Super King Markets is well known for its produce department, which features vast quantities of well-known and lesser-known items. But that is not all that the eight Southern California locations have to offer. For the company’s 30th anniversary, The Shelby Report of the West’s EVP Bob Reeves recently visited Super King Markets’ Anaheim store on […]
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 inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Wakefern Expands In-Store Retail Media With Freeosk
Keasbey, New Jersey-based Wakefern Food Corp. is expanding use of Freeosk’s interactive multimedia sampling kiosks for turn-key, multisensory, in-store retail media activation. Following a pilot, Wakefern is placing Freeosk units in 95 ShopRite and The Fresh Grocer stores. Freeosk transforms ordinary in-store spaces into discovery destinations for new products and categories. According to the company, Freeosk […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
ShopRite Stores To Launch ‘Fresh To Table’ Concept
The ShopRite of Riverside at 1321 Riverside Pkwy in Belcamp, Maryland, and the ShopRite of Howard Park at 4601 Liberty Heights Ave. in Baltimore, have debuted “Fresh to Table,” a store-within-a-store where customers can find fresh foods, easy-to-prepare ingredients and meal solutions in a variety of grab-and-go formats. “We are excited to introduce Fresh to […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, National
FMI Recognizes Five Store Manager Award Recipients
FMI – The Food Industry Association has announced the five recipients of the 2023 Store Manager Awards. From 175 nominations, 12 finalists were honored during a virtual awards ceremony hosted by Heather Garlich, SVP for communications, marketing and consumer/community affairs at FMI, and Brian Sappington, president of the retail portfolio, North America at The Coca-Cola […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Hands-On, Involved Approach Has Been Key To Owners’ Success
Sam Barrow, senior director of human resources, was recruited to join Super King Markets eight years ago. At the time, he served as human resources manager for a Japanese-based hospitality group in its Los Angeles office. Of his role with the grocer, Barrow said: “We try to support our employees and give them all the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Fareway Hosts Ribbon Cutting For New West Clive Store
Fareway Stores Inc. hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony May 16 for its store at 16035 Hickman Road in Clive, Iowa. The 24,000-square-foot site opened as the company celebrates its 85th anniversary in May. The store offers a large grocery selection, with fresh-cut produce, healthy varieties and locally-sourced items, in addition to a variety of craft beer, […]
Posted inProduce News, Midwest, Sustainability News
Flashfood Releases 2022 Food Waste Impact Report
Flashfood released its first impact report, “The State of Food Waste,” May 16-18 at the ReFED 2023 Food Waste Solutions Summit in St. Louis, Missouri. The report looks at the role of food waste in the current climate crisis and how reducing waste at the retail level has the potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions, […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Southeast
US Foods To Open Three New Locations
US Foods Holding Corp. will open new US Foods CHEF’STORE locations in Roanoke, Virginia, Greenville, North Carolina, and Fayetteville, North Carolina, in late fall 2023. CHEF’STORE offers a one-stop-shop for restaurant operators, food industry professionals, community groups and at-home chefs to stock up or replenish ingredients and supplies by the case and in individual quantities. The upcoming […]
Posted inBakery News, Dairy News, Deli News, National
Epic Sales Partners Drives Sales in Bakery, Deli, Dairy Categories
We all know dairy, bakery and deli are perimeter staples. Still, despite the demand for these products, suppliers often face unique obstacles that make it difficult to gain traction in the market. From changing consumer preferences to the dominance of established brands, dairy, bakery and deli suppliers must navigate a complex landscape to succeed. Born […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, National
Kroger Launches New USO Mobile Food Kitchens
The Kroger Co. and United Service Organizations have launched two new Mobile Food Kitchens to support military service members. Through this collaboration, the USO and Kroger provide meals to military personnel, whether they are supporting natural disaster relief, serving in remote locations or at basic training. “Kroger is making a real difference for America’s service members, […]
Posted inAssociation News, Albertsons, Gelson's, West
WAFC Wraps Up Record-Breaking Convention
Fueled by a record-breaking turnout, retailers and vendors took advantage of business meetings to renew relationships, discuss merchandising ideas and meet emerging brands May 6-10 at the Western Association of Food Chains’ annual convention. WAFC Chief Operating Officer Pat Posey told The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves that the show drew rave reviews. “Overall, I think everyone […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
Guest Speakers Entertain Attendees At Convention
Attendees at the Western Association of Food Chains’ annual convention were entertained by guest speakers that took the general session stage May 9 at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, California. Motivational speaker, comedian and bestselling author Josh Sundquist has shared his story with audiences across the world. At age 9, Sundquist was […]
Posted inAnniversary Issues, West
Managers: Family Pays Attention To Detail, Quality And Service
Raffi Karayan and Vahan Magtesian are both district managers for Super King Markets in Southern California. Karayan has been with the company for 15 years, Magtesian for 17 years. Both previously spent 20-plus years with Jon’s Markets. The two work together to make sure everything runs smoothly, from operations, employment and quality issues – “the […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Epic Sales Partners Set To Grow Meat Partnerships In 2023
As grocery retailers plan to expand meat offerings in 2023, the focus will be on increased access to fresh and organic offerings. Epic Sales Partners, an independent fresh-food sales agency based in Irving, Texas, helped more than 75 retail chains and 2,000 storefronts access 300 different meat products in 2022. Fresh meat products are a critical […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Trader Joe’s CEO Bane Announces Retirement
Dan Bane, chairman and CEO of Monrovia, California-based Trader Joe’s, has announced his intention to retire, effective July 2. At that time, Bryan Palbaum will become the chairman and CEO and Jon Basalone will be promoted to vice-CEO and president of Trader Joe’s Co. Bane has been with the company for more than 25 years, the last 22 as the chairman […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast, Sustainability News
New Research Reveals ‘Bottle Bill’ Recycling Behavior
New research has been released on consumers’ shopping preferences and attitudes around drink container recycling. The report “How recycling habits impact shopping behavior” has been published by Shelton, Connecticut-based TOMRA, a global producer of “reverse vending” technology that allow people to return their empty drink cans and bottles for recycling. Reverse vending machines are used […]
Posted inAssociation News, Midwest
MGA Awards 18 Minnesota Companies For Efforts To Fight Hunger
The Minnesota Grocers Association has announced the Silver Plate Award winners of its 2022 Bag Hunger Campaign contest. It is part of a statewide campaign coordinated by the MGA that engages community members in the fight against hunger in their neighborhoods. The winners of the Silver Plate Awards created in-store displays that best depicted the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
April eGrocery Sales Inch Up Versus Year Ago
According to the latest Brick Meets Click/Mercatus Grocery Shopping Survey fielded April 28-29, overall eGrocery sales for April totaled $8.2 billion, up 0.9 percent versus a year ago. Year-over-year performance varied across the three key segments as delivery sales jumped 20 percent, pickup dipped 3 percent and ship-to-home plunged 19 percent. The strong gains for delivery […]
Posted inProduce News, National
Proposal Aims To Increase Produce Consumption For Consumers
Reps. Mark Alford (MO-04) and Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) recently introduced H.R. 3127, the “Supporting All Healthy Options When Purchasing Produce” Act, in the U.S. House of Representatives. The American Frozen Food Institute has welcomed the introduction of the proposed legislation that will help families eat more fruits and vegetables as part of a healthy diet […]
Posted inCenter Store, Northeast
Goya Foods Introduces Line Of Stand Up Flours
Secaucus, New Jersey-based Goya Foods has launched Stand Up Flours, a new product line of Stand Up bag flours featuring almond, coconut, wheat, chick pea and rice flavors. As the No. 1 brand in Latin foods, according to Nielsen Strategic Planner, Goya Foods expands and generates sales beyond supermarket aisles of ethnic food products with its […]