The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association (PFMA) welcomed members, wholesalers, vendors and industry partners to the 2026 PFMA Annual Conference, held May 12-13 at Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Bedford, Pennsylvania. The conference brought together leaders across Pennsylvania’s food and beverage industry for two days of networking, education and industry‑focused conversations. The event featured a mini […]
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 inDairy News, National, News
Kraft Natural Cheese Adds Lactose‑Free Line With Three Varieties
Kraft Natural Cheese has launched a Lactose‑Free product line, expanding its portfolio to meet growing demand for dairy options that support a range of dietary needs. Available in three varieties – Mild Cheddar Shredded Cheese, Mozzarella Shredded Cheese, and Mozzarella String Cheese – each product is made with real dairy and delivers Kraft flavor with […]
Posted inExecutive News, Featured News, Merchandising News, National, News, The Kroger Co.
Kroger SVP Jabbar Retires After 38 Years
The Kroger Co. has announced that Valerie Jabbar, SVP of retail divisions, retired in May after 38 years of service. Jabbar began her career with Kroger’s Fry’s division in 1987 as a clerk. Over the decades, she held a range of leadership roles, including assistant store director, category manager, drug/general manager coordinator, general office seasonal […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, News, Northeast, ShopRite, Wakefern
Wakefern Expands Domestic Kosher Beef Program In ShopRite Stores
Wakefern Food Corp. is expanding and enhancing its fresh domestic kosher beef offering for ShopRite stores with kosher meat departments under rabbinical supervision. Through a new direct‑sourcing program, select ShopRite locations will have expanded access to a wider variety of fresh, high‑quality domestic kosher beef – including bone‑in and boneless cuts, steaks, roasts and offals. […]
Posted inAssociation News, Featured News, News, West
CGAEF Honors 3 Leaders For Service, Tops $1M In Scholarship Funds For Year
April 16 proved an eventful day for the California Grocers Association Educational Foundation as it inducted three industry veterans into its Hall of Achievement and raised more than $500,000 to help fund its college scholarship and tuition reimbursement programs. With the latest contributions, the CGAEF has secured about $1,025,000 in scholarship commitments this year, bringing […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, Featured News, National, News
BJ’s Adding 5 Clubs In 3 States
BJ’s Wholesale Club has announced the locations of five new clubs set to open this year in Florida, Indiana and Kentucky – part of a push to add 12 stores nationwide in 2026. The stores will be located in: Lecanto, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Port St. Lucie, Florida; Portage, Indiana; and Frankfort, Kentucky The expansion strengthens […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southeast
The Winn‑Dixie Co. Converts 5 Harveys Stores In FL, GA
The Winn‑Dixie Co. recently held grand reopenings for five former Harveys Supermarkets in north and central Florida and south Georgia that are now operate under the corporate banner. These openings continue the Jacksonville-based grocer’s ongoing efforts to unify its store holdings under the Winn‑Dixie banner. This wave of converted stores includes these locations: 5909 University […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Associated Food Stores, News, West
Kent’s Market Hosts Meals For Military Event On Armed Forces Day
Kent’s Market commemorated Armed Forces Day by hosting its annual Meals for Military event in partnership with Operation Homefront, Associated Food Stores (AFS) and dozens of national and local vendors. On May 16, volunteers lined up to greet more than 400 military families, many of whom are lower-income service members stationed at nearby Hill Air […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Meijer, Midwest, News
Meijer Donates $200K Towards Ohio Hunger Relief
Meijer has donated $200,000 to the 2026 Harvest for Hunger Campaign, an annual springtime effort that assists four food banks that serve 21 counties in northeastern Ohio. The donation will support the Akron‑Canton Regional Foodbank, the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley and Second Harvest Food Bank of North […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, News, Northeast
Aldi Sets Date For First Midtown Manhattan Store
Aldi will open its first Midtown Manhattan location June 19 at 311 West 42nd St., placing the German discount retailer in the shadow of Times Square. The opening is part of Aldi’s broader push to reach 3,200 U.S. stores by the end of 2028. On opening day, the first 200 customers will receive bags containing […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Featured News, News, Northeast
UNFI Foundation Charity Classic Raises Record $1.1M For Food Access Grants
The UNFI Foundation hosted its annual golf Charity Classic, raising a record $1.1 million to advance the organization’s mission of empowering people to create more sustainable and equitable food systems across North America. UNFI suppliers and industry partners came together on the course, learning about the foundation’s mission and engaging with organizations making a difference […]
Posted inHealth & Wellness, Featured News, News, Northeast, The Giant Company
The Giant Co. Garners Blue Zones Project Approval
Six The Giant Co. stores have become Blue Zones Project Approved, making the grocer the first in Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley to receive the distinction and marking a step toward improving community well-being in the region. The approved stores are located at: 3300 Lehigh St., Allentown; 3070 Tilghman St., Allentown; 3926 Linden St., Bethlehem; 2174 West […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, National, News
Grocers Fire Up Grills, Fuel Points, Military Support For Memorial Day
Memorial Day weekend is nearly here, and grocers across the country are rolling out programs that blend savings, community support and a few hot-off-the-grill events. Whether shoppers are hosting a cookout, honoring service members or stocking up for summer, retailers are offering a range of options. Here’s a look at what some grocers are doing […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, National, News
2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo Wraps Vegas Debut With Record Innovation Field
The 2026 Sweets & Snacks Expo wrapped its first run in Las Vegas, drawing 17,500 attendees and 1,000 exhibitors to the Las Vegas Convention Center for four days of new product launches, education and category-level dealmaking. Hosted by the National Confectioners Association (NCA), the show ran May 18-21, with the Supplier Showcase serving as a […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, National, News
FMI, NGA Applaud Trump Administration’s Rollback Of Refrigeration Rules
President Trump and EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced revisions to two commercial refrigeration rules May 21, drawing praise from FMI – The Food Industry Association and the National Grocers Association (NGA), which said the changes will spare grocery retailers – especially independent operators – from an estimated $144 billion in compliance costs. The final EPA […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
National Rural Grocery Summit Spotlights Solutions For Rural Food Access
More than 300 rural grocery operators, community advocates, policymakers, vendors and researchers gathered May 5-7 in Fargo, North Dakota, for the 2026 National Rural Grocery Summit – a biennial event focused on sustaining independent rural grocery stores and improving food access in small communities. Attendees representing 42 states, Washington, D.C., and Canada convened at what […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Balls Foods, Featured News, Midwest, News
Balls Food Stores Converts Former Schulte’s To Hen House Market
Balls Food Stores held a grand opening May 15 for its Hen House Market at 1904 Southwest Blvd. in Jefferson City, Missouri – marking the next chapter for the former Schulte’s Fresh Foods location. The event featured a ribbon-cutting ceremony, family activities, food samples and community festivities celebrating the store’s transition. The location became part […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, H-E-B, News, Southwest
H-E-B Opens 12th DFW Store In Euless, TX
H-E-B has opened its 12th H-E-B store in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex. Located at 2105 Rio Grande Blvd. in Euless, Texas, it features the company’s 50th True Texas barbecue restaurant. The 126,000-square-foot Mid-Cities site joins 11 other H-E-B stores and three Joe V’s Smart Shop locations the retailer has opened in the area since 2022. […]
Posted inFinance News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart U.S. 1Q Comps Up 4.1%, E-Comm 26%
Walmart characterized the first quarter of fiscal 2027 for its U.S. division as one of “strong sales, with broad-based share gains, reflecting accelerated customer transactions led by e-commerce growth.” Reporting results May 21 for the quarter ended April 30, Walmart said its U.S. comparable store sales increased by 4.1 percent, excluding fuel. U.S. net sales […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
State Of Treating 2026: What’s Driving Confectionery Consumers
Nearly every American household still reaches for chocolate, candy, gum or mints at some point in the year — but how, where and why they buy is shifting in ways independent grocers can lean into. That was the core message from Anne-Marie Roerink, president of 210 Analytics, who presented the National Confectioners Association’s seventh annual […]