In the first year of Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co.’s paid membership program, Boost by Kroger Plus, members saved more than $115 million. In its inaugural year, Boost membership enrollments have exceeded the company’s expectations. The savings members experienced drove increased customer engagement across stores, e-commerce channels and fuel centers. The retailer is celebrating with a […]
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 inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Tastewise Introduces Generative AI Solution, TasteGPT
Tastewise, an AI-powered market intelligence platform based in New York, is launching TasteGPT, its next evolution of generative AI solutions. While Tastewise already incorporates generative AI to help users at companies like Nestlé, Campbell’s, Mars, Givaudan and PepsiCo discover dish concepts, validate new product ideas and generate market research reports, the company is expanding its […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Plans Annual Expo For Independent Grocers
More than 2,000 independent grocers, vendors and employees will gather July 26-27 at DeVos Place Convention Center in Grand Rapids, Michigan, for the SpartanNash Food Solutions Expo. During the two-day event, attendees will get a firsthand look at advancements in the company’s supply chain and merchandising transformations, as well as enhanced customer service solutions and […]
Posted inMarketing News, National
C.A. Fortune Boosts West Coast Presence With Navigator Sales & Marketing
C.A. Fortune, a consumer brands agency headquartered in Chicago, has announced the addition of Navigator Sales & Marketing to enhance its West Coast customer connectivity and retail activation capabilities. Founded in 2012, Navigator Sales & Marketing is a regional sales and marketing agency based in Southern California. The transaction closed July 17. Navigator has aimed to […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Feature, National, Northeast
The Hershey Company Investing In Innovation
The Hershey Company has been building a “snacking powerhouse” over the last few years, featuring both sweet and salty options, and innovation will continue to be a focus for the company in 2024. Allison Mason, Hershey’s strategic communications manager, talked with The Griffin Report of the Northeast’s Maggie Kaeppel during the recent Sweets & Snacks […]
Posted inRaley's, Executive News, West
The Raley’s Companies Promotes Minor To VP
West Sacramento, California-based The Raley’s Companies has promoted Chelsea Minor to VP of community impact and public affairs. Since joining the team in 2015, she has represented The Raley’s Companies in the public and political sphere. “Chelsea is an outstanding contributor and thought leader as well as a trusted advisor,” said Keith Knopf, president and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Research Reveals Changes In Online Shopper Behavior
Palo Alto, California-based SymphonyAI Retail CPG has released new global shopper research that highlights a rapid decline in online grocery shopping behavior. The analysis of more than 58 million shopper baskets of purchase data across the U.S. and Europe found that 52 percent of e-commerce grocery shoppers left the online channel over the last year. […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Southeast
New-Look Save A Lot Ready In Louisville, KY
To mark the recent renovation of its store at 2626 Portland Ave. in Louisville, Kentucky, Save A Lot is offering customers two months’ worth of coupons on favorites like fresh-cut meat and other grocery essentials. “My team and I are thrilled to bring much-needed upgrades to the Portland Ave Save A Lot store and enhance […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Foundation Awareness Week Highlights NGAF’s Offerings
As part of Foundation Awareness Week, the National Grocers Association Foundation highlighted its initiatives to advance diversity, leadership development and careers in the independent grocery industry. The campaign July 10-14 focused on a different pillar of foundation priorities each day, with targeted content shared though member communications and social media posts, including testimonials by key […]
Posted inProduce News, Organic Natural, West
Misionero Celebrates 50 Years In The Organic Industry
Gonzales, California-based Misionero is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2023. Misionero, founded in 1973 by Floyd Griffin, is a leader in the organic specialty salad category. Misionero grows, harvests, produces and packages salads and leafy greens grown year-round. Additionally, the company produces items sold under the Earth Greens Organic and Garden Life labels. Harbinger Group acquired […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
Godshall’s Quality Meats Acquires Processing Plant
Godshall’s, an employee-owned company founded in 1945 and America’s third largest turkey bacon brand, has purchased a processing plant in Emmaus, Pennsylvania, from Clemens Food Group for an undisclosed amount. The 53,000-square-foot processing plant sits on 10 acres and was operated by Clemens Food Group until late 2022. Godshall’s Quality Meats hopes that the plant will be […]
Posted inPackaging News, National
Resource Label Group Acquires TQL Packaging Solutions
Franklin, Tennessee-based Resource Label Group LLC, a full-service provider of label and packaging solutions, has acquired Dallas, Texas-based TQL Packaging Solutions. “I am proud to welcome the talented team at TQL Packaging Solutions to the Resource Label Group family,” Mike Apperson, president and CEO of Resource Label Group, said in a statement. “Their focus on innovation […]
Posted inSupply Chain News, Midwest
Kraft Heinz Invests In Automated CPG Distribution Centers
The Kraft Heinz Co. will invest more than $400 million to build one of the largest automated CPG distribution centers in North America. Located in DeKalb, Illinois, the 775,000-square-foot national distribution facility will feature automation technology and national railway access, enabling Kraft Heinz to drive greater supply chain efficiencies and distribute its products to retail and […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Wheaties Names New Champions On Cereal Box
Minneapolis-based Wheaties has named professional football athletes and brothers J.J. Watt and T.J. Watt as the new champions to be featured on its orange box. The Watt brothers have always prioritized family and community throughout their football careers, making them “ideal Wheaties Champions and first-ever brother pair to be featured on the Wheaties box,” according to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Executive News, Southwest
Insite AI Adds Joji As EVP Of Strategy Consulting
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Insite AI, an AI-enabled category and revenue growth partner for large consumer brands, has named Kristine Joji as EVP of strategy consulting. With a primary focus on consumables and secondary focus on grocery, Joji will focus on enabling major brands to price strategically, promote efficiently and grow category and market share. Joji is […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Donates $160K To Fight Hunger
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. has donated $160,000 to eight Southeast food banks to help fight hunger during the summer months. According to Feeding America, one in eight children across the U.S. may experience food insecurity, and millions of children count on school meal programs to provide their daily nutrition. However, during the summer break, many […]
Posted inHarps Food Stores, Independent Store News, Southwest
Harps Food Stores Acquires Janise’s Supermarket
Springdale, Arkansas-based Harps Food Stores Inc. has entered into a purchase agreement to acquire Janise’s Supermarket, a local grocery store at 147 Oak Tree Park Drive in Sunset, Louisiana. Janise’s Supermarket has been a cornerstone of the Sunset community for more than 40 years, known for its friendly atmosphere, personalized customer service and a diverse […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Schnucks To Feature University Athletes On Packaging
St. Louis-based Schnuck Markets Inc. and Every True Tiger Brands have partnered to develop a variety of products, exclusive to Schnucks in its home markets, that will feature University of Missouri student athletes. The first-of-its-kind program features student athletes from various sports on a variety of products, through new name, image and likeness rules where […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Food City, Southeast
Food City Breaks Ground In Huntsville, AL
Food City officials held a groundbreaking ceremony July 12 on a new store in the Owens Cross Roads community of Huntsville, Alabama. The 60,000-square-foot retail supermarket is expected to open early next year and is the first of six stores planned for the Huntsville market. “We are excited to be joining the Owens Cross Roads […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
H-E-B Begins Construction On Third Pflugerville Store
H-E-B has begun construction on a new 127,000-square-foot store in Pflugerville, Texas, that is expected to open in fall 2024. The new H-E-B store will be located at Pflugerville Parkway and State Highway 130. Upon completion, it will become the third H-E-B store in Pflugerville, a community north of Austin. In October 1987, the company […]