Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has promoted David Sisk from SVP to EVP, chief customer officer. Sisk was hired in 2020 as president of SpartanNash Military and was promoted in May 2022 to chief customer officer. Sisk oversees customer engagements for all national accounts, independent and chain grocers, e-commerce retailers and the U.S. Defense Commissary Agency and military exchanges worldwide. “David’s […]
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, Amazon Fresh, Corporate Store News, Meijer, National, Whole Foods
Market Force Study Ranks Top U.S. Grocery Brands
Market Force has released new research covering the top U.S. grocery brands among consumers. With rampant inflation, shoppers are citing price and value as reasons why they are either switching where they shop or splitting their business between multiple grocery stores. Sensitivity to pricing is a major factor in consumers’ purchasing decisions and it is […]
Posted inExecutive News, Association News, National
FMI Promotes Graber To Associate General Counsel
FMI – The Food Industry Association has promoted Dana Graber to associate general counsel and senior director, legal and regulatory affairs. “Anyone who has had the opportunity to work alongside Dana knows that she is an indispensable member of the FMI team,” said Stephanie Harris, chief regulatory officer and general counsel. “She is a talented attorney who […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets Adds Free Virtual Nutrition Program Themes
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has added a variety of new virtual nutrition programs to its monthly schedule for April. Sessions, which are free to Weis Rewards Card holders, are designed by the grocer’s team of registered dietitians to accommodate a variety of customer needs. New program topics for April include: Nutrient crash course; Kids bread making; […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
AdAdapted Partners With SideChef On CPG Advertising
Ann Arbor, Michigan-based AdAdapted, an advertising technology solution, has added a new shopping application partner to its roster, SideChef, increasing its reach over recipe-driven apps. Through the new partnership, AdAdapted continues to increase how CPGs advertise across third-party networks, shopping lists and recipes. The partnership also strengthens AdAdapted’s e-commerce capabilities and adds additional users to the company’s […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer To Open Two Supercenters May 16 In Ohio
Meijer will open two new 159,000-square-foot supercenters May 16 in Warren and Wooster, Ohio, increasing the retailer’s store count in the state to 52. The location will feature grocery staples, fresh produce, bakery, meat and deli, as well as a floral area and garden center. Other departments will include pharmacy, pets, electronics, toys, sports and apparel. Meijer Express gas stations […]
Posted inProduce News, Northeast, Sustainability News
Edible Garden Reports On Sustainability Initiatives
Belvidere, New Jersey-based Edible Garden has provided an update on its sustainability initiatives, including the company’s participation in Walmart’s Project Gigaton, an effort to remove emissions in the global value chain by 1 billion metric tons by 2030. Edible Garden’s 2022 Project Gigaton impact included: 32 metric tons of materials recycled; 200 barrels of oil […]
Posted inRaley's, Produce News, West
The Raley’s Companies Donates Apples To California Food Banks
Two divisions that operate as part of The Raley’s Companies – Bashas’, which has grocery stores in Arizona and New Mexico, and Raley’s, which has them in California and Nevada – were selected by FirstFruits to participate in the “Take a Bite Out of Hunger” initiative. They donated about 40,000 pounds of apples to local food […]
Posted inFeature, Beverage News, Northeast
PepsiCo Investing Heavily In Diversity, Inclusion, Sustainability
Pep Positive ‘overarching umbrella’ of how company approaches better initiatives PepsiCo is continuing its diversity, equity and inclusion journey and is in the second year of a five-year, $575 million investment focusing on communities – primarily those that are underserved. Kent Montgomery, SVP of industry relations and multicultural development, and Chris Yemma, senior director of […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Center Store, Northeast
Bascom Maple Farms Helps Increase Sales Of Protein Products
Brattleboro, Vermont-based Bascom Maple Farms recently highlighted how its maple syrup can help food manufacturers enhance the taste, texture and quality of meat, poultry and seafood products. According to Mintel’s “2022 Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Protein” report, maple, brown sugar and sweet appeared among the fastest-growing flavors used in meat product launches. Increasing prices are also […]
Posted inPackaging News, Northeast, Sustainability News
Tops Markets Introduces Sustainable Products, Services
Williamsville, New York-based Tops Friendly Markets has shared some of the ways the company is celebrating Earth Month through its sustainable initiatives and services. Potato packaging Tops has begun to transition to BioFlex bags instead of traditional plastic bags for its potatoes. BioFlex is a sustainable technology that increases the natural microbial activity in modern landfills […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, National
Seafood Shows Growth, But Remains Below Pre-Pandemic Levels
Fresh seafood prices had just a small uptick in February versus February last year across all three merchandising zones, according to a monthly report by IRI, 210 Analytics and Elanco. Only fresh finfish had lingering inflation of 5.3 percent when compared to February 2022 pricing levels. Over the latest 52 weeks, seafood prices increased 7.4 […]
Posted inExecutive News, Merchandising News, Midwest
B&R Stores Promotes Kelso To VP, Store Operations
B&R Stores Inc. has promoted Nick Kelso to VP of store operations. In this role, Kelso will be responsible for overseeing the operations of the company’s 33 stores across Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri. Additionally, he serves on the company’s executive committee. Kelso brings more than 23 years of experience at B&R Stores, having joined the […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Naturipe Farms Offers Blueberries From Southeast During Season
Salinas, California-based Naturipe Farms is promoting blueberries from its Southeast growing region in retailers. The berry grower will fill shelves with blueberries in all clamshell sizes, from the single serving six-ounce to the two-pound pack. Retailers can expect the crop between mid-April and mid-June. Weather plays a factor in the production of the superfruit in the […]
Posted inCenter Store, New Products, West
Hidden Valley Introduces Pickle Flavored Ranch
Oakland, California-based Hidden Valley has introduced a new offering: pickle flavored ranch. Available at Walmart stores nationwide, the flavor combines the company’s ranch with a tangy twist. The appetite for pickle-flavored products continues to grow, with the number of pickle-related offerings up 67 percent from 2019-22. Armed with this data and other insights, Hidden Valley saw an […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Amazon Fresh, Midwest, Whole Foods
Second Nature Brands Launches Brownie Brittle M&M’s Minis
Madison Heights, Michigan-based Second Nature Brands and its brand, Sheila G’s Brownie Brittle, has expanded its candy offerings through a collaboration with Mars to create three new mashups: Brownie Brittle M&M’s Minis, Brownie Brittle Blondie M&M’s and Brownie Brittle M&M’s Minis gluten-free. “[We are] thrilled to partner with Mars on not one, but three delicious mashups with the iconic M&M’s candy […]
Posted inPackaging News, Meat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
Brooklyn Cured Redesigns Hot Dog Packaging, Adds Two Products
Brooklyn, New York-based Brooklyn Cured has launched new packaging for its all-beef New York Style hot dogs. The new packaging includes new colors and graphics to attract more consumer attention in store, as evidenced by increased velocity and sales. “We’re from Brooklyn, so of course we are inspired by Coney Island, but there are great hot-dog […]
Posted inPackaging News, National
Packaging Report Indicates Increased Optimism Amid Uncertainty
The Foodservice Packaging Institute’s 2023 State of the Industry Report reveals that the industry is seeing a steady comeback since the slowdown of the pandemic, despite current economic uncertainty. Results show that 60 percent of foodservice packaging manufacturers and suppliers experienced growth in volume, which is down 20 percent compared with last year’s large increase […]
Posted inCenter Store, Midwest
Heinz Introduces New Hot Varieties Sauce Line
Chicago-based Kraft Heinz and its brand, Heinz, have expanded its produce line with the introduction of Heinz Hot Varieties. Rolling out in major retailers nationwide and featuring pepper bases with varying heat levels, the Heinz Hot Varieties include a a new lineup of three spicy ketchup flavors and the first Heinz Hot 57 sauce. Nearly […]
Posted inBeverage News, Southeast
Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Opens New Office In Tampa, FL
Coca-Cola Bottlers’ Sales & Services Company, a limited liability company owned by about 70 independent Coca-Cola bottlers, has opened a new office at 8125 Highwoods Palm Way in Tampa, Florida, to accommodate collaboration and cultural engagement. In addition to the corporate headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, the new office space in Tampa supports the company’s operational […]