Albertsons Companies has launched an artificial intelligence-powered supply chain tool designed to help distribution center inspectors maintain tighter quality control over fresh fruits and vegetables. The Intelligent Quality Control tool, built in-house by Albertsons’ technology and supply chain teams, uses Google Cloud’s Gemini Enterprise (including Vision AI and Gemini models) to support quality inspectors. The […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Association News, Featured News, National, News
NGA, FMI Praise House Passage Of ORC Act, Citing Threat To Independents
The National Grocers Association (NGA) and FMI – The Food Industry Association have praised the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the “Combating Organized Retail Crime Act” (HR 2853), calling the bipartisan measure a critical tool in the fight against theft rings that are squeezing independent grocers. In a letter of support sent to the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, Featured News, News, Northeast, Private Label Brands, Wakefern
Wakefern Food Corp. Names Ruane Director Of Own Brands
Wakefern Food Corp. has promoted Chris Ruane to director of Own Brands. In his new role, Ruane will focus on advancing product innovation, optimizing assortment, strengthening supplier partnerships and delivering quality and value across brands including Bowl & Basket, Wholesome Pantry and Paperbird. He will report to Chief Sales Officer Darren Caudill. “Chris’s deep industry […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, National, News, Whole Foods
Whole Foods Market Bringing Daily Shop Concept To 3 U.S. Markets
Whole Foods Market will be adding its smaller format store concept, Whole Foods Market Daily Shop, to Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia over the next two years, continuing the brand’s expansion of the format into dense urban neighborhoods. Whole Foods Market Daily Shop stores feature a streamlined footprint, with an emphasis on product selection and an […]
Posted inFinance News, Featured News, Grocery Research, National, News
NRF: Retail Sales Rose For Seventh Consecutive Month In April
Retail sales grew for the seventh straight month in April despite rising gas prices and persistent inflation, according to the CNBC/NRF Retail Monitor released May 13 by the National Retail Federation. Total retail sales, excluding automobile dealers and gasoline stations, rose 0.34 percent month over month on a seasonally adjusted basis and 5.73 percent year […]
Expert Article
Why Retailers Should Lean Into Sweet Baked Goods Right Now – Don’t Pull Back
JTM Foods CEO Monty Pooley sees green shoots in Q1 2026 and a category that rewards merchandising intensity — not retreat — in noisy conditions. The first quarter of 2026 brought what Monty Pooley calls “green shoots” to the sweet baked goods category – early indicators that, after a difficult 2025, conditions are improving for […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, National, Natural Grocers, News
23 Natural Grocers Stores In 12 States Marking 10th Anniversary
Natural Grocers is celebrating the 1oth anniversary of 23 stores in 12 states across the country with exclusive discounts and in-store festivities. From May 17-23, customers can join the celebration with special {N}power member-only deals. Since opening the stores in 2016, Natural Grocers has become a source of high-quality affordable organic and natural groceries, supplements […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Coborn's, Featured News, Midwest, News
Hornbacher’s Marks 75 Years In ND’s Red River Valley
Hornbacher’s marked its 75th anniversary April 21 with a celebration honoring its roots in North Dakota’s Red River Valley and commitment to supporting communities, producers and organizations. The event featured a ribbon cutting, live entertainment and product samples. Since its founding in 1951, Hornbacher’s has been connected to the communities it serves. That commitment continues […]
Posted inBakery News, Executive News, Midwest, News
Rise Baking Co. Names Testa As Chief Commercial Officer
Rise Baking Co. has appointed Sarah Testa as chief commercial officer, leading its end-to-end commercial organization, setting strategic direction, driving market share growth and advancing initiatives that support long-term performance and a best-in-class customer experience. The announcement reflects Rise Baking Co.’s commitment to strengthening its customer partnerships as a leader in the bakery industry. Testa […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, Featured News, National, News
Gopal Joins Ahold Delhaize USA To Lead Data, AI Strategy
Ahold Delhaize USA has appointed Vipin Gopal as SVP, serving as chief data and artificial intelligence officer for the U.S. businesses. Reporting to Chief Information Officer Ann Dozier, Gopal will lead data, analytics and AI strategy and advance Ahold Delhaize USA’s efforts to further embed data-driven decision-making and AI capabilities into its business. He will […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Featured News, National, News
Amazon Now Expands Ultra-Fast Delivery Across The U.S.
Amazon has rolled out its ultra-fast delivery service, Amazon Now, to customers throughout the U.S. Amazon Now provides thousands of fresh groceries, everyday household essentials and locally-relevant items in about 30 minutes or less. It is widely available in Atlanta, Dallas-Fort Worth, Philadelphia and Seattle, and is expanding in dozens more cities, including Austin and […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, BJ's Wholesale Club, News, Southwest
BJ’s Wholesale Club To Open Location In Grand Prairie, TX
BJ’s Wholesale Club will open a new store May 15 at 1021 IKEA Way in Grand Prairie, Texas, marking another step in the company’s expansion into the state. In celebration, BJ’s Gas in Grand Prairie will offer members $2 per gallon on gas from 6:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 13. The promotional price applies […]
Posted inProduce News, Corporate Store News, Featured News, News, Southwest
The United Family Donates 50K Pounds Of Apples For Hunger Program
As part of the 16th Take a Bite Out of Hunger program, The United Family donated more than 50,000 pounds of apples throughout April to food banks and food pantries in Texas and New Mexico. Thanks to the partnership between The United Family and FirstFruits Farms, more than 650,000 pounds of apples have been donated […]
Posted inExecutive News, News, Southeast
HFG Appoints English VP Of Retail Operations For Save A Lot
Houchens Food Group (HFG) has appointed Grant English as VP of retail operations for Save A Lot. English brings more than 36 years of retail management experience to the role, with a background in multi-unit operations, team leadership and driving operational excellence. English most recently served as director of operations at Food Lion, a role […]
Posted inFinance News, Association News, Featured News
Report: Independent Grocers Generate $557.5B In Annual Economic Activity
According to a new economic impact analysis released today by the National Grocers Association, independent supermarket operators generate $557.5 billion in total annual economic activity, representing nearly 2 percent of U.S. gross domestic product. The report, conducted by Arizona State University using store-level retail sales data from NielsenIQ’s TDLinx platform, found that independent grocers account […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Featured News, News, West
Market of Choice Completes Basics Market Acquisition, Plans Store Refresh
Market of Choice has completed its acquisition of Basics Market in Portland’s Hillsdale neighborhood, adding a fifth location in the metro area and bringing the company’s total statewide footprint to 13 stores. The transition to Market of Choice is expected to take place June 23, with no store closure planned. The deal, announced in January, […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National, News
Vori Raises $22M Series B To Build Operating System For Grocery Stores
Vori announced a $22 million Series B funding round led by Cherryrock Capital, with participation from Greylock Partners and The Factory, including Stanford AI researcher Chris Ré. The company is building an operating system designed to manage a grocery store’s entire operations. It handles checkout and payments at the register, tracks every item on shelves, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, National, News
PepsiCo Foods Launches Good Warrior Snack Brand
PepsiCo Foods is introducing a new addition to the protein snack arena with Good Warrior, a new masterbrand built for people who demand more from their protein. The debut product, Good Warrior Beef Sticks, launches in March 2026 at select U.S. retailers. The beef sticks are made with grass-fed and finished beef and deliver 10 […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, News, Northeast, ShopRite
Di Bruno Bros. Brings New Italian Snacks To ShopRite Shelves
Di Bruno Bros. is expanding its Italian-inspired collection with new products designed for spring and summer entertaining, the company announced April 20. The new items are rolling out now in ShopRite stores and other leading supermarket retailers nationwide. Founded in 1939 by Italian immigrant brothers Danny and Joe Di Bruno, the company has grown from […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Featured News, Giant Food, News, Northeast
Annual Giant Barbecue Battle Returns June 27-28 To Washington, D.C.
The 34th Annual Giant Barbecue Battle will take place June 27-28 between 3rd and 7th streets on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C., featuring world-class barbecue, international flavors, celebrity chefs, live music and activities for all ages. Recognized by the U.S. Congress as the Official National Barbecue Championship, the event ranks as one of the country’s […]