The 2023 edition of the Independent Grocers Financial Study, joint research between the National Grocers Association and FMS Solutions, documents small grocers’ operational and financial performance in a continued complex marketplace. Reflecting record participation, 521 independent grocers representing about 2,000 stores shared their results for fiscal year 2022, which ran through March 31. “Independent grocers’ […]
Author Archives: Sommer Stockton
Digital Content Editor
Sommer joined The Shelby Report in January 2022 after graduating from Brenau University in Gainesville, GA, with a B.A. and M.A. in Communications and Media Studies. As Digital Content Editor, she leverages her expertise in digital strategy and content creation to enhance The Shelby Report’s online presence and engage readers.
Committed to the grocery industry, Sommer also serves on an advisory committee with the National Grocers Association (NGA), advocating for independent grocers. She enjoys exploring emerging trends and delivering actionable insights to the Shelby community.
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix’s Florida Store Count Grows By Two
Lakeland, Florida-based Publix Super Markets has continued its Florida expansion by opening two more stores – a 48,387 square-foot site at Waterleigh Village in Winter Garden and a 54,964-square-foot store at the Ramblewood Square in Coral Springs. “We are excited to welcome our customers to their new stores…and look forward to providing them with the […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Northeast, Online Grocery Technology
Wakefern Rolling Out Tally At More ShopRite Stores
Following a productive pilot program, Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. is expanding Simbe’s business intelligence solution, Tally, into additional ShopRite stores to optimize inventory management. Over the past several months, Wakefern vetted Simbe’s platform in more than 20 stores to ensure that the technology solution integrated into their environments. They were able to use […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast
UNFI Replacing Distribution Center Near Sarasota, FL
UNFI has begun work on a new distribution center north of Sarasota, Florida, that will replace an aging facility and incorporate the latest in warehouse technology to increase efficiency in selecting, packing and loading processes. The center is being built within the SRQ Logistics Center, a 300-acre master-planned business park adjacent to Sarasota’s International Airport […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Local Suppliers Ready To Take LEAP With Whole Foods
Austin, Texas-based Whole Foods Market has announced the cohorts for two tracks of the Local and Emerging Accelerator Program (LEAP) – Early Growth and On the Verge. Launched along with the inaugural Early Growth cohort in 2022, the LEAP initiative advances Whole Foods’ core value of partnering with local suppliers for access to tailored educational […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest, Sustainability News
Vendor Deadline Nears For Meijer’s Sustainability Summit
In an effort to expand its sustainable product offerings in categories storewide, Meijer will hold its second annual virtual Sustainability Summit Oct. 11-13. The Grand Rapids, Michigan-based company wants to engage suppliers in categories ranging from food/health/beauty and everyday essentials to pets, apparel and general merchandise. Meijer is targeting 38 different certifications on vendor products […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Executive News, Southeast
Harris Teeter President Shares Updates At CFIC Convention
A brand refresh, a focus on shopper marketing and plans for new stores are among the many things that Harris Teeter President Tammy DeBoer is excited about. She talked with The Shelby Report’s Maggie Kaeppel at the Carolina Food Industry Council annual convention, held July 16-19 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Harris Teeter’s brand refresh, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Stater Bros. Charities Donates $30K To Bob Hope USO
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Charities, the philanthropic arm of Stater Bros. Markets, partnered with Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling for its Give Back program during National Military Appreciation Month. The program ran for the entire month of May, during which Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling committed to donating 25 cents per eligible product purchased to Bob Hope USO. Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling donated […]
Posted inMarketing News, Corporate Store News, West
Save Mart, Lucky Stores Begin Monopoly Savings Game
Modesto, California-based Save Mart and Lucky stores have launched their “Monopoly Kick Off the Savings” collect-and-win game. Through Oct. 31, Save Mart and Lucky shoppers throughout California and Western Nevada have a chance to win prizes and money-saving offers valuing more than $25 million. “We are excited to offer our shoppers incredible savings and prizes that range in value from instant […]
Posted inAlbertsons, Online Grocery Technology, West
Albertsons Adds Nutrition Insights To Sincerely Health Platform
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has shared the latest digital enhancement to its Sincerely Health platform, a nutrition insights tool that measures grocery purchases based on the serving recommendations of USDA’s MyPlate guidance. The “Nutrition” functionality within the Sincerely Health experience empowers customers to make informed food choices based on their dietary preferences, household size and age group. “With the […]
Posted inAldi, Corporate Store News, Southeast
SEG Selling Banner Stores To Aldi, Fresco Retail Group
Southeastern Grocers (SEG) has entered into agreements to sell several of its banner stores – Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarkets and Fresco y Más – to Aldi and Fresco Retail Group as part of a larger divestiture. Under the proposed merger agreement, Aldi will acquire all outstanding SEG capital stock in an all-cash transaction, which encompasses all […]
Posted inC-Store News, Southeast
Casey’s Acquiring 63 C-Stores In Kentucky, Tennessee
Ankey, Iowa-based Casey’s General Stores is acquiring 63 c-stores in Kentucky and Tennessee that operate under the Minit Mart and Certified Oil banners from EG America, a subsidiary of EG Group. The companies anticipate the deal will close later this year, subject to customary regulatory approvals. Casey’s is expected to retain the impacted employees at […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Marketing News, National
Instacart Campaign Helps Parents Prep For School Year
Instacart has begun a six-week back-to-school campaign that spans more than 1,400 retail banners in the U.S. and Canada. The “You’ve Got This, Parents” program covers fresh groceries for breakfast and lunch, school supplies, sports equipment, backpacks, kids’ clothing, electronics and other everyday essentials. The effort, which marks Instacart’s biggest back-to-school campaign, includes brands such […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Gotham Greens Opens Second Greenhouse In Colorado
Gotham Greens’ recently opened 140,000-square-foot hydroponic greenhouse in Windsor, Colorado, is its second in the state and 11th nationwide. The first of three greenhouses the company is set to open this year, the facility in the Great Western Industrial Park builds on the success of its flagship Denver metro greenhouse, which opened in 2020 at […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Midwest, Produce News, Southeast
Produce Partnership Growing To Serve More Kroger Stores
The Kroger Co. and 80 Acres Farms, a global vertical farming company, are expanding their partnership to serve about 1,000 of the grocer’s stores across the Midwest and Southeast. 80 Acres Farms has been a supplier to Kroger since 2019, beginning with a store in downtown Cincinnati and growing to more than 300 stores across […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Midwest
Hy-Vee, Uber Eats Partner For Grocery Delivery
In a move that will strengthen Uber Eats’ grocery selection in eight Midwest states, the company has announced a new partnership with Hy-Vee for on-demand and scheduled deliveries. More than 260 Hy-Vee grocery and liquor stores in Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wisconsin will be available to shop through Uber and […]
Posted inExecutive News, National, Snacks Brands
Leadership Transition Coming To Kraft Heinz
The Kraft Heinz Co. has appointed Carlos Abrams-Rivera as CEO and a member of the board, effective Jan. 1. Abrams-Rivera will take over from Miguel Patricio, who has served as CEO since 2019 and chair of the board since 2022. Patricio will transition to the role of non-executive chair of the board. Until then, Abrams-Rivera […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Affiliated Foods, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Inks Partnership With Affiliated Foods Inc.
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has announced it is the new primary distributor of natural, organic and specialty products for Affiliated Foods Inc. of Amarillo, Texas. AFI is a wholesale distribution cooperative in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, Nebraska and Arkansas, serving more than 800 grocery and convenience stores and restaurants. As part of […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, International Foods, West
Filipino Culture Celebrated At New lsland Pacific Supermarket
Island Pacific Supermarket marked the debut of its 19th store, located in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Granada Hills, with a grand-opening celebration Aug. 11. The store offers a selection of fresh seafood, meat, produce and specialty items from the Philippines and other Asian countries, as well as a range of non-food items, like cookware, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Back-To-School Program Returns At Southeastern Grocers
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. has launched its third annual in-store back-to-school donation program benefiting more than 420 kindergarten-12th grade schools and districts throughout the Southeast. Through Aug. 29, customers can donate $1, $5 or round up their purchases at checkout to help fund school resources and educational programs. Customers can also support local schools […]