Economic uncertainty, self-checkout lanes, omnichannel shopping and natural and organic trends are impacting the way consumers are purchasing and consuming snacks and candy, according to a recent survey from Acosta Group, conducted with its shopper community. But one thing is clear – shoppers view snacks and candy as accessible luxuries in their daily lives. “We wanted […]
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 inLipari Foods, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods Acquires Comercializadora Del Midwest
Lipari Foods has reached an agreement to acquire Clive, Iowa-based Comercializadora Del Midwest, a provider of Central and South American specialty items. This opportunity will expand Lipari’s portfolio of international products, as well as their distribution footprint in the Midwest. “We are thrilled to welcome the CDM team into our family as we develop the Latino […]
Posted inKeHE Distributors, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
KeHE Begins Official Partnership With Chicago Fire FC
Naperville, Illinois-based KeHE Distributors has announced a partnership with the Chicago Fire FC of Major League Soccer. The partnership will feature a “Fill the KeHE Truck” campaign that will benefit the Chicago Fire Foundation’s Participate, Learn, Achieve, Youth Soccer program, which is committed to supporting underprivileged youth through enhancing the academic performance and development of key social and emotional […]
Posted inNatural Grocers, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Introduces Summer Sweepstakes
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers has introduced a new special summer sweepstakes from June 1-August 31. Customers at the two Colorado Springs stores can enter to win $100 worth of free groceries each week. All entries will be entered to win a grand prize weekend getaway for two at the Broadmoor, a Colorado Springs resort. Customers can enter to win once per week by submitting […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Corporate Store News, National
Report Finds Save A Lot Is Top Retailer For SNAP Customers
Dunnhumby has released a special report examining which U.S. grocery retailers are best positioned to win the loyalty of current and potential Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients and how retailers can limit grocery sales losses due to recently enacted SNAP reductions. “The SNAP Rollercoaster: A dunnhumby Special Report on Hunger” in the U.S. ranked Save-A-Lot, Food 4 Less and […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Procurant Introduces Voice-Enabled Rating Feature To Application
Watsonville, California-based Procurant has unveiled a new voice-enabled rating feature in its Procurant Inspect application, streamlining retail produce inspections while providing real-time data to buyers and sellers of fresh produce. “The voice-enabled rating feature for Procurant Inspect is a good example of how it brings innovative solutions that save time and simplify complex processes for our […]
Posted inFood Service News, Center Store, Midwest
Kraft Heinz Introduces Customizable Digital Sauce Dispenser
The Kraft Heinz Co. unveiled Heinz Remix, the first customizable and IoT-enabled digital sauce dispenser that allows consumers to personalize their own flavor creations. Developed in six months from initial brief to the physical product with more than 200 potential sauce combinations, Heinz Remix is the latest innovation from the company’s foodservice or “Away From Home” […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
PFMA Adds Three New Members To Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has added three new members to its Board of Directors. PFMA welcomes Jess Reese, VP of sales, small format and value for UTZ Snacks; Tim Murray, manager, industry engagement for Altria Group Distribution Co.; and Keith Martin, director of business development, executive director of business development for Associated Wholesale Grocers. […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, West
Trident Seafoods Welcomes First King Salmon Of The Season
On May 17, the first King Salmon from Copper River landed in Seattle on an Alaska Airlines flight direct from Alaska, marking the beginning of what industry leaders expect to be an above-average season for the fish. Representatives from Trident Seafoods, the Copper River Prince William Sound Marketing Association, Alaska Airlines and Chef Tom Douglas […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Hannaford Supermarkets Acquires Pharmacy In Blue Hill
Hannaford Supermarkets has reached an agreement to purchase Community Pharmacy in Blue Hill, Maine. The pharmacy, which is located inside the new Hannaford store formerly operated as Tradewinds Marketplace, will begin serving customers under the Hannaford banner. Community Pharmacy in Blue Hill will close at 2 p.m. on June 10. Hannaford will reopen the pharmacy […]
Posted inC-Store News, Northeast
Big Y Express To Open Two Locations In Connecticut
Big Y Foods will open two new Big Y Express Fuel and Convenience locations July 15 in Connecticut. Located at 580 Main St. in Somers and 241 Hazard Ave. in Enfield, the stores will open as Big Y Express. These locations will bring the total number in Connecticut to six. The first Big Y Express opened […]
Posted inCorporate Store News
Save A Lot Reopens Store May 17 In Carlisle, KY
Save A Lot held a grand opening for a store May 17 at 2473 Concrete Road in Carlisle, Kentucky. The store closed two years ago after sustaining flood damage from record rainfall in the area. To celebrate the opening, the retailer held a ribbon cutting at 9 a.m. Save A Lot CEO Leon Bergmann joined Saver […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, Southeast
How Long’s Pic Pac Adapted, Thrived In Pandemic With AppCard
Sponsored content The pandemic introduced challenges for many small businesses, but Long’s Pic Pac in Pineville, Kentucky, has managed to thrive despite difficult circumstances. The store, which has been in the Long family for two (soon to be three) generations, has always been community-minded and adaptable. However, the pandemic presented new challenges that required new […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Ceremony Commemorates Planting 1M Trees
For the seventh consecutive year, Publix Super Markets is supporting the Arbor Day Foundation by funding tree plantings to support reforestation projects throughout Florida. Funded by a portion of the proceeds from the sale of reusable bags, these plantings are part of its efforts to support the restoration of damaged watersheds. Most recently, Publix funded […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, West
Albertsons Cos. Names Moriarty As EVP, General Counsel
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Cos. has named Tom Moriarty as EVP and general counsel, effective June 5. Moriarty brings more than 30 years of executive leadership experience to Albertsons Cos., including senior positions across legal, corporate strategy, policy and operations. He joins the company from CVS Health, where he spent more than 10 years serving in roles […]
Posted inMarket Profile, Association News, Southeast
Floridians May Weather This Recession Better Than Previous Two
Also, tort reform legislation targets ‘plague of frivolous lawsuits’ across state Florida is on the cusp of a recession, according to University of Central Florida economist Sean Snaith. In a recent article on the UCF Today website, Snaith said the impact shouldn’t be anything like what happened in 2020 or the housing collapse in the […]
Posted inSustainability News, Corporate Store News, Northeast
Ratio Institute Recertifies Hannaford For Operational Sustainability
Ratio Institute has announced that Hannaford Supermarkets has completed Ratio Institute’s Sustainable Food Retail Certification. The process revealed large emissions reductions and enhanced operational efficiencies for the company, which operates 186 grocery stores in New England and New York. A key component of the certification process is sustainability benchmarking at all of a food retailer’s stores. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Albertsons, Southwest
Market Street Donates $50K To Mansfield Mission Center
On May 17, Mansfield Mission Center celebrated a new Mission Market food pantry and a $50,000 donation from the Market Street grocery store team to help fund its operation. The Mission Market provides free food for hundreds of Mansfield, Texas, area residents each week. The gift has allowed the facility to expand and increase nutritional […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
NGA Foundation Awards Executive Leadership Development Scholarships
Employees of Northeast grocery cooperative Wakefern Food Corp. have been awarded scholarships to attend the Executive Leadership Development Program, hosted by the NGA Foundation, June 4-8 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Edwin “Nino” Vazquez, district manager with Wakefern’s Price Rite Marketplace banner, received this year’s PepsiCo Diversity in Leadership Scholarship, sponsored by PepsiCo. […]
Posted inExecutive News, Albertsons, Association News, West
WAFC Elects 2023-24 Leadership At Annual Conference
Lakewood, California-based Western Association of Food Chains has announced the 2023-24 officers and board of directors, elected May 7 and May 9 at the WAFC’s annual convention. The new officers are: Paul Gianetto, SVP of sales and merchandising at Raley’s, has been named president and chairman. Nancy Lebold, CEO at New Seasons Markets, will serve […]