The four weeks in May generated $60 billion total food and beverage sales, increased 4.3 percent over May 2022, according to Circana, 210 Analytics and the International Fresh Produce Association. Perishables, including produce, seafood, meat, bakery and deli had a below-average dollar growth performance, but this was entirely prompted by different levels of inflation. May […]
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 inNatural Grocers, Beverage News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Expands House Brand With Sparkling Water
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers has introduced sparkling spring water to its house brand. The water is available in two sizes: 16-ounce and 25.3-ounce. Sustainability, quality and community are considerations in every Natural Grocers branded product, including this new variety of spring water. “The new Sparkling Spring Water is from the same trusted supplier that has […]
Posted inSustainability News, National
Circana Report: Sustainability Trending Across Retail
Spending on sustainability is trending upward across several areas of discretionary general merchandise and consumer packaged goods, according to new research by Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group. As of September 2022, 40 percent of consumers reported that environmental issues impact their decision whether to shop at a specific manufacturer or retailer. It was […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Marketing News, West
Albertsons Media Collective Seeks To Standardize Retail Media Networks
In a new whitepaper, Albertsons Media Collective has shared a preliminary framework to standardize specifications, methodologies, terminology and disclosures across retail media networks. The collective, the retail media arm of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos., is hosting a discussion on the topic – Transforming Retail Media Through Standardization – alongside leaders from Omnicom Media Group, Pinterest […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Midan Marketing Clients Collect Several Telly Awards
Midan Marketing has announced that its clients, Tyson Foods and BUBBA foods, have won Telly Awards for work produced by Parable Pictures, Midan’s video and photography division. The awards celebrate excellence in video and television, recognizing outstanding work produced on varying digital platforms and screens. Winners of the 44th Annual Telly Awards were selected by […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Ups Buying Systems With RELEX Solutions
Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has partnered with RELEX Solutions, a provider of unified supply chain and retail optimization solutions, to implement its cloud-based procurement solution. When delivered, the system will consolidate and replace multiple UNFI buying systems and drive efficiencies in demand planning and replenishment. The platform is expected to become operational over […]
Posted inLipari Foods, International Foods, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods, Baroody Imports Partner To Expand Middle Eastern Offerings
In what they described as an opportunity to move closer to becoming a dominant distributor of Middle Eastern foods in the U.S., Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods and Clifton, New Jersey-based Baroody Imports Inc. announced they have combined forces. Lipari, a specialty food distributor who recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, and Baroody, a wholesale distributor of […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Northeast
Enhanced Smart Shopping Carts To Debut At Two Stores In Northeast
Instacart has announced the arrival of enhanced smart shopping carts at the ShopRite of Spotswood in New Jersey, with a planned launch in the coming weeks at Fairway Market in Kips Bay/Manhattan, New York. The updated Caper Cart recognizes and rings up groceries, provides tailored shopping recommendations and lets customers check out from the cart. […]
Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Independent Store News, Midwest
Remodeling Underway At Schnucks Store In Cahokia, IL
Remodeling of the Schnucks store at 1615 Camp Jackson Road in Cahokia, Illinois, is expected to wrap up in early fall and, when finished, will include updates to every area and department of the 44,000-square-foot location. The store, which has 62 employees, opened in 1986. According to the company, customers will notice new flooring, shelving, […]
Posted inPackaging News, Beverage News, Southwest
Richard’s Rainwater Rolls Out Refreshed Look
As part of a brand refresh that the company hopes will “reinvigorate its purpose,” Austin, Texas-based Richard’s Rainwater has unveiled new packaging that features a rainbow, an element of the water cycle. According to the company, the rainbow represents the “vibrancy and vitality that comes from a renewed rainstorm and symbolizes the optimism Richard’s Rainwater […]
Posted inGuest Contributors, Association News, National
FMI Leader Lays Out Six Imperatives Facing The Food Industry Today
By Janet Jones Kendall, FMI Smartbrief After the pandemic forced years of shortened vision and focus on constantly changing issues within the food and other industries, it is now time for leaders to focus on bigger-picture issues facing the industry today, said FMI — The Food Industry Association — President and CEO Leslie G. Sarasin in a State […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
BRdata Acquires Accelitec To Expand Loyalty Platform
Melville, New York-based BRdata has acquired Bellingham, Washington-based Accelitec, a software company that specializes in offering a complete loyalty suite to retailers. According to the company in a statement, more independent grocers will be able to implement the same type of rewards program that large chains offer to consumers. This includes access to wallet credits, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest, National
NGA To Hold Upcoming Store Operations Summit In Kansas City, MO
Grocery leaders focused on store operations are planning to attend the Store Operations Summit, the latest event in the National Grocers Association’s Engage Series, taking place July 24-26 at the Kansas City Marriott Downtown in Kansas City, Missouri. Registration is open for the summit, designed for store leaders who are focused on store operations and […]
Posted inMidwest
Daily’s Premium Meats Expands Retail Presence
Kansas City, Missouri-based Daily’s Premium Meats has expanded its bacon distribution to retail chains around the country. The company uses premium ingredients for curing and all-natural hardwoods for smoking, helping the brand to establish its reputation for high-quality bacon. The Daily’s bacon brand expands its distribution nationwide, bringing its products to a larger number of […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Northeast
LOC Software Helps Customers ‘Shop Confidently’ At City Market
Sponsored content Diversity, community and partnership are a few words that customers, vendors and members alike use to describe City Market, Onion River Co-op. Starting their journey as a buying club known as The Onion River Co-op in 1973, it saw steady growth with this model and expanded its operations to a retail storefront. When […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Northeast
Gristedes Supermarkets Stays Competitive With LOC Software
Sponsored content The original Gristedes location first opened its doors in 1888 in New York City. The group was known for its meat department and its early adoption of innovative methods of operating. The group had a dynamic trajectory all the way up through the 1970’s and early 1980’s. At the same time in the […]
Posted inPackaging News, Amazon Fresh, Deli News, Midwest, Whole Foods
ProAmpac Introduces Shelf-Stable Fresh Sandwich Packaging
Cincinnati, Ohio-based ProAmpac has introduced a fiber-based Modified Atmosphere Packaging RAP Sandwich Wedge to the North American market. Designed for sandwiches and wraps, this package launches the concept of modified atmosphere packaging to a fiber-based format. By combining the benefits of modified atmosphere packaging with sustainable fiber materials, ProAmpac addresses the demand for reduced food […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Bumble Bee Seafoods Debuts New Tuna Products
San Diego-based Bumble Bee Seafoods is expanding its line of canned, pouched and kit-based tuna products with 12 new additions to retail store shelves. Many of the new products or line extensions will be nationally available at leading retailers. The new SKUs include: Bumble Bee Prime Yellowfin in Extra Virgin Olive Oil in three flavors: […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
The Giant Co. Raises $1.46M To Grow Food System Sustainability
Carlisle, Pennsylvania-based The Giant Co.’s Healing Our Planet initiative has raised more than $1.46 million to support Rodale Institute, Planet Bee Foundation and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Now in its third year, the campaign has raised more than $5.6 million to grow health and sustainability initiatives. John Ruane, interim president of The Giant Co., announced the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Earlier Easter Challenges Meat Department Sales
The average price per pound in the meat department across all cuts and kinds, both fixed and random weight, stood at $4.45 in April, according to Circana and 210 Analytics. Prices increased slightly year-on-year, at 1.3 percent – continuing a trend of moderating levels. Looking at the full 52 weeks ending April 30, the average […]