The NGA Government Relations committee members met last week in Washington D.C. to discuss top policy priorities for independent community grocers during the 118th Congress. The committee covered a variety of topics important to the independent grocery industry, including decreasing credit card swipe fees, antitrust reform, DIR fee reform, labor and employment and the 2023 […]
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 inAssociation News, Executive News, West
WAFC Promotes Phipps To Senior Director Of Certificate Program
The Western Association of Food Chains has promoted Cherie Phipps to senior director of the Retail Management Certificate Program. Established in 2000, the Retail Management Certificate is an accredited business program that provides associates with the skills to become managers and leaders in the retail grocery industry. Since its beginning, the program has grown from […]
Posted inProduce News, West
GrubMarket Expands Leadership Team At Sierra Produce
San Francisco-based GrubMarket has named Jim Hohman, former East Coast sales manager, as the new general manager and interim West Coast sales manager for Sierra Produce. Based in Orange, California, Sierra Produce is a provider of fresh fruits sourced nationally and globally and has additional offices in Swedesboro, New Jersey, and Buin, Chile. It is known as one of the largest […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, West
Superior Grocers Names Wardwell As President, CEO
Santa Fe Springs, California-based Superior Grocers has named Richard Wardwell as president and CEO, effective Jan. 30. He will succeed company founder Mimi Song, who will be stepping down as CEO but will remain chairman. Wardwell has more than 40 years of grocery retail experience. He began his career as a courtesy clerk and rose through the ranks […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Consumers Believe Technology Will Improve Shopping Experience
A consumer shopping survey sponsored by Shekel Scales revealed that 90 percent of consumers believe technology will improve the overall shopping experience. While nearly 60 percent of consumers cited technology that speeds and simplifies the self-checkout process, more than 30 percent of respondents expressed a desire for technology that helps them get in and out of […]
Posted inHarris Teeter, Food Industry Hall of Fame, Retailer of the Year, Southeast, Woman Executive of the Year
Harris Teeter’s Offerings Keep It At Forefront Of Fresh, Innovation
Matthews, North Carolina-based Harris Teeter is The Shelby Report of the Southeast’s Retailer of the Year. From its founding 62 years ago, the company has grown to become a premier regional grocery store brand in the Southeast. It boasts 258 stores and 70 fuel centers and two distribution centers in seven states. The company has […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Lakeview Farms Receives Redesign Award For La Mexicana Brand
Delphos, Ohio-based Lakeview Farms has received the Designalytics Effectiveness Award for the package redesign of La Mexicana. The awards recognize package redesigns that have been instrumental in driving brand growth. “Hundreds of package designs were considered this year and we’re honored to be one of nine to win an award,” said Greg Klein, chief marketing officer at Lakeview Farms, which owns […]
Posted inAssociation News, Northeast
PFMA Names Four Members To Board Of Directors
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association has named four new members to its board of directors: Paul Brauer, Tom Charley, Deriece Harrington and Shawn Rinnier. “What a great way to kick off a new year, welcoming these respected and active members of the food retail industry to our PFMA Board of Directors,” said Alex Baloga, president and […]
Posted inProduce News, West
Pacific Trellis Fruit Donates $39K To Tunnel To Towers Foundation
Los Angeles, California-based Pacific Trellis Fruit presented a check for $39,000 to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Since 9/11, the Tunnel to Towers Foundation has been helping America’s heroes by providing mortgage-free homes to Gold Star, fallen first responders and veterans’ families. It also builds custom smart homes for injured veterans and first responders. Pacific Trellis […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, National
Mercatus Unveils Mobile Grocery Shopping App
Toronto-based Mercatus has announced the evolution of Mercatus Mobile, a new mobile commerce experience for grocery retailers and their customers. According to the company, Mercatus Mobile delivers a “seamless” shopping experience to help grocers increase mobile conversions, improve order frequency and retain online customers. The new mobile app offers grocery retailers more control over their online experience providing […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Southwest
Natural Grocers Launches Resolution Reset Event
Lakewood, Colorado-based Natural Grocers is inviting customers to its annual Resolution Reset Event through Jan. 21. The event will run in-stores at the time when many abandon their New Year’s Resolutions and could use some extra motivation. Customers will enjoy savings, sweepstakes and community educational efforts, designed to help keep wellness goals beyond the first few weeks of […]
Posted inCenter Store, National
Inspired Home Show To Discuss Inflation, Strategies For Success
Creating strategies for success in the current economic marketplace will be the focus of this year’s presentations March 4-7 at The Inspired Home Show at McCormick Place in Chicago. Sessions will explore topics such as inflation’s influence on the housewares consumer; directional dining and drinking trends; purchasing in a digital world; new packaging concepts; looking […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Albertsons, Executive News, Southeast
Upshop Adds Two Industry Executives To Leadership Team
Tampa, Florida-based Upshop has added two industry executives to its leadership team. The technology firm named Ryan Voorhees as COO and Mark Hawthorne as chief innovation and strategy officer. The former Albertsons and Safeway executives have experience leveraging technology, data science, analytics and business process improvements to transform the grocery shopping experience. “Technology built to […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
SymphonyAI, Oracle Collaborate On Cloud-Based Solutions
Palo Alto, California-based SymphonyAI has announced a collaboration with Texas-based Oracle to offer its solutions on Oracle Cloud Infrastructure using services including Oracle Exadata Database Service, GPU-accelerated compute and performance monitoring. Beginning with SymphonyAI’s retail and CPG vertical solutions, customers can transition to the cloud to shorten technology deployment time and help ensure better real-time services with robust scalability […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Tops Begins Annual Checkout Hunger Campaign
Williamsville, New York-based Tops Friendly Markets has begun its annual Check Out Hunger campaign, which will run in all of its stores through Feb. 4. Tops’ annual campaign has helped raise more than $5,140,377 for participating food banks since 2006. The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that more than 34 million people are food insecure, nine […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Duda Farm Fresh Foods Names Bassetti As President
Oviedo, Florida-based Duda Farm Fresh Foods has announced Mark Bassetti, former COO and SVP, as the subsidiary’s new president. “Mark brings 31 years of experience to the role and is incredibly qualified, with both industry knowledge and the leadership traits necessary to lead Duda Farm Fresh Foods successfully,” said Barton Weeks, COO. “Because of the unique demands of […]
Posted inCenter Store, Southeast
eGrowcery, AdAdapted Help Retailers Grow Digital Footprint
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan-based eGrowcery and AdAdapted are partnering to help retailers grow their digital footprint and related sales. The move will also support efforts by CPG brands to personalize the shopping experience and drive engagement, purchase intent and increased spend on retailers’ digital advertising platforms. “This partnership is all about eGrowcery and AdAdapted driving more platform eyeballs and enabling […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest, Snacks Brands
Chex Mix Collaborates With Sir Mix-A-Lot On Bagel Chips
Minneapolis-based Chex Mix is bringing its bagel chip back to Traditional Chex Mix bags. To announce the launch, the company has partnered with Sir Mix-A-Lot to release a remix of his song, “Baby Got Back.” The duo teamed up to create a snack-inspired remix and corresponding music video, aptly titled “Bagel is Back.” “You can’t […]
Posted inExecutive News, Midwest
Save A Lot Appoints Skula To Board Of Directors
Saint Ann, Missouri-based Moran Foods LLC “Save A Lot” has appointed Cathy Skula to the company’s board of directors as an independent director, effective immediately. Skula, who currently serves as operating partner of Riverside, a global investment firm, brings to the board more than 30 years’ experience in retail. Prior to joining Riverside, she spent the […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southwest
DemandTec By Acoustic Selects Logic As Partner For Customer Base
Conway, Arkansas-based DemandTec by Acoustic has announced a partnership with Logic to deliver implementation and change management services to its global customer base. With this partnership, DemandTec customers have access to Logic’s retail technology consultants, methodologies and technology accelerators. The companies will deliver tools and strategic advice to help retailers implement technology solutions and address supply chain disruption, rising […]