Fresno, California-based Sun-Maid Growers of California has appointed Steve Loftus as president and COO, reporting to Harry Overly, executive chairman of the board. Loftus will replace Braden Bender, who has been serving as Sun-Maid’s interim-president since September, and is returning to his role as CFO. In this new role, all functional areas within Sun-Maid will report […]
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 inProduce News, Association News, National
Study Shows Produce Remained Close To Last Year Sales
IRI, 210 Analytics and IFPA continue to share the latest trends and analysis in fresh produce. Fresh produce prices were also up from last year, but a relatively low 5.3 percent level on a per-unit basis and 5.6 percent on a per-pound basis. This is far below the total store average. The deceleration is driven by […]
Posted inMarketing News, Southeast, Wholesaler/Distributor News
Riteway Sales And Marketing Shares Company Promotions
Lakeland, Florida-based Riteway Sales and Marketing has announced new leadership changes in the company. Effective Jan. 1, Steve Critelli, EVP, will assume the role of president. Jim Hall will move from president to chairman and CEO of the organization. “As part of our succession plan of the company, we are elevating Steve to oversee the […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Midwest
Hy-Vee Makes Several Key Leadership Moves
Among several leadership changes announced Tuesday during Hy-Vee Inc.’s annual stockholders meeting, CEO Jeremy Gosch was named vice chairman of the West Des Moines, Iowa-based company’s board of directors. In addition, Executive Director and Executive Chairman of the Board Randy Edeker shared that two longtime Hy-Vee executives – Donna Tweeten and Aaron Weise – have been […]
Posted inProduce News, West
California Avocado Commission Announces DeLyser’s Retirement
Jan DeLyser has announced her plan to retire as VP of marketing from the California Avocado Commission after 24 years of service. The tentative timing for her retirement is mid-February. “Jan DeLyser is an icon in the produce industry and has been instrumental in the development of the avocado category and the premium California avocado […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Executive News, Southwest
Tyson Foods Names Stewart As Group President Of Fresh Meats
Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods has announced Brady Stewart as group president of fresh meats. He began his new role at the start of the new year. Stewart succeeds Shane Miller, who will conclude more than 30 years of service to Tyson Foods in 2023. Stewart will report to President and CEO Donnie King and will be responsible […]
Posted inPackaging News, Midwest
Boxed Water Releases Jurassic World Cartons For 2023
Holland, Michigan-based Boxed Water Is Better is teaming up with Universal Products and Experiences to offer renewable packaged water. Launching in March, the “Jurassic World”-inspired Boxed Water collection will be available in grocery store locations in the U.S. “We are proud that Universal is lending one of their most iconic brands to Boxed Water in an effort […]
Posted inInnovator of the Year, Food Industry Hall of Fame, West
Foundation’s Pillars Focus On Education, Health, Hunger, Children
The Cardenas Markets Foundation is a nonprofit noted for its charitable efforts that impact the lives of those in the areas the grocer serves. The foundation supports organizations committed to advancing health, children’s well-being, hunger relief and education. According to its president, Adam Salgado, who also serves as the grocer’s chief marketing officer, the foundation accrues […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, National
Ahold Delhaize Proposes Agnefjäll As Chair Of Supervisory Board
Zaandam, the Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize has announced that it intends to propose the reappointment of Peter Agnefjäll as member and chair of the supervisory board at the annual general meeting of shareholders on April 12. Peter Agnefjӓll has been a member of the supervisory board since April 2019 and was appointed chair in January 2021. He […]
Posted inBJ's Wholesale Club, Corporate Store News, Northeast
BJ’s Introduces 10 Days Of HoliDeals, Shares Survey Results
Americans love the thrill of the hunt, according to a new survey of 2,000 consumers conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Marlborough, Massachusetts-based BJ’s Wholesale Club. The survey found that 65 percent of shoppers compare looking for the right gifts to hunting for treasure, with 52 percent claiming “the hunt” is just as fun as […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National
Meat-Focused Thanksgiving Disrupts November Seafood Sales
IRI, 210 Analytics and Elanco have partnered to share the latest trends and analysis relative to seafood sales at retail. Fresh seafood prices in November had a mild increase over a year ago at 2.9 percent. Inflation in frozen seafood also started to moderate, but shelf-stable seafood prices, which include cans and pouches, had a double-digit […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
WP Rawl Sponsors Wreaths Across America Events
Pelion, South Carolina-based WP Rawl, a grower, processor and shipper of leafy greens, was the major sponsor of two annual wreath-laying ceremonies honoring fallen U.S. veterans on Dec. 17, which is National Wreaths Across America Day. WP Rawl donates the use of its trucks, trailers, fuel and drivers to pick up loads of hand-made wreaths in […]
Posted inProduce News, Southwest
Lone Star Citrus Begins Annual Sweeter In Texas Sweepstakes
Winter Sweetz, a Texas-based grapefruit brand owned by Lone Star Citrus, has announced the launch of its third annual “Sweeter in Texas” sweepstakes to celebrate red grapefruit season. Through Jan. 20, Winter Sweetz is offering shoppers a chance to win a $500 gift card and a case of Texas red grapefruits valued at $35. Consumers may enter […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, Northeast
Weis Markets Adopts Toshiba’s Cloud Enabled Solution
Sunbury, Pennsylvania-based Weis Markets has adopted the ELERA commerce platform from Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions that features unified commerce, loyalty, promotions and a produce recognition experience for its shoppers. The unified shopping experience will provide Weis Markets’ e-commerce platform and 197 physical stores with more than 2,500 retail checkout touchpoints, including point-of-sale, self-checkout/dual use lanes and mobile […]
Posted inPlant-Based News, Southwest
Good Karma Foods Names Murray As CEO
Boulder, Colorado-based Good Karma Foods, a producer of plant-based milk and dairy alternatives, has announced that Mike Murray, a CPG food and beverage industry veteran, has joined the company as CEO. The addition of Murray to the Good Karma team coincides with a new round of funding that will accelerate growth for the plant-based brand. It […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Corporate Store News, Midwest, Nonfood Items
Kroger Health, Prime Therapeutics Increase Health Access
Cincinnati-based Kroger Health, the healthcare division of The Kroger Co., and Prime Therapeutics have announced an agreement for the Kroger Family of Pharmacies to remain in-network, effective Jan. 1. “Kroger is always looking for new opportunities and collaborations to make Medicare more accessible, and our direct agreement with Prime delivers benefits for our customers and […]
Posted inRaley's, Bashas', Corporate Store News, West
The Raley’s Cos. Establishes New Support Center For Bashas’
The Raley’s Companies is investing in a new Bashas’ Support Center in Chandler, Arizona. The new office will serve Bashas’ division support and administrative employees with modern amenities and an open-concept layout that fosters collaboration. Workers will move from 22402 S. Basha Road to 2650 W. Geronimo Place in spring. The location will be a […]
Posted inWholesaler/Distributor News, Merchant Distributors, Southeast
MDI, Design House Launch Digital Circulars, Retail Media Network
Ideal by Design House has announced a marketing agreement with Hickory, North Carolina-based Merchants Distributors. The arrangement allows MDI’s 600 grocery stores in 12 states access to Ideal’s Retail Media Network and upgrade to dynamic digital circulars. The network allows consumer packaged goods companies to choose a target audience and attract attention to promotional content along with video, […]
Posted inProduce News, Innovator of the Year, West
Fresh Food Stars During Tour Of ‘Forward Footprint’ Store
Cardenas Markets, The Shelby Report of the West’s Innovator of the Year, is in the process of a company-wide facelift. Within its three-state market area of California, Arizona and Nevada, the grocer has undertaken renovations at all of its stores. In preparation for honoring Cardenas ahead of this special section, The Shelby Report’s Bob Reeves […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Association News, National
IRI Survey: Thanksgiving Delivered Mixed Results For Meat Sales
As one of the biggest food holidays in America, Thanksgiving sales make or break November in food retailing. According to the mid-November IRI survey of primary shoppers, many Americans were back to celebrating like normal with an expected increase in the number of people in the party when compared to the last two years. As […]