Providence, Rhode Island-based United Natural Foods Inc. wrapped up its Natural and Conventional Spring & Summer Show Feb. 7-8 in Orlando, Florida, hosting more than 1,000 brands and 2,000 customers. The show was the first of four major buying shows UNFI will hold in 2023 and was the first to bring together all natural and conventional […]
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 inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Celebrates Annual Crew Appreciation Month
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is celebrating its fifth annual Crew Appreciation Month throughout February. Natural Grocers good4u Crew will be treated to a celebration with gifts, giveaways and discounts as an expression of gratitude towards its employees. Margaret Isely, Natural Grocers’ co-founder, demonstrated the importance of recognizing crew members’ individual personalities, aptitudes and impact. She believed in expressing […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Ben’s Supercenter Uses LOC Software For Technology Needs
Sponsored content Since 1965, Ben’s Supercenter has offered its communities a wide selection of affordable name-brand products in agriculture, building materials, grocery, hardware lumber and fuel. In addition, being heavily involved in the community helps the team provide value that makes Ben’s Supercenters complete service locations. Knowing they need to bring the most diversified shopping […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Walt Churchill’s Market Grows, Evolves With LOC Software
Sponsored content Walt Churchill’s Market first opened its doors in Toledo, Ohio, in 1917. It was essential to the Churchill family to provide a location where families could get all their groceries without traveling all the way downtown. Instead, dedicated brothers, Jim and Joe would make the trip downtown to purchase fresh produce, stocking the […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Offers Essentials, Discounts For The Big Game
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is offering customers several discounts and specials for Game Day essentials through Feb. 12. From discounts on healthy snacks to large recipes, Natural Grocers is showcasing its discounts on everyday snacks, such as: Kettle Brand Select Potato Chips – 2 for $5 (5-ounce) Natural Grocers Brand Bulk Garlic Sesame Sticks or Giant Toasted […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Midwest
SpartanNash Sends Supplies To Turkey-Syria Earthquake Survivors
Grand Rapids, Michigan-based SpartanNash has donated bottled water and baby diapers to survivors of the Turkey–Syria earthquakes. The nonprofit Convoy of Hope is facilitating the distribution of items to those in need. “The destruction in Turkey and Syria is unimaginable, and we feel compelled to leverage supplies we have in stock to provide critical aid as fast as possible,” said Tony Sarsam, SpartanNash […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, National
Goya, Global Empowerment Mission Partner For Food Donations
Goya Foods, through its Goya Gives global initiative, has partnered with Global Empowerment Mission to send continuous food shipments for those affected by the recent earthquakes in Malatya, Turkey. G.E.M.’s Miami headquarters is consolidating donations from around the country, and Goya’s Florida and Texas facilities with daily shipments of food, water and humanitarian aid to Turkey. “Our hearts and prayers go out […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Walgreens To Hold Supplier Diversity Summit In March
Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens will hold a Supplier Diversity Summit, a virtual showcase for diverse businesses and entrepreneurs to share their retail offerings. The virtual event, taking place the week of March 28, provides diverse vendors the opportunity to connect with the Walgreens merchandising team, share their products and receive feedback with the ultimate goal of being […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southeast
Winn-Dixie To Celebrate Mardi Gras Across Louisiana
Winn-Dixie will celebrate Mardi Gras across Louisiana with food and celebrations. The grocer also plans to participate in local parades with free swag gifts. “At Winn-Dixie, we are excited to join the Carnival revelry with our local communities again this year,” said Lynn Rushing, regional VP for Winn-Dixie. “We are incredibly proud of our deep-rooted […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Shares Product Offerings For Valentine’s Day
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. is sharing its product offerings for customers in celebration of Valentine’s Day. “From dinner and dessert to flowers and candy, Kroger has everything customers need for a romantic dinner for two,” said Juan De Paoli, Kroger’s VP for Our Brands. “Celebrate love by experiencing the joy of cooking a meal together made […]
Posted inRaley's, Executive News, West
The Raley’s Companies Hires Burkhalter As CFO
West Sacramento, California-based The Raley’s Companies has hired Tiffanie Burkhalter as CFO, effective Feb. 16. In this role, Burkhalter will oversee all enterprise financial functions, real estate and risk management. “I am excited to join The Raley’s Companies and support their expanded portfolio of brands,” Burkhalter said. “I look forward to working alongside the impressive leadership team and […]
Posted inH-E-B, Independent Store News, Southwest
H-E-B Homes Built For Heroes Celebrates Milestone
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Operation Appreciation program, H-E-B and the H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust are celebrating the milestone of gifting 40 mortgage-free, custom homes to severely wounded military veterans and their families. H-E-B’s Operation Appreciation will continue to celebrate its decade of service throughout the year. On Feb. 4, […]
Posted inExecutive News, National
Flashfood Appoints Bertram As President, COO
Toronto-based Flashfood has appointed Nicholas Bertram to the newly created position of president and COO. Betram’s appointment comes on the heels of a historic year for Flashfood. The company has diverted more than 65 million pounds of food from landfills – a milestone achieved following the company’s rapid expansion to more than 1,550 grocery stores across North America […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Amazon Fresh, National, Whole Foods
NielsenIQ Partner Network Expands With Pacvue
Chicago-based NielsenIQ announced the addition of Bellevue, Washington-based Pacvue to the NielsenIQ Partner Network, an open ecosystem of tech-driven solution providers. According to eMarketer, retail media investment will reach $55 billion by 2024. This shift requires proper omnichannel sales measurement, granular and accurate online product availability, and quality data to drive media performance, profitability and […]
Posted inPackaging News, Southwest
Fox Packaging EVP Craig Fox Dies At 62
McAllen, Texas-based Fox Packaging shared in a recent press release about the death of EVP Craig Fox on Feb. 1. He had been fighting brain cancer. Fox worked alongside his family to pioneer packaging solutions for the fresh produce industry. He served the produce industry for more than four decades. After graduating from Texas Christian […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
NGA Show Shares Full Details For Independent Grocers Event
The NGA Show announced pre-registration for the 2023 event is tracking higher than the 2022 event, as its producers – the National Grocers Association and Clarion Events – are set to welcome thousands of grocery retail professionals at Caesars Forum Convention Center in Las Vegas. The event takes place Feb. 26-28. The trade show and […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Midwest
Buehler’s Fresh Foods Selects Mercatus For Expanded Services
Buehler’s Fresh Foods has partnered with Mercatus, a provider of grocery e-commerce solutions, to bring customers an integrated online ordering and fulfillment experience. With 14 supermarkets in northeastern Ohio, Buehler’s provides customers an assortment of locally-sourced specialty groceries, prepared foods and fresh products. The Buehler’s team selected Mercatus for its track record and success in […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Northeast
North Coast Seafood Launches Kelp Meatballs, Burgers
Boston, Massachusetts-based North Coast Seafoods is launching new product innovations, such as meatballs and burgers, using ocean-grown kelp from the Gulf of Maine. Items made with kelp are naturally vegan and gluten free with a clean label list of ingredients composed of kelp, green chickpeas, brown rice, and spices. Kelp meatballs and burgers are made using sustainably-grown kelp, […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Opens Two New Locations In Wisconsin
Hy-Vee Inc. has opened two new stores in Wisconsin, expanding its footprint in the state to eight locations. The Janesville site is a reimagined grocery store with a new layout – the sixth of its kind for the retailer’s eight-state footprint. Hy-Vee also opened a store in the former Bill’s Food Center in Oregon, Wisconsin. […]
Posted inAssociation News, West
WAFC Names Dimond As New Senior Director
The Western Association of Food Chains has named Andrea Dimond as senior director of educational strategy and development. Dimond has spent more than 20 years in the food industry. She began her career with CPC Baking Business (now known as Bimbo Bakeries USA), recruited from UCLA into a leadership training program. Two years later, Dreyer’s Grand […]