground states, you are probably thankful that Election Day has come and gone. Your phone has stopped ringing, your mailbox is not overflowing with political flyers and you can watch television without being bombarded with ads for candidates and causes. A record $6 billion was spent in […]
Fourth-Generation Market Street Location Opens In Lubbock
United Supermarkets cut the ribbon on a “fresh” new store on Jan. 9 at the corner of 19th and Quaker in Lubbock, Texas. Doors opened following a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony at 8 a.m. The store is the company’s 11th location under the Market Street banner and the third in Lubbock. At just over 71,000 s.f., […]
OpenGate Capital Closes Golden Guernsey Dairy Business
Waukesha, Wis.-based milk processor Golden Guernsey, a portfolio company of private investment and acquisition firm OpenGate Capital, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in Delaware. This action follows the Jan. 5 closing of Golden Guernsey’s facility. OpenGate Capital acquired Golden Guernsey in September 2011 from Dean Foods after the U.S. Department of Justice required Dean […]
‘Got Milk?’ And Fuel Up To Play 60 Kick Off ‘Breakfast Blitz’
This year, the national Milk Mustache “got milk?” Campaign is partnering with Fuel Up to Play 60, the National Dairy Council and National Football League’s in-school nutrition and physical activity program, for a national effort to get the message across about the importance of a good breakfast. Eating a good breakfast helps kids be at […]
MyWebGrocer Wins 2012 Marcom Gold Award
MyWebGrocer’s Brand Activation Suite has won a Gold Level MarCom Award in the web elements/ads category. The international competition recognizes outstanding creative achievement by marketing and communication professionals, and for the 2012 award chose winners from more than 6,000 entries. MyWebGrocer (MWG) is a leading provider of digital solutions for the grocery industry. The Brand Activation […]
The Greek Gods Brand Launches Kefir Low Fat Cultured Milk
The Hain Celestial Group’s The Greek Gods brand has added a drinkable Kefir low fat cultured milk to its lineup. The Greek Gods Kefir is available in flavors that mirror Greek-style yogurt customer favorites, according to a news release. “With all of the qualities that customers expect from The Greek Gods brand Greek-Style Yogurt, we […]
7-Eleven Offers Brazilian Roast Coffee For $1 On Wednesdays In January
To encourage coffee-loving customers to try its latest, darkest roast coffee, 7-Eleven is holding Dollar Coffee Wednesdays in January, when every size cup of coffee will cost $1. The new Brazilian Dark Roast is the convenience retailer’s richest, most full-bodied coffee to date, according to a news release. Made from 100 percent Arabica beans, the […]
Fresh & Easy Introduces New eatwell Products
Fresh & Easy Neighborhood Market has expanded its offering of eatwell products with more than 20 new selections containing no more than 25 percent of the total daily values for calories, fat, saturated fat and sodium (based on a 2,000 calorie diet). New fresh&easy eatwell products in stores now include: • Fresh Fish Steamers ($5.99)—Salmon […]
Van’s Natural Foods Brings Certified Gluten-Free Products To Stores
Van’s Natural Foods is bringing a new line of gluten-free cereals, crackers and snack bars rich in whole grains, including millet, quinoa and amaranth, to grocery stores. The Gluten-Free Certification Organization certifies all of Van’s cereals, crackers and snack bars gluten free. The breakfast items and snacks, like all Van’s products, have no artificial sweeteners, […]
RightSize Introduces New Single-Serve Smoothie Packs
RightSize has new single-serve packs. One packet is added to an 8-oz. serving of skim milk in a RightSize blender bottle to create a thick and creamy meal replacement smoothie. “Today’s lifestyles are so hectic, we believe it’s important to make losing weight as easy and convenient as possible,” says Laurie Chapman, brand manager at […]
M&M’S Will Return To The Big Game In February
M&M’S Brand will return to the Super Bowl on Feb. 3, 2013, with an all-new 30-second commercial during the first quarter, Mars Chocolate North America has announced. Last year during “The Big Game,” M&M’S introduced the world to the original spokescandy—Ms. Brown—via a hilarious 30-second commercial co-staring fan-favorite spokescandy, Red. The spot scored with critics […]
Kroger Ratifies Agreement With UFCW Local 1995
The Kroger Co. associates working at stores in the company’s Mid-South and Atlanta Divisions have ratified a new labor agreement with UFCW Local 1995, according to a news release. “We are pleased to reach an agreement that is good for our associates and allows us to be competitive in the region,” says John Hackett, president […]
2012 ROFDA Report
Celebrating 50 years of promoting, supporting and servicing the independent retail grocer with the Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates. Read from the leaders of ROFDA on what drives their entrepreneurial spirit and how they lead their organizations to success in the 2012 ROFDA Report. Open publication
Diving Into Social Media Can Bring Up Valuable Info
Grocery is a hot topic on social media these days, with an estimated 10 million-plus industry-related digital conversations taking place each year. Grocery-related conversations on Yelp, for instance, grew by 25 percent in just one year’s time. And these conversations aren’t mere mentions. They are “rich, robust and informative” conversations, according to Black Pearl Intelligence, […]
Celebrating 30 Years Of Serving Independent Grocers
by Peter J. Larkin/president and CEO, NGA Special to The Shelby Report Three decades ago, a new organization was created to represent the independent sector of the supermarket industry. Today, the National Grocers Association (NGA) remains the only national trade association exclusively focused on representing the independent sector of the food industry. Over the past […]
What If…The Holiday Sales Spirit Lived All Year?
You are just about to finish the most exciting sales season of the year. Starting in early October and running through New Year’s Day, seasonally merchandised supermarkets can expect a lift in transaction count and, more importantly, an increase in the average sale amount. Further, there is a spirit that prevails in most stores that […]
