The International Dairy Deli Bakery Association has announced the main stage lineup for the association’s flag ship event on June 4-6 in Anaheim, California. “Announcing our main stage lineup always comes with such anticipation and I am honored to make the official announcement,” said Whitney Atkins, VP of marketing for IDDBA. “Without further ado, IDDBA will welcome Padma Lakshmi, Alton Brown and Tom […]
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 inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Whole Foods Market Opens Store June 28 In Washington, D.C.
Whole Foods Market opened a 47,000-square-foot store June 28 at 7130 12th St. NW in Washington, D.C. Part of the historic Walter Reed development, the store’s design showcases new colors and finishes to blend with the architecture of the old army hospital. The new location’s product assortment features more than 800 local items from across the […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast
Wakefern Names Aggarwal As New VP, Controller
Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. has announced the appointment of Parul Aggarwal, as VP, Controller for Wakefern Financial Services. She will report to Wakefern’s CFO Neil Falcone. Aggarwal will oversee accounting operations, payroll, tax and compliance for Wakefern Financial Services. She will also head external financial reporting, including quarterly consolidations and financial statements, annual audited financial […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Aldi, Midwest
Aldi Introduces Instacart-Powered Virtual Convenience Store
Batavia, Illinois-based Aldi has partnered with Instacart to introduce Aldi Express, a virtual convenience store. From convenience items such as prepared foods, snacks and drinks to grocery staples and household essentials, Aldi Express gives customers access to about 2,000 popular ALDI items, delivered in as fast as 30-minutes. Aldi Express convenience delivery is available to […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Southeast
BJ’s Wholesale Club Shares Plans For First Tennessee Location
BJ’s Wholesale Club plans to open a new club June 14 in La Vergne, Tennessee. The club, at 543 Industrial Blvd., marks the first BJ’s Wholesale Club in Tennessee. This opening will bring the number of U.S. clubs to 238, expanding the company’s footprint to 19 states. The club has a BJ’s Gas location on-site, […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Northeast, Whole Foods
Welch’s Fruit Snacks Introduces Zero Sugar Fruity Bites
Park Ridge, New Jersey-based PIM Brands, the maker of Welch’s Fruit Snacks, has introduced new Welch’s Zero Sugar Fruity Bites. Welch’s Zero Sugar Fruity Bites are 100 percent sugar-free, with 25 percent fewer calories than the original Welch’s Fruit Snacks. The snacks are free of fat, gluten, aspartame and preservatives. With four in 10 shoppers […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
NJFC Receives $150K Grant Award For Food Safety, Training
The New Jersey Food Council has been awarded a $149,800 grant from the customized training program in New Jersey’s Department of Labor to support food handlers and provide safety training for supermarkets, grocers and convenience stores. The grant will support the partnership between the NJFC and the Office of Continuing Education at Rutgers University, which […]
Posted inIndustry Leaders Speak, National, Online Grocery Technology
Five Issues Omnichannel Grocers Need To Address This Year
Sponsored content By Mark Fairhurst, VP of marketing, Mercatus Technologies Inc. As VP of marketing at Mercatus, Fairhurst leads the development of the company’s overall marketing and brand strategy and related programs. He’s also co-host on “The Digital Grocer” podcast and brings to the show a marketer’s perspective on the rapidly evolving grocery tech landscape. […]
Posted inAsk The Experts, National
Consumer Safety And Brand Trust: A Must In The Grocery Retail Industry
Sponsored content Q&A with Quang Kwok, senior product manager at Invafresh More than ever before, consumers are demanding more information about the products they consume, where they come from and how they’re prepared. Food traceability is especially important in the world of fresh. Invafresh discusses the role fresh food retail technology plays in end-to-end traceability […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
IGA Coca-Cola Institute Partners To Launch Online Active Shooter Course
The Retail Learning Institute/IGA Coca-Cola Institute, in collaboration with Rouses Markets and the Thibodeaux, Louisiana, Police Department, has launched an online course aimed at equipping grocery store employees with the knowledge to respond to active shooter incidents. Available in English and Spanish, this five-minute course provides a comprehensive how-to video that emphasizes the “Run, Hide, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Lipari Foods, National
NGA Announces Return Of Print, Online Magazine
The National Grocers Association has announced the return of its print magazine, “Independent Grocer.” “Formerly published years ago by the association, NGA has relaunched ‘Independent Grocer’ as a biannual magazine for association members that explores NGA member companies, executives, advocacy efforts and events. Also available in an online edition, Independent Grocer will be published twice […]
Posted inPackaging News, Albertsons, Private Label Brands, West
Albertsons Consolidates Product Lines To Create Signature Select
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. Inc. will rebrand its Signature Farms, Signature Care and Signature Cafe products under one master brand, Signature Select, which features a refreshed logo, packaging and a marketing campaign. The transition to Signature Select is underway across stores including Albertsons, Safeway, Vons, Jewel-Osco and Shaw’s and is expected to be complete in early […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Northeast Grocery Inc. Appoints Kessler As New CIO
Schenectady, New York-based Northeast Grocery Inc., the parent company of Price Chopper/Market 32 and Tops Markets, has named Scott Kessler as its new EVP, chief information officer. Kessler will provide leadership and expertise to operating companies through Northeast Shared Services and report to Frank Curci, CEO of Northeast Grocery Inc. He will spearhead the development and […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, West
The Illuminators Names Incoming Officers, Five Board Members
The Illuminators have named the incoming officers for 2023-24 and have appointed five new board members to its Constellation of Hilites. Greg Siegel from Idahoan Foods will serve as this year’s headlite and president. “The Illuminator organization will continue to support our three pillars: first, education with more than $150,000 in scholarships awarded in 2023 […]
Posted inDairy News, Northeast
Hannaford Participates In Roundtable On Farmworker Safety
Scarborough, Maine-based Hannaford Supermarkets participated in a roundtable presentation focused on farmworker safety and well-being May 10-11 at the Dairy Sustainability Alliance spring meeting in Chicago, Illinois. Hannaford was represented by Leigh Chase, director of center store merchandising, and George Parmenter, the brand’s lead for sustainability and health, who spoke about Hannaford’s collaboration with dairy […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Fareway Breaks Ground On Store In Norwalk, IA
Fareway Stores Inc. held a groundbreaking ceremony May 30 for a new 24,000-square-foot store at 2200 Sunset Drive in Norwalk, Iowa, that will replace a nearby store. “Our new location will serve as the gateway to the Norwalk Central development in the heart of the city and we want to thank city officials for their commitment to […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
Category Management Demands The Art Of Arrangement
By Jim Dudlicek / NGA director, communications and external affairs In today’s competitive environment, significant thought and consideration must be given to managing available shelf space. The arrangement of products demands creativity and foresight. To optimize available space, placement of items within a category must be done deliberately and artfully. Using data-driven planograms, or maps […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Feeds Holds ‘Feedys Awards’ For Hunger-Relief
Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion Feeds honored a select group of food banks, volunteers, community leaders and employees at the eighth annual Food Lion Feeds Feedys Awards. The event celebrates and recognizes people who “exemplify commitment and dedication to help nourish neighbors facing food insecurity.” Food Lion Feeds was founded in 2014 to address food […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Frutura To Begin Marketing Haas Avocados Under Brand Name
Reedley, California-based Frutura will begin marketing its Hass avocados in North America under the Frutura brand, beginning in the third quarter of 2023. Foundational to Frutura’s new branding strategy is the fact that several of its companies already have strong avocado portfolios. This shift is designed to create a more vertically integrated way for customers to […]
Posted inSustainability News, Northeast
Tops ‘Totes For Change’ Aids Local Charities Through Donations
More than three years ago, Williamsville, New York-based Tops launched its Tops Totes for Change program. The program encourages shoppers to purchase a reusable bag with a charity design for $2.69 with $1 of the proceeds being donated to five local community organizations. Since its inception, Tops has raised $519,846 for area charities. These bags […]