Kroger’s Atlanta Division is celebrating Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Week to further its goal to establish communities free of hunger and waste. Throughout the week, Kroger is working internally to celebrate and to educate employees about how each role within the company can make a difference, from courtesy clerks to store leadership. “Simple, everyday […]
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 inFestival Foods, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Festival Foods Increases Employee Discount To 15 Percent
Green Bay, Wisconsin-based Festival Foods is increasing its employee discount to 15 percent. It is available to all workers, along with members of their immediate households. “We want to help our teammates stretch their dollars when it comes to buying the groceries they need to feed themselves and their families,” said Mark Skogen, president and […]
Posted inBakery News, National
St Pierre Brand Expands Into Walmart Locations
St Pierre Bakery has announced new, branded distribution with Walmart. Its sliced brioche loaf variants have launched into 2,220 Walmart stores, while its brioche waffles with butter (six-pack) are available in more than 4,000 stores. “This is fantastic news for the brand and the result of a collaborative relationship we have built with Walmart, creating […]
Posted inFeature, Executive News, Southeast
Lowes Foods Focused On Offering Entertainment, Experiences
‘We want people to be able to come in and escape all the pressures of life in general’ The Shelby Report of the Southeast caught up with Tim Lowe, head of retail for Alex Lee and president of Lowes Foods, during the recent FMI Midwinter Executive Conference in Orlando, Florida. Lowe provided an update on Lowes […]
Posted inExecutive News, West
Cardenas Markets Promotes Stover To CEO
Ontario, California-based Heritage Grocers Group has announced the promotion of Eric Stover to the position of Division CEO of Cardenas Markets. In this position, Stover will continue to report to Doug Sanders, chairman and CEO for Heritage Grocers Group, its parent company. “Eric’s promotion to Division CEO supports the company’s strategy and overall growth plan. Serving […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Schnucks Donates $120K During Register Round Up Campaign
As part of Black History Month in February, St. Louis, Missouri-based Schnuck Markets and its customers donated $120,000 through its “Round Up at the Register” to support the Urban League. Customers donated $112,766 and Schnucks provided an additional $7,234. The campaign ran Feb. 1-14. In 2022, the grocer donated $150,000 to the Urban League as part of […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
UNFI Promotes Two Executives To Drive Transformation Plan
Transformation agenda focused on improving UNFI’s customer and supplier experience Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. has promoted two senior leaders to better align leadership teams and resources to drive its customer-centric strategy and transformation agenda. Erin Horvath has been appointed COO and Louis Martin has been named president of wholesale. UNFI has outlined the […]
Posted inMeijer, Independent Store News, Midwest
Meijer Recognizes Seven Employees With Company Awards
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based Meijer has named the recipients of its 2022 Legacy Awards, recognizing seven people across the company for their impact on their teams, customers and communities. The company also announced recipients of its first Meijer Impact Award, which celebrates a team’s accomplishments and acts of service. “While a lot about retail has changed […]
Posted inGrocery Store Layout, Corporate Store News, West
Stater Bros. Showcases Remodeled Store In Oceanside, CA
San Bernardino, California-based Stater Bros. Markets has announced the grand reopening of its enlarged, remodeled supermarket at 3770 Mission Ave. in Oceanside, CA. The store has expanded by 10,000 square feet and the additional space has allowed it to add amenities, such as stations for fresh-cut fruit and sushi and an expanded beer department. The store has also received an updated interior that matches other recent stores. Shoppers […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
AWG Reports Record Results At Annual Shareholders Meeting
Kansas City, Kansas-based Associated Wholesale Grocers Inc. reported record consolidated company sales of $12.3 billion, an increase of 13.65 percent on a comparable basis over 2021, and distributed $273 million of year-end patronage, following its annual shareholders meeting held March 21. AWG’s cooperative net sales were $10.7 billion, up 10.08 percent. The total distribution of cooperative […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Retailers Focused On Deploying Technology To Improve Efficiency
The recent 2023 Connected Retail Experience Study, conducted by Incisiv in collaboration with Verizon Business, shows that retailers are prioritizing investments in technologies that improve operational efficiency to reduce costs and increase profitability. Real-time inventory management has risen to the top of the investment agenda in the face of uncertain supply chain issues that retailers have […]
Posted inMerchandising News, Marketing News, National
Food Costs Remain High As Consumers Look For Other Options
Last year, food inflation at retail and foodservice exceeded levels reached during the Great Recession. Even with inflation moderating, higher food prices will continue influencing consumers’ spending and eating behaviors this year, reports Circana, formerly IRI and The NPD Group. Food will always be consumers’ priority in tough and good economic times, whether eaten at or […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Southwest, Supply Chain News
Kroger Opens Customer Fulfillment Center In Aurora, CO
The Kroger Co. has opened its customer fulfillment center at 6125 N. Jackson Gap Way in Aurora, Colorado. The 300,000-square-foot facility will delivery groceries and home essentials to customers up to 90 minutes away. Kroger Delivery uses temperature-controlled vans and efficiently-optimized delivery routes to ensure fresh products are delivered to customers’ homes. This facility expands […]
Posted inCoborn's, Marketing News, Midwest, Online Grocery Technology
Coborn’s Adds EBT SNAP Benefits Through Instacart
St. Cloud, Minnesota-based Coborn’s Inc. will accept EBT SNAP payments online for same-day delivery through Instacart. With this program, EBT SNAP participants will now be able to use their benefits to access fresh food and pantry staples from Coborn’s, Cash Wise and Marketplace Foods when shopping via the Instacart website and mobile app. This launch […]
Posted inExceptional Independents, Southwest
Shelby Publishing Recognizes Southwest EIA Recipients
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 […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Southwest
Kroger Shares Plans For Three Marketplace Stores In Texas
The Kroger Co. has announced plans to open three new Kroger Marketplace format stores in North Texas in the communities of Fort Worth, Melissa and Plano. These locations will be the first new-build Kroger stores in North Texas since the company opened its location at 1801 North Lake Forest Drive in McKinney in 2019. Kroger has […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
WGA To Launch Share Group For Emerging Leaders
Women Grocers of America is launching the Emerging Female Leaders Network, a share group for women leaders in the independent grocery industry seeking to grow their professional network and accelerate their leadership development. The new share group will premiere in conjunction with the spring gathering of the Executive Female Leaders Network meeting at the first half […]
Posted inC-Store News, Association News, Northeast
NECSEMA’s Annual Trade Expo Opens March 22
Innovations in vehicle fueling and healthy food service at convenience stores take center stage March 22 at the DCU Center for the New England Convenience Store and Energy Marketers Association’s annual trade expo in Worcester, Massachusetts. “It’s an exciting and transformative time in the convenience store space, and we’re thrilled to showcase everything that the […]
Posted inLipari Foods, Midwest, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Lipari Foods Finalizes Acquisition Of Swiss-American Inc.
Warren, Michigan-based Lipari Foods has reached an agreement to acquire St. Louis, Missouri-based Swiss-American Inc., a specialty cheese solutions provider focused on retail deli. This opportunity will further enhance its manufacturing division’s capabilities through its subsidiary The Deli Source, with a specific focus on expanding cheese offerings. Founded in 1938 in St. Louis, Missouri, the Swiss-American […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Dierberg’s, Midwest
Dierbergs Markets To Open Store March 28 In Crestwood, MO
Dierbergs Markets will celebrate the opening of a new store March 28 in Crestwood, Missouri. Beginning at 8:15 a.m., the company will host a ceremony in front of the store to commemorate the opening of its 27th location. “The Dierbergs commitment to providing excellent customer service and an extensive selection of quality products will feel familiar […]