Deerfield, Illinois-based Walgreens will hold its annual Localization Summit, a virtual showcase for diverse, local and regional businesses and entrepreneurs to share their retail offerings with the merchants of the national drugstore chain. The virtual event, hosted by RangeMe and ECRM, provides local suppliers the opportunity to connect with the Walgreens merchandising team, share their products […]
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, Northeast
PFMA Opens Applications For 2023 Ridge Scholarship
The Pennsylvania Food Merchants Association is accepting applications for the 2023 Thomas R. and Laura Ridge Scholarship. Eligible students can apply for a one-year, $2,500 award for the 2023-24 academic year. The scholarship amount increased last year by $500 each. In 2022, 27 students earned $67,500 toward their educations. “This is one of the […]
Posted inProduce News, Southeast
Mancini Foods Acquired By Third-Generation Family Member
A full century after beginning operations in 1922, Zolfo Springs, Florida-based Mancini Foods has been acquired by family member Alan Mancini and his wife, Debbi Mancini. The new company will be called Mancini Foods LLC. Mancini, who immediately assumes the title of president and CEO, was past president of the company, having worked at Mancini Packing from 1996-08. The new […]
Posted inCorporate Store News, West
Sprouts Farmers Market Hosts National Hiring Events
Phoenix-based Sprouts Farmers Market will host a national hiring event Dec. 9-10 at all locations, excluding the Yuma, Arizona, store. The grocer has stores in 23 states with nearly 400 locations. Sprouts’ approach to grocery shopping means potential employees should share a passion for the fresh, natural and organic products offered throughout the store. Those […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, Southwest
SymphonyAI Retail CPG Launches CINDE Insights
Dallas-based SymphonyAI Retail CPG has announced that its AI-enabled CINDE Insights platform is available for CPGs working with North American retail partners. Since 2017, Customer Insights and Decision Engine Insights has helped retailers identify opportunities to increase sales and shopper engagement, recommend high-impact actions and free up merchant time to allow for more strategic decision-making. North American CPGs have access to the same […]
Posted inAssociation News, National
FMI Encourages Improvements To FDA’s Human Foods Program
FMI – The Food Industry Association and Leslie G. Sarasin, its president and CEO, issued the following statement on the release of the Reagan-Udall Foundation’s report making recommendations to improve the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Human Foods Program. “FMI welcomes the…recommendations released yesterday, and we look forward to supporting FDA leadership as they make […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Dairy News, Midwest
Murray’s Cheese Opens 1,000th Shop In Kroger Banner Stores
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Kroger Co. has announced the opening of the 1,000th Murray’s Cheese shop in its banner stores, bringing the shops to more than 30 states across the U.S. In 2008, Murray’s began opening cheese counters in Kroger stores to expand beyond its flagship Greenwich Village store in New York City. Each shop offers a curated […]
Posted inCentral Market, Corporate Store News, Southwest
Central Market Hosts Chef-Led Cooking Class Dec. 13
Central Market will host a chef-led cooking class Dec. 13 at its store in Plano, Texas. The store, located at 320 Coit Road, will host the gathering with Edward Lee, a James Beard award-winning chef. The event will take place from 6-8:30 p.m. and a book signing with Lee will occur from 5-5:45 p.m. Known […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southwest
Tyson Foods Gives Employees $50M In Year-End Bonuses
Springdale, Arkansas-based Tyson Foods is providing more than 90,000 hourly employees across the U.S. approximately $50 million in year-end bonuses. For employees, the bonuses will range from $300 to $700, and will be distributed starting mid-December. In addition, Tyson is offering flexible work schedules at some facilities, expanded benefits, services and resources for all employees […]
Posted inMeat/Seafood/Poultry, Southeast
Farmer Focus Expands Distribution, Promotes Executives
Harrisonburg, Virginia-based Farmer Focus is finishing 2022 with the expansion of its product line into Publix stores and a new partnership with Safeway in the mid-Atlantic region. With the addition of 750 new stores, Farmer Focus will be available in more than 3,100 stores throughout the East Coast and Midwest, including other major retailers like […]
Posted inOnline Grocery Technology, West
Upcycled Foods Named To ‘Next Big Thing In Tech’ List
Fast Company has named Berkely, California-based Upcycled Foods to its second annual “The Next Big Things in Tech” list. Recognized as one of four innovators in the food and agriculture sector, recipients are selected as they’ve reached key milestones in order to have a proven impact in the next five years. The company powers the B2B upcycled food […]
Posted inSnacks Brands, Bakery News, Midwest
Second Nature Brands Acquires Brownie Brittle
Detroit-based Second Nature Brands, a creator of nutritional and better-for-you snacks and treats, has completed the acquisition of Brownie Brittle from Encore Consumer Capital. The terms of the transaction are not being disclosed. Founded in 2012, Brownie Brittle is a brownie snack brand whose combination of flavor and texture appeals to growing consumer demand. Brownie Brittle […]
Posted inBakery News, Association News, National
FMI Report Shows Bakery Performance On The Rise
FMI – The Food Industry Association has released its inaugural Power of In-Store Bakery 2022 report, revealing that consumer engagement with in-store bakery items remained high with virtually all shoppers eating them at least occasionally and 63 percent doing so weekly. According to the analysis, food retailers can drive department success even further by emphasizing freshness, expanding options and […]
Posted inCenter Store, Northeast
McCormick Names Piper As Chief Human Relations Officer
Hunt Valley, Maryland-based McCormick & Company has appointed Sarah Piper to chief human relations officer. Piper has become a member of McCormick’s Management Committee. In her new role as chief human relations officer, Piper is responsible for the development and execution of the company’s global people strategy. Her responsibilities will include talent management, learning, total rewards, diversity, equity […]
Posted inIndependent Store News, Association News, National
IGA Names 2023 Independent Retailers Of The Year
The Independent Grocers Alliance has named nine members as the 2023 Retailers of the Year. The grocery store operators and their teams have been nominated by their wholesalers, placing them among the best of the 30,000 independent grocers in the U.S. The awards are the highest honors the association gives to its retailer members. They […]
Posted inRaley's, Corporate Store News, West
The Raley’s Cos. Launches Holiday Hope Food Drive
West Sacramento, California-based The Raley’s Cos. has begun its Holiday Hope Drive, collecting donations from customers and employees for local Feeding America partners to help those facing food insecurity. The Raley’s Cos. and their divisions, Raley’s, Bashas’ and fieldTRUE, have united to fight hunger within their communities by committing 100 percent of customer donations made […]
Posted inThe Kroger Co., Albertsons, Corporate Store News, Midwest
Kroger Releases Comment On FTC’s Second Request
Cincinnati-based The Kroger Co. has received a request for additional information from the Federal Trade Commission as part of the regulatory review process for its merger with Albertsons Cos. Kroger issued the following statement: “Kroger looks forward to realizing the compelling benefits this merger will offer, including enhancing competition, lowering prices for customers, improving access to […]
Posted inPublix Super Markets, Independent Store News, Southeast
Publix Receives Distinguished Philanthropist Award
Audubon Florida named Publix Super Markets as its 2022 Distinguished Philanthropist Award recipient at a Dec. 2 ceremony in Corkscrew Swamp Sanctuary in Naples, Florida. The award is presented annually to an individual or organization whose generosity provides support for Audubon Florida. “We’re honored to receive this award and proud of the continued work we’re […]
Posted inMarketing News, National
Grow Same-Store Sales Without Increasing Costs
Sponsored content Utilize spare capacity on site by putting your investments to work As a grocer, the majority of your costs are related to your goods sold, location, maintenance and labor. When factoring in all these costs, opening or acquiring a new store can amount to anywhere from $1 million in small markets to more […]
Posted inBeverage News, Northeast
Bigelow Tea Earns Recertification As A ‘B Corporation’
Fairfield, Connecticut-based Bigelow Tea has achieved recertification as a Certified B Corporation, joining more than 6,000 companies globally that are committed to using their businesses as a force for social and environmental change. Cindi Bigelow, third-generation president and CEO, carries on her grandmother’s legacy by giving back to people and the planet. “Being certified, and […]