Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has completed more than one million drone deliveries to hundreds of thousands of customers, a milestone the retailer announced May 29. What started as a pilot program a few years ago has expanded to 66 stores in four states serving five metro markets. Walmart said the service is designed for everyday “uh‑oh” […]
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 inGrocery Research, National, News
EIA Finds Affordability Not A Barrier To Top Marks In Supermarket Scorecard
The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) has released its 2026 Climate‑Friendly Supermarkets Scorecard, tracking major U.S. food retailer efforts to address hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), superpollutant refrigerants used across the food retail sector. The release comes one week after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rolled back requirements on refrigerant use in a move condemned by environmental and industry […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Food Lion, News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Awards $1M In Grants To 280 Partners
The Food Lion Feeds Charitable Foundation awarded nearly $1 million in “Nourishing our Neighbors” grants to more than 280 nonprofits during its 2026 spring/summer grant cycle. Since its inception in 2001, the foundation has distributed more than $25 million in grants to support community feeding partners in the grocer’s 10‑state operating area. “Our local feeding […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, News, Northeast
PFMA Adds Altria Group’s Akhand To Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) has appointed Abir Akhand, industry engagement manager for Altria Group Distribution Co., to its board of directors. Akhand, who leads Altria’s advocacy efforts in Pennsylvania and the Northeast, brings eight years of industry experience, including recent work efforts in the Midwest. He previously managed retail and wholesale accounts based […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Featured News, Midwest, News
Balls Food Stores Names Campbell President
Balls Food Stores has named Ryan Campbell president as David Ball, third-generation leader, transitions to the role of chairman of the board of directors, where he will focus on growth through acquisitions and mergers. Balls Food Stores is a 100 percent teammate-owned company and one of the largest locally owned grocery retailers in the Kansas […]
Expert Article
Non-Food For Thought: Home Field Advantage
By Naomi Sleeper, President, Imperial Distributors Inc. Non-Food for Thought is back. After a few-year hiatus, we are relaunching this column as a forum for sharing perspective on the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping non-food merchandising in the grocery channel. There may not be a more relevant time to renew these discussions than Summer 2026 […]
Expert Article
Know Your Numbers: The Financial Habits Behind Independent Grocery’s Top Performers
Jon Cline knows the grocery business from the ground up. He started bagging groceries at Safeway in high school, managed a 7-Eleven while earning his accounting degree at the University of Oklahoma, and went on to build a career spanning some of the industry’s biggest names: Arthur Andersen, Scrivner, Fleming and Supervalu. At FMS Solutions, […]
Expert Article
Independent Grocers Don’t Need More Technology, They Need Better Integration
With more than 50 years of combined experience in grocery POS and retail technology, Farrell McKenna and Ed Sepelak have worked closely with independent grocers, navigating everything from changing consumer expectations to rapidly evolving store technology. With decades of hands-on experience supporting independent grocery retailers, they share a practical perspective on why integration, operational simplicity, […]
Expert Article
The Fresh Bakery Renaissance: Why In-Store Bakeries Are Grocery’s Secret Weapon In 2026
Fresh FMI data shows the in-store bakery is one of grocery’s strongest growth engines — and a clear roadmap for retailers heading into 2026. The in-store bakery is having a moment. According to FMI’s Power of Foodservice at Retail 2025 report, in-store bakery sales reached $21 billion in the 52 weeks ending Aug. 9 — […]
Posted inCenter Store, Featured News, Health & Wellness, News, Northeast
Unilever Investing $270M For R&D Hub In New Haven, CT
Unilever has unveiled plans to develop a new Global Innovation Center in New Haven, Connecticut, representing a $270 million investment. The facility, set to open by spring 2029, will serve as a hub for the company’s research and development (R&D) for personal care, beauty and well-being businesses in the U.S. and worldwide. The center will […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Brings 30-Minute-Or-Less Delivery To 33 U.S. Markets
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart is expanding its ultra‑fast delivery capabilities, bringing 30‑minute‑or‑less delivery to 33 U.S. markets. In the first quarter of 2026, Walmart completed millions of deliveries in 30 minutes or less to more than 19,000 zip codes across the country. The service is available in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Chicago, St. Louis, Atlanta, Tampa, […]
Posted inFinance News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA Opposes OCC Rule Allowing Banks To Set Swipe Fees Via Third Parties
The National Grocers Association (NGA) has submitted comments to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) opposing an interim final rule that would permit national banks to establish interchange (swipe) fees through third‑party arrangements rather than through bank‑to‑bank competition. The rule revises 12 C.F.R. § 7.4002 and relates to the Illinois Interchange Fee […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Whole Foods
Whole Foods To Open New Market In Seekonk, MA
Whole Foods Market will open a new 40,000‑square‑foot store June 25 at 940 Fall River Ave. in Seekonk, Massachusetts. The location’s product assortment features more than 1,000 items from New England, sourced with the help of John Lawson, forager for local and emerging brands at Whole Foods Market. The store’s design features dimensional typography and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Sam’s Club’s Member’s Mark Community Hits 150K Participants
Sam’s Club has grown its private brand Member’s Mark community to more than 150,000 participants nationwide, a threefold increase in just two years. The community gives members the ability to try, test, taste and recommend hundreds of exclusive Member’s Mark products. “Membership is about more than access and savings. It’s about giving members a voice,” […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Health & Wellness, National, News
Fresh Connect Expands Produce Card To Four Tailored Grocery Options
Fresh Connect has expanded its offering from a single produce card to four specialized medically supportive grocery cards, paired with a new companion app that gives cardholders clarity on what is approved under their program. Since its launch in 2020, Fresh Connect has helped health plans, healthcare providers and community partners deliver access to $12.3 […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Honors 18 Hunger-Relief Volunteers With Gift Cards, Donations
Meijer has named 18 community volunteers as recipients of its annual Hunger Relief Hero Award, a program that recognizes those who have made significant contributions to fighting food insecurity in the Midwest. Each honoree receives a $500 Meijer gift card and a commemorative plaque. The hunger-relief nonprofit that nominated them also gets a $5,000 donation […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, Featured News, News, West
AFS Collects 165K Pounds Of Food In UT Statewide Drive
Associated Food Stores (AFS) and its network of independent retailers played a pivotal role in the 2026 Feed Utah Food Drive, collecting 165,443 pounds of food – more than half of the statewide total. The fifth annual drive, held in March, brought communities across Utah together to fight hunger. Food insecurity affects one in five […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, News, Southwest
Tyson Foods Names Schomburger Next CEO, Succeeding King
Tyson Foods has named Jeff Schomburger president and CEO, effective Oct. 4. Following a transition period beginning in July, Schomburger will succeed Donnie King, who is retiring after a 43‑year career with the company. Schomburger has been a member of the Tyson Foods board of directors since 2016, which has given him a strong understanding […]
Posted inFinance News, Crossroads, Featured News, Guest Contributors, National, News, The Grocer's Playbook
Crossroads: Beyond The Store – Financial Balance In Independent Grocery
By Grant Fossum, AIF, RFC | ProWealth Financial Independent grocers understand diversification better than those in most other industries. Inside the store, balance is built into daily operations – meat and produce drive traffic, center store drives volume, service departments drive margin and the front end shapes the customer experience. Outside the store, that […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National, News
DoorDash, Dollar Tree Partner For On‑Demand Delivery From 9K Stores
DoorDash and Dollar Tree have formed a partnership to offer on‑demand delivery from the discount retailer’s full U.S. store footprint, giving shoppers access to more than 10,000 products from 9,000 stores in 48 states. The partnership allows customers to order essentials, pantry staples, household supplies, party décor, balloons, craft items,and seasonal merchandise through the DoorDash […]