The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday revoked the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and beverage products, as well as in ingested drugs. The FDA is amending its regulations in response to a 2022 color additive petition, which sought agency review on whether the Delaney Clause applied […]
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, Southwest
Berkley’s Market Opens New Location In Dallas
Berkley’s Market has opened a new location at 2822 McKinney Ave. in the State Thomas neighborhood of Dallas. The 4,100-square-foot Uptown location includes indoor seating and an outdoor patio as a community space for customers to have morning coffee or lunch and visit with friends. “We’re all about creating a neighborhood hub where convenience meets […]
Posted inExecutive News, New Seasons Market, West
New Seasons Market Makes Leadership Change After CEO Exits
Portland, Oregon-based New Seasons Market has shared that CEO Nancy Lebold has departed, with company veteran Dave Kauder stepping into a new leadership role. A longtime member of the company’s executive leadership team, Kauder will serve as SVP of retail, where he’ll support the grocer’s core business goals while driving customer experience, staff engagement and […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Shares Several Staff Promotions
The National Grocers Association has announced several promotions among its staff and the NGA Foundation. Stephanie Johnson Johnson has been promoted as NGA’s group VP of government relations and political affairs. In this expanded role, Johnson is responsible for managing NGA’s advocacy and political affairs, including policy development and management. She will manage the association’s […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, The Kroger Co., West
The Kroger Co. Pledges $1M To Support California Wildfire Relief
The Kroger Family of Companies, including Southern California’s Ralphs and Food4Less stores, intends to raise $1 million to benefit the American Red Cross and local Feeding America-affiliated food banks in the wildfire-ravaged Los Angeles area. “We strive to fulfill our purpose, to Feed the Human Spirit, every day and especially when disaster strikes,” said Rodney […]
Posted inGrocery Store Equipment, National
Instacart Accelerates Caper Cart Adoption With DUMAC, TRUNO
Instacart has begun new partnerships with two point-of-sale (POS) providers –DUMAC Business Systems and TRUNO Retail Technology Solutions – to offer Caper Carts to their grocer networks, providing end-to-end POS integration from sales through implementation. Caper Carts, Instacart’s artificial intelligence-powered smart carts, allow customers to scan items as they shop, track spending for budget management […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National, Save A Lot
Save A Lot Customers Donate 67K Food Bags To Charities
With the help of its customers, Save A Lot donated 67,252 bags of food to organizations fighting hunger as part of its Bags for a Brighter Holiday effort. Throughout November and December, shoppers at 480 Save A Lot stores across the country bought pre-assembled bags of food that were donated to food charities and pantries. […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Aldi, Midwest
Report: Shoppers Turn To Aldi For Reduced Grocery Prices
Aldi has released its first Price Leadership Report, which the German discount retailer said shows it offers lower prices than other national grocery chains and saves shoppers $8.3 billion per year. Conducted by Ernst & Young Quantitative Economics and Statistics Group (QUEST), the report found that shoppers have increasingly turned to Aldi as years of inflation […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Center Store, Natural Grocers, Southwest
Natural Grocers Introduces Private Label Wheat Pasta, Sauces
Natural Grocers has introduced six organic wheat pastas and five flavors of organic pasta sauces to its collection of house brand products. All six styles of Natural Grocers Brand Organic Pasta begin with organic durum wheat semolina. They are certified organic, vegan, non-GMO and crafted with plant-based and dairy-free ingredients. The line of pasta sauces […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, SpartanNash, West
SpartanNash Begins Fundraiser For California Wildfire Relief
SpartanNash has announced disaster relief efforts to support those affected by wildfires in the greater Los Angeles area. As part of its response, SpartanNash has donated six truckloads of essential products, including bottled water, ready-to-eat snacks and personal hygiene items, to disaster relief partners Convoy of Hope and Global Empowerment Mission. In addition, the SpartanNash Foundation is […]
Posted inExecutive News, Northeast, Tops Friendly Markets
Tops Appoints McCaffrey To SVP, Operations
Tops Friendly Markets has appointed John McCaffrey, a 44-year grocery industry veteran, to the role of SVP of operations. McCaffrey, who will begin his new role in February, succeeds Mike Patti, who is retiring after 52 years with Tops. As SVP, McCaffrey will oversee operations for Tops’ 152 stores, including one franchise location, and 58 fuel […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
December Online Grocery Sales Climb 19% Versus Last Year
The U.S. online grocery market ended December with $9.6 billion in monthly sales, an 18.7 percent increase over last year, as all three fulfillment methods posted year-over-year (YOY) sales gains, according to the Brick Meets Click/Mercatus grocery shopper survey fielded Dec. 30-31. December marks the fifth straight month of online grocery sales above $9.5 billion […]
Posted inExecutive News, National, Snacks Brands
The Hershey Co. President, CEO Shares Retirement Plans
Michele Buck, chairman of The Hershey Co. Board of Directors, president and CEO, has informed the company of her intention to retire, effective June 30, 2026. Buck will retain her roles until her successor is appointed, at which time she plans to resign from the board and transition to a senior advisor role until retirement. […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Report: Shoppers, Retailers See Benefits From AI In-Store
Seven in 10 consumers are familiar with the use of artificial intelligence (AI) at the retail locations where they shop, and more than half have a positive impression of the technology, according to a new SPAR Group survey. The report found that consumers are looking for wider deployment of AI-supported services like in-aisle promotions, product […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest, Walmart
Walmart Introduces Brand Refresh To Better Serve Customers
Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart has begun a brand refresh that the retailer says will better represent what it is today and reflect its evolution into a tech-powered omnichannel retailer. Since its founding in 1951, the company’s business has grown to meet the changing needs and wants of its customers, from affordable prices to digital offerings to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
DoorDash, Ibotta Partner To Help Customers Save Money
Ibotta and DoorDash have begun a multi-year partnership to provide DoorDash customers with access to Ibotta’s catalog of digital promotions. In joining the Ibotta Performance Network (IPN), DoorDash is helping consumers save more through personalized promotions and coupons on items in a range of categories, including grocery, health and beauty, home improvement and alcohol. For […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Northeast, Weis Markets
Weis Markets Joins NationsBenefits’ Retail Network
Weis Markets has partnered with NationsBenefits, a company specializing in healthcare fintech solutions and supplemental benefits, to enhance member access to nutrition and wellness items through a tech-driven integration. Medicare Advantage, Medicaid and Commercial cardholders can now use their Benefits Mastercard prepaid cards at more than 200 Weis Market stores in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, […]
Posted inExecutive News, National, Wholesaler/Distributor News
ROFDA President, CEO Pedersen Stepping Down
Jeff Pedersen, president and CEO of Retailer Owned Food Distributors & Associates (ROFDA), plans to step down after the organization’s spring conference to pursue a new opportunity. ROFDA praised Pedersen, who was appointed to the position in February 2022, for his impact and bringing visionary leadership, fostering strategic partnerships and championing collaboration across the grocery […]
Posted inProduce News, Association News, National
IFPA Shares New Strategic Plan, Executive Changes
The International Fresh Produce Association (IFPA) kicked off the new year by beginning its 2025-27 strategic plan, which includes new leadership roles. The plan was announced during Tammy DeBoer’s remarks at the Global Produce & Floral Show in Atlanta. DeBoer, president of Harris Teeter and 2025 chair of IFPA’s board of directors, will focus much of […]
Posted inPrivate Label Brands, Natural Grocers, Nonfood Items, Southwest
Natural Grocers Adds 6 Cleaning Products To Private Label Line
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers has made six additions to its private-label line of household cleaning products. Like other Natural Grocers Brand cleaning items, the organic products are vegan, cruelty free and made without parabens, phthalates, sulfates and synthetic fragrances. They come in containers made from sustainable sugar cane. “At Natural Grocers, we are committed to […]