Food Marketing Institute (FMI) previewed the findings of its 2012 U.S. Grocery Shopper trends research on May 1 in a presentation by FMI President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin, addressing participants at FMI2012, the Food Retail Show in Dallas. Seeking to help retailers shape their strategies for future growth, Sarasin identified and examined the implications […]
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 inLipari Foods, Midwest
Lipari Foods Acquires Ohio-Based I&K Distributors
Michigan-based Lipari Foods has acquired its longtime competitor I&K Distributors of Delphos, Ohio. It is the first step toward Lipari’s goals to grow as a regional distributor and ultimately to become a national distributor with other locations, Thom Lipari, president and CEO, told The Shelby Report’s Geoff Welch at the company’s spring show on April […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Feature, National
Social Business is What’s Next for Social Media
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our EST Feature in the April Shelby Report.[/gn_note] by Rick Rusch, Thought-TechSpecial to The Shelby Report The year 2012 is likely to go down as the year of social business. As you read this you’re thinking, “Wait a second! Social business? I’m just getting […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Market Profile, The Kroger Co., West
2012 Oregon Profile: Grocery Industry Remains Competitive Despite State’s Flat Economy
[gn_note color=”#66cc66″] The 2012 Oregon Profile originally ran in the April 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the West. The profile will be published on theshelbyreport.com one month after it has run in print. [/gn_note] by Kristen Cloud/staff writer The pace of the economic recovery in Oregon is on par with much of the […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Feature, National
What Big Data Means for Retailers
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our EST Feature in the April Shelby Report.[/gn_note] by Jeff Weidauer Special to The Shelby Report If 2011 was the year of mobile, 2012 is shaping up to be the year of big data. Big data is defined as datasets too large to be […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
Invest in Your Future
Every leader is aware of the value of a well-defined business strategy. Few, however, truly give thought to the leadership required to implement those strategies, especially ones that call for changes in the direction or capabilities of an organization. Having sufficient talent to fill key leadership roles is imperative for a successful and growing independent […]
Posted in, Midwest, Perishables
Murtha Wins 2012 Hy-Vee Cake Decorator Challenge
Amy Murtha of Belton, in her first Hy-Vee cake challenge finals, took home first place and $1,000 with a whimsical depiction of a garden that combined color and originality with oversized lady bugs, smiling snails and overturned clay pots. “It was a real shocker because I really didn’t expect to win,” Murtha said. “Amy’s Enchanted […]
Posted in, Marketing News, Midwest
Schnucks Now Offering Schnupons
St. Louis-based Schnucks now offers “Schnupons,” which customers can sign up for by texting the word “Schnucks” to the number 223344. Customers then receive a text message with an introduction to the program. Once in, customers automatically receive Schnupons that are redeemable at all Schnucks, Logli and Hilander locations. Customers show their phones to the […]
Posted in, Midwest
April is Love Your Produce Manager Month at Schnucks
From April 8-May 5, all Schnucks, Logli and Hilander shoppers are invited to stop by their local produce department and vote for their favorite produce manager via a special text message poll. Shoppers are asked to send a text message with their store’s special keyword—found on in-store signage—to a designated number throughout the month. The […]
Posted in, Midwest, Organic Natural
Hy-Vee Celebrates Laugh Out Loud Day
Laughter is said to be the best medicine and April 2 was Iowa’s first-ever L-O-L Day, or Laugh Out Loud Day. It was part of Iowa’s effort to become the healthiest state in the nation, reports Radio Iowa. Iowans were encouraged to forward a joke, tell a funny story, even to bring a whoopie cushion […]
Posted in, Midwest
Cornell’s SuperCenter Wins Grocer Award
On March 30, 2012, the Ohio Grocers Association presented its Pinnacle Award to Cornell’s SuperCenter of Shelby. The Pinnacle Award, based on operational excellence and significant contribution to Ohio’s food industry, is given annually to both a single-store operator and a multi-store operation. The Cornell family has served the Shelby area since 1932, when the […]
Posted in, Midwest, Perishables
Hy-Vee Reverses LFTB Decision
On March 22, Hy-Vee Inc. released a statement saying that it would no longer carry ground beef products containing lean finely textured beef (LFTB) because of “a loss of consumer confidence in the product.” But many customers told the West Des Moines-based company that they did want to be able to purchase the products, so […]
Posted in, Midwest, National
Roundy’s Appoints Retail Veteran Josefowicz To Board
On March 29, Milwaukee-based Roundy’s Inc. announced the election of Gregory P. Josefowicz to its board of directors. Josefowicz brings to the board more than 30 years of executive leadership in the retail industry, including significant experience in food retail. As a former president and CEO for two large retail companies, and as an active […]
Posted in, Feature, National
Full-Service Sushi Bridges Gap from OK to Explosive Sales
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our Ethnic Merchandising Feature in the March Shelby Report.[/gn_note] Jim Kim with Joel Stark, JFE Inc.Special to The Shelby Report Sushi is one of the grocery deli merchandisers’ top dilemmas, but it also ranks among their biggest successes. Even in markets that are large […]
Posted in, National, The Independent Perspective
When a Recess May Not Really Be a Recess: An Argument That Can Only Happen in Washington
On Dec. 23, 2011, President Obama and Congress finally departed Washington, D.C., for the holidays after a bruising battle over extending a payroll tax cut for employees. Although Congress was not in town, the House and Senate were technically not in recess but rather remained in a “pro-forma” session to prevent President Obama from making […]
Posted in, Equipment & Technology, Feature, National
Rationalizing Technology: User Friendly Savings, Brand Volume Increases
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The following is a Guest Column as a part of our EST Feature in the April Shelby Report.[/gn_note] by Coupon Express Special to The Shelby Report Weak economic conditions continue to be the driving force behind coupon usage. Americans want to purchase “on deal” and save when buying at retail. The consumer interest in […]
Posted in, Albertsons, Market Profile, West
2012 Southern California Profile: Supervalu’s Klug Talks Hyper-Local, Diversity
[gn_note color=”#66cc66″] The 2012 Southern California Profile originally ran in the March 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the West. The profile will be published on theshelbyreport.com one month after it has run in print. [/gn_note] The marketplace is constantly evolving, and nowhere is that more evident than in Southern California. Sue Klug, president […]
Posted in, Market Profile, Midwest
2012 North Dakota Profile: Oil Boom Brings Unique Challenges
[gn_note color=”#FFCC00″]The 2012 North Dakota Profile originally ran in the February 2012 edition of The Shelby Report of the Midwest. The profile will be published on theshelbyreport.com one month after it has run in print.[/gn_note] by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor The oil fields have created a bubbling melting pot in western North Dakota. Halliburton drops four […]
Posted in, Southwest
Whole Foods Same Stores Sales Increase Nearly 9%
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Whole Foods Market started off fiscal year 2012 with an 8.7 percent increase in sales in stores open one year or more. The Austin-based company expects same store sales to increase 9.4 percent in the second quarter. Even in stores 15 years old and older, Whole Foods saw same store sales […]
Posted in, Marketing News, National
Chao: Labor Concerns Threaten Economic Recovery
by Terrie Ellerbee/associate editor Heritage Foundation Fellow and Fox News contributor Elaine Chao spoke to Food Marketing Institute (FMI) Midwinter Conference attendees about current economic challenges and upcoming changes to union rules that could profoundly affect grocery store operators. She discussed actions developing on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and at the U.S. Department […]