On the following pages, Shelby Publishing is proud to present its inaugural Exceptional Independents Awards. Nominations were open to independent retailers, wholesalers, technology and other service providers. “Independents are the backbone of our industry, and this new awards program is an opportunity to recognize them for their contributions,” said Stephanie Reid, Shelby president. “Independents are […]
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 inWholesaler/Distributor News, Northeast
UNFI Shares Plans For Distribution Center In Manchester, PA
Providence, Rhode Island-based UNFI is building a new distribution center at 1025 Locust Point Road in Manchester, Pennsylvania. The 1.3-million-square-foot property will help the company continue to serve its growing customer base in the region. The temperature-controlled facility is under construction and expected to be finished over the next 15 months. This new facility will be […]
Posted inPackaging News, Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Organic Natural, West
Albertsons Cos.’ Organic Brand Introduces New Packaging
Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons Companies has shared that its O Organics brand is celebrating growth with new packaging. To kick off the redesign, the private label brand is designating April as Organic Breakfast Month and encouraging customers to share their favorite breakfast routine on social media using #WakeUpOrganic. “Many of our customers have embraced an organic lifestyle and consider it to be […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Southwest, Supply Chain News
Kroger Delivery Expands Operations To Austin, TX
The Kroger Co. has opened a new delivery facility in Austin, Texas, that will allow customers to choose from its selection of fresh items, Our Brands products and national brands for home delivery. The 70,121-square-foot spoke facility will work in conjunction with the Dallas fulfillment center. All orders are picked at the products’ peak freshness within the […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
SEPC Opens Application Period For Fresh Chefs Scholarship
The Southeast Produce Council has opened the application window for its scholarship program, SEPC Fresh Chefs. The second annual opportunity for this program is open to any full-time college or secondary education student pursuing a degree in culinary arts or restaurant management. Student applicants will submit a video introducing themselves and explaining the importance of […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Eatwell Market By Schnucks Opens In Chesterfield, MO
A new Eatwell Market by Schnucks held a ribbon-cutting ceremony March 29 at 220 THF Blvd. in Chesterfield, Missouri. The 30,000-square-foot store emphasizes natural and organic foods, as well as other community events. “We look forward to introducing St. Louis-area customers to our Eatwell Market, which will bring them a ‘beyond the expected’ shopping experience,” […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Consumers Use Retailers’ Mobile Apps For In-Store Shopping
Mobile app experience company Airship released new global consumer research at Shoptalk to shed light on consumer behaviors and preferences for mobile apps from retailers. Across 11,000 consumer respondents, 78 percent are using retailers’ mobile apps either more often or about the same as last year. This preference for retail apps extends across age groups and household […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Debuts Free Guided Shopping Sessions
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers has debuted a Personalized Shopping Experience at select stores. In this free service, a nutritional health coach will guide consumers as they shop, offering expert product knowledge and recommending products to support their personal goals. During a one-on-one session, Natural Grocers’ customers will receive: A 30-minute walkthrough of the store specific […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Grocery Store Layout, Southeast
Save A Lot Holds Store Grand Opening In Prestonsburg, KY
Save A Lot held a grand reopening March 29 for a store at 525 Village Dr. in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. A ribbon cutting was held at 9 a.m. to celebrate the occasion. Save A Lot CEO Leon Bergmann joined Saver Group store owners Dale Combs, Wendell Combs, Larry Noe and COO Keith DeFisher, along with the Floyd […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Grocery Store Layout, Northeast
Tops Markets Cuts Ribbon On Store Renovation In Hamlin, NY
Tops Friendly Markets cut a ribbon March 29 in celebration of the store’s grand re-opening at 1800 Lake Road in Hamlin, New York. This marks the 31st location recently updated with a new look and a renewed focus on fresh departments. The 47,000-square-foot store will offer new, enhanced services, an expanded assortment of products and […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Executive News, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Kroger CIO Joins Shoptalk To Discuss Grocery Tech Innovation
The Kroger Co.’s CIO and SVP Yael Cosset joined Shoptalk 2023 in Las Vegas this week for a discussion on how tech deployments improve the customer and employee experience at Kroger. “Investment in data and innovation during the last two decades – focusing on the customer experience – created immense value, saving customers $1.4 billion just last […]
Posted inSustainability News, Corporate Store News, West
Thrive Market, RePurpose Global Partner To Fight Plastic Pollution
Los Angeles-based Thrive Market has announced that its owned brands have become plastic neutral certified. The brand is partnering with rePurpose Global, a plastic action platform, to support funding the recovery of as much nature-bound plastic waste as it uses across its branded product packaging and shipping materials. Through this partnership, Thrive Market is supporting […]
Posted inExecutive News, Southwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Sysco Names Cheung As Chief Financial Officer
Houston-based Sysco Corp. has appointed Kenny Cheung as CFO, effective April 17. Neil Russell, who has served as Interim CFO since Jan. 6, has been appointed to the new position of chief administrative officer. “I’m delighted to welcome Kenny to our executive leadership team,” said Kevin Hourican, president and CEO. “Kenny is a results-oriented leader […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Sustainability News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market To Eliminate Single-Use Plastic Bags
Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market will eliminate single-use plastic bags at checkout by the end of 2023. With this decision, the retailer will remove more than 200 million single-use plastic bags from circulation each year. Sprouts has eliminated single-use plastic bags at 132 California stores and will roll out this initiative company-wide in phases in April, beginning with […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Beverage News, Southeast
Southeastern Grocers Pilots Ice Manufacturing Micro-Factory
Jacksonville, Florida-based Southeastern Grocers Inc. has announced a partnership with Relocalize to pilot ice manufacturing in the first autonomous micro-factory, designed to help eliminate middle-mile logistics to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, water waste and plastic pollution. The new ice micro-factory was unveiled at the grocer’s Jacksonville Distribution Center, where a ribbon made of 200 pounds […]
Posted inFood Lion, Corporate Store News, Southeast
Food Lion Celebrates 22 Years As Energy Star Partner Of The Year
For the 22nd year in a row, Salisbury, North Carolina-based Food Lion has earned the Environmental Protection Agency Energy Star Partner of the Year Award for its work reducing energy consumption. The retailer is the only company in the U.S. to receive this honor for that long. Each year, the Energy Star program honors a […]
Posted inDairy News, Executive News, Midwest
Hiland Dairy Foods Co. Names Incoming President, New SVP
Hiland Dairy has appointed Rick Beaman as its new president and named Shawn Pinon as SVP, effective April 1. With leadership experience at several top private and public dairy companies, Beaman joined Hiland Dairy in 2012 and was VP before being named president. He began his career with Borden Dairy in 1975. Beaman then joined […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast
Allegiance Retail Services To Open New Store In East Meadow, NY
Allegiance Retail Services will open a Super Foodtown on March 31 at 625 Merrick Ave. in East Meadow, New York. The grand opening weekend will begin with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 10 a.m. on March 31 and feature tasting demonstrations throughout the weekend. The 15,000-square-feet supermarket was built from the ground up by grocer Mofeed “Mike” Said. […]
Posted inProduce News, Executive News, National
Flashfood Adds Two Industry Executives To Leadership Team
Flashfood has appointed Jordan Schenck as chief brand officer and Sepideh “Sepi” Burkett as head of partner development. Schenck and Burkett’s appointments are the first executive hires under Nicholas Bertram’s leadership, who joined Flashfood in February as president. “I am extremely excited to welcome two visionary and seasoned leaders to the Flashfood organization. The appointments of […]
Posted inMarketing News, Corporate Store News, Grocery Store Equipment, Northeast
Giant Eagle Introduces MyPerks Conveyor Belt Advertising
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Giant Eagle and MessageWrap have announced their latest partnership to promote the grocer’s myPerks loyalty program by transforming checkout conveyor belts into moving billboards. The belts highlight features and savings opportunities for Giant Eagle shoppers when they opt into and use the myPerks loyalty program. Additionally, the belt covers help cashiers explain the new program to shoppers. […]