The 10,000-square-foot small-format store Gelson’s will open Jan. 28 at Riverside Drive and Mariota Avenue in Toluca Lake, California, will serve as the centerpiece of a mixed-use development that includes 37 studio apartments. Toluca Lake is known for its tree-lined streets, historic homes and proximity to entertainment landmarks like Warner Bros. Studios. The area blends old Hollywood […]
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 inExecutive News, Association News, National, News
FMI Honors 7 Leaders With 2026 Executive Leadership Awards
FMI – The Food Industry Association recognized seven industry leaders with its 2026 Executive Leadership Awards on Jan. 21 at the Midwinter Executive Conference in Chula Vista, California. The recipients represent Alex Lee, Inc.; Longo Brothers Fruit Markets Inc.; Market of Choice Inc.; Wakefern Food Corp.; The Clorox Company; Stater Bros. Markets; and Knowlan’s Super […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, News, Southeast
Food City Enlarging Store In Blountville, TN
Food City is expanding its store on Highway 394 in Blountville, Tennessee, adding more than 7,000 square feet of retail space that will increase the total footprint to nearly 50,500 square feet. The project, which is scheduled to wrap up this fall, will create 40 new jobs. “We are excited to have the opportunity to […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Association News, Merchandising News, News, Northeast
MRA: Pricing Ban Would Raise Costs For Maryland Shoppers
The Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) is opposing legislation that would prohibit “surveillance pricing,” calling it based on misconceptions about how pricing actually works in grocery stores and retail more broadly. Retailers do not set prices based on consumer personal data, identity or purchasing history, the trade association said Jan. 22. Grocery shelf prices are the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Harris Teeter, News, Southeast
Harris Teeter Recognized On Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces Lists
Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter has been recognized by Newsweek as one of “America’s Greatest Workplaces for Culture, Belonging & Community” for 2026. “We appreciate Newsweek recognizing our workplace culture, which is grounded in respect, collaboration and a shared sense of purpose,” said Martha Tayor, VP of human resources. “Supporting our associates and creating an […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, News, Publix Super Markets, Southeast
Publix Named To Fortune’s Most Admired Companies List For 31st Year
Publix has been recognized on Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies list for 2026, marking the 31st consecutive year the Lakeland, Florida-based grocer has received the honor since 1996. The list acknowledges companies that prioritize employees’ well-being, community engagement and sustainability efforts, as well as being a great place to work, among other criteria. “At Publix, […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National, News
NGA Backs Congressional Push For Antitrust Enforcement
The National Grocers Association is backing a bipartisan congressional effort to investigate discriminatory pricing practices that disadvantage independent grocers. Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), and Rep. Mike Rulli (R-OH) this week sent letters to the Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission urging enforcement action. The letters call for investigation […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, News, Southwest
GES Inc. Shares Promotions At Edwards Food Giant, Cash Saver
GES Inc., owner and operator of Edwards Food Giant and Edwards Cash Saver stores, has made key executive promotions as part of its leadership succession planning. Paul Rowton, previously EVP and CFO, has been promoted to president of Marianna, Arkansas-based GES Inc., while Gary Proffitt has been promoted to VP and COO. Steve Edwards will […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest, Whole Foods
Whole Foods To Open New Market In Rogers, AR
Whole Foods Market will open a new 39,500-square-foot store Feb. 18 at 1801 S. 46th St. in Rogers, Arkansas. The location’s product assortment features more than 120 items from Arkansas and surrounding states, sourced with the help of Dustin Kennedy, forager for local and emerging brands at Whole Foods Market. Opening morning, customers will receive […]
Posted inNews, Executive News, National
Lidl U.S. CEO Rampoldt Steps Down, Giudici Named Interim Successor
Joel Rampoldt is no longer CEO of Lidl U.S., the discount grocery chain confirmed Jan. 22. Rampoldt, who held the position since 2023, is now serving as an advisor to the German-owned company, a spokesperson for the discounter said in an emailed statement. Marco Giudici, Lidl U.S.’s chief customer officer and former CEO of Lidl […]
Posted inBakery News, C-Store News, News
Ditsch Opens First U.S. Store As Shop-In-Shop Inside El Paso OXXO
Ditsch, a traditional German bakery, has opened its first dedicated point of sale in the United States with a shop-in-shop location inside an OXXO convenience store in El Paso, Texas. Its product range includes classics such as pretzels, pretzel sticks, pretzel croissants and Ditsch pizza, along with additions tailored to local tastes, such as Jalapeño […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Finance News, National, News
Mars Receives Top Honors On Glassdoor’s Best Places Lists
Mars Inc. earned the top spot on Glassdoor’s inaugural Best Places to Work in Manufacturing and Energy list and ranked sixth on the job search and career community’s 2026 Best Places to Work list, the company announced Jan. 21. The awards are determined based on voluntary, anonymous feedback from employees on Glassdoor. McLean, Virginia-based Mars […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Hy-Vee, Independent Store News, Midwest, News
Hy-Vee Launches Nothing But The Truth Private Label Brand
Hy-Vee Inc. has introduced Nothing But The Truth, a health-forward product line designed to meet growing consumer demand for transparency, taste and value in the better-for-you food space. Developed by Hy-Vee’s team of registered dietitians, the new private label brand features products made with ingredients that are primarily organic, plant-based, non-GMO, low sugar and high […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, News, Southwest
The United Family Begins Sixth Year Of Texas Blue Sand Project
Lubbock, Texas-based The United Family joined One Voice, Voice of Hope and Open Door to kick off the Texas Blue Sand Project on Jan. 21, bringing awareness to human trafficking across the South Plains. January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month. This marks the sixth year The United Family has partnered with the local organizations for […]
Posted inFrozen Food, Association News, Executive News, National, News
3 Industry Leaders To Join 2026 Frozen Food Hall Of Fame
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania-based The National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association (NFRA) and the American Frozen Food Institute (AFFI) have revealed the three industry leaders who will be inducted into the 2026 Frozen Food Hall of Fame. The inductees are Paul DiGenova, general manager of commodities with Nortera; Richard Marks, former chairman of the board of directors […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Finance News, National, News
Smithfield Foods To Acquire Nathan’s Famous For $450M
Smithfield Foods has entered into a merger agreement to acquire Nathan’s Famous Inc. for $102 per share in cash, representing an enterprise value of about $450 million. The transaction will secure Smithfield’s rights to the all-beef hot dog brand into perpetuity. The company has held an exclusive license from Nathan’s Famous since March 2014 to […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Executive News, News, The Raley's Companies, West
The Raley’s Companies Names Barsotti As Chief Communications Officer
The Raley’s Companies has appointed Carol Barsotti as chief communications officer, expanding her leadership role within the organization. Barsotti will assume responsibility for public relations, government affairs and community impact as the West Sacramento, California-based retailer continues to focus on transformation and sustainable growth. Barsotti also is president of fieldTRUE, a farm-box subscription business, and […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
NC Sweetpotato Commission Honors Yencho With Service Award
The NC Sweetpotato Commission presented its 2026 Distinguished Service Award to Craig Yencho at the organization’s annual meeting held in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Through his extensive work in agricultural research, Yencho has shared valuable knowledge with sweetpotato growers across the state, developing new cultivation techniques, improving pest management practices and innovating varieties that have boosted […]
Posted inGrocery Research, Finance News, National, News
Report: Traditional Grocers Losing Shoppers As Fragmentation Accelerates
Traditional grocers are losing their most valuable shoppers in a shift that appears permanent, according to new data from AlixPartners released Jan. 21. Fewer than half of consumers in the survey — 49 percent — say they spent most of their grocery budget at traditional grocers like Kroger, Albertsons, H-E-B and Wegmans in 2025, down […]
Posted inNews, Finance News, Northeast, Wakefern
Wakefern Supermarket Banners To Host Job Fairs Jan. 31
Wakefern Food Corp. supermarket banners ShopRite, Price Rite Marketplace, The Fresh Grocer, Gourmet Garage and Fairway Market are holding a series of walk-in hiring fairs Jan. 31. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., participating stores across New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts and Rhode Island will host in-store recruitment events for full-time, […]